What worked:
The book has an effective introductory hook when Joseph is thrust into the middle of “incompetence” at the zoo. He saves the day by capturing a huge King Cobra, even though the zookeepers take all of the credit. Readers learn that Joseph has unmatched talent and knowledge of animals, just like his missing and presumed dead father. His mother has been dead for several years, but he still remembers pieces of advice she gave him. The author uses italics to mark these memories, and Joseph uses them to navigate difficult situations.
The plot takes an amusing turn when a hobgoblin joins the cast. Hobgoblins are known for being tricky and mischievous, and they possess a small amount of magic. It won’t reveal its real name, so Joseph and Ricky call it Redsocks, for obvious reasons. Ricky and Redsocks clash immediately, so readers will enjoy their playful banter and challenges. Redsocks is easily offended, and characters will be targets for his embarrassing spells. Joseph and Ricky are surprisingly joined by a classmate named Daisy, and she comes with mixed contributions. She tends to overreact to situations and has a huge fear of most animals. On the other hand, her knowledge of mythical stories helps the group survive numerous dangers and terrifying beasts.
The antagonist is a hunter who captures and kills creatures for sport. Redsocks enters the story when Joseph and Ricky rescue him from the hunter’s cage. The boys foil the hunter several times, along with his gang of armed henchmen. However, the hunter is relentless, and he continuously reappears at critical moments. Readers will assume he wants to bag magical creatures, but he’s really searching for a magical artifact found in Avalon.
What didn’t work as well:
The dialogue can be challenging to understand. The exact meanings when Ricky and Redsocks speak are especially difficult, although readers should be able to capture the gist of their speech. Also, readers may wonder how Joseph and Ricky come upon a variety of mythical creatures without passing into a magical world. There haven’t been any news stories or rumors about them.
The final verdict:
The plot is an entertaining mixture of adventure, humor, and heart. Joseph discovers his destiny to follow in his father’s footsteps, and he’s surprised by secrets about his parents. I recommend you check out this book for yourself.