From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7-This unusually complex fantasy continues the story begun in Ultramarine (Dutton, 1992), but it also stands on its own. Nell, 11, joins near-relatives on a visit to an island owned by wealthy, eccentric Mr. Zed. Once there, she realizes that she is in great danger. Although she has never met the man, he knows her family, her true name, and the fact that she is part kelpie. She learns that he is the evil brother of her dead mother, and that he wants her help in learning the secret of how the universe began, thinking it will make him even more powerful. That secret, he believes, is in the voices trapped in the crystals in his tower-voices that only she can hear. Nell finds allies in Zed's young son, Dylan, and in the ghost of Zed's father. As she learns more about her family history and her kelpie heritage, she becomes even more determined to withstand her uncle's power. In the end, Zed's magic and rage destroy him. In order to incorporate the history of this complicated family, the author has resorted to telling much of the story rather than letting it develop through the action, but she has done that smoothly and interestingly enough. Although there are many details to keep straight, they are well integrated and do not unnecessarily burden readers. The kelpie lore and references to Welsh legends add another dimension.
Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael's College, Winooski, VTCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 6-9. In this sequel to
Ultramarine (1992), Nell McQueen is sent on vacation with distant relatives after her brother Ned joins their father at sea. She finds herself the guest of the mysterious Mr. Zed, a wealthy and powerful man who seems fixated on Rainbow (Nell's true name, known only to close family members). She learns that Mr. Zed (in reality her uncle and an evil sorcerer) is determined to control the world (with the help of her extrasensory abilities) and seek revenge on Nell's father, whom Mr. Zed blames for an old injury. In a chilling and eerie story that weaves back and forth between fantasy and reality, Nell comes to terms with her uniqueness, asserts herself with her uncle, and helps her grandfather's ghost return to his home beneath the sea. Nimmo's concept of a kelpie as a helpful water spirit devoted to environmentalism rather than an evil creature luring humans to a watery grave is an interesting one that should appeal to young fantasy buffs. Although the author makes many references to the first book, this can stand on its own.
Kay Weisman
