Moon over Brendle

Noon (The Chronicles of Ludwich) offers few surprises in this mild coming-of-age fantasy recounting what led narrator Joe Sutter to a future as a science fiction writer. In an alternate 1968 England, Joe is among the very few able to perceive Greot, a mystical multicolored dust the exact nature of which is mysterious, but which is considered by some to enable access to people’s secret desires. An aimless teen, Joe makes little use of his abilities to interface with dust, but finds new direction after befriending G.K. Holbrook, an elderly author of dozens of SF novels. Holbrook is also able to perceive Greot, and mentors Joe on life and writing. Meanwhile, in a gentle mystery, Joe encounters in Holbrook’s home a ghostly girl only he can see and sets out to identify her. A preface discloses that the adult Joe has published over 20 books, leaving little suspense about whether the life lessons Holbrook imparts to him will take, and other developments are similarly telegraphed. Greot inevitably calls to mind Philip Pullman’s similar Dust, but Noon’s worldbuilding is far hazier. This is best suited for the author’s diehard fans. (May)