Three of TJ Klune’s books have been at the top of my annual best books list, so needless to say, this was an eagerly anticipated read for me. While it wasn’t quite what I expected, I still enjoyed it tremendously for all of its Klune-like magic.
In 1995, Nate has lost both of his parents, he’s estranged from his brother, and he lost his job as a journalist in Washington, DC. With nothing to do and nowhere else to turn, he travels to Roseland, Oregon, to his family’s summer cabin, which his mother left him in her will. He figures he can lay low there for a few months and enjoy the solitude while he plans his next steps.
But the cabin isn’t empty, as he had expected. Two people have been staying there: a man named Alex and a 10-year-old girl who says her name is Artemis Darth Vader. Nate doesn’t know what to make of either of them, but it’s not long before he realizes that Artemis is extraordinary, and there must be a reason why she and Alex are hiding.
When the truth is revealed, the book shifts into high gear and feels more movie-like, with bad guys appearing, chases, etc. But while all of the action and suspense are occurring, the bones beneath the story are still quiet and lovely.
Themes familiar to the Klune books I’ve loved are present here, too: found family, queer love, memorable children, and more than a touch of fantasy. While I would’ve loved more time with the characters themselves, I was hooked on this story and the magic Klune created.
No comments:
Post a Comment