About This Book:
Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . .
Time is running out in the empire of Rheinvelt.
The sudden appearance of a strange and frightening statue foretells darkness. The Hierophants—magic users of the highest order—have fled the land. And the shadowy beasts of the nearby Hinterlands are gathering near the borders, preparing for an attack.
Young Prince Alphonsus is sent by his mother, the Empress Sabine, to reassure the people while she works to quell the threat of war. But Alphonsus has other problems on his mind, including a great secret: He has a clock in his chest where his heart should be—and it’s begun to run backwards, counting down to his unknown fate.
Searching for answers about the clock, Alphonsus meets Esme, a Hierophant girl who has returned to the empire in search of a sorceress known as the Nachtfrau. When riddles from their shared past threaten the future of the empire, Alphonsus and Esme must learn to trust each other and work together to save it—or see the destruction of everything they both love.
*Review Contributed By Katelyn McCall, Staff Reviewer*
Straight out of a Studio Ghibli Movie
I don’t know why, but this book kept giving me Howl’s Moving Castle vibes, and I LOVED it.
The Counterclockwise Heart by Brian Farrey is a Middle Grade fantasy novel that follows a mage and prince, as they try to come together and save their home. In the empire of Rheinvelt, a strange statue appears overnight, and foretells a great darkness that will soon sweep over the land. All the mages have fled, wanting to save their lives more than their home. While Prince Alphonsus, has been sent by his mother to assure the people that everything be fine. Even though the clock in his chest, has suddenly started counting backwards. When all hope seems lost, Alphonsus runs into Esme, a mage looking for a great sorcerer. But only by working together can Esme and Alohonsus save their home.
I LOVED this book, with it’s tie back to Germanic folklore. The whole foreboding aspect of a literal ticking clock. And the whole niche side of fantasy that not many popular titles achieve these days. Especially in the sense that this book, is just the literary form of watching a Studio Ghibli film.
I will certainly be reading more of Brian Farrey’s novels, and I will certainly be looking into other novels published through Algonquin Young Readers, because I’ve heard they won’t disappoint. Especially when they’ve put out titles like this one.
