The Cracks in the Kingdom

Book excerpt: The sequel to A Corner of White. “Mixed in with the regal intrigue is a complex, moving look at families, friendship, and loss . . . thrilling.” —School Library Journal (starred review) Picking up where A Corner of White left off, Elliot is more determined to find his father than ever, now that he knows he’s still alive. But first he must help Princess Ko find her own missing family, as the secret search for the royals of Cello begins. As part of the Royal Youth Alliance, Elliot will travel all over the Kingdom of Cello looking for any clue or detail or spell that could bring them (and maybe his own father) home. But once he learns that the royal family has been trapped in the World all this time, with no memory of their former lives, his real value to the Alliance becomes clear: He’s the only one with a connection to the World, through Madeleine. Together, through notes, letters, and late nights, Elliot and Madeleine must find a way to travel across worlds and bring missing loved ones home. The stakes are high, the writing both hilarious and heart-poundingly suspenseful, and the experience of reading it, sheer pleasure. “Madcap, whimsical, smart and even heartbreaking . . . By turns coming-of-age and wild adventure, this volume complicates the characters, expands the worldbuilding and sets things up for a grand finish in the trilogy closer . . . even better than the first.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Full of clever invention and intrigue, excellent surprises, and all the sophisticated wit Moriarty’s fans expect.” —The Horn Book (starred review)