FICTION

Palace of Dreams

illus. by Dave Phillips. Bk. 4 336p. (The Familiars Series). HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062120298; ebk. $9.99. ISBN 9780062120304.
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Gr 4–7—Their reputation as heroes is short-lived for the Prophesized Three-cat Aldwyn, blue jay Skylar, and tree frog Gilbert-when they are suspected of poisoning Queen Loranella and promptly sent to the dungeon. After a daring escape, the familiars quickly go from being Vastia's most celebrated to its most wanted. Intent on clearing their names and saving Loranella's life, the three embark on an adventuresome journey to find a magical spell before it's too late. Not knowing who framed them or why, the friends travel great distances in disguise, encountering magical creatures and tricky obstacles along the way. Meanwhile, the queen is stuck in the Wander, between this life and the Tomorrowlife. The trio must enter the Dreamworld and hope to emerge alive with the lifesaving spell. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment that ends in a cliffhanger. As a movie is rumored to be in development, fantasy fans will want to get up to date on the plight of Aldwyn, Skylar, and Gilbert before its release.—Michele Shaw, Quail Run Elementary School, San Ramon, CA
The familiars--cat Aldwyn, frog Gilbert, and blue jay Skylar--are framed for a curse on Queen Loranella. To clear their names and save the ailing queen, the trio escapes imprisonment to search for a cure within the perilous land of dreams. The signature mixture of dry humor and gripping action makes this a worthy addition to the series.

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