by Chris Moriarty
Recommended ages 9-14
Rating 10/10
Wow! This book was amazing. It swept me up and carried me away to a world where magic is an everyday matter, with its own police department and different "styles" from every country. I loved the time period and setting - New York at the eve of the electrical age, with robber barons galore, Thomas Edison cranking out inventions and Harry Houdini performing onstage - and this book takes it to the next level with the matter-of-fact integration of magic and a heartfelt but not sentimental depiction of the world of immigrants. I adored Sascha, our protagonist, as well as his new boss Inspector Wolf. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, because watching it slowly unfold was so much fun I devoured this book in two days. I have only so many nephews to buy presents for, but I will definitely find one in the age range of 9-14 and gladly pass this one on!
