From the Publisher
A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre.” — Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series
“The world of Impyrium is fully formed, down to the last detail, which allows Neff to expertly touch upon themes of social unrest and class disparity, while still telling a heart pounding, adventure-packed story. ” An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 — Entertainment Weekly
“Neff’s novel is wonderfully detailed, building a rich and fascinating picture of a complex society. The book’s real joys come from watching Hazel find herself, coming stunningly “alive, more vividly and deliciously than she could remember.” Readers will share her excitement and eagerly await the next book. ” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Neff offers a meaty, nearly 600-page series opener, an indulgence for readers thirsting for a futuristic cloak-and-daggers plot with magical creatures...An adolescent version of a Game of Thrones-like plot that unfurls with players on both sides vying for their rightful places.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Grade: A. Neff expertly crafts a world that is both stunning in its detail, and impressive in scope...the novel is packed with both story and high stakes as both Hazel and Hob are forced to deal with not just peer rivalry and academic difficulties, but also class disparity, civil unrest, and societal expectations. In this way Neff has created not just a world that not only exists on its own, but one readers will be eager to return to. — Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
The world of Impyrium is fully formed, down to the last detail, which allows Neff to expertly touch upon themes of social unrest and class disparity, while still telling a heart pounding, adventure-packed story. ” An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016
Eoin Colfer
A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre.
James Dashner
A magnificent, rich, exhilarating book. Epic in every way, it takes you to another world with countless characters, creatures, and lands, with endless imagination. I say this with all honesty: I haven’t read about a world so deep, so purely magical, so well-developed, since Harry Potter.
Kirkus Reviews
2016-07-02
Neff offers a meaty, nearly 600-page series opener, an indulgence for readers thirsting for a futuristic cloak-and-daggers plot with magical creatures, including an elusive dragon that fraternizes only with the royalty of this post-Cataclysmic Earth. After a prologue, readers meet young Hazel Faeregine, who is not interested in her family’s royal position within Impyrium. It is not only her lack of interest in politics that sets her apart from her olive-skinned sisters; Hazel is an albino, the only one in a set of triplets, which caused speculation of possibly wicked sorcery and makes most uneasy in her presence. Alternating chapters turn to 13-year-old, nut-brown Hob Smythe, who works in the mines beneath the Sentries Mountains. A stranger shows up in Hob’s small village of Dusk, revealing himself as a member of the Fellowship and recruiting young Hob to spy on the Faeregines to gain secrets that could possibly liberate the people under Impyrium rule. Hob accepts the invitation, which brings him together with Hazel and ultimately uncovers much more than anyone thought. The heady politics of the story mimics the classic rulers-versus–the-impoverished narrative, with an adolescent version of a Game of Thrones–like plot that unfurls with players on both sides vying for their rightful places. Despite its length, this is a nicely paced adventure that attaches readers to the bookworm Hazel and the heroic Hob and leaves plenty of room for future installments. (character list and glossary) (Fantasy. 10-14)
