Synopses & Reviews
Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But its never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the worlds finest astronomical clock. Petras life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home - blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. But why? Petra doesnt know, but she knows this: she will go to Prague, sneak into Salamander Castle, and steal her fathers eyes back. Joining forces with Neel, whose fingers extend into invisible ghosts that pick locks and pockets, Petra finds that many people in the castle are not what they seem, and that her fathers clock has powers capable of destroying their world. This startling debut novel, about the risks we take to protect those we love, brims with magic, political intrigue, and heroism. The Cabinet of Wonders is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Review
“Readers . . . who enjoy literary fantasy are likely to savor Marie Rutkoskis debut novel, which was inspired by the grisly legend associated with the famous astronomical clock in Pragues Old Town Square.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Like Phillip Pullman's young Lyra, [Petra] matures in worlds more complex than she had imagined.” —The Chicago Tribune
“Add this heady mix of history and enchantment to the seasons list of astonishingly accomplished first novels. . . . [Petra] proves herself a worthy relative of, say Philip Pullmans quick-thinking, fearless heroines. . . Infusions of folklore dont slow down the fast plot but more deeply entrance readers.”
—Starred, Publishers Weekly
“Loved this book. Strong girl character. Fascinating alternate Bohemia world. Clever silhouette cover.” —BOUND, MSN Entertainment Book Blog
“For those who like their fantasy with a splash of history, or their history with a twist of magic, this book is ideal.” —School Library Journal
“Fresh and fortuitous.” —The Horn Book
“Rutkoski poses searching questions about perception and judgment, and plants plenty of seeds for future installments, but this first novel of adventure, loyalty and familial love (not to mention magic) wraps up quite satisfyingly.” —Shelf Awareness
“The Cabinet of Wonders is just that—a book to get lost in, to be amazed and astonished by, to explore with curiosity and delight.” —Books & Books, Miami, Florida
“Rutkoski's fantasy features quirky characters, imaginative world building, and a hint of trouble to come that will create demand for the next book in the planned Kronos Chronicles series.” —Booklist
“Though Rutkoski wraps up her magical tale beautifully, her lovable cast and intriguing scenarios are certain to bring readers back for a second round in The Kronos Chronicles.”—BookPage
“Rutkoski effectively uses the romance of the region and the mystique of gypsy legends to evoke an atmosphere of danger and adventure. Her well-crafted fantasy world is a mix of magic and technology . . . that, along with the thoroughly likeable characters, will quickly draw readers in and have them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.” —Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
"It was like a mix of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings."— A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader
Review
"...a sweet and charming fantasy, perfect for fans of ELLA ENCHANTED or THE PRINCESS ACADEMY.... Lorelei King is a talented narrator whose superb creation of whimsical characters is beautifully done." - AudioFile, Winner of an Earphones Award "In this utterly engrossing book, Marie Rutkoski combines siteenth century European history with magic-rich fantasy to create a story that readers will find irresistible." —Through The Lookign GLass Children's Book Review
Review
“Readers . . . who enjoy literary fantasy are likely to savor Marie Rutkoskis debut novel, which was inspired by the grisly legend associated with the famous astronomical clock in Pragues Old Town Square.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Like Phillip Pullman's young Lyra, [Petra] matures in worlds more complex than she had imagined.” —The Chicago Tribune
“Add this heady mix of history and enchantment to the seasons list of astonishingly accomplished first novels. . . . [Petra] proves herself a worthy relative of, say Philip Pullmans quick-thinking, fearless heroines. . . Infusions of folklore dont slow down the fast plot but more deeply entrance readers.”
—Starred, Publishers Weekly
“Loved this book. Strong girl character. Fascinating alternate Bohemia world. Clever silhouette cover.” —BOUND, MSN Entertainment Book Blog
“For those who like their fantasy with a splash of history, or their history with a twist of magic, this book is ideal.” —School Library Journal
“Fresh and fortuitous.” —The Horn Book
“Rutkoski poses searching questions about perception and judgment, and plants plenty of seeds for future installments, but this first novel of adventure, loyalty and familial love (not to mention magic) wraps up quite satisfyingly.” —Shelf Awareness
“The Cabinet of Wonders is just that—a book to get lost in, to be amazed and astonished by, to explore with curiosity and delight.” —Books & Books, Miami, Florida
“Rutkoski's fantasy features quirky characters, imaginative world building, and a hint of trouble to come that will create demand for the next book in the planned Kronos Chronicles series.” —Booklist
“Though Rutkoski wraps up her magical tale beautifully, her lovable cast and intriguing scenarios are certain to bring readers back for a second round in The Kronos Chronicles.”—BookPage
“Rutkoski effectively uses the romance of the region and the mystique of gypsy legends to evoke an atmosphere of danger and adventure. Her well-crafted fantasy world is a mix of magic and technology . . . that, along with the thoroughly likeable characters, will quickly draw readers in and have them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.” —Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
"It was like a mix of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings."— A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader
Review
“Readers . . . who enjoy literary fantasy are likely to savor Marie Rutkoskis debut novel, which was inspired by the grisly legend associated with the famous astronomical clock in Pragues Old Town Square.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Like Phillip Pullmans young Lyra, [Petra] matures in worlds more complex than she had imagined.” —The Chicago Tribune
* “Add this heady mix of history and enchantment to the seasons list of astonishingly accomplished first novels. . . . [Petra] proves herself a worthy relative of, say Philip Pullmans quick-thinking, fearless heroines. . . . Infusions of folklore dont slow down the fast plot but more deeply entrance readers.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Loved this book. Strong girl character. Fascinating alternate Bohemia world. Clever silhouette cover.” —BOUND, MSN Entertainment Book Blog
“For those who like their fantasy with a splash of history, or their history with a twist of magic, this book is ideal.” —School Library Journal
“Fresh and fortuitous.” —The Horn Book
“Rutkoski poses searching questions about perception and judgment, and plants plenty of seeds for future installments, but this first novel of adventure, loyalty and familial love (not to mention magic) wraps up quite satisfyingly.” —Shelf Awareness
“The Cabinet of Wonders is just that—a book to get lost in, to be amazed and astonished by, to explore with curiosity and delight.” —Books & Books, Miami, Florida
“Rutkoskis fantasy features quirky characters, imaginative world building, and a hint of trouble to come that will create demand for the next book in the planned Kronos Chronicles series.” —Booklist
“Though Rutkoski wraps up her magical tale beautifully, her lovable cast and intriguing scenarios are certain to bring readers back for a second round in The Kronos Chronicles.” —BookPage
“Rutkoski effectively uses the romance of the region and the mystique of gypsy legends to evoke an atmosphere of danger and adventure. Her well-crafted fantasy world is a mix of magic and technology . . . that, along with the thoroughly likeable characters, will quickly draw readers in and have them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.” —The Bulletin for the Center of Childrens Books
“It was like a mix of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.” —A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader
Synopsis
Brimming with magic, political intrigue, and heroism, this debut novel kicks off a riveting new series featuring Petra Kronos, a young girl who risks everything to protect those she loves.
Synopsis
Talking spiders, stolen eyes, a clock that controls the weather—a “heady mix of history and enchantment” (Publishers Weekly).
Synopsis
My family has always had a way with metal.Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But its never been ordinary. She has a tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning in a glass sphere. And Petras father is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the worlds finest astronomical clock. Then Petras father returns home—blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. Petra doesnt know why, but she does know this: She will go to Prague and steal her fathers eyes back. When she finds out that her fathers clock has the power to destroy the world, Petra realizes she may never make it home alive.
Synopsis
The riveting first novel of the Kronos Chronicles
Synopsis
Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But its never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the worlds finest astronomical clock. Petras life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home - blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. But why? Petra doesnt know, but she knows this: she will go to Prague, sneak into Salamander Castle, and steal her fathers eyes back. Joining forces with Neel, whose fingers extend into invisible ghosts that pick locks and pockets, Petra finds that many people in the castle are not what they seem, and that her fathers clock has powers capable of destroying their world. This startling debut novel, about the risks we take to protect those we love, brims with magic, political intrigue, and heroism. The Cabinet of Wonders is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Synopsis
Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But its never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. He has been commissioned by the prince of Bohemia to build the worlds finest astronomical clock. Petras life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home—blind. The prince has stolen his eyes, enchanted them, and now wears them. But why? Petra doesnt know, but she knows this: she will go to Prague, sneak into Salamander Castle, and steal her fathers eyes back. Joining forces with Neel, whose fingers extend into invisible ghosts that pick locks and pockets, Petra finds that many people in the castle are not what they seem, and that her fathers clock has powers capable of destroying their world.
About the Author
Marie Rutkoski is the author of
The Kronos Chronicles.
The Cabinet of Wonders was her debut novel and was named an Indie Next Kids List Great Read and a Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year, among other honors. Rutkoski grew up in Bolingbrook, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), as the oldest of four children. She attended the University of Iowa, where she took Writers Workshop classes and studied with Pulitzer Prize-winner James Alan McPherson. After graduating, she lived in Moscow and Prague. Upon receiving her Ph.D. from Harvard University, she held dual appointments as a lecturer there in both English and American Literature and Language, and History and Literature. Rutkoski is currently a professor at Brooklyn College, where she teaches Renaissance Drama, childrens literature and creative writing. She lives in New York City.