Beasts of the Uncanny Wild

January 15, 2025
A prince must fight for his rightful place on the throne. Following the events ofCreatures of the In Between (2023), at age 13, Prince Jin is now the youngest emperor of the Three Realms. He's flanked by his friends Bingyoo, Mau, and Masa as well as two monsters, a piyao and a kirin. As part of his goal to reintegrate monsters into the kingdom's economy, he's traveling with his monstermates to the kingdom's first monster exposition, where he's hoping to build public goodwill. The action-packed narrative evolves quickly as the event is sabotaged, and Jin, needing to think about his next steps, takes leave on Whisper Island. But Jin's sabbatical is disturbed when news from the palace reveals that Mau has gone missing, and he and his friends embark on a journey to find him. The group's epic mission includes a series of intriguing twists filled with mythical creatures from East and Southeast Asian cultures. A skillful reveal of a secret connected to Jin's family leads to political intrigue and conflicts, which are so numerous that the pace feels rushed at times. Readers may wish for some quieter moments to allow the story's events to sink in. Those who have fresh memories of the previous installment will better appreciate this volume. An entertaining sequel that's brimming with nonstop action. (author's note, bestiary)(Fantasy. 8-12)

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March 7, 2025

Gr 4-7-Lin's follow-up to Creatures of the In Between provides readers with an expansion of the rich worldbuilding and fantasy adventure introduced in the first book. Recently crowned Emperor Jin begins the novel with naive hope that his experience with magical uncanny beasts will easily change the minds of everyone in the realm from fear to understanding. His attempts to demonstrate the usefulness of the beasts fail, in part through sabotage, but also because Jin rushes forward without considering multiple outcomes-something he struggles with and learns from throughout the story. At times headstrong and petulant, Jin is also thoughtful, loyal, and humble enough to take advice from a host of allies and supporting characters. Jin demonstrates his willingness to consider alternative views as he learns more of the history of the beasts, and the empire, along his journey into the wild. Jin's growth is authentic and easy to follow as he talks things through with his companions, who reinforce the need to embrace mistakes, think beyond himself, and keep moving forward. Jin's growth and quest is central to the plot, but the allies around him are multidimensional and engaging, and their presence is vital to the energy of the novel. Although the falling action feels rushed, the book concludes neatly. VERDICT A vibrant fantasy about growing beyond mistakes, loyalty, and bravery that will appeal to readers who love tales of epic quests.-Jen McConnel

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