Friday, November 4, 2011

The Wikkeling by Steven Arntson




This futuristic fantasy novel takes place in a world where schools teach by computerized rote learning, children are watched by cameras and reading books is frowned upon. Henrietta and her friends Gary and Rose are attracted to things from the past and seem to pay for it with mysterious headaches and visits from a menacing creature, known as a Wikkeling.

When Henrietta discovers an injured cat hiding in her attic, a chain of events unfolds which leads the children toward discovering the origins of the Wikkeling and the secret to breaking it's power over them. It is a journey in which understanding the past takes a pivotal role and in which problems in the present cannot be solved without an appreciation for history.

This novel is engrossing in it's originality and storytelling, with beautiful block print illustrations scatterered throughout. Lovers of fantasy and mystery will find much to engage them here. It does, however, wrap up a little too quickly, leaving too many loose ends and unanswered questions. Possibly this is to leave room for a sequel. Still, this is a highly recommended read. 2011

P. Sassoon

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