Shark Wars. Bk. 1

Gr 4—7—Gray is a young reef shark growing up in Coral Shiver, one of the shark clans established in the sea in ancient times. The shivers rule the Big Blue, but they must be careful to avoid the "landsharks" who run the world above, hunting and devouring so many fish, including the mighty sharks. Gray, who is growing larger and larger, keeps sneaking off to hunt on his own—something he is as yet forbidden to do—until at last he is exiled from Coral Shiver. Gray's friend Barkley, a dogfish, soon joins him and they try to find a new clan. They encounter Goblin Shiver, which is a bit like a rough street gang ruled by tough-as-barnacles Goblin and sneaky Velenka, who has plans of her own to rule. The first volume of what will obviously become a long series, this story establishes, but doesn't develop, many threads. The result is a sketchy tale with underdeveloped characters and plot, and without a resolution.—Walter Minkel, Austin Public Library, TX