The Plagues of Kondar

January 1, 2010
Gr 7-9-In Plymouth, England, in 1609, William Thatcher snatches an orphan off the streets, renames him Robin Starveling, and proclaims that the boy will serve him in Virginia. Onboard ship, Robin soon discovers that Thatcher carries clues to a "Golden Treasure" in his sea chest, and that he has planned a stop on the way to Virginia that will lead him to his fortune. Robin eavesdrops on Thatcher's conspiratorial meetings with the senile Sir Thomas Boors and foul-smelling Proule and makes his own plans to find the treasure. He and the cabin boy, Peter Fence, sneak into Thatcher's chest to try to decipher the clues. Soon the ship sails directly into a hurricane that all too conveniently strands them on the Isle of Devils, exactly where Thatcher planned to be. Robin and Peter salvage the chest and spend their days unlocking the secrets of the emblems within. Through a series of events, the boys end up on a neighboring island, where they finally discover the treasure. The plot moves at a snail's pace, and readers will tire of the overdone descriptions of gross bodily functions, irritating characters, and the abuse the adults inflict on Robin."Wendy Scalfaro, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014

Gr 6 Up-Arien is left alone on a settlement of Kondar called Katannya after her parents are tragically killed. Due to the patriarchal nature of the societies, she must be taken in, and is, by the Chief Seer of Vor, Yaddair. What follows is a perplexing mishmash of "plagues," such as Obscurans, batlike creatures that fall from the sky. The heroine must rise above it all with hopes to reunite with her love, Radol. Kositsky's science fiction novel begins with a confusing and unnecessary near-speak to which readers must acclimate before they can orient themselves to the plot. For instance, "flutterer" means bird, "Icer" is equivalent to winter, and "lugger" is the term used for shoe. Even though kids may be able to stumble through this jargon that adds little to the story, a weak plotline will do little to engage them. One to miss except for the most rabid science fiction fans.-Amanda C. Buschmann, Atascocita Middle School, Humble, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.