The actions, discoveries, and conclusions of Milo and Meddy would have been every bit as feasible if Milford had adopted a more straightforward approach. I also found the decision to overlay the mystery with the gaming context interfered with my enjoyment of the story. I was unable to place the setting in a real or imagined universe and their use caused a “head-scratching pause”. This is the first book I have read by Milford, however, and the names she invented for the location (e.g., Skidwrack, Magothy) were unfamiliar. Milford sets up an interesting premise-unexpected guests arriving out of the winter storm, a mysterious navigation chart, and the children’s intent to identify the location depicted in the chart. Reluctantly, Milo agrees to Meddy’s suggestion that they “go in search of whatever this chart leads to.” Meddy insists that they adopt alternate personas for their quest so Milo becomes an escaladeur named Negret and Meddy adopts the persona of a scholiast, Sirin.
The chart does not depict the local bays and rivers.
While retrieving a book he accidentally left behind when helping the guests with their luggage Milo discovers a leather wallet that contains a mysterious navigational chart. Initially, Milo is upset because he was counting on a relaxing Christmas vacation alone with his parents, and he does not handle change well. The surprise influx of guests necessitates the return of the inn’s chef and her daughter (a baker and, Milo assumes, Meddy’s mother).
Five unexpected guests arrive, one after the other, out of the winter storm. Twelve-year-old Milo and Meddy, a young girl apparently of the same age, are snowbound over the Christmas holiday in his parents’ inn.
0 kommentar(er)
