“AMOS DARAGON #1: THE MASK WEARER,” by Bryan Perro, translated by Y. Maudet, Delacorte Books for Young Readers, Feb. 8, 2011, $16.99 (ages 9-12)
It seems there’s a series of books that each generation can relate to. Whether it’s Harry Potter or Twilight, millions feel a connection to the characters.
The same has happened in Canada with the Amos Daragon series by Bryan Perro. The 12-book series has sold more than 1.6 million copies in its home country of Canada, is licensed in 18 countries, and has been translated into 16 languages.
Now its first book, “The Mask Wearer” has come to the United States. It’s a great introduction to fantasy for younger readers along the lines of John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series and — though not quite as polished —Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain series.
A long time ago, the four masks were endowed with the four elements — air, earth, fire and water. It was said that whoever wore them could control the elements, bending them to do their will. But only a chosen few could wear the mask, and after a balance was reached, the mask wearers disappeared.
Amos Daragon wants nothing more than to be of use to his parents and to see them happy. He’s inquisitive and knows how to think on his feet. He’s a boy with integrity, and when a dying mermaid princess asks him to deliver a stone and a message to someone in a far away land, he doesn’t hesitate to help.
What Amos doesn’t know, however, is that by accepting the quest, he’s stepped into something much larger. Soon, Amos and his parents have walked into a battle between humanimals, gorgons and humans.
Amos is unwittingly carrying one of 16 magical stones that unlock the masks’ powers. And if he doesn’t learn how to use it, human kind could be lost to the evil and darkness growing around them.
“The Mask Wearer” is fast-paced and full of adventure. There are all sorts of imaginative creatures, including gorgons — women with snakes for hair — and humanimals — humans that can morph into animal form. These elements as well as elements from other mythologies interconnect with a unique story to create a tale that’s fresh but still feels familiar. And, as an added bonus, the origins of different mythological creatures are listed as an appendix of sorts at the end of the book.
At less than 200 pages, “The Mask Wearer” is a fairly quick read, and it might be a good choice for those readers who tend to balk at the fatter books out there. But don’t let the size of this book deceive you — there’s plenty of meat here for a young reader to bite into.
