Darkmouth: The Legends Begin

Irish journalist Hegarty debuts with a middle-grade fantasy, first in the Darkmouth series, in which 12-year-old Finn, latest in a long line of Legend Hunters, struggles to meet his father’s expectations. Trained to hunt minotaurs, wolpertingers, manticores, and other mythological creatures (aka Legends) that terrorize the town of Darkmouth, Finn is expected to take up the family business; so far, he’s awful at the job, and everyone knows it. Monsters are popping through from the Infested Side with greater frequency, and they seem to be planning something huge. Strangers are spying on Finn and his family, and a traitor may be working with the invaders. Can Finn step up his game before things get out of hand? Hegarty puts a fun spin on the monster-hunting trope, creating a sympathetic, underachieving hero who nevertheless rises to the occasion. Between the entertaining premise, the tongue-in-cheek humor, and the frequent moments of excitement and action, there’s plenty to enjoy in this promising series opener. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Marianne Gunn O’Connor, Marianne Gunn O’Connor Literary Agency. (Apr.)