Book Review: MONSTERS IN THE PARK

Very few stories (whether books or film) can be told in such a way that not only can they speak equally to both adults and children, but they do not talk down to or pander either group. MONSTERS IN THE PARK, by Aaron Conaway, is the third novel in his Timberhaven Chronicles series of books, but takes place before his first launch of the series WAKING THE WEAVER. There is also BEFORE THE WEAVER, which is a sort of prequel anthology painting the landscape of the Timberhaven fictional world.

Back to MONSTERS, the book tells the story of Juniper Soot, an eight year-old science whiz who gets embroiled in a magical adventure in the town of Timberhaven. Timberhaven isn't just any town, and if this is your introduction to the Timberhaven universe, you're in for a treat. Yet, you do not need to have read any of the other books to get it. You learn very quickly that Timberhaven is unlike you average place: it is a magical world all of its own, with its own set of natural (and unnatural) laws. Conaway is a master at writing a world full of mystical and preternatural happenings, yet still feeling as tangible as the world we live in. Reading MONSTERS IN THE PARK, I felt like a kid again, wandering the streets of the small town I grew up in, immersed in the people and places that manifest as the very personality of the town itself. As a child I ascribed magic to the people and places of my town, and Conaway brings that kind of imagination to full life once again with his third book in the series, moreso than any of the others so far. Maybe this book appeals to me more than the others in that way because he took me into my own past: I felt like I was riding my bike through the woodsy streets, worried about getting home before dark, evading bullies and "monsters" in the dark. Timberhaven is alive and it has a soul.

The cast is amazing and felt as real as any person I know. Juniper, though smart and clever, had her own fears and setbacks throughout the story, a fully fleshed-out hero that is easy to sympathize with. Jake, Story, Slow, Molly . . . each character both charming and also tragic at the same time, with real histories and emotions that reach out and grab you. I was truly invested in their fates from beginning to end. This is part of TImberhaven's soul. It's isn't just the place. The true magic is Conaway's ability to bring a character to life and make them your friend, or your enemy, or both.

And, not to give spoilers, but I just have to give a shout-out to Conaway for also coming up with the best names ever. I mean . . . Claptrap? Pitchborn? If these words don't spark your interest, then I would check your pulse. Ohhhh . . . I want to talk about my favorite monster so bad, but I also don't want to give it away! Aaagggh!!!

The pacing of this particular installment of the Timberhaven Chronicles, I thought, was the best so far. The entire story essentially takes place in a single day; it is very fast-paced. The reader is taken from character viewpoint to viewpoint even within just a few pages sometimes, lending to the rapid veolicity that makes this book an easy page-turner. And (I would never be able to do this in my own writing) Conaway can make every few pages matter, with a clif-hanger to boot!

I wish I could talk about the final act . . . I really do, but I want you to go out and READ IT! Conaway brings modern-day magical fantasy to its truest form in Timberhaven. In the tradition of Charles de Lint, Stephen King, and even Clive Barker, he merges our world with the Other, lifting the veil to reveal both horror and heart in an adventure you can't help but fall in love with.

Ahem . . . film execs out there, PLEASE make this into a movie, please! This book would make a spectacular visual odyessey!

GET MONSTERS IN THE PARK TODAY!