The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson (review)
Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- The Door to the Lost by Jaleigh Johnson
Library ed. ISBN 978-1-101-93318-3 $19.99
Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-101-93316-9 $16.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-101-93317-6 $10.99
Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 5-7
Talhaven long thrived on magical advancements that came to it through the portal to Vora, the world of wizards, but but two years ago the “Great Catastrophe”—a Chernobyl-like explosion—closed the portal for good and made magic both scarce and fearsome. Rook, Drift, and Fox are exiles from Vora, but despite having no memories of their home world, the children are treated like pariahs in Talhaven because of their magical potential. When a mysterious wizard suggests that Rook’s ability to open teleporting doors to anywhere may be the key to storing the balance between worlds, the three kids are wary but interested; ultimately, the wizard’s plan proves to be a more nefarious use of Rook’s magic, but, as memories return to Rook, Drift, and Fox (who is discovered to be Rook’s little brother), the novel poignantly emphasizes that their compassion and the bonds they’ve developed are their true source of strength. Fans of Johnson’s The Mark of the Dragonfly (BCCB 5/14) will recognize her clever attention to detail in this adventure, as well as the earnest intimacy of her young characters. In the end, our heroes work together to defeat the wizard, develop their abilities, and establish a more hopeful and open-minded era in Talhaven, all while keeping a door (literally) open to potentially more adventures in this fantasy universe.
