\When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in. Inspired by African mythology and folklore, this lushly wrought hero’s journey by Smith ( Gloom Town) touches deftly on themes of family, fate, forgiveness, and justice. A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology.

The only thing that kept Rory from stumbling was the handrail he instinctively reached out for. The more they descended, the darker and colder it got. Spiraling stone steps led down into darkness. Traveling throughout the fantastical land of Alkebulan, the band seeks to help Asha discover the secrets of her heritage, an arcane power, and the truth of her destiny to stop a terrible evil. He was finally going to meet Lord Foxglove. Suna’s last words tell Asha to find the Underground Kingdom “where the black flowers bloom,” sending her on a quest alongside Obo, shape-shifting faerie changeling Sprix, and Suna’s warrior sister Rima. Soon after Asha sees a bird-like shape in tea leaves, disaster strikes: a powerful sorcerer known as the Shrike sends Tokoloshe, birds that turn into shadowy men with beaks, to decimate the troupe and kill Suna, forcing Asha to flee in the night. Inspired by African mythology and folklore, this lushly wrought hero’s journey by Smith ( Gloom Town) touches deftly on themes of family, fate, forgiveness, and justice. Perhaps a wisdom knot like that adorning the neck of her caretaker, Suna? Or a war horn like Obo, leader of the traveling circus troupe that raised the young foundling? But the mark she receives-a baobab tree-isn’t known or understood as anything but an old and sacred symbol. On the eve of Asha’s 13th birthday and Telling Day ceremony, which will reveal her life’s path, she wonders what mark the goddess Royal Lioness will reveal on her skin.

Gloom town by ronald l smith