  | Assassination of Brangwain Spurge Author: Anderson, M. T. | |
| Price: $27.98 | ||
Summary:
Uptight elfin historian Brangwain Spurge is on a mission: survive being catapulted across the mountains into goblin territory, deliver a priceless peace offering to their mysterious dark lord, and spy on the goblin kingdom--from which no elf has returned alive in more than a hundred years. His host, the goblin archivist Werfel, is delighted to show him around. But a series of missteps and negative events may spell death for them and war for their nations.
| Added Entry - Personal Name: | Yelchin, Eugene |
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.30 Points: 6.0 Quiz: 197012 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 6-8 Reading Level: 4.60 Points: 11.0 Quiz: 75387 | |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (07/01/18)
Booklist (+) (06/01/18)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/09/18)
The Hornbook (+) (00/09/18)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2018 *Starred Review* Anderson’s latest foray into middle-grade fantasy is executed with all the smarts and finesse his fans have come to expect. Joining him on this storytelling adventure is Yelchin, who supplies illustrated sections identified as “Top Secret Transmissions” that move the story along, much like the artwork in Brian Selznick’s illustrated novels. The story opens by flinging readers into the goblin city of Tenebrion, alongside elfin historian Brangwain Spurge. Entrusted with a rare jewel from Elfland, a gift to forge peace between the two kingdoms, Brangwain regards his diplomatic mission with a mix of stoicism and disdain. On the other hand, his goblin host, Archivist Werfel, is brimming with excitement over the opportunity for cultural and scholarly exchange. While the two await a summons from the goblins’ ruler, Brangwain regularly sends reports to the elves’ secret police (Top Secret Transmissions!), revealing his clandestine role as spy. The true joy of this novel is in the two scholars’ rapport, especially as their irreconcilable views on their kingdoms’ war-torn history emerge; but as circumstances send the pair running for their lives, misconceptions begin to be stripped away. Yelchin’s black pen-and-ink illustrations, in medieval style, capture the humor and fantastical details of the text, as well as Brangwain’s changing view of goblins. Biting and hysterical, Brangwain and Werfel’s adventure is one for the history books. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.
