Dance of the Gargoyles by D.S. Quinton follows Milo Savage and his friends as they return to the gargoyle realm to rescue Gerty, Uncle Horace’s loyal sheepdog, who has been dragged toward the dangerous borderlands of Westworld. Their rescue mission tumbles into riddles, ghostly gargoyles, waking giants, Snarlok schemes, and a ticking clock tied to the mysterious Dance of the Gargoyles. It is the third book in the Milo Savage Series, and it carries the energy of a quest already in motion.

I enjoyed the book most when it leaned into its oddball inventiveness. Quinton has a knack for making danger feel elastic: a stone road becomes a tidal wave, a signpost becomes a trial of riddles, and the gargoyle realm seems to obey rules that are half magic and half mischievous engineering. The humor is broad enough for young readers, but it has a nimble and genuine quality that kept me smiling. Grimlo, Uncle Horace, Gorp, and the kids all bring a slightly different rhythm to the story, and that gives the adventure a lively, companionable clatter.

I enjoyed the way the book treats courage as something practical rather than grandiose. Milo and his friends are scared, confused, hungry, and frequently outmatched, but they keep moving. The friendship among the kids gives the story its ballast, especially when the realm becomes strange enough to unmoor them. I also liked that the book doesn’t sand off its weird edges; it lets the gargoyles be eerie, ceremonial, and funny all at once. That mixture gives the story its own unique sparkle.

This middle-grade fantasy is a children’s adventure and portal fantasy filled with magical creatures, gargoyles, and a friendship quest. Readers who enjoy the accessible wonder of The Chronicles of Narnia or the brisk, creature-filled adventures of Cressida Cowell will feel at home here, though Quinton’s world has a goofier, more gargoyle-haunted personality. The perfect audience is middle-grade readers who like fast-moving quests, enchanted creatures, riddles, and a little safe-creepy peril.

Pages: 140 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GHPNJ96L