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Down the Mysterly River
- By Bill Willingham
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Clever fantasy adventure a great choice for middle graders.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Down the Mysterly River is a clever, compelling fantasy adventure that will especially appeal to younger readers who are not yet ready for the author's hugely popular and critically acclaimed comics series, Fables.
What's the story?
A boy who calls himself Max the Wolf suddenly finds himself in an unfamiliar woods, without any memory of how he arrived there. Pursued by a pack of mysterious hunters and accompanied by a badger, a feral cat, and a bear, Max heads down river, seeking sanctuary in the castle of a wizard. As he and his companions fight for survival, Max begins to suspect that a terrible secret lies at the heart of his existence.
Is it any good?
DOWN THE MYSTERLY RIVER is a compelling fantasy adventure with a twist, an homage to books filled with talking animals, magical artifacts, and brave boys with well-honed detecting skills. Willingham employs the same rich sense of wonder that fuels Fables, his acclaimed comics series for older readers, but with a gentleness and good humor more appropriate for a younger audience.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts prepare young people for safety in the wilderness. If you were suddenly lost in the woods, would you know the best methods for being rescued?
Max considers himself a master of detection. What are some of the methods that can be used to solve a mystery or puzzle (deduction, induction, etc.)?
The villains use magic swords to cut away what makes their victims unique. Why do some people prefer conformity over individuality?
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Kid, 12 years old
November 21, 2011
AGE
A good fantasy; bordering on violence levels
Down the Mysterly River is a fun fantasy for older readers. Max "the Wolf" is intelligent and brave, putting his boy scout and detective skills to good use throughout the course of the story. McTavish the cat is probably my favourite character, but he is the world's worst role model EVER. McTavish is a NASTY barnyard cat who has risen to become "King of the Barnyard" through numerous fights. Incorporated in the story through Walden, the bear's, memories are bits of trickster tales, though Walden himself is the hopeless sheriff on whom the tricks are played. The story is rather violent, and multiple characters die or are injured. Also, a more philosophical form of violence, that some readers might find more disturbing, is what the "Blue Cutters" do. They "cut" out a creature's "self" and replace it with their own idea of what the "self" should be like. Boys may find this preferable, as all the female characters are villains, or unimportant.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Bill Willingham |
| Illustrator: | Mark Buckingham |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Tor Books |
| Publication date: | September 13, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 336 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 11 |
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