Foundling: Monster-Blood Tattoo, Book One

The first novel in the Middle Grade 'Monster Blood Tattoo' series starts slowly - almost too slowly for a new series - but picks up to a nice clip a few dozen pages in. By the end of it, young Rossamünd, fresh from Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society For Foundling Boys And Girls, has made several new friends and a surprising number of enemies, all before starting his new position as a Lamplighter for the Half-Continent Empire. While the cover for this novel conveys a very scary-looking monster, it is true to what young Rossamünd will soon uncover as he navigates life on his way to his career job. Rossamünd's journey reminds me a lot of young Bilbo Baggins, who is on an adventure. Still, everything goes wrong; he ends up on the wrong boat, meets a fascinating character after he escapes the ship, and soon discovers just how scary this world can be. He's sure he headed for a boring life as a lamplighter, but as one character shares, he thinks he may be in for the most exciting adventure of his young life. Foundling had me on the edge of my seat as we encountered monsters, unique characters who hunt the monsters, and even a short glimpse at the postal service in this world. I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy this book, but I was happy I gave this author a chance, and I'm eager to read the rest of the series.