Publisher's Weekly Review
Quirk and charm give way to a serious exploration of the dangers of complacency in this delightful, thought-provoking Orwellian fantasy from Klune (Heartsong). Caseworker Linus Baker of the Department in Charge of Magical Youths (DICOMY) believes he is doing right by the preternaturally gifted children placed in DICOMY-sanctioned orphanages. But Linus begins to question DICOMY's methods when the ominous Extremely Upper Management tasks Linus with evaluating the isolated Marsyas Island Orphanage and reporting not only on the island's extraordinary children--among them a female gnome, a blob of uncertain species who wants to be a bellhop, and a shy teenage boy who turns into a small dog when startled--but also on the orphanage master, Arthur Parnassus. The bonds Linus forms with the children and the romantic connection he feels for Arthur set Linus on a path toward redemption for the unwitting harm he caused as a cog in an uncaring bureaucratic machine. By turns zany and heartfelt, this tale of found family is hopeful to its core. Readers will revel in Klune's wit and ingenuity. Agent: Diedre Knight, The Knight Agency (March)
Booklist Review
Linus Baker is a caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He takes his job very seriously, asks few questions, and is absolutely committed to the truth in his reports. When he is summoned before Extremely Upper Management, he has no idea what to expect. They send him to a remote orphanage with six magical children and a caretaker named Arthur Parnassus. Extremely Upper Management provides him with woefully inadequate information, and instructions to be completely honest about what he finds at the island orphanage. The results are, quite likely, not at all what management expected. This is a sweet narrative about the value of asking questions and the benefits of giving people (especially children) a chance to be safe, protected, and themselves, regardless of what assumptions one might glean from, say, reading their case file. The world is harsh magical people are required to register with the government, and there are quite a lot of rules but the orphanage is a place where perhaps there is room for people to understand one another instead of blindly fearing the unknown.--Regina Schroeder Copyright 2020 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Hardworking caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth Linus Baker is responsible for periodic reviews of orphanages for magical children. His latest assignment: a month-long evaluation of the remote Marsyas Island Orphanage. His briefing materials are sketchy, revealing that one of the children is Satan's son, while others don't seem to be human. As Linus gets to know the six children and their caretakers, he witnesses the strong bonds between them and the unique community they've created. He even begins to feel a part of it, but his time is limited and he has a job to do. VERDICT A delightful tale about chosen families, and how to celebrate differences. Klune's (The Extraordinaries) quirky tone and appealing cast will remind readers of both the "Miss Peregrine" and "Mysterious Benedict Society" series.--Laurel Bliss, San Diego State Univ. Lib.