THE RATASTROPHE CATASTROPHE: The Illmoor Chronicles, Book One

In the first volume in a planned trilogy, Stone riffs on the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, with moderately interesting results. As the novel opens, a dark magic hovers about the city of Dullitch and finds a host in young Diek Wustapha ("What dark magic truly requires is susceptible minds," explains the omniscient narrator). Soon odd events plague Diek: cows give him curdled milk, animals follow him doggedly, and he can suddenly play bewitching tunes on his flute. When a "hostile infestation" of rats descends upon the city, Diek feels called to lead them away. But the city's coffers are empty so, unpaid, he leads the children away, too. The familiar story receives only minor embellishment; the magic goes largely unexploited (the council chairman's secret identity as a sorcerer is used primarily as a source of jokes, and the dark magic only comes into play at the finale). The characters, unfortunately, are never fully developed, so it may be difficult for readers to care about who emerges triumphant here (the barrowbird, cursed to "speak as I find," is an interesting invention but he disappears after the early chapters). The ending suggests that the Duke of Dullitch will return, but readers may not wish to tune in for his next appearance. Final artwork not seen by PW . Ages 10-14. (Oct.)