Rotherweird

Caldecott's debut is a strange, twisting tale of dark magic and horrible experimentation. In 1558, twelve children were banished to a new town; years later, the bizarre city of towers and walled-off libraries refuses to study its own history, existing as an independent nation full of strange traditions. But when the enigmatic Sir Veronal, an Outsider, arrives and begins to buy up the town, the past will come forward to confront the present. Caldecott uses parallel storylines and mysterious, absurd twists and turns to entertain, painting a tale of strange stones, a patch of starless sky, tiles that transport to other worlds, and plants with unexpected properties. The characters are vivid and complex and make up the larger character of a town that is coping with a growing menace. Historian Oblong tries to put together a story of why the former teacher of modern history disappeared; gardener Salt wants to know why the other world is dying; Orelia and Valourhand just seek the truth. Mysterious fires and cats that aren't cats haunt this fascinating world.--Leah von Essen Copyright 2019 Booklist

In this intricate, leisurely trilogy opener, Caldecott weaves an evocative picture of a small British town characterized by its reclusive nature, both haunted by and disconnected from its mysterious past. When the hapless Jonah Oblong is hired to teach modern ("1800 and after is the rule") history to the students of Rotherweird, he discovers a community filled with eccentrics and geniuses, bound by ancient rules, the most important of which is "we're forbidden to study old history"-especially the town's own origins. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Sir Veronal Slickstone moves into Rotherweird's long-empty manor, setting into motion a series of bizarre events that seem poised to uncover secrets left buried for centuries. With a sizable cast pursuing numerous plot threads over the course of months, this tale starts slowly, only picking up speed once the layers of magic-riddled history are gradually pulled back. While the focus might be on the oddball inhabitants, Rotherweird is the true heart and soul of the narrative, a character in its own right. Dense language and overly clever riddles complicate a complex story that will nevertheless reward the patient reader. Agent: Ed Wilson, Johnson & Alcock (U.K.). (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.