The Counterclockwise Heart

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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Brian Farrey's The Counterclockwise Heart is a middle-grade fantasy novel set in an alternate medieval Europe. Prince Alphonsus doesn't know why he has a clock embedded in his chest, but he loves his adoptive mother, the Empress Sabine, and wants to protect her from an ominous statue known as the Onyx Maiden. There's some violence, battles, but nothing too bloody. Monsters throw things around. There's one or two uses of "damn."
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What's the Story?
As THE COUNTERCLOCKWISE HEART opens, a giant statue, dubbed the Onyx Maiden, arrives without warning in the village of Somber End. It cannot be moved, but it seems to grant prosperity to the town as long as someone sits and talks at it each day. Meanwhile, as rumors of gathering warriors at the empire's borders grow stronger, young Prince Alphonsus sends Birgit, a huntress, to find out who designed the magical clock that ticks backward in his chest. Elsewhere, a young magic-using Hierophant named Esme heads toward a showdown with an evil enchantress. Can heroes and villains break out of their respective roles and bring peace to themselves and the community?
Is It Any Good?
"Be true to yourself" is a common piece of advice, but the cliche is given new potency in this action-packed middle-grade fantasy. In The Counterclockwise Heart, author Brian Farrey spins a fable-like tale of misdirected fear and confusion, as vibrant characters come to understand each other. Magic, betrayal, reversals, and battles are described in exquisite detail, with plenty of humor. Readers will enjoy Farrey's deft approach to fantasy, served in a satisfying, stand-alone portion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Counterclockwise Heart examines the dangers of misinformation. How do leaders control their followers by putting out false stories that spread through social media?
Is it healthy to hold on to anger? What do bitterness and envy do to people over time?
Why are people frightened by those who are unusual in any way?
Book Details
- Author: Brian Farrey
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
- Publication date: February 21, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 14
- Number of pages: 352
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love fantasy and magic
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