Amy Herrick

The Tiltersmith

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Tiltersmith

Author: Amy Herrick

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Diversity: Hearing aid MC, non-descript people of color MCs and characters

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy

Publication Date: April 5, 2022

Genre: MG Fantasy

Age Relevance: 12+ (climate change, violence, scary moments)

Explanation of Above: There is talk about climate change in the book. There are some small violence in the book, like fights and stuff, and some scary moments that might be a bit much for some younger kids.

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Pages: 320

Synopsis: Spring has arrived in Brooklyn, New York, but winter refuses to let go. Sleet, snow, and even a tornado batter the city. Mr. Ross, the science teacher, believes climate change is the cause, but classmates Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Brigit suspect older, magical forces are at work. When a peculiar character calling himself Superintendent Tiltersmith appears with a keen interest in the foursome, their suspicions are confirmed, and they’re swept up in a battle of wits and courage.

The friends must protect a set of mysterious tools belonging to the Lady of Spring. If they can free her from her underground prison, winter will end. But if the Tiltersmith steals the tools, he will keep the Lady in his power and upset the balance of nature forever.

Review: For the most part I really liked this book. The book was a fun story ala early 2000s or 1990s books, like Animorphs. It also reminded me a lot of Captain Planet as well funny enough. The book had a lot of science and STEM stuff in it, which would be great to help get kids interested in the subjects, as well as talks about climate change. The character development was good as well as the world building. I also liked the premise of the story.

However, I felt like the book was a bit too fast paced for my liking and I wished that some things were just slowed down a bit to better explain some things. I also didn’t like the use of the switching POV in this book as it confused me for a bit with the story and I felt like the characters didn’t have different voices.

Verdict: It was good!


The Tiltersmith

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