Estranged

May 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-Edmund, a fae, was switched at birth with a human Childe. Now living in the World Above, Edmund must keep his magic powers hidden from his human family, with whom he has never fit in, while the Childe, in the World Below, is the fae king and queen's royal pet. But when an evil sorceress threatens the crown, the Childe escapes above ground and enlists Edmund's help to save the World Below. The pair must traverse the dangerous underground realm of monsters, beasts, and dark magic to protect both their worlds. This switched-at-birth, coming-of-age fantasy doesn't break new ground, but it's executed well. Themes such as finding one's place and meeting friends and family in unexpected ways will speak to middle grade readers. Each location has a distinct style, color, and feel that give the surrounding characters depth, suggesting that this is just one story in a world of many. Small details in the backgrounds and hints in dialogue amplify the sense of mystery. VERDICT Worthy of inclusion in any fantasy collection.-Thomas Jonte, Pensacola State College, FL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 28, 2018
Stolen at birth and replaced with a fae changeling, Edmund grows up as a human spectacle, called only the Childe, in the fae World Below. When he escapes a coup that leaves the only family he has ever known dead, he flees to the human world—the World Above—in hopes of finding his changeling, the one true heir to the fae throne. Accompanied by his only friend, Whick, a candlestick golem, the two locate the changeling, who has recently realized that he does not belong in the human world. To navigate a world of assassins and magic and determine who they really are, the two must learn to trust one another and somehow live in each other’s worlds. Newcomer Aldridge delivers a fun, daring, and dark take on the classic switched-at-birth narrative, with themes and art that fall into the realm of Neil Gaiman, Michael Ende, and Jim Henson. Coupled with the beautifully toned watercolor art, the interdependence of and tension between the two protagonists makes this book stand out. Ages 8–12. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management.

July 1, 2018
Grades 3-7 In the World Below, the fay king and queen have stolen a human, named Childe, from the World Above and replaced him with a changeling. When the evil Hawthorne takes over the kingdom, Childe has to get out before he's killed. Along with his golem, Whick, Childe escapes to the World Above to find Edmund, the fay living with his family. Things take a turn for the worse when Hawthorne sends a terrifying group of soldiers to kill Edmund, and in the ensuing fight, Edmund's sister, Alexis, finds herself caught up in the drama. Together, the four journey back into the World Below to face off against Hawthorne and her otherworldly army. Aldridge's lavish, fine-lined, painterly artwork makes great work of the fantasy creatures (though there's barely any variety in body shape and skin tone), and the detailed backgrounds, both above and below, cultivate a rich sense of place that will be sure to capture the imaginations of readers. The deliciously captivating start to this adventure series will leave readers hungry for more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
Edmund is a changeling living with above-ground humans, swapped at birth with a human (known only as the Childe), who lives in the World Below as a fay prince. When the fay kingdom is invaded, Edmund and the Childe team up to save it. This standalone graphic novel's characters and lore could be more deeply developed, but interesting design elements bring both worlds to life.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)