Bound To Stay Bound

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Bulletin for the Center... - 11/01/2011 As a transplant from England now living in Atlanta, eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright is having a tough time: his rough Northern English accent does nothing to impress his new schoolmates, his distracted workaholic aunt makes a terrible cup of tea, and now the mirror hanging in his bedroom closet has become a potential gateway for monstrous creatures from another realm. That last problem starts as a lark: after receiving the antique mirror as a gift from the mysterious Mr. Peregrine, Darwen discovers it leads to Silbrica, a magical place complete with fairies and woodland spirits where Darwen can forget his worries. Unfortunately, Silbrica also houses a number of other much less pleasant creatures who, under the leadership of an evil sorcerer, plan to infiltrate the human world and destroy all that is good. From the tusked, piggish beasts called scrobblers to the barrel-chested, no-headed gnashers, the frightening creatures of Silbrica are indeed impressive feats of imagination. Unfortunately, the plot lacks similar inspiration-Darwen’s inevitable defeat of the creatures with the help of two similarly outcast classmates and the power of love is too predictable, and there’s unnecessary complication in the revision of elements of Native American history to create the supernatural backstory. There is, however, an entertaining connection between Darwen’s elite academy and Silbrica, and young readers will certainly agree with the author’s supposition that some teachers are simply inhuman. The literary world can always use another orphaned boy with a knack for heroics, and Darwen fills that bill nicely. KQG - Copyright 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 12/01/2011 Gr 4–7—Darwen Arkwright has moved from England to Atlanta, GA, to live with his career-driven aunt after his parents die in a car crash. He is a typical 11-year-old boy, nervous about starting at a new school and struggling to deal with all the other big changes in his life. He soon discovers that he has a unique gift—he is a "mirrocculist," one who can see through mirrors, and he can travel through them to the world that he sees. He makes friends with Alexandra, who is smart-mouthed but also smart, and Rich, whose mother recently died from cancer and whose frightening appearance masks a boy with unique interests. Although Darwen is initially reluctant to tell his new friends about the world on the other side of the mirror, soon they are drawn into the battle to keep evil from coming through it and destroying all they hold dear. An exciting read from beginning to end, the book has a lot of heart. It will leave readers wanting more; indeed, it would seem that a sequel is a foregone and happy conclusion.—Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD - Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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