Maximillian Fly

Description

The bestselling author of the Septimus Heap series, Angie Sage, delivers a gripping and darkly humorous tale of Maximillian Fly-a human with cockroach features-whose quiet life is upended when he aids two human children in their escape from an oppressive governing power. Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Adam Gidwitz. Maximillian Fly wants no trouble. Yet because he stands at six feet two, with beautiful indigo wings, long antennae, and more arms than you or me, many are frightened of him. He is a gentle creature who looks like a giant cockroach. This extraordinary human wants to prove his goodness, so he opens his door to two SilverSeed children in search of a place to hide. Instantly, Maximillian's quiet, solitary life changes. There are dangerous powers after them and they have eyes everywhere. But in this gray city of Hope trapped under the Orb, is escape even possible Maximillian Fly is a masterful story brimming with suspense, plot twists, and phenomenal world building. This compelling novel delves into family dynamics and themes of prejudice, making the case for tolerance, empathy, and understanding. * Junior Library Guild Selection * Kids' Indie Next List * New York Public Library Best Books of 2019 Selection * 2020 LITA Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Book: The Eleanor Cameron Notable Middle Grade Books List *

Angie Sage loves the sea, spooky old houses, and medieval England. Ms. Sage has created many books for children, including the New York Times bestselling series Septimus Heap and Araminta Spookie. You can visit her online at http://www.angiesage.com/.

"The book is remarkable, often because the world building is sublime. A remarkable story that will land hard with the right kind of audience. I have never seen the like. Pulse pounding action from the first page. It's not for everyone. It was never meant to be. But it is good and strong and fun and desperately exciting. You have been warned." (Five stars) - Betsy Bird, librarian "Maximillian Fly is the middle-grade mash-up you didn't know you needed! Metamorphosis combines with Lemony-Snicket-esque prose to perfectly tell the strange and fascinating tale of Maximillian. Wacky, fun, and so satisfying, Maximillian Fly will steal your heart!" - Laura Graveline, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX "An exciting tale full of double blinds, double crosses and unexpected family connections. Thanks to Ms. Sage's skill at parceling out information while ratcheting up suspense, neither [Maximillian] nor we grasp the full contours of the shocking truths and biosphere-shaking consequences until well into this satisfying tale." - Wall Street Journal "Shaken readers . . . will appreciate the author's dexterity, as well as the way she uses mistaken, misunderstood, or misconstrued incidents as an ongoing motif. Watching Maximillian escape the influence of his demonic mother to rediscover loving connections with a long sundered [family] circle give the tale a sweet aftertaste." - Booklist (starred review) Praise for the Septimus Heap series: "Youngsters will lose themselves happily in Sage's fluent, charismatic storytelling" - Booklist "A deliciously spellbinding series opener." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Readers will be indubitably hooked-worrying, laughing, and gasping over the nonstop adventures of this engaging troupe." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review) "Sage at her best; it's full of fun, adventure, humor, irony, friendship, loyalty, and nonstop action." - School Library Journal