  | Secret of the bloodred key Author: Farr, David | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
After defeating the tyrant Malstain, Rachel and Robert are the heroes of Krasnia, but all is not how it should be. Robert is swept away with his new friends, leaving Rachel alone to take care of their ailing father. Rachel has also become the keeper of the hidden blood red key that opens the way into the Hinterland and is sworn to answer when it calls. Sequel to The Book of Stolen Dreams.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/01/24)
School Library Journal (00/05/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/01/2024 Gr 4–6—In this sequel to the Book of Stolen Dreams, Farr sends readers on another fantastical journey through Krasnia and the Hinterland that lies beyond. Dark-haired, brown-eyed Rachel Klein has recently defeated the dictator Charles Malstain, but something is wrong. The boundaries between this world and the one beyond have become porous. As Keeper of the Blood-Red Key, Rachel must find a way to set things to right and, in the process, rescue an innocent nine-year-old girl—Elsa Spiegel—from a fate worse than death. In this book, Farr adeptly builds out the world of Krasnia. He repurposes Greek mythology to give us the Hinterland, a place filled with winged ferrymen, corrupt paper-pushers, and the residents of Liars' Lair, Burglars' Burrows, and Tyrants' Tower. The author keeps tension high by placing a strict time limit on Rachel's quest. He also adds levity by assigning each of the children in the Hinterland an animal companion to follow them on their journey. VERDICT An engaging, fast-paced book well suited for fans who enjoy fantasies similar to Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials."—Talea Anderson - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
