Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
The fate of the world is in the hands of detective of the supernatural R. F. Jackaby and his intrepid assistant, Abigail Rook. An evil king is turning ancient tensions into modern strife, using a blend of magic and technology to push Earth and the Otherworld into a mortal competition. Jackaby and Abigail are caught in the middle as they continue to solve the daily mysteries of New Fiddleham, New England — like who’s created the rend between the worlds, how to close it, and why zombies are appearing around. At the same time, the romance between Abigail and the shape-shifting police detective Charlie Cane deepens, and Jackaby’s resistance to his feelings for 926 Augur Lane’s ghostly lady, Jenny, begins to give way. Before the four can think about their own futures, they will have to defeat an evil that wants to destroy the future altogether.
The epic conclusion to the New York Times best-selling Jackaby series features sly humor and a quirky cast of unforgettable characters as they face off against their most dangerous, bone-chilling foe ever.
“A little Dr. Who, a little Harry Potter, and a lot of Sherlock, New York Times bestselling author Will Ritter’s Jackaby series has thrilled YA readers with magic, mystery and adventure since the first book introduced us to a supernatural sleuth and his trusty assistant. In The Dire King: A Jackaby Novel (on sale August 22), Ritter sends the series out with a bang, with even more mystery, romance, and the most epic battle yet.”
“A humorous, energetic, action-packed, and magical conclusion.”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Ritter’s debut novel Jackaby (a New York Times bestseller and 2015 Pacific Northwest Book Award winner) introduced readers to R.F. Jackaby, a quirky detective with a knack for the supernatural; Abigail Rook, his skeptical and observant assistant; Jenny Cavanaugh, the ghostly landlady of 926 Augur Lane; and Charlie Cane, a shape-shifting police officer. Beastly Bones and Ghostly Echoes followed the crime-solving team from their home in New Fiddleham to the depths of the underworld as they uncovered more clues about the evil forces behind Jenny’s murder.
A great book can do many things, but it can’t bring back the dead. Except for when it can.
The Dire King had many surprises inside, even if some events were foreshadowed so many times in the previous books that it was rather like that brick that hit that dude in the face. A wholly satisfying conclusion, with the same dry humor and wit along with supernatural hijinks we’ve come to love from Jackaby and Rook, plus some developments that are not entirely unexpected with Charlie and Jenny.
This is one of those series that I will definitely be reading again. At times light hearted, and at times full of dread and despair, The Jackaby novels are fascinating studies in the depths of human compassion through the lense of young adult paranormal mystery.
You’ve seen it billed as Sherlock meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I think it’s more Sleepy Hollow meets Sherlock meets Veronica Mars. Abigail Rook is one of my favorite literary heroines, and she’ll fast become yours too, you can bet on it!
Just, be careful you don’t bet an Unseelie Fae because their price might be too steep.
I highly recommend this series to any of you who are curious about paranormal but don’t like the books heavy on romance, though there is just a tetch of it here.
Furthermore, I insist you let me know how much you love the books when you do read them! Comment anytime!
Thanks so much to Algonquin Young Readers and FFBC for the review opportunity!
“This world doesn’t need showy champions. It needs people who are good, people who do good, even if nobody will ever know.”
WILLIAM RITTER is an Oregon educator and author of the New York Times bestselling Jackaby series. He is the proud father of the two bravest boys in the Wild Wood, and husband to the indomitable Queen of the Deep Dark.
Sounds so cool. I have the first few books, and am looking forward to reading them. At some point! 😂 My TBR pile is outta control.
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