First published 2012
Rownie lives with Graba, a witch whose house walks on clockwork chicken legs through the streets of Zombay. The youngest boy among Graba's collection of stray children, Rownie has only one blood relative left: his older brother Rowan, who works as an actor despite the city's ban on theater. When Rowan vanishes without a trace, Rownie refuses to accept that his brother is gone forever. He joins a secret troupe of goblins who perform illegal plays throughout the city. These goblins wear masks that hold power beyond simple disguise, and their performances serve purposes greater than mere entertainment. The troupe reveals they are also hunting for Rowan, but not just to reunite the brothers. They believe Rowan possesses the key to preventing a catastrophic flood that threatens to destroy Zombay entirely. As Rownie navigates this dangerous world of forbidden theater and magical masks, he discovers that finding his brother means confronting forces that could reshape their entire city.
Genres: adventure, fantasy, magical-realism, young-adult
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, siblings
Setting: Zombay
228 pages · Hardcover · Margaret K. McElderry Books