New arrivals don't come very often, but the newest ones to Haarville are even fishier than Haarville itself. Twelve-year-old Manx helps run his family's shop, maintaining the town's perpetual devices with the help of his guardian, Father G. The newcomers claim to be long-lost family but, even worse, the true owners of the shop, in spite of the fact that Manx and Father G are the only people who know how to keep perpetual devices running without exploding. If he can't figure out what the newcomers actually want and get to it first, he'll lose his family's shop, the respect of the town, and maybe even the town itself.

Some children's books have a certain character to them that is dark, comic, or quirky. This book falls into that categorization, feeling reminiscent of the wacky stories and narrative styles like the Series of Unfortunate Events or How to Train Your Dragon series. It's meant to be weird. The whole town is covered in fish, and fishy references are everywhere. And it creates the kind of entertaining story of courage and strangeness many kids look for.

That wackiness is most apparent in the setting. The town of Haarville is so odd and fishy and strange that it acts as a character in itself. It's not like anywhere else in the world, not just for the style of the book but also for actual plot reasons. The setting is as unique as the book, and the people who live in Haarville are as strange and fun as the town itself. From Manx's guardian, a fiercely protective drag queen, to the corrupt town leaders, every corner has interesting people and details. The perpetual machines that accomplish so many tasks makes the book feel like steampunk... if steampunk typically involved large quantities of fish.

Overall, the book is a funny, whacky treasure hunt with plenty of fishy illustrations and witty sentences. Kids looking for an adventure may enjoy this story of a town cut off from the rest of the world and a boy who wants to save it more than anything else.

Davies' writing style is witty and engaging, perfectly capturing the essence of a darkly comic, mysterious, and sometimes dramatic middle-grade story. It is infused with quirky humor and moments of genuine warmth, allowing young readers to connect with the characters and become fully immersed in this world.

The author's ability to balance humor with heartfelt emotions adds depth to the narrative, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable read, even for adults. The main character's struggles have the potential to teach children about the importance of perseverance and patience.

The illustrations turn the whole book into a fantastic literary experience.

Haarville is a book that embraces uniqueness and will undoubtedly appeal to young readers who enjoy stories with offbeat charm.