Starred review from August 8, 2022
Scores of kidnapped children shovel coal into Battersea Power Station’s underground furnaces, powering all of smog-ridden London, in debut author Mann’s splendid escapist adventure. Two years after 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma, who’s of Indian descent, arrives at the station, he tries to keep new girl Jess from slowing the shoveling line and jeopardizing his chance at a freedom-granting amber ticket. But an ensuing incident results in foul punishment for both: cleaning the sewers. It’s during this task that Luke rescues a ghostcloud, or water-bonded spirit, called Alma, who recognizes Luke for the half-ghost he is, and reveals his ability to both perceive the uncanny and fly over an alternate London, which is overseen by evil magnate Tabatha Margate. This taste of the outside world sets aspiring detective Luke on the road to escape, accompanied by Alma, plumber hopeful Jess, and goods and information trader Ravi, who prove fully realized
characters and co-conspirators. Smartly wrought worldbuilding aptly engages with themes of identity and equity while conjuring an atmospherically gritty London that’s at once singularly inventive and reminiscent of works by Joan Aiken, Charles Dickens, and Philip Pullman. It’s a thoughtful and well-built fantasy that’s also rollicking good fun. Ages 8–12. Agent: Stephanie Thwaites, Curtis Brown.
September 1, 2022
Grades 4-7 Two years ago, Luke Smith-Sharma was kidnapped by the wicked Tabatha Margate. Now enslaved at the Battersea power station, he moves and loads coal to keep the power working. When he and another girl are whisked off for a punishment worse than shoveling coal--cleaning sewage--he wishes for a different life. His wish is granted, but not in the way he thought: Luke is now a half-ghost. This change opens up the world for him, as he can now escape his body and fly through London. With his new bird's-eye view of the power station and help from full-ghost Alma, Luke plans an escape with his friends Jess and Ravi. The plan is simple, but there's danger at every turn, especially with Tabatha after them. Alma and the other ghost rules seem to be almost an afterthought--more a means to an end than the heart of the story. Still, this is a fun first novel in the vein of Obert Skye and Brian Farrey.
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September 1, 2022
In a post-apocalyptic alternate London, twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma is one of the kidnapped children enslaved as a coal shoveler under the Battersea Power Station. When Luke and new-girl Jess accidentally drop coal dust on their cruel supervisor, Tabatha, they are locked up in an experimental incinerator room. There Luke makes an odd discovery: a girl he rescues from the incinerator turns out to be a "ghostcloud" who can take him riding through the sky on water vapor and who shows him some exterior vents on the power station they can use to escape. Luke and Jess begin secretly exploring the vents and uncover Tabatha's unsavory experiments in her hidden lab -- experiments that tie together ghosts, electricity, and the smog that shows up when children are kidnapped. The Dickensian hardships endured by the protagonists of this mystery-adventure will appeal to young readers who enjoy a little ostentatious exaggerated suffering in their fiction; so, too, will the characters' resourcefulness as they follow the clues and form alliances to combat the evil they uncover. The mild supernatural elements integrate smoothly into the alternate setting, while the idea of "halves" (Luke is "Half-Indian. Half-detective. Half-ghost") adds a somewhat wistful theme of identity to the rollicking action. Anita L. Burkam
(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
January 20, 2023
Gr 4-7-In an alternate London, children are being kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground to power the city. The factory is run by the watchful and villainous Tabitha Margate, who has threatened to turn slackers and complainers into fuel. Twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma and his best friend, Ravi, know how to survive-keep their heads down, perfect their shoveling technique, and hope that they can earn an elusive golden ticket that would earn their freedom. When Jess, a new girl with a cheery attitude who has dreams of becoming a plumber, makes a mistake that could threaten the whole line of shovelers, Luke goes against everything he thought he believed in to protect her. When the two of them are sent to their punishment, Luke meets Alma, a ghost that only he can see and hear. He learns a surprising truth and that the mysterious and powerful Ghost Council may be the key to exposing Tabitha and saving everyone. This is a magical and engaging debut with likable protagonists and thrilling adventure set against the backdrop of a fascinating smog-covered London. It has wide appeal and will be especially loved by readers of Neil Gaiman, Roald Dahl, and the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. VERDICT A first purchase for all middle grade collections. This series opener is not to be missed.-Marissa Lieberman
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from July 15, 2022
A supernatural story of one boy's survival in the darkest of times, set in a dystopian London. It has been two years since Luke Smith-Sharma last saw his family. Kidnapped along with thousands of other children, he spends his days shoveling coal in Battersea Power Station, hidden away from the world. The setting is palpably Dickensian, covered in steam and soot, and controlled by Cruella de Vil-like villain Tabatha Margate. White and Indian Luke is also half-ghost, able to see things others cannot. Aiding Luke in his efforts to escape are richly developed supporting characters: his best friend and bunkmate, Ravi; plucky new girl and plumber's niece Jess; and Alma, a ghost girl yearning for closure. Along with Luke's newfound ghosting skills, Alma teaches him how to leave the physical world and fly above steampunk London, where he gains a larger perspective on their predicament. The situation becomes harrowing as he learns of Margate's despicable plans. Some of the content is quite gritty and dark as the novel critiques social inequities; it feels like Charles Dickens, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, and Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book rolled into one. Mann creates empathy for Luke, who shows clear hope and compassion for others during this evil time. The quick-witted humor and fast pace keep the entertainment factor high. Thrilling. (Fantasy. 8-12)
COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
July 1, 2022
In a post-apocalyptic alternate London, twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma is one of the kidnapped children enslaved as a coal shoveler under the Battersea Power Station. When Luke and new-girl Jess accidentally drop coal dust on their cruel supervisor, Tabatha, they are locked up in an experimental incinerator room. There Luke makes an odd discovery: a girl he rescues from the incinerator turns out to be a "ghostcloud" who can take him riding through the sky on water vapor and who shows him some exterior vents on the power station they can use to escape. Luke and Jess begin secretly exploring the vents and uncover Tabatha's unsavory experiments in her hidden lab -- experiments that tie together ghosts, electricity, and the smog that shows up when children are kidnapped. The Dickensian hardships endured by the protagonists of this mystery-adventure will appeal to young readers who enjoy a little ostentatious exaggerated suffering in their fiction; so, too, will the characters' resourcefulness as they follow the clues and form alliances to combat the evil they uncover. The mild supernatural elements integrate smoothly into the alternate setting, while the idea of "halves" (Luke is "Half-Indian. Half-detective. Half-ghost") adds a somewhat wistful theme of identity to the rollicking action.
(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)