Mirrorscape (The Mirrorscape Trilogy)

Mike Wilks is an award-winning artist and the bestselling author of The Ultimate Alphabet and The Ultimate Noah's Ark. His paintings, which have been described as "meticulous and eye-bending," can be found in public and private collections in the US and Europe. Mirrorscape is the first installment in his middle-grade trilogy.

Grade 5–8—Enter a dismal world where pleasures are controlled by five Mysteries in the first title (Egmont, 2009) in a projected trilogy by Mike Wilks. Mel Womper loves to draw and is offered an apprenticeship under the master painter, Ambrosias Blenk. From the beginning, he runs into trouble with the fifth Mystery, which controls color, the backbone of the art world. The head apprentice, Groot, doesn't like the addition of Mel to the ranks. Doomed to perform menial tasks under Groot's rule, Mel is befriended by Ludo, a fellow apprentice, and the kitchen girl, Wren. The adventure begins when Mel witnesses the Master doing something secretive in his office. Then Mel and Ludo stumble into Mirrorscape, the worlds within paintings where imagination exists. Just like the Narnia books, time passes slowly in Mirrorscape, affording the friends the ability to move in and out of reality. They become embroiled in a battle between the Fifth Mystery and the Rainbow Rebellion, and only wit and imagination can help them survive. Wilks builds a rich background around art and the world of painting. Fantastic creatures and extraordinary events fill the pages and the use of literary elements is well done, but at times it is difficult to feel a deep connection to the characters and events taking place. Paul English is masterful in his pacing and performance, giving each character a distinct voice and bringing energy to the tale.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.