Review by Colin Credle

Long ago in the fantastical land of Galatea, the Spider Witch split open the Dragon’s Belt Mountains and released monsters from what is now known as the Monster’s Cradle. Suri is an orphan who has attached herself to a traveling circus and market where she sells monster stories to any children who choose to believe and pay her. Author and illustrator Jo Rioux has introduced a likable, resourceful and persistent character in Suri.

As Suri dodges the owner of the circus and rebuffs any offers of legitimate work, she dreams of finding the Monster’s Cradle and eventually becoming a famous Monster Tamer. We meet various monsters, including Caitsmiths, which are cats that take human shape except for their tails. Legends, folklore and dramatic storytelling set the first impressions, but the actual monsters that come along challenge these shallow notions. Even Suri is a bit mysterious.

There is much here that is reminiscent of the famous Hayao Miyazaki film Howl’s Moving Castle, which was based on a book written by Diana Wynne Jones. The characters are magical and compelling, but all somewhat on their own. As their foibles unfold, they begin to group together and overcome their initial prejudices to form an unlikely fellowship. The Golden Twine sets the stage, throws some of our protagonists together and leaves us with a cliffhanger and a desire to continue exploring.

It’s still not clear how these tenuous and unlikely liaisons will manifest now that we realise there is some nuance to their evil and not everyone is who they seem. It’s probably best to remain sceptical of any prejudices, assumptions and judgements on who is evil and who is good. There is more to find out, but for the moment the Prince does seem to be a bit of dolt. Still, we can enjoy the tantalising anticipation of contemplating where Suri will lead us and with whom she will go further on her adventures, which continue with The Mole King’s Lair.

This is the same content as the earlier version published by Kids Can Press.