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  • Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling
  • April Spisak
Cornish, D. M. Monster Blood Tattoo: Foundling; written and illus. by D. M. Cornish. Putnam, 2006 [434p] ISBN 0-399-24638-X$18.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 5-7

Rossamund has had a difficult childhood living in an orphanage and struggling with bullies because of his female name. Now, armed with his quick wit and sharp mind, along with a few coins and a new outfit, he's ready to take up an apprenticeship, but his carefully planned future as a lamplighter falls apart on his first day out in the world. After Rossamund boards the wrong boat, he finds himself thrown into a dangerous world filled with deadly monsters and even more threatening humans, and he must sort out his allies from his enemies in order to survive. This is clearly the first book in a series: there are far more questions than answers, and several important elements, such as Rossamund's feminine name and unusual affinity for monsters, are left unaddressed, hopefully to be revisited in future installments. The fact that the end matter constitutes over a quarter of the pages additionally foregrounds world creation over plotting, though readers may enjoy the additional illustrations, definitions, maps, and diagrams. Nonetheless, the book's blend of horror, fantasy, and science fiction could appeal to a broad audience, who will appreciate the heroism of a young man facing frightening peril. Annotated, sharply drawn illustrations scattered throughout the book will help readers keep track of the large cast of characters.

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