In the land of Talus Scree, magical rocks yield powers to those who use them. Hover rocks allow kids to hover on air as if they were on a skateboard, freeze rocks stop time temporarily, and flavor rocks will cook up a great meal. Good struggles against evil for control of Talus Scree. Kiffin, a blue-haired twelve-year-old, grows up on Misty Island in privilege. While the adults, including his parents, slave away in Prince Mischief's mines and the children go to mining school, Kiffin is free to wander the island and do what he wants. He even has a rare, magical creature that can shape-shift into any animal. When Kiffin finds the key to the Lost Treasure of Talus Scree, he and his friends embark on an adventure to find the treasure and save their world. Grade 4-7–A blue-haired 12-year-old starts a quest against evil in this lighthearted fantasy adventure. Kiffin's companions include a shape-shifting yerble, a giggly giant, and twin female warriors, among others. They race the Gremlin of Mischief and other bad guys, hoping to find the magical treasure that will swing the balance of power back toward the forces of good. Traveling around the planet of Talus Scree, the heroes descend the Waterfall of Doom, get slimed by Utopian Sauce, and destroy the orb of everlasting darkness by smacking it with a fish. Magic rocks provide various powers to aid both sides in the conflict, while Kiffin hopes to find one powerful enough to heal his sick mother. The nonstop action moves with the pace of a video game, and is interspersed with occasionally funny wisecracks and background about the planet's magical history. As one perilous situation leads to the next, it's hard to get truly involved in the characters or care much about the final result. Events often occur arbitrarily, with no real sense of danger, and the personalities of the one-dimensional cast are almost interchangeable. Even the death of Kiffin's mother lacks emotional impact. The trade-off, though, is a fast-paced, easy-to-follow adventure with a flippant tone that places humor and action over emotional depth. Seasoned fantasy readers will likely find this a slight novel, but it may be just the thing for some reluctant readers, especially fans of graphic novels and video games. –Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. "This intricate plot is rich in fantasy. The illustrations are outstanding and can assist the reader in comprehending the imaginative text." --Children's Literature "The author invents two-headed beasts, enchanted spells, dancing flowers, glowing fangs, black holes, and oracles in the classic fight of good versus evil." --Children's Literature "This fast-paced, action-packed middle grade novel reads at the same pace of the first Indiana Jones movie, which is sure to keep even reluctant readers turning the pages." --Best Books 2006, ALAN "The quick pace and clear plot make this book appealing to reluctant readers." --VOYA Adam Osterweil grew up in Plainview, New York. He graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in Classics and from Stony Brook University with an M.A. in Liberal Studies. He teaches junior high English at Springs School in Springs, Used Book in Good Condition