School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Thirteen-year-old Celia has only lived in Youngstown for a few months, but that's long enough to know that she hates it there. No matter how she tries, she can't seem to make friends, but she has to keep up appearances for her parents, two professors who were victims of budget cuts at their old university. When the two go away for a weekend, Celia promises that she'll be fine, even agreeing to follow their long list of rules. Then an earthquake strands them out of town and leaves Celia with no means of communication. As the city struggles to recover, Celia meets two groups of kids. One is led by a sad-looking boy named Demetri who's trying his best to keep Celia at arm's length. The other group, who call themselves the Hunters, claim that the earthquake was actually caused by monsters intent on wrecking Youngstown, and only Celia can stop them. Celia doesn't think of herself as a hero, but she finally feels like she's found a place where she belongs. But things aren't always as straightforward as they seem, and soon Celia is forced to question her true role in this apocalypse. Celia and Demetri both appear to be white, while the Ruby, a hunter, is Asian American and Amber, another hunter, is described as having brown skin. VERDICT Imagine the 1989 Fred and Ben Savage film Little Monsters retold by Holly Black. Be prepared to devour this magical, fast-paced adventure about friendship, appearances, and power in one sitting. A recommended purchase.-Kaitlin Frick, New York Public Library © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
In this stand-alone apocalyptic fantasy, the fate of a city depends on the decision of a "doom girl" foretold by a prophecy.The prophecy begins when an earthquake destroys the city of Youngstown, which is situated on an island. With the bridges collapsed and the power out, no people or communication can get in or out. To make matters worse, 13-year-old Celia is home alone for the weekend. Since moving here from Oregon four months ago, Celia has felt isolated and invisible. But now she's suddenly at the center of powerful magic that might save or destroy the city, and she's surrounded by evil-spreading monsters who were once children like her until they were turned. Amid the monstrous mayhem, Celia wrestles with human concerns of loneliness and self-confidence. She longs for connection, but the mysterious boy called Demetri insists she should forget him, and secrets strain her relationship with her new monster-hunter friends, Ruby and Amber. Impending danger drives the fast pace of the plot, and Sparrow reveals the mechanics of monsters and magic at key moments without slowing down the story with exposition. Celia and Demetri present white; Ruby is Chinese-American; and Amber has brown skin.This darkly magical, high-stakes adventure explores themes of friendship and the cost of gaining power. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In an apocalyptic adventure that blends elements of monster hunting, prophecy, and fairy tales, Celia's parents leave her alone for the weekend, and one earthquake changes everything. She meets the mysterious Demetri, who warns of a dangerous world and children, known as hunters, who have the ability to see monsters adults can't. Celia discovers she's the doomed girl, prophesied to save the world only she's not sure which side she's meant to help. Sparrow delves into this gritty world where monsters look like children and children are hunters, exploring the idea of good and evil as Celia begins to see humanity in the monsters and darkness in the hunters. The cast, both heroes and villains, is primarily made up of children (adults appear only for a few scenes), while fairy tale elements are evident throughout. This is a charming read that weaves a tale of monsters and destiny together with an adventure about a prophecy of a doomed girl who could save the world.--Elizabeth Konkel Copyright 2019 Booklist
