The Fabled Stables: Belly of the Beast (Fabled Stables #3) Jonathan Auxier. Illustrated by Olga Demidova. 2022. 96 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: At the top of the world sat an island. And at the heart of that island lived a boy named Auggie.
Premise/plot: Auggie is starring in his third adventure. In each adventure, he goes on missions to rescue fantastical animals/creatures. In this third book, his chores are interrupted by a mission to save the Shibboleth. This may be his most dangerous--most "icky" mission yet. And he finds himself relying on Fen to save the day. (I bet he never saw that one coming! Since Fen is usually so cranky that he's not a reliable buddy.)
Auggie has more on his mind these days than in previous books. Fen has hinted that it's never worth learning anyone's name on the island because EVERYONE leaves eventually. Auggie does not want to leave, and the idea of being sent away alarms him.
My thoughts: I really enjoy this series. I am so happy with this third book. It finally is beginning to connect with the wider world that Auxier has created for older readers in his fantasy novels. In this one, readers for the first time meet Professor Cake! And we get a glimpse of Book of What, one of the four magical living books. I don't think these details will confuse readers who have not read his other books, but those that are familiar with those other books may get a little grin at these references.
© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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