A hero named Horace
Follow this engaging young character as he embarks on an action-packed, magical journey.
The Box And The Dragonfly (The Keepers #1) Author: Ted Sanders Publisher: Harper, fiction
HELLO, science, we meet again. The last time I picked up a book that incorporated science and fiction, I gagged throughout the read. Thank goodness I didn’t need to be a genius to figure out the science bits in this book!
Horace Andrews is your everyday 12-year-old, with a head full of wonder and questions, and a heart hungering for answers. On his usual route home from school one day, he spies a sign with his name on it. And from then on, the story goes on to entertain with an enormous (but not overwhelming) amount of fun, action and character development.
Horace’s adventure takes us into a world where magic and physics intertwine, and the way author Ted Sanders has weaved the two profoundly different elements together is spectacular. The connection with the plot is never lost, and I find myself wishing more writers have this particular skill set.
Our hero begins his journey into the unknown when he comes into ownership of the Box of Promises, aka the Fel’Daera, which is part of a collection of curious instruments known as Tan’ji. Along the way he meets intriguing characters who call themselves Wardens – Mrs Hapstead, Mr Meister, Gabriel, and Neptune. These are the self-declared good guys. Though I always think it’s advisable to hold back judgement until you get the full picture ...
The antagonists are the Riven, a pack of bad guys determined to possess all Tan’ji, as they believe they are rightfully theirs. Sanders zooms in on one member of this gang, Dr Jericho. Through Horace’s eyes, Dr Jericho looks weird (10 feet tall with spidery limbs but hands the size of rakes), sounds like a music box, and smells of sulphur and brimstone. Come to think of it, “weird” might be an understatement. Bizarre and eerie, more like.
Horace also meets Chloe, a 13-year-old who also happens to be a Keeper, her object being the Alvaleithen, or Earthwing. Let me say this right up front: I do not like Chloe. I found her arrogance irritating, to the point that I wanted to skip every mention of her. Sanders might have wanted to portray her as independent and determined, but to me, she came across as snooty, stubborn and disdainful. I would like nothing better than to bestow her with a backhanded slap. But forget Chloe. The underlying themes in this book are cleverly drawn out. I adore the fact that Horace has a cool mother, whose advice he respects and listens to. Too often, I find fictional young adult characters not confiding in their parents, and acting on what they think is best instead. I appreciate the fact that this lad knows that, sometimes, adults do know better, and I am glad he has someone to confide in when he needs guidance.
Another charming trait I found in Horace is how optimistic he is. It is admirable how a boy so young, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, manages to stay true to himself and his friends. He’s a great character to follow into an astonishing adventure, with the promise of more to come in book two.
Did I also mention there is a glossary? Extremely helpful! All fantasy fiction should have this. I insist!
That being said, I had better brush up on my physics to better appreciate the coming sequels. Mum, where are my dusty old science books?