Robyn is a tinkerer. She loves building things with her dad, but since her dad's job has taken up most of his time lately, Robyn is on her own. One night after Robyn sneaks out as usual to head to the junkyard to find a voltage adapter for a project, things seem a bit off. Usually dodging the guards and scaling the fence are fun endeavors, but this night the guards are more soldier-esque than usual. And this time when she made it over the fence, there was a dog.
Luckily Robyn is a prepared girl, and has a pocket full of bacon to keep the dog at bay. True, the bacon was orignally for Robyn's friend Barclay who calls the junkyard his home, but Robyn is thankful she packed it.
It turns out that changes are afoot in a much more far ranging way than just upped security in the junkyard. This night comes to be called the Night of Shadows, and what it is is a coup. The standing government and all of the members of parliament are rounded up and/or killed. Robyn's father works for the government.
When she races home, she finds a horrifying sight. Her empty house is in shambles and her parents are gone. All that is left is a puddle of blood in the kitchen. Robyn is a wanted girl.
Now Robyn is forced to try to remember all of the warnings her father gave her that she only half listened to. The ones that started with "If anything ever happens to me and your mother...". Upon hearing strangers back in her house she takes the few items from her safe and takes off into the forest.
What comes next is an adventure that will keep readers up well into the night. Solitary Robyn must learn that sometimes it's okay (and necessary) to trust others. Her group of friends must learn to live by their wits and manage to help others who may not be so resourceful along the way.
Magoon has reimagined the world of Robin Hood in an alternate time period and has woven in technology and the idea of the big brother very well. Readers do not need to be familiar with the original tale to have a rip roaring time, but the ones who are familiar will likely be pleased with the reimagining of many of the main characters. Magoon has also woven in moon lore as an aspect of the world building that brings an air of fantasy to the whole story.
I cannot wait for the next installment of this exciting story!
I figured, since I live with you real live tweens, it is high time that I have them write some of the book recommendations that appear on this blog. Tween 2 read The Imaginary before school was out, and she loved it! The following is what she has to say about it!
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I had just finished a book, and as always, I was looking for a new one. Just like most kids, I like it when a book sticks to me. Sometimes I read the first two chapters of one book and I do not like it and then same with the next, and so on. As usual I asked my mom/librarian for a suggestion. She usually gives me like 8 books and I don’t like any of them, so it is usually hard for her to give me suggestions. This time she gave me this book, and it hooked me right from the introduction. I checked it out and just read it.
The one thing that keeps Amanda happy is her imaginary friend Rudger. After all, she is an only child. There is just him and her. They are best friends. But Amanda’s mother thinks there is something wrong with Amanda. Amanda loves to imagine. Rudger and Amanda always go on adventures in the backyard. Then one day Mr. Bunting comes to the door.
Mr. Bunting hunts Imaginaries. Rumor has it that he eats them! He sniffs them out and this time he has sniffed out Rudger. With Mr. Bunting’s (well let’s say) “assistant” he has almost got Rudger in his clutches! With Amanda unconscious in the hospital, Rudger is alone with nobody believing in him. He is starting to fade away with Amanda not being able to imagine him. All at once he is trying to get to Amanda, escape from Mr. Bunting, and not fade before it is all done. On his way he meets some other imaginaries that help him. But can he make it before fading?
A.F. Harrold has created humor, with scary moments and magic all in one plot. This book was super amazing! Emily Gravett has so many great and detailed pictures. The illustrations and the book work in harmony together. This is a must read book! Ten out of ten stars! **********
