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“A darkly comic and hugely inventive adventure…it could be the next big thing.”
— Eoin Colfer, New York Times bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl series
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“When ninety-nine pigeons smash through the windows of Kester’s prison
and carry him north to the last of the animals…it’s a moment as thrilling as
when James flies off in the Giant Peach. Highly recommended.”
— Times (London)
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“The sequel had better come soon.”
— Observer (London)
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“Inventive, with laughs, tears, and cliffhangers.”
— Sunday Times (London)
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“A whimsical yet thoughtful tale that brings to mind the smarts and
silliness of Roald Dahl and Norton Juster.”
— New York Post
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“In this offbeat semi-apocalyptic fantasy…a sort of dystopian Winnie-the-Pooh, Torday’s story is
alternately somber, thrilling, and silly, filled with eccentric human and
animal characters with distinctive voices. That includes Kester—although his
fellow humans see him as silent, his courage, actions, and growth speak volumes.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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“This gentle, dystopian adventure is a good introduction for students who
may not have encountered environmental morality tale tropes, such as talking
animals, an epic quest, and an evil corporation out to destroy the world. A
solid choice for students who are too young for Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games.”
— School Library Journal
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“This fantasy journey with a
post-apocalyptic setting combines a great fondness for animals with an appreciation
of the freakish…Although Kester’s a classic special-kid-who-doesn’t-know-it,
the reserved narrative tone and tender yet peculiar view of animals give this
piece its own offbeat flavor.”
— Kirkus Reviews
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“The plot of this eco-thriller
moves swiftly enough to engage ambivalent readers, and Kester is a winsome
protagonist…This book should have fairly broad appeal, and will have at least
one sequel. Recommend this book to readers who like the Books of Ember series
by Jeanne DuPrau, noting that this book is less complex in both plot and world
building.”
— VOYA
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“Narrator Oliver Hembrough gives
voice to the thoughts of Kester, a mute teen who is incarcerated…Hembrough’s
dynamic narration adds suspense, even when the story occasionally becomes
predictable. His performance features two standout characters, a befuddled
white pigeon who squawks jumbled commentary and a cockroach who gruffly barks
militaristic orders as he rides safely in Kester’s pocket. Hembrough’s English
accent suits this dystopian adventure, which is peppered with British words
that are uncommon in the American lexicon.”
— AudioFile