A 2018 TEXAS LONE STAR READING LIST PICK!"A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre." —Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series Henry H. Neff’s new high-stakes middle grade fantasy follows two unlikely allies as they confront a conspiracy that will shake the world of Impyrium to its core. For over three thousand years, the Faeregine dynasty has ruled Impyrium. But the family’s magic has been fading, and with it their power over the empire. Whether it’s treachery from a rival house, the demon Lirlanders, or rebel forces, many believe the Faeregines are ripe to fall. Hazel, the youngest member of the royal family, is happy to leave ruling to her sisters so that she can study her magic. But the empress has other plans for her granddaughter, dark and dangerous plans to exploit Hazel’s talents and rekindle the Faeregine mystique. Hob, a commoner from the remote provinces, has been sent to the city to serve the Faeregines—and to spy on them. One wants to protect the dynasty. The other wants to destroy it. But when Hazel and Hob form an improbable friendship, their bond may save the realm as they know it…or end it for good. **
A 2018 TEXAS LONE STAR READING LIST PICK!"A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre." —Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series Henry H. Neff’s new high-stakes middle grade fantasy follows two unlikely allies as they confront a conspiracy that will shake the world of Impyrium to its core. For over three thousand years, the Faeregine dynasty has ruled Impyrium. But the family’s magic has been fading, and with it their power over the empire. Whether it’s treachery from a rival house, the demon Lirlanders, or rebel forces, many believe the Faeregines are ripe to fall. Hazel, the youngest member of the royal family, is happy to leave ruling to her sisters so that she can study her magic. But the empress has other plans for her granddaughter, dark and dangerous plans to exploit Hazel’s talents and rekindle the Faeregine mystique. Hob, a commoner from the remote provinces, has been sent to the city to serve the Faeregines—and to spy on them. One wants to protect the dynasty. The other wants to destroy it. But when Hazel and Hob form an improbable friendship, their bond may save the realm as they know it…or end it for good. **
From School Library Journal
Gr 6–8—The author of the "Tapestry" series brings readers a new set of characters and story lines—3,000 years after The Red Winter concludes. This companion series opener follows the lives of Hazel, one of a set of royal triplets in the ruling family of the country of Impyrium, and Hob, an ordinary kid from a backwater town in the kingdom. Neff adroitly mixes magic, adolescence, and mystery, all while meticulously building a believable world whose characters slowly realize that history has many holes worth examining. Readers will find many recognizable elements in the land of Impyrium. Hazel, born with albinism, experiences the wariness and whispers of her peers, despite her mystical talent. The vyes, a race of wolflike scholars, are tolerated for their wisdom and command of magic, but not without the control of the ruling human government and the suspicion that accompanies it. And Hob, a commoner, knows nothing more of life than the toil of poverty and the entrapment of systemic oppression. Above all, the world of Impyrium is premised on a history that may not be completely true, a realization that will rock Hazel's and Hob's worlds. Their adventures deeper and deeper into what really happened in the centuries following Neff's last series will spur readers on to important questions of their own: Why does the world work the way it does? Who are the people in power, and why? VERDICT Neff has created a fantasy world that will not only satisfy dedicated fans of the genre but also attract budding social activists searching for a fictional reflection of their real concerns.—Chelsea Woods, New Brunswick Free Public Library, NJ
Review
“A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre.” (Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series)
“The world of Impyrium is fully formed, down to the last detail, which allows Neff to expertly touch upon themes of social unrest and class disparity, while still telling a heart pounding, adventure-packed story. ” An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 (Entertainment Weekly)
“Neff’s novel is wonderfully detailed, building a rich and fascinating picture of a complex society. The book’s real joys come from watching Hazel find herself, coming stunningly “alive, more vividly and deliciously than she could remember.” Readers will share her excitement and eagerly await the next book. ” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )
“Neff offers a meaty, nearly 600-page series opener, an indulgence for readers thirsting for a futuristic cloak-and-daggers plot with magical creatures...An adolescent version of a Game of Thrones-like plot that unfurls with players on both sides vying for their rightful places.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Grade: A. Neff expertly crafts a world that is both stunning in its detail, and impressive in scope...the novel is packed with both story and high stakes as both Hazel and Hob are forced to deal with not just peer rivalry and academic difficulties, but also class disparity, civil unrest, and societal expectations. In this way Neff has created not just a world that not only exists on its own, but one readers will be eager to return to. (Entertainment Weekly)
Description:
A 2018 TEXAS LONE STAR READING LIST PICK! "A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre." —Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series Henry H. Neff’s new high-stakes middle grade fantasy follows two unlikely allies as they confront a conspiracy that will shake the world of Impyrium to its core. For over three thousand years, the Faeregine dynasty has ruled Impyrium. But the family’s magic has been fading, and with it their power over the empire. Whether it’s treachery from a rival house, the demon Lirlanders, or rebel forces, many believe the Faeregines are ripe to fall. Hazel, the youngest member of the royal family, is happy to leave ruling to her sisters so that she can study her magic. But the empress has other plans for her granddaughter, dark and dangerous plans to exploit Hazel’s talents and rekindle the Faeregine mystique. Hob, a commoner from the remote provinces, has been sent to the city to serve the Faeregines—and to spy on them. One wants to protect the dynasty. The other wants to destroy it. But when Hazel and Hob form an improbable friendship, their bond may save the realm as they know it…or end it for good. **
A 2018 TEXAS LONE STAR READING LIST PICK! "A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre." —Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series Henry H. Neff’s new high-stakes middle grade fantasy follows two unlikely allies as they confront a conspiracy that will shake the world of Impyrium to its core. For over three thousand years, the Faeregine dynasty has ruled Impyrium. But the family’s magic has been fading, and with it their power over the empire. Whether it’s treachery from a rival house, the demon Lirlanders, or rebel forces, many believe the Faeregines are ripe to fall. Hazel, the youngest member of the royal family, is happy to leave ruling to her sisters so that she can study her magic. But the empress has other plans for her granddaughter, dark and dangerous plans to exploit Hazel’s talents and rekindle the Faeregine mystique. Hob, a commoner from the remote provinces, has been sent to the city to serve the Faeregines—and to spy on them. One wants to protect the dynasty. The other wants to destroy it. But when Hazel and Hob form an improbable friendship, their bond may save the realm as they know it…or end it for good. **
From School Library Journal
Gr 6–8—The author of the "Tapestry" series brings readers a new set of characters and story lines—3,000 years after The Red Winter concludes. This companion series opener follows the lives of Hazel, one of a set of royal triplets in the ruling family of the country of Impyrium, and Hob, an ordinary kid from a backwater town in the kingdom. Neff adroitly mixes magic, adolescence, and mystery, all while meticulously building a believable world whose characters slowly realize that history has many holes worth examining. Readers will find many recognizable elements in the land of Impyrium. Hazel, born with albinism, experiences the wariness and whispers of her peers, despite her mystical talent. The vyes, a race of wolflike scholars, are tolerated for their wisdom and command of magic, but not without the control of the ruling human government and the suspicion that accompanies it. And Hob, a commoner, knows nothing more of life than the toil of poverty and the entrapment of systemic oppression. Above all, the world of Impyrium is premised on a history that may not be completely true, a realization that will rock Hazel's and Hob's worlds. Their adventures deeper and deeper into what really happened in the centuries following Neff's last series will spur readers on to important questions of their own: Why does the world work the way it does? Who are the people in power, and why? VERDICT Neff has created a fantasy world that will not only satisfy dedicated fans of the genre but also attract budding social activists searching for a fictional reflection of their real concerns.—Chelsea Woods, New Brunswick Free Public Library, NJ
Review
“A rare jewel. A new classic in the fantasy genre.” (Eoin Colfer, author of the bestselling Artemis Fowl series)
“The world of Impyrium is fully formed, down to the last detail, which allows Neff to expertly touch upon themes of social unrest and class disparity, while still telling a heart pounding, adventure-packed story. ” An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 (Entertainment Weekly)
“Neff’s novel is wonderfully detailed, building a rich and fascinating picture of a complex society. The book’s real joys come from watching Hazel find herself, coming stunningly “alive, more vividly and deliciously than she could remember.” Readers will share her excitement and eagerly await the next book. ” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )
“Neff offers a meaty, nearly 600-page series opener, an indulgence for readers thirsting for a futuristic cloak-and-daggers plot with magical creatures...An adolescent version of a Game of Thrones-like plot that unfurls with players on both sides vying for their rightful places.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Grade: A. Neff expertly crafts a world that is both stunning in its detail, and impressive in scope...the novel is packed with both story and high stakes as both Hazel and Hob are forced to deal with not just peer rivalry and academic difficulties, but also class disparity, civil unrest, and societal expectations. In this way Neff has created not just a world that not only exists on its own, but one readers will be eager to return to. (Entertainment Weekly)