The Broken Lands

Gr 8 Up—This spine-tingling, action-packed, and emotionally powerful prequel to The Boneshaker (Clarion, 2010) can stand on its own and has much to offer discerning readers. Once upon a time, a woodsman was granted three wishes by a beautiful, uncanny woman, but he used them in a selfish, foolish way. So great were his crimes that not even the devil would let him enter into Hell. So Jack roams the world, searching for a place with a powerful crossroads. In 1877, New York City seems the perfect place to make into hell. He has sent his evil emissaries to kill or convert the five pillars of New York: five people charged with protecting the city. Fifteen-year-old orphan and cardsharp Sam Noctiluca is an unlikely hero, but when he befriends Jin, a young Chinese fireworks-maker, they are drawn into the battle. Soon they, and a ragtag cast of heroes, are the only ones who stand between New York and the supernatural forces of evil. While on the surface this is a simple tale of good versus evil, the book is richly fleshed out and overflows with folklore, Chinese alchemy, and historically accurate details. It also beautifully addresses the themes of friendship and loss and the healing power of innocent love. Offermann's delicate black-and-white illustrations contain a sense of innocence that further accentuates the contrast between Sam's group and the frightening evil that threatens the city.—Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

"This seamless blend of fantasy and historical fiction is ripe with rich, gritty detail . . . Readers will be captivated."
—Kirkus

* "A true delight to fans of history, fantasy, and the triumph of good."
—Bulletin, starred review

"This spine-tingling, action-packed, and emotionally powerful prequel to The Boneshaker (Clarion, 2010) can stand on its own and has much to offer discerning readers."
—School Library Journal

"Thrilling, gothic, gorgeous. Milford can conjure spirits as well as any of the mysterious wanderers who travel through her world."
—Adam Gidwitz, author of A Tale Dark and Grimm

"A glimpse into a past that feels frighteningly real, The Broken Lands explodes off the page with unforgettable moments of skin-crawling terror and heart-stopping bravery. It thrilled me, enchanted me, terrified me, and by the end, made me fall in love."
—Robin Wasserman, author of The Book of Blood and Shadow

"The Broken Lands weaves hobo and drifter legends, post-Civil War Americana, and Coney Island's tawdry history into a desperately romantic, can't-put-it-down scary tale of young love and ancient magic. A superb second novel, rich, complex, and beautifully written."
—Chris Moriarty, author of The Inquisitor's Apprentice

"If Milford's The Boneshaker was a combination of Ray Bradbury and American folk legends, its prequel must be what you get when fairy tales meet E.L. Doctorow."
—Elizabeth Bird, Youth Materials Collections Specialist, The New York Public Library

"This book held me hostage for the majority of time I was reading it; it was impossible to put it down. The Broken Lands was one of the best books I have ever read."
—Kyle, grade 6