A young girl’s life spins into mystery and self-discovery after she is given a magical book in The Spectacular Life of Benito Martin del Canto, an impressively multilayered work of YA fiction by David Towner. Interwoven with the surreal 16th-century memoir, ostensibly written by Miguel Cervantes, is Taryn’s own adventurous life, and this mirroring of heroic tales is done artfully by the author – just like young Benito, Taryn is precocious, rebellious, and independent-minded. While the book within a book approach can be challenging for an author to make each half equally engaging, Towner pulls off the execution exceptionally well and keeps both storylines engrossing in their own right. The dialogue is overly spare, and suspension of disbelief is essential, but Towner’s pared-down style certainly works for YA fiction. All told, this is a charming, thought-provoking, and inspiring read for young readers, with crossover appeal for adults.
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