by John Barrowman & Carole E. Barrowman
ages: 9+
First sentence: “The book the old monk was illuminating began with these words:
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Twelve-year-old twins Matt and Em Calder don’t really think there’s anything weird about their drawing abilities. Okay, so sometimes they can fall into their pictures and sometimes their pictures come alive, but there’s nothing unusual about that.

Well, of course they’re wrong, and they find out in a big way when something happens at London’s National Gallery and they and their mother find themselves on the run to Scotland, to live with a grandfather they’ve never met.

Once in Scotland, they find they’re a part of this group of artists/magicians called Animare, people who can bring their art to life. It’s not all fun and games though: there are splits in this group, factions who believe that they myth of Hollow Earth — that there’s a portal to the center of the earth where all the demons are — is real, and those who want to stop. Matt and Em find themselves caught in between these feuding adults, not quite sure which side to believe.

At least, I think that’s what the plot is.

See, while I really liked the idea of melding art and magic — Animare actually have to draw things on paper (or the ground, or skin) in order for their magic to work — I’m not sure this was the best story. (An aside: I only picked this up because A raved about it. So, it does have the kid appeal.) Granted, it’s the first in a series, so there’s really just a lot of set-up going on. Even though there’s an adventure on the island off the coast of Scotland full of danger for our fair heroes, it just all felt kind of by-the-numbers. Which means while it isn’t bad, it isn’t brilliant either.

A says the second one in the series isn’t as good, though it left her on a cliffhanger, so she, at least, will keep going in the series. I’m glad I gave it a try, at least.