Starred review from November 1, 2018
Gr 4-7-The moment 11-year-old Fionn Boyle and his sister Tara set foot on Arranmore Island, he senses something unusual: every part of this island off the coast of Dublin calls to him as if it has been waiting for him to return. Fionn soon discovers there's a dark force buried deep on Arranmore that has also been lying in wait. It may be his destiny to confront this evil as the next Storm Keeper, the Island's magical protector. Though Fionn is riddled with self-doubt, his character is a fresh, contemporary take on the "underdog finding his special purpose" trope. His snarky sparring with Tara and her snobby crush on Bartley reveals wit and strength Fionn doesn't recognize in himself and his courage convincingly grows over the course of the novel. Guiding him toward his future is the siblings' adventurous grandfather Malachy, Arranmore's current Storm Keeper. His wisdom and patient advice underscore the novel's themes of remembrance, history, and family. Inspired by her grandparents' life on the real Arranmore Island, Doyle infuses every aspect of the novel with the richness of Irish folklore and culture: readers will be captivated by descriptions of the Island's beauty and magical history. The perilous climax doesn't resolve all plot threads, but enough questions are answered to provide an emotionally satisfying conclusion while teasing the battle ahead for the lovable crew. VERDICT A first purchase, modern yet timeless fantasy with plenty of heart and a Celtic twist.-Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 15, 2018
Eleven-year-old Fionn and his 13-year-old sister, Tara, visit an island off the west coast of Ireland that's rich in history, wonder, and danger. From the moment Fionn steps onto the shores of Arranmore, he can feel the island's power. Smoke billows from a fireless hearth. The sea rages and then calms in an instant, and his grandfather captures the island's storms in the candles he fashions. Tara throws herself into a quest to find the Sea Cave, a secret place of power reputed to grant one wish per generation. Fionn would use the wish to find his father, lost at sea, and save his mother from her depression, but he fears Tara would throw her wish away on her crush on Bartley, a boy with perfect hair and a dark heart. Fionn uses the oldest candle, exposing him to the island's most dangerous secrets and forcing him to fight for those he loves. Deep magic and an epic battle between good and evil swirl around two very ordinary siblings. If they can master their jealousy and rivalry, they may be able to save not only the island, but their own family. Irish legends collide with modern times in a fast-paced, magical tale about the ordinary becoming extraordinary. Diversity is limited to the magical variety.A distinctive fantasy with depth, humor, and heart. (Fantasy. 8-12)
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