It's been two months without blogging and in that time, my life has changed in the best way possible. I've landed my dream job in children's book publishing, settled into a charming apartment in Boston, and am soaking up the last glorious rays of summer.
So picking right up from where I left off, I'm going to tell you about this sensational book I just can't get enough of.
The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin contains so many elements that excite me in a children's book. Are you ready for this? Prepare yourself. Layers upon layers of paintings supplying a series of worlds to explore. Labyrinths that either act as portals or harbor dangerous monsters. Mythical creatures, pirates on the high seas, an evil counterfeiter, and magical passwords. And, to top it off, some Italian art history.
The three-second plot: Sunni, Blaise, and Dean find themselves accidentally yet irrefutably inside a Renaissance master's oeuvre and getting home is no easy feat, especially as the action picks up and villains come out of the woodworks.
This is such a quick and enjoyable read that kept me guessing and finally reveling in the cleverness of its conclusion. Flavin's vision is intricate, mysterious, and undeniably alluring. If you like losing yourself in someone else's world,
The Blackhope Enigma should be at the top of your list!
