Children's Literature
- Lisa Colozza Cocca
Eleven-year-old Walker, the protagonist in this middle grade fantasy, is lonely. One day, he follows Eddie into a hole in the ground and ends up in the kingdom of Nebula. Upon entering Nebula, everyone immediately recognizes Walker as the Chosen One by the star shaped birthmark on his cheek. He is taken to the king where he learns about the problems the kingdom is facing and the secrets of the Chosen Ones. At first, Walker chooses to go back to the Outerworld. However, he later returns to Nebula with Frankie, a girl in his neighborhood. When Nebula's king dies, Walker decides to stay and help. Timid in the Outerworld, Walker shows courage in the face of the warriors of the Black Shroud. He defeats the enemies of Nebula with cleverness rather than violence. The plot lacks suspense and Frankie is more of a caricature than a character. However, the book's themes of good triumphing over evil and children knowing better than adults may appeal to younger fantasy fans. Reviewer: Lisa Colozza Cocca
Kirkus Reviews
This fast-paced fantasy novel begins with a nerdy boy reading in his refrigerator-box hideout, only to be whisked off to a kingdom filled with beauty and magic. When 11-year-old Walker Watson meets red-headed, sword-bearing Prince Edward, he discovers that in the Kingdom of Nebula, "We live in light but we don't forget that the dark is always present just the other side of the walls, and it could take over at any moment." When the Warriors of the Black Shroud and their evil master strike Nebula, the reluctant Walker, his only friend Frances (a.k.a. Frankie) and Prince Edward take action. With the exception of the three young people, characters develop only enough to make sense within the plot and drive the action. This book falls into the traditional category of good-against-evil battles in which "elders have to be taught by children"; the explicit use of "Chosen One" to describe, well, the Chosen One further wedges it into its genre niche. Well-worn tropes aside, the climax and resolution have just enough surprise to satisfy readers. This attractive world (warriors ride unicorns!) and likable characters--boy heroes with a strong girl sidekick--will give fledgling readers of fantasy a treat. (Fantasy. 8-11)
School Library Journal
Gr 4–6—A boy with a scar on his face who has no idea of his magical potential or his identity as "the Chosen One"; a smart, talkative girl; a long-playing battle between good and evil. No, it's not that book. Not even close. Eleven-year-old Walker is typical bully bait-he reads, hangs out with his mom, and has that weird scar. He's not interested in accompanying a strange kid named Eddie to a place he's never heard of. But he does. Nebula is some kind of otherworld that is completely dark, except for the light of the Source, which provides energy for everyone there, except the evil bad guys, who have been plotting to take over for a very long time. Spies are uncovered, battles with unicorns and dragons are fought, and politics are played. When the king is killed, Walker is supposed to take over, but ultimately, it is Eddie who proves his bravery and gets his Chosen status returned. And the girl? Don't ask. There is some violence but it is remarkably bloodless (the king seems to be the only true victim). The writing is serviceable, the characters are pretty flat, and in a crowded marketplace of fantasy, this one does not stand out.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
