The Map to Everywhere

Of course there are parallel universes, and every so often someone is going to pass between them. Fin is a master thief and lives in the crime ridden port of Khaznot Quay. His main skill is that he is instantly forgettable, a blessing for a thief but a curse for a boy.

Marrill lives in the parallel universe of Arizona. Her family are great adventurers and they never stay in one place for long. Her passion is caring for abandoned animals, waifs and strays. She is angry because her mother is very ill and they cannot move on. Into her life comes a strange ship crewed by a wizard Argent, a sailor Coll and Ropebone Man, the rigging. By accident she ends up on board the Enterprising Kraken which sails the Pirate Steam.

Fin and Marrill have the same quest, to find the Bintheyr Map to Everywhere.  This, they hope, will return them to their respective mothers. Marrill has finally woken up to the fact that a missing daughter may not be the best thing for a sick woman. Fin has not seen his mother for years and longs for someone who will remember him.

It is a ripping yarn and although Marrill comes across as a bit of a selfish brat at first, she soon grows on you. Fin is funny and charming in the way of tricksters, with enough pathos that you feel sympathy for him from the start. The other characters fit in well: Argent is the ubiquitous absent minded wizard; Coll the world weary sailor; and the Oracle is as evil as can be, causing everyone around him to weep with a sorrow so deep it is unbearable. My favourite was the Naysayer, a sarcastic blob, who spends most of his time in a hammock.

I found the opening a little hard to get through. The writers tried a little too much with fantasy names and objects, along with colourful pirate language. Having got past this, what I got was an excellent adventure, with charming characters and an ending that promises more.