**STARRED REVIEW**
"Rife with suspense, droll and poignant moments, and the occasional brutal confrontation, Auxier's worthy, absorbing follow-up is also a thought-provoking look at classic literary tropes, including their fanciful, sometimes darker, nature and themes... Ultimately, this affecting, compelling story stands on its own, embodying and highlighting the power and impact of tales well told--and why they endure."-- "Booklist"
**STARRED REVIEW**
"With Auxier's exceptional character development, even minor characters display vulnerability, interesting quirks, and depth. The major characters, even the villains, shine, with layers revealed through actions and very natural dialogue."-- "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"
**STARRED REVIEW**
"This novel should be in the hands of every human young enough at heart to be enchanted by the written word."-- "Kirkus Reviews"
**STARRED REVIEW**
"In the grand tradition of Cornelia Funke's Inkheart and John Stephens's The Emerald Atlas comes this companion novel to Auxier's Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. ...This author so clearly views books as the elixir of life, and this conviction oozes out of the text....A fantastically done fantasy that will be enthusiastically embraced by middle grade bibliophiles."-- "School Library Journal"
"Auxier has created an electrifying and extraordinary story. Middle grade readers will likely wish to reread to appreciate the wonder that is this book."-- "School Library Connection"