A luminous, extremely absorbing middle-grade fantasy…
Featuring an intriguing cast led by the endearing Tally, a breakneck pace, and absorbing narrative, Dixon’s second installment in the Tally and the Angel series scores high with this tale of tenacity, perseverance, magic, and intrigue. Tally and her dad are done with their work in India. And though Tally doesn’t want to separate from her Indian friends, she is excited to see real snow in North Yukon in Canada and go dog sledding. The trip begins on a high note with Tally learning to run a sled dog team, but an unfortunate incident throws the duo in the middle of an isolated Yukon village. Things take a strange turn when Tally realized the village is cursed since Klondyke Gold Rush. With Tally’s dad trapped in the strange goings-on, Tally knows she must find a way to break the curse. But even Jophiel feels helpless in the face of this new danger. The story moves quickly, with lots of dog sledding exploits and fantastical quests. Dixon does a wonderful job with skillful worldbuilding that is enhanced by vivid, detailed descriptions and smart, crisp prose, tempting readers to put Canadian North on their bucket list. The pacing is lightning-fast, and the tight and taut plot dazzles with its intricacy. Along with giving her characters (be it human or mythical beings), distinct voices and engaging personalities, Dixon excels at creating solid interpersonal dynamics between them. Tally’s personality is nicely realized as a young girl struggling to come to terms with her tragic personal loss: she constantly fears losing her father and is willing to do anything in order to keep him safe. Secondary characters receive as much care and love as the main cast, and readers will find themselves rooting for Amka, Jake, and even Earl until the very end. The world of mythical beings from the stars is equally compelling. Dixon effortlessly folds in multiple sections, including Amka’s world of dog sledding and the tiny village’s unusual, unified social structure. The novel celebrates indigenous people and culture that takes center stage in Tally’s story. Themes of trauma, loss, grief, friendship, family, solidarity, greed, and courage are woven clearly into the story without being heavy-handed. The climax, a deeply emotional testament to the power of determination, courage, and resilience, is both satisfying and bittersweet. Addictive and un-put-downable; a spectacular middle-grade fantasy.
Tally and the Angel: Book Two, Canada
Eleanor Dixon
Pub date Dec 13 2021
ISBN 978-1838270834
Price $8.35 (USD) Paperback, $2.38 Kindle edition
