Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

In this peril-packed page-turner, first in a series, a pampered princess and a resourceful orphan girl struggle to stay alive in a monster-infested dungeon. As the gamekeeper for the dungeon of Black Mountain, 12-year-old Thisby Thestoop knows how to handle hungry trolls, rampaging wyverns, and cranky goblins. But when Princess Iphigenia and her brother, Ingo, come to tour the mountain and see its horrors, Ingo is kidnapped, and the dungeon’s inhabitants are thrown into turmoil. Thisby and Iphigenia attempt to rescue Ingo as ancient evils in the dungeon’s deepest depths threaten to escape their long captivity. Comic book writer Gorman makes a strong children’s book debut, deconstructing the creature-filled caverns and trapped tunnel tropes prevalent in classic role-playing games (who feeds the monsters or oversees proper distribution of treasure, for instance?) while delivering a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure. Clever Thisby and forceful Iphigenia make a delightfully odd pairing as they form an unlikely friendship amid the chaos and danger, and Bosma’s ghoulish b&w illustrations further help bring the characters and creatures to life. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Jen Linnan, Linnan Literary. (Apr.)