Out of Abaton: The Wooden Prince

Gr 4–7—Flying lions, fiery salamanders, chimera, sylphs, gnomes, men with wings, and an enormous sea monster all play roles in this fantastical retelling of Pinocchio. Pinocchio, a wooden automaton, has been secretly sent by the immortal ruler of the magical kingdom of Abaton, Prester John, now imprisoned in the Venetian Empire, to serve the alchemist Geppetto Gazza. For failing to deliver the Ancientmost Pearl, source of immortality, Geppetto is on the run from the doge of Venice, who has murdered Geppetto's wife and son. Fleeing with Pinocchio and the musical cricket, Maestro, Geppetto realizes he must return to Venice to rescue Prester John, even as he and Pinocchio are recognizing that the automaton is turning into a real boy. But before they can get too far, Pinocchio is abducted and forced to perform in the Grand Marionette Theater, where his "seven league boots" literally raise him to stardom as the Magpie. With the help of the chimera Wiq, the sylph Princess Lazuli, and Mezmer, a warrior fox, he escapes and begins a perilous journey to rescue Geppetto and Prester John and to find a home in Abaton. Bemis has created an alternative world rich in fantastical detail with a touch of steampunk, filled it with multiple characters both human and otherwise, and devised a complex, nonstop action-filled plot that may challenge and strain credulity in all but the most devoted high fantasy readers. A glossary extends the story, and a sequel is planned.