Stormchaser

September 1, 2004
Gr 5-8-The first volume introduces Twig, a human boy being raised by woodtrolls in the Deepwoods. After he leaves his adoptive parents and "strays off the paths," he embarks on a series of encounters with strange creatures ranging from a "termagant trog" who keeps him as a pet to the "caterbird," whose hatching he witnesses. Twig survives a range of dangers and joins the sky pirate ship of Captain Cloud Wolf, learning secrets about his own past. In Stormchaser, Twig, now 16, finds himself involved in the politics of Sanctaphrax and in the conflict over "stormphrax," a magical substance that maintains the balance for the floating city and can be transformed into "phraxdust," which purifies water. As Cloud Wolf, Twig, and the crew travel in search of the Great Storm that creates stormphrax, they crash and travel through the surreal Twilight Woods. While Deepwoods seems more focused on introducing its setting and range of creatures than developing its characters, Twig grows and matures during his adventures in Stormchaser, and other characters gain depth as his adventures continue. Stewart has created a detailed, gritty fantasy world, bringing realism to even his most outlandish characters. Riddell's sketches bring detail, verve, and humor to the stark text. The rapid pace of events will draw in readers. Already popular in its England, this series will appeal to fans of J. K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" books (Scholastic).-Beth L. Meister, Yeshiva of Central Queens, Flushing, NY

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2004
Gr. 4-6. The second volume in the Edge Chronicles series, " Stormchaser " is a rousing adventure tale with a story that's more complex and satisfying than its predecessor, " Beyond the Deepwoods " [BKL Jl 2004]. Sanctophrax, a city of academics that floats in the air above Undertown, threatens to break from its mooring and drift away because the corrupt Most High Academe has been selling off the rare, valuable, and strangely heavy substance called stormphrax. Although forbidden to accompany his father on a mission to secure more stormphrax, Twig stows away aboard his father's sky pirate ship and takes a pivotal role in completing the mission. With a murderous villain who slices off his dead victims' toes, the story is not for the fainthearted, but many young readers who crave action and enjoy long books will find it a riveting tale. Stewart manages the many characters and the frequent shifts of scene well, driving the story at full throttle toward its inevitable climax. Reminiscent of the ink drawings of illustrators from Pauline Baynes to Robert Lawson to Dr. Seuss, Riddell's wonderfully detailed art appears throughout the book to help readers envision this inventive fantasy world and the many strange creatures that inhabit it. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2004
Young Twig leaves his forest home after discovering he was adopted. In the "dark and deeply mysterious" Deep Woods, he encounters many mystical creatures before meeting his natural fathera sky pirate. "Stormchaser" describes Twig's own adventures aboard a sky ship. The episodic narratives are overlong, but the writing is strong and the detailed, often grotesque illustrations perfectly suit the text.

(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)