The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst

by Jaclyn Moriarty Narrated by Imogen Wilde, Sarah Ovens, Edward Killingback

Overview

Esther is a middle child, in her own mind a pale reflection of siblings who are bright, shining stars. Her mother doesn't show the slightest bit of interest, no matter what Esther does. Still, she's content to go back to school, do her best,
hang out with her friends, and let others take care of things.

But her best friends aren't AT school when she gets there. Why didn't they tell her they wouldn't be coming back? Why were they silent all summer? But stuff like that happens. And it's bad luck that her new teacher makes Esther the butt of
all kinds of jokes. Mrs. Pollock is rumored to be an ogre-and maybe she IS one. Could be.

Then things go from unfortunate to outright dangerous. The mountains surrounding the school-usually sparkling with glaciers and lakes, alive with Faeries, and sheltering a quaint town with really great bakeries-are now
crowded with Shadow Mages, casting a noticeable pall, and clearly-to Esther- signifying something very dark and threatening. As the people she might have depended on to help are either strangely absent or in hiding, it's left to ordinary,
middle-child Esther (“just Esther”) to act. But she'll have to burst out of the box of mediocrity she's been put in, and do something absolutely extraordinary.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Set in a fantasy world of Faeries, Shadow Mages and ogres, burgeoning spellcaster Esther notices something very wrong at her beloved school. She must rely on her strong sense of self-worth in order to protect the people she cares about from impending doom." Ages 10-14. Heidi Ashton Yoon, Politics Prose

“Splendidly entertaining.” -Kirkus Reviews,


[STAR] “A delightfully quirky story with nuance, depth, and a colorful cast of characters, this book begs for multiple readings.” -School Library Journal (starred),


[STAR] “Like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld-fantasy adventure steeped in humor, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order.” -Booklist (starred),


“The tale crescendos to an uplifting close that promotes honesty, bravery, and self-confidence.” -Publishers Weekly,

Kirkus Reviews

2021-01-12
Esther carries a secret that can save the world.

Sixth-grade narrator Esther is observant, impulsive, friendly, and kind. She’s good with words and storytelling but troubled by a recurring nightmare. Her history professor father is caring and nurturing, but her efficient, accomplished mother is a distant, difficult parent who seems to forget about Esther much of the time. Esther and her sisters attend the Katherine Valley Boarding School, where there’s something odd about the two new students and a new teacher. Moriarty offers an expanded look at the history and structure of the Kingdoms and Empires of The Whispering Wars (2019) and, in a story chronologically closer to this tale, The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone (2018). Readers will see long before Esther does that Mrs. Pollock, her seemingly charming new teacher, is a monster and that students are being bullied by her. Meanwhile, evil shadow magic encroaches on the school and town as sea levels rise inexplicably. Esther and her sisters have a harrowing experience at a grand seaside celebration and later accompany their father on a menacing train ride through the realms of the Shadow Mages. The hidden villainy and open dangers, along with Esther’s wry humor, appealing voice, and her heroic role in saving the world, are nicely blended while an epilogue delivers a poignant close. Esther is assumed to be White; there is diversity in the supporting cast.

Splendidly entertaining. (Fantasy. 9-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173178305
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	03/23/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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