Although this book is ostensibly written for the middle grades, it's a beautifully written human fantasy which worked perfectly well for my middle aged tastes. I really loved this one a lot. The everyman protagonist, Micah, is an intelligent, empathetic, kind boy, and a good friend. He has a very special relationship with his grandfather, with whom he lives. When Grandpa Ephraim becomes seriously ill, Aunt Gertrudis, descends on them to 'help out'. She isn't a bit like Grandpa Ephraim and doesn't seem to like much, including 10 year old boys named Micah.
This book is full of fantasy, whimsy, pathos, love, and longing. Along with the slightly angsty kids vs. adults plot twists are huge overarching timeless themes of what constitutes family, loyalty, love, and how people become who/what they are.
It's written in alternating backstory (Grandpa Ephraim's past history) and current (Micah's current life) timelines. They're clearly delineated and I had no problems keeping the timelines separate in my mind. The secondary characters are beautifully rendered and believably motivated. The dialogue flows naturally and well. I didn't find myself being yanked out of my suspension of disbelief one time during reading, which is saying something with a plot that turns around magical fish, a phoenix, and a never-ending invisible magical circus.
I read this in one sitting and turned around and re-read selected chapters again immediately after.
This would make a truly superlative bedtime read or classroom circle read. An amazing book; an author to watch for in future.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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