The Suburb Beyond the Stars

The Suburb Beyond the Stars (due for publication June 2010) by M.T. Anderson is the sequel to The Game of Sunken Places. I never read the first book, and it's a credit to Anderson that I was still able to enjoy the story without having read the first book. Granted, I would probably have enjoyed it even more with the previous story as background, but this really is a new adventure, and the recurring characters are given enough of an introduction for things to make sense without completely boring those who already know what's going on.

The story begins in Boston, with Brian being chased through the T system by otherworldly beings on his way home from a cello lesson. That opening is full of win and extra nerdy bonus points. Brian and his friend Gregory found themselves in the middle of a conflict between two groups of powerful beings, the Thusser and the Norumbegans, in the previous book. With the Game finished, the Thusser should have left them alone, but the attack on Brian is just the beginning. Gregory's cousin Prudence, who was also involved in the Game, has disappeared, and time itself is being bent in the new development that sprang up around her house in the woods, directly over the caverns where the Norumbegans once lived and the Game took place. Brian and Gregory (and an ax-wielding robotic troll) have to find Prudence and save the world from the Thusser!

This story was an exciting ride and a joy to read. The friendship dynamic between Gregory, the cool and funny one, and Brian, the smart one, is believable and entertaining, and I found myself really caring about them. I may have to go back and read the first book now to build up my knowledge base on the Norumbegan/Thusser conflict to prepare myself for the next installment of this fascinating story. That's right folks--it's still not over! And from the way this one ends, the next chapter portends to be even more fantastic, in every sense of the word!