Nesbet has a sure touch in bringing this breathless tale to tween readers. Her characters are realistic and likable, and kids will care about them. Nesbet’s writing is deft and unpredictable, with adventure following adventure, keeping readers hooked to the end.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“With hints of a sequel to come, this agreeable adventure introduces an appealing, spunky heroine and sets the stage for more conflict and compromise to come.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A good choice for fans... of Cornelia Funke or Erin Hunter.” — Booklist
Nesbet’s fable explores the relationship of science, logic, and imagination, forging ahead with eventfulness and visual richness. A cozy, personable narrative voice punctuates the drama with light humor.” — Horn Book Magazine
PRAISE FOR THE CABINET OF EARTHS: “In her debut novel, Nesbet has crafted a carefully imagined, magical world-one that is shrouded in mystery and keeps the reader engaged and guessing. With imaginative alchemy, compelling action, and sensitive characterizations, this novel will undoubtedly win over fantasy fans.” — Booklist
PRAISE FOR THE CABINET OF EARTHS: “Nesbet’s first novel is an impressive achievement, its substance and style gracefully blended. Above all, Maya is a fully rounded, complex character, someone whose qualities and struggles are admirably and appealingly central to the fantasy.” — The Horn Book
PRAISE FOR THE CABINET OF EARTHS: “Blending elements of magic, science, and even horror with evocative prose and a confident narrative voice, Nesbet immerses readers in her contemporary Parisian setting.” — Publishers Weekly
PRAISE FOR THE CABINET OF EARTHS: “Nesbet has written a unique, interesting fantasy with just enough suspense to keep readers turning the pages long into the night. Fantasy readers of all ages, especially middle school students, will enjoy this story.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
PRAISE FOR THE CABINET OF EARTHS: “This debut novel of intrigue, family betrayal and an unsolved case of missing children will grip readers from first page to last. Readers will be swept along by the novel’s swift pace and enjoy the mystery’s unraveling with Maya and Valko as their companions.” — Shelf Awareness
PRAISE FOR A BOX OF GARGOYLES: “A flavorful mille-feuille with equally tasty layers of dark magic, light comedy and salty determination.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
PRAISE FOR A BOX OF GARGOYLES: “Nesbet’s style is both animated and animating...all elements of her story fairly quiver with life.” — The Horn Book
2015-08-05
A rebellious girl breaks a community taboo, unintentionally endangers her dearest friend, and scrambles through a series of dangerous encounters to make things right. Nesbet's confident worldbuilding creates a fascinating picture of two diametrically opposed cultures: wrinkled (pastoral, magical, and mysterious) and Plain (filled with hard surfaces and sharp angles, technologically advanced, and deeply suspicious of magic). She populates this world with characters simultaneously familiar and fresh. There's heroine Linnet, friend and companion Elias, a scheming magician, a power-hungry regent, a mad scientist of sorts, a helpful, newly discovered relative, and a magical cat, among others. Each plays a role as Linny travels the length of the world to seek a remedy for her friend Sayra's sickness. The plot gallops along from capture to escape and triumph to disaster, with multiple instances of each and cliffhangers aplenty. Meanwhile, the author paints a thought-provoking picture of the ways that misunderstandings and miscommunication can create animosity and how both the conflicts of those in power and the power of story can shape the lives of everyday citizens. The messages are clear; luckily they are delivered with enough subtlety to keep the tone from turning preachy. With hints of a sequel to come, this agreeable adventure introduces an appealing, spunky heroine and sets the stage for more conflict and compromise to come. (Fantasy. 10-14)
