  | Mooncussers (Oddity) Author: Brown, Eli | |
| Price: $24.48 | ||
Summary:
Despite Clover's victory over the destructive Seamstress, war continues to rage between the fledgling Unified States and Napoleon Bonaparte. Clover and Nessa, former snake-oil salesgirl, join the Women's Service League expecting to dole out soup and socks to invalids and orphans. Instead, under the direction of the wealthy and mysterious Miss Yamada, they're tasked with rooting out the last of the pestilential Vermin-vicious creatures animated by magic. Sequel to Oddity.
| Illustrator: | Rytter, Karin |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.80 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 554650 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (05/01/25)
School Library Journal (07/01/25)
Booklist (06/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/01/2025 Gr 6 Up—This follow-up to Oddity finds Clover back in Salamander Lake where she has found comfort in the home of Widow Henshaw. The war between the Unified States and Napoléon Bonaparte's army continues, but Clover and her friends have so far remained unscathed. Everything changes when a noisy caravan rolls down the street, and the mysterious Miss Yamada whisks them away to join the Women's Service League. With help from oddities like a pistol that never misses and a magical quilt, as well as new friends Hazel and Penelope, the group faces off against Vermin across the countryside. They become aware of an even bigger threat: The Underking. As the Underking gains power and his army grows, the Women's Service League seeks help from allies while struggling to confront this new villain. Will they have what it takes to defeat the Underking in this battle of good vs. evil? Fans of the first book will be pleased to see familiar faces and a number of new, strong female characters supporting Clover. The magically detailed text paired with Rytter's swirling black-and-white linocut illustrations brings the enchanted world of oddities to life. Readers will have no trouble visualizing this dark, alternate history and the fantastical creatures that inhabit it. Main characters read as white, with some diversity in the supporting cast. VERDICT A charming and original sequel that will take readers on a magical adventure in an alternate 19th century. Recommended for dark fantasy lovers and fans of the first installment.—Elizabeth Blake - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 06/01/2025 A second Louisianna War has broken out, and Clover Elkin has been laying low with her faithful friend Nessa until the arrival of Miss Yamada. An oddities expert and leader of the newly established chapter of the Women’s Service League, Miss Yamada is recruiting those entangled with oddities’ powers to help destroy the unnatural vermin created by the Seamstress (Miniver Elkin). Eager to end the chaos unleashed by her mother, Clover commits her odd talents to the cause. Meanwhile, a sinister whispering from deep underground permeates the plot, sharing the curious story of a being who calls himself the Underking. No longer content with being the King of Dirt, the Underking fortifies his growing strength and ambitions with a scarecrow-like army and mutant creatures that soon become entangled with Miss Yamada’s league, who call themselves mooncussers. Brown’s imagination and voice-y character work are in fine form in this feisty sequel to Oddity (2021), and his latest villain is one for the history books. An ideal series for those not quite ready for the Miss Peregrine books. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
