Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2017 Gr 3–6—Thirteen, a fox groundling (creatures that are half animal, half human), has spent most of his life in "the Home," a horrid orphanage/workhouse run by the evil Mrs. Carbunkle. When he saves a bird groundling named Trinket, the two hatch an escape plan, and Trinket renames him Arthur, in honor of the brave medieval king. Once Arthur and Trinket are free from Mrs. Carbunkle, they set off on an adventure that will test Arthur's destiny as a Wonderling, including his very unusual abilities to understand and speak to animals and to unknowingly sing a haunting song each night as he sleeps. He will have to head ear-first into danger and return to The Home to find out what that destiny holds. Written with clear and detailed descriptions, this novel drops readers into a strange, magical, mythical, and mechanical world. Fantasy fans will be swept along by the mystery and adventure, guessing until the end how the plot and characters connect. Bearing some similarities to Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" with shades of Erin Hunter's "Warriors" series, Bartók's title will appeal to readers who appreciate anthropomorphized animal characters, high-stakes adventure, and Dickensian settings. VERDICT A stellar new contribution to fantasy that should find a place in every middle grade collection.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/15/2017 Miss Carbunkle’s Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures isn’t much of a home for the orphaned groundlings who reside there. These youngsters—part human, part animal—are treated like slaves and forbidden from any activity approximating fun. Among them is the nameless Number 13, a gentle, one-eared fox with music in his heart, incredible hearing, and a gift for understanding animal languages. When his peppy, inventor friend Trinket devises an escape plan, they flee into the world outside, which proves more dangerous than the one they left behind. This beguiling fiction debut from Bartók (The Memory Palace, 2011) is just the ticket for readers who revel in quest stories, or those with a soft spot for animal fantasies. Bartók carefully constructs her world, gracing it with a classed society, music, and a touch of steampunk. Number 13, later called Arthur after the legendary king, traverses perilous environs and encounters hostile attitudes toward groundlings in his determined search for his destiny. With a movie already underway, this book seems preordained for popularity. Final illustrations unseen. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.