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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Twilight Cave by David Kennedy McCulloch is the second book in the middle-grade Wullie The Mahaar Gome series. It is preceded by book one in which Finnley McDougall's mundane life in sixth grade is abruptly transformed when he becomes the keeper of Wullie, a gruff Scottish rock creature known as a Gome with a knack for chaos. Joined by his loyal friend Hadley Kobayashi, they are swept into a globe-spanning adventure, unearthing a menacing plot, rooted in ancient Scottish mythology, that could change the world. Now in Twilight Cave, the saga continues in seventh grade when a theft by another rock creature and a trip to Spain entangle them in a perilous escapade filled with danger, strange cuisine, unpleasant schoolmates, and supernatural foes. Amidst the mayhem, Finnley, Hadley, and their prickly pal Wullie must confront a variety of challenges, from a treacherous Rock Pit to a humiliating Druid dance, in a desperate bid to restore order.
For all of the myth and fantasy that pulses through Twilight Cave by David Kennedy McCulloch, I think it's the super awkward life of a seventh grader that makes the story most interesting. Remember when dressing up or down for the same event could mean a girl in a black cocktail dress and another in red, scooted up against a classmate in a Sounders tee? The novel does hitch onto the back of its predecessor but isn't difficult to follow. The narrative is constructed so it is easy to follow but McCulloch doesn't sacrifice an ounce of panache to achieve this. The most obvious benefit of this is the broad appeal to various age groups. This means a lot to a father who has had to read some mind-numbing bedtime tales to enraptured children. Twilight Cave has an enjoyable and fast-paced plot, solid world-building, and its beloved Finn and Hadley's adventures. Bonus points for the Scottish-European settings, particularly as our little family of readers live in the UK. Very highly recommended.
