Silent

Gr 7 Up—This engrossing combination of historical fiction and modern fairy tale starts in 1914, when a devil-like figure, Coal, plots to begin a world war in France. Adi, the daughter of a British military officer and an Indian nurse, accidentally foils his plan. In return, Coal kidnaps Adi's twin half brothers, but he leaves her a peculiar pocket watch, which contains four riddles that point to the brothers' whereabouts, and he forbids her from speaking until she locates them. It seems like an impossible rescue mission until George, a kindhearted duke, agrees to help her and whisks her off to his castle, which is filled with an eccentric royal family. Just as they begin to decipher the riddles, war erupts and thrusts them in different directions. Adi disguises herself as a French soldier and tags along with a doctor as he tends to the wounded. It may be difficult for readers to believe that Adi makes it through the entire war without speaking or without anyone discovering that she's a woman. Equally frustrating is the lack of information about Coal's identity and motivations. However, Mellon has created an original plot, and the clever riddles showcase his impressive knowledge of history. Readers will find themselves Googling the locations and events mentioned throughout.