A drama professor at East Carolina University, Gregory Funaro lives with his family outside Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is busy working on the next book in the Odditorium series.

An enchanting book set in a world where the odd is the ordinary, evil has many faces and love is the most powerful magic of them all.

Twelve-year-old Grubb lives a hand-to-mouth existence in Victorian England, working as a chimney sweep under a cruel master. After an incident at an inn, he hides in the trunk of one of its guests, the enigmatic Alistair Grim, and is whisked away to his Odditorium, a wonderful flying house full of incredible mechanical features powered by an enigmatic substance called animus.

Now apprenticed to Grim, Grubb begins to settle into his new life and find a new family in the eccentric crew of the Odditorium, when suddenly his new world comes under attack by the evil Prince Nightshade and he is propelled into a perilous quest. As he gets caught up in the struggle, Grubb will learn valuable lessons and discover remarkable secrets about himself and his new host.

Verne-ian fantasy and reversal of fortune la Dickens will lure readers into this good-vs.-evil series debut.

A clever mash-up of mystery and merriment, ideal for kids who loved Percy Jackson and Harry Potter.

Funaro's knack for memorable characters and scenarios shines in this frenetic, entertaining romp.

A wonderful take, full of imagination and amazing characters... the story will definitely appeal to those who love quirky and magical activities

An exciting action packed novel, full of unusual, but likable characters, with many suspense filled moments

An enchanting book set in a world where the odd is the ordinary, evil has many faces and love is the most powerful magic of them all