Review: A fun-sized short novel well worth a read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2012
"The Magical Realm of Cascade: When mortal belief in magic began to die out, the magical and mythological creatures of Earth found their life forces fading. Rather than face apathy and extinction, they banded together and migrated to another dimension where their combined powers could sustain them, a magical haven called Cascade. There they thrived, and a multimystical society was born."It's been a while since I read this, and the version I read was the original picture book with the author's own fabulous illustrations. GRAHAM THE GARGOYLE is now in novel format, and it's a really well-written story for middle-grade readers that follows Graham as he prepares for his first flight... and a race over Mount Prometheus.I found the sub-plot about Graham's bedridden grandfather equally fascinating. When gargoyles grow old, they start to calcify, eventually becoming too stone-like to move. So a gargoyle's last act is to climb to the top of a mortal building and become a guardian statue, forever scaring away evil spirits. This novel may be for younger readers, but older readers will enjoy it too. It's whimsical and poignant, and serves as great introduction to the world of Cascade where we can expect many more adventures.Successful fantasy author Piers Anthony routinely recommends Brian Clopper's novels. As far back as April 2001, Piers said in his newsletter: "This is, I think, a self-published physical book, but it works; it's for young readers, as the little gargoyle struggles through family, school, and tormenting by the local bully to finally win through. I recommend this for ten year olds, who will relate" (see [...]). And in a later newsletter, Piers calls another of Clopper's books "fabulous" (which I happen to agree with; his as-yet unpublished IRVING WISHBUTTON novel is amazing).If you haven't yet discovered Brian Clopper, give him a go. His stuff is fun, magical, thoughtful, and unique. Also, I happen to know that a Graham sequel is in the works. Looking forward to it!