cover image The Society's Traitor

The Society's Traitor

V.K. Finnish, illus. by Tim Oshida. Panama Hat, $22.99 (298p) ISBN 978-0-9852202-0-4

Launching the Discoveries of Arthur Grey series, this debut effort is a sprawling fantasy with vague connections to the legend of King Arthur's pursuit of the Holy Grail. The prologue introduces a boy in ancient times who volunteers to help thwart an evil king's acquisition of a precious cauldron. For reasons not adequately explained, the boy repeatedly appears in the dreams of Arthur, the novel's 11-year-old contemporary protagonist, who is determined to find the treasure allegedly hidden in the Victorian manor where he lives with his grandmother. Instead, Arthur is hurled into a convoluted search for the fabled City of Gold after his long-lost father returns to transport him, via a portal, to a magical society in the Peruvian jungle. Its members are dedicated to finding things people "don't believe in any more" and are the protectors of a spectrum of fantastical creatures. Various subplots hinder the flow of the story, and some plot strands are left dangling, but Finnish's characterizations are strong, and Arthur's banter with his peers is often amusing. Ages 6%E2%80%9312. $12.99 trade paper (326p) ISBN 978-0-9852202-1-1