Starcross: A Stirring Adventure of Spies, Time Travel and Curious Hats

Art Mumby and his sister Myrtle live in an alternate universe in 19th century space in a house that orbits the planet Earth. Workmen disrupt their family life while undertaking extensive remodeling and repairs, so when their mother receives an invitation to an asteroid belt resort hotel named Starcross, their father urges them to take a vacation while he stays behind to supervise the carpenters. Art also hopes that this will distract Myrtle from her tiresome heartsick longing for Jack Havock, the dashing young space pirate the Mumbys met in their previous adventure, chronicled in LARKLIGHT. The asteroid belt is between Mars and Jupiter. Millions of Earth humans, Martians and other beings live on them. In fact, the Starcross asteroid once was a part of Mars that had broken off millions of years before. When the Mumby trio arrives at Starcross, they are disoriented by its appearance. It looks like an old abandoned building at first glance, but as they approach they see it is a large, lovely hotel overlooking a white sand basin. The hotel is run by Mr. Titfer, along with a wide array of automated robots. Art and Myrtle wonder where the ocean is; the invitation specifically mentioned "sea bathing," and Myrtle brought the latest in bathing costumes. When Mr. Titfer informs them that the tide has been out for one-hundred million years but comes in every 12 hours or so, their question is simply answered with a riddle. While Myrtle and Mother sleep, Art explores his room. In his closet he finds a hatbox. Somehow, Art knows that Mr. Titfer's hats are the best ones in the universe (this is odd because, until he saw a train station advertisement for Titfer's Top-Notch Toppers as they traveled to Starcross, he had no idea Mr. Titfer had anything to do with hats). Art feels an irresistible urge to wear the hat, but as he gets ready to place it on his head, he is distracted by a voice saying "Moob!" As he tries to find whoever uttered that word, Art realizes that the ocean has come in. Things grow more mysterious when the Mumbys go down to breakfast, for one of the guests is someone they know well...in disguise. While swimming, Myrtle and Mother discover two people who have been changed into Venusian Changeling Trees. Meanwhile, guests are talking about hats and dreaming about them. When Mother and Art are chloroformed into unconsciousness, a wild, time-traveling adventure ensues across prehistoric Mars. This is a rollicking, jolly good adventure filled with bizarre characters, including knitting goblins. Although young readers might be put off a bit by the old-fashioned style and the plentiful (silly) footnotes, patient booklovers will be rewarded with an imaginative romp. The book is beautiful, with its heavy pages and ornate black and white illustrations. It's also hilarious (as when Myrtle takes over the tale only under the condition that "Mr. Wyatt" NOT illustrate her in her night clothes. When the page is turned, there she is, nightgown and all, with

The sequel to Larklight does not disappoint. Art and Myrtle are off on another delightful journey through space. The author's creative Victorian-era space traveling story has an imaginative plot. I especially love the collaboration between the author and illustrator. This series is loved by my family.

I so enjoy the world of the Mumbys! This is a wonderful sequel to Larklight! It was so much fun visiting with returning characters, again! And we encounter both new and returning villains as well. I thought the plot, characters, style of writing (which is excellent and delightful!) were all consistent with that of Larklight, and I didn't feel that the author "cheated" with any of the characters to fill the second book with plot. The plot was exciting and intriguing again. And while I didn't feel it was *quite* as detailed and smooth as in Larklight, I still thought it was very well done. My only other *complaint* (and it isn't really even a complaint) is that I would have liked more with some of the characters from the first book. I think the first book had a little more endearing-ness because all the characters were being initially introduced, as was the world as a whole. But, that said, what we did have with the characters was delightful. If you liked Larklight I really think it's worth it to read Starcross! 4 stars compared to Larklight, but 5 stars compared to most other books as a whole.

I really loved this book. It wasn't quite as good as the first one, but it was still spectacular. I love the witty, neo-victorian voice and the characters are memorable as always.

Art and Myrtle Mumby head with their mother, Amelia, to stay at a luxury hotel called "Starcross" for some much needed R and R (after saving the universe from mortal peril). Once there the trio encounter their old friend, Jack Havock, on a secret mission for the British government investigating the hotel owner, Mr. Titfer. This is a problem for Myrtle, who has given her heart to Jack, but he has ignored her letters and this has left Myrtle broken hearted and jaded. The real mystery though is what is going on with the hotel Starcross and, more importantly, what do the Mumbys intend to do about it? The sequel to Reeve's irrepressible "Larklight" is still just as quirky and fun as the original. I found it to be an endearing, witty, and FAST read... largely because I blew through it in a large gulp... but still, so much fun. I await Reeve's next book with bated anticipation.