Dr. Sigmundus: The Cracked Mirror (The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus) [Hardcover]

Brian Keaney (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus | Publication Date: December 9, 2008

A BULLETIN REVIEW of the first book of the Promises of Dr. Sigmundus: The Hollow People proclaimed: “Brian Keaney’s concoction of science fiction, horror, and fantasy is remarkably effective” and “Sigmundus is a worthy and
memorable villain that will haunt readers. As the first in a series, this is a promising start, and the cliffhanger ending all but guarantees return readers.”

The Cracked Mirror continues its chronicle of a moody, fantastical world in which its teenage hero and heroine must endure more risk, make riskier choices, and sacrifice their very lives in the cause of freedom and self determination. This haunting installment keeps the pages turning, setting the stage for the ultimate showdown, a battle between good and evil coming in fall 2009.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—This second act in a dystopian trilogy follows young Dante Cazabon, who has escaped from the evil clutches of the mysterious Dr. Sigmundus, the tyrannical ruler of Gehenna, where people 14 and older are given a drug that renders them docile and unable to dream. Life is horrific for those few who still dream, as they are treated as criminally insane. Dante enlists the help of elderly Malachy Mazotta, supervisor of a cemetery, to find his friend Bea and reconnect with the rest of the Púca (a resistance group). During his adventures, the boy gradually learns how to call upon the power of the Odyll, a realm of pure energy, in order to move inside dreams and outside time. He also knows that this special ability comes only with great personal sacrifice. The danger increases as Dante and his friends are tracked by deadly Gallowglass, a seemingly invincible once-human creature, and brought face to face with their enemy. Brief, action-packed chapters make for a quick read. Readers will want to begin with The Hollow People (Knopf, 2007) to get a handle on the characters' stories and the many abstract concepts relating to the Odylic Force. With themes that address good versus evil and demonic forces at work, this suspenseful series reads like Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" (S & S) and "Midnighters" (HarperCollins) series combined.—Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library
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About the Author

Brian Keaney lives in London, England, but often spends time on an Irish hillside “listening to the wind blowing through the heather, and letting the stories grow in my mind.” You can visit him on the Web at www.briankeaney.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (December 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375843345
• ISBN-13: 978-0375843341
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.7 x 8.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,681,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was just as good as the first, August 15, 2009

By 

K. Tarter - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Sigmundus: The Cracked Mirror (The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus) (Hardcover)

I absolutly loved it! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole entire time! The only thing I didnt like was the way it ended which is the way the first one ended also, it totally just stopped, and it will pick up at the beginning of the 3rd book, which did I mention that I cant wait to read? :) Anyway if I were you I would defently give it a try :)

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good sequel, May 7, 2009

By 

Bonnie Svitavsky (Puyallup, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Sigmundus: The Cracked Mirror (The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus) (Hardcover)

"The Cracked Mirror" picks up where "The Hollow People" left off, with teenager Dante Cazabon, recently escaped from the asylum island where he and his friend Bea grew up, realizing his potential to tap into the Odyllic Force, a power to act outside of time and dreams. The country is controlled by the possessed Dr. Sigmundus, who rules citizens through drug-induced mind-control. The story opens with Dante searching for Bea and trying to reunite with the Puca, a group of freedom fighters. The narrative switches between Dante, Bea (who has been brainwashed and is now working at a museum dedicated to Sigmundus), and new character Nyro. Along the way, Dante discovers new powers and learns that he has a guardian angel and a long-lost twin brother, the evil Gallowglass.

The first book in the series, which seemed to borrow from "The Matrix" and Lois Lowry's "The Giver," showed some promise. However, this sequel is sloppy and has little appeal. This book is a classic case of being told, not shown, through below-average dialog and convenient plot devices. Characters are quickly introduced and go out of their way to assist Dante and Bea without any cause. It's almost impossible to become emotionally invested in Dante because he is such a flat character. The chapters focused on Bea, Nyro, and Gallowglass have a bit more drive, but not enough to justify continuing this series. There's another cliff-hanger ending, which might throw readers, but will most likely not encourage them to read the next book.