I want to say my rating is a harsh one and mostly because of the writing. The story and the plot are great. But I don’t know a single middle grade reader who would know what the word coruscating or susurration mean. Those are only two examples of the extreme vocabulary that are in this book. I’m pretty sure there were times Pari Thomson and her editors just wanted to use fancy words because they could, not remembering they are writing for 8-13 year olds in the middle grade genre. My daughter on the other hand loved the book (I read this book to her) and can’t wait for the next one. I agree when it comes to the story but I’m not looking forward to Thomson’s writing.