- Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix
ISBN 978-0-06-236004-5 $18.99 R Gr. 6-9
In an author’s note, Nix explains that this tale began as a book within a book, an insertion into a contemporary thriller he wrote years ago which was never published. Fans of Regency romps and magical fantasy will be glad he resurrected and revised it here, as the story of coming-of-age Lady Truthful Newington (affectionately nicknamed “Newt”) and her determined quest to retrieve a family heirloom: an exquisite emerald with strong magical powers. Truthful’s world is one in which young ladies cannot be alone with men without losing their reputations, but it’s also one where many people possess special skills, such as casting illusory glamours or conjuring storms at will. In true Regency fashion there are miscommunications and misunderstandings between the heroine and an attractive young man (the oft-infuriating Charles Harnett—if that is really his name), a masquerade ball, a deceitful servant, lovely frocks, and even a brief encounter at sea with miscreant buccaneers (in which Truthful manages to kick some pirate booty). The magic is almost secondary to the plot but is still satisfying, with Truthful and Charles tracking and facing down the evil enchantress/emerald thief, Lady Plathenden, as she threatens the seaside community with a disastrous tidal wave. It’s clear that this was as much a pleasure for Nix to write as it is for readers to read, and there’s reveling in arcane language (much of which—but not all—is defined in a brief glossary at the end) that will delight wannabe Austen-esque teens. This is formulaic, yes, but it’s engagingly well executed; hand this to fans of period Masterpiece Theater sagas and Burgis’ Kat, Incorrigible (BCCB 5/11). [End Page 265]