The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza (review)

Abandoned in the forest as a baby, Bo is treated with suspicion by the townsfolk, who regard him as a demonic boy connected to the fearsome Shadow Creatures who prowl after Dark. When an enormous talking wolf slays Bo’s enigmatic guardian and a blight of Darkness threatens the realm, it’s up to Bo and his faithful fox Nix to recover three keys, solve three riddles, and free the magical Stars from where they are imprisoned in another wolf’s belly before the Shadow Witch can seize their power. After a clunky start the book picks up speed and interest as Bo befriends Tam, a winged bird-headed woman exiled from her neighboring kingdom, and Selene, a fierce girl with emerging magical powers. The group shares a longing for family that won’t disregard or abandon them, and Bo’s trusting nature gradually shifts from painful naïveté to deliberate faith in his friends. As they accrue increasingly complete versions of the story of the swallowed stars and the Shadow Witch, the friends become critical of the narrative that casts both wolves and witch as simple villains, recognizing and sympathizing with the impulse to act in anger when those you love let you down. Though the journey is lightened by humorous encounters with the slug-loving Un-King and an irascible Scribe (whose acerbic chronicles punctuate the main action), readers will want to have tissues handy for the conclusion. While it lacks some polish, this middle-grade offering from Australian author Plozza (Frankie, BCCB 12/17) would be a good choice for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Grace Lin.