Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2015 Gr 4 Up—Finn wants to be a veterinarian, not a Legend Hunter like his father. But in the small village in Ireland called Darkmouth, where his family has disposed of monsters for centuries, he doesn't really have a choice. He's not very good at fighting the monsters, yet he must capture three on his own to complete his training. And he only has a year to do it. The monsters, or Legends, as the humans call them, have plans of their own and they don't involve giving Finn the chance to grow into his calling. They do, though, involve invading the human realm before the gateways between their worlds close for good—and Finn must stop them. Hegarty creates a believable setting with its own history and character, which makes for an enjoyable read. The inclusion of segments from "official records" about the history of Legends and gateways adds an amusing sidenote to the story itself. The smooth writing and brisk plot keep the narrative moving along nicely, while Hegarty's writing style maintains a light and funny tone, despite the challenges that Finn must face. VERDICT An amusing read that works well for fantasy lovers who enjoy lighter fare.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/15/2015 Darkmouth: the last remaining Blighted Village, where mythological creatures known as Legends terrorize its human residents. Here, 12-year-old Finn trains to become the town’s next Legend Hunter, though thus far he’s shown little promise for the profession. Awkward and accident prone, Finn would rather be a veterinarian than spend his days capturing the Minotaur or Basilisk, but his father is determined to see him succeed. When a new girl moves to town, snippets of a prophecy involving Finn come to light, and traitorous activities risk sparking a Legendary war. Mystery suffuses the plot, forcing Finn to battle family secrets in addition to Manticores. Interspersed with illustrations and Legend Hunter texts, the book gives readers a detailed look at the hapless hero’s world as well as glimpses into the Legends’ lives on the Infested Side. With a tone reminiscent of Terry Pratchett’s work, Darkmouth has no shortage of off-kilter humor or imagination. Landing somewhere between the Percy Jackson series and the Edge Chronicles, this new series holds plenty of promise. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 07/01/2015 Poor Finn just wants to be a veterinarian, but instead he is genetically bound to be a Legend Hunter and keep the monsters from the Infested Side at bay. In Darkmouth, Ireland, minotaurs and other creatures keep slipping through the barrier, necessitating Finn’s continued training at the hands of his successful father. Over on the Infested Side, a plot to take over the good side of the world is underway, and an epic battle is brewing that may put way more than Darkmouth at risk. Finn is sharply funny and not afraid to look dumb, excellent traits in the protagonist of a new series. Even if he is about as far from perfect as one could want in a monster-hunting world savior, he’s certainly earnest, wellintentioned, and curious enough to spot when things are even less right than usual (as when a close family friend turns out to be working for the horrifyingly wrong side). Ireland gets some nods in the vocabulary and setting descriptions, adding a nice bit of specificity to the fantasy locations. Fans who have finished or moved on from the How to Train Your Dragon series will find this to be a logical next step, particularly when Finn and one of the creatures from the other side actually find a bit of common ground. Detailed line drawings, mostly full page, ramp up the atmosphere. AS - Copyright 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

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