Brian Clopper

Where do books, stories, plots and characters come from? Brian Clopper’s Irving Wishbutton postulates a training academy for new characters, who develop new features, skills and more as their author fills them in. But something is wrong, and this author’s protagonist might have to go on an adventure all his own to set things right.

Irving Wishbutton’s a teen hero in the mold of Harry Potter or Inkheart perhaps, but Wishbutton’s blend of free will and author direction offers a fun meta-story to this tale. Meanwhile his author fails to write the next feature, and the button’s surely important, and… And slowly he learns his powers and weaknesses, as something else is learning to exploit.

Wishbutton’s story is slow, as the meta-author is constantly distracted. But that gives time for the world to grow, and to grow on the reader. Hidden lessons teach young readers to write; story trials teach lessons for growing up, and a sharp, enjoyable wit keeps the dialog flowing between surprisingly vivid characters.

There will be more in the series, and much more to learn. Meanwhile, Irving’s growing clearer all the time.

Disclosure: I got an ecopy on a deal.… (meer)