This review published by Brigham Young University's The Children's Book and Media Review

In this version of the future, a deadly white mist covers the earth except for the highest mountain peaks. Wealthy families rule the liveable parts of the world, while others like Chess and his friends struggle to make ends meet by diving into the fog and finding things to sell. Chess has an unusual ability to see through the fog, but soon he learns that his ability has a dark secret and Lord Kodoc, one of the rulers of the sky they float through on airships, will do anything to get Chess in his possession. To save the people he cares about, Chess uses his ability to find a treasure that will help them get to a place with a brighter future and to fight off their enemies.

The world building in this book is fantastic. Part futuristic and park steampunk, the book has great mentions about their ideas of what our technology and pop culture might be remembered as, and the explanation of how the fog takes over fits with something that could be a logical future of the earth. In this world, the kids believe that Hello Kitties are real animals that are supposed to be extinct and Burger King was once a religious icon, adding some humor to the futuristic setting. The friendships between the characters and the strengths of the individuals makes the book even stronger. This book’s setting is a wonderful addition and change from the usual post-apocalyptic books and sets up a wonderful adventure for middle grade readers. ( )

"This," Bea whispered, "is the purplest."
"Doesn't get any purpler," I agreed.

I couldn't have put it better myself.
This book is so unique, in that it's not a retelling, or set in a historical time period, and it uses its unique time period to make fun of the present (for us, at least) in hilarious ways. Here's an example:
"In the old days," I said, trying to take my mind off the foghead, "they played a game called 'golf.' You knocked a ball the size of an egg into a little hole the size of an egg into the ground, using a club."
Swedish cocked his his head. "You couldn't use your feet?"
"No, just the club."
"What'd they call it?" Bea asked.
"Golf," I repeated.
"Not that," she said. "I mean, what'd they call the club?"
"Oh. Just a club, I think."
She giggled. "They did not call it a club! Might as well call it a cudgel or a beating stick."
"Well, that's what it says in the scrap-book."
"Huh," Swedish said, scratching his cheek. "So each team had a hole? It sounds too easy to guard. You just put your foot over the hole."
"Until the other team starts beating you with their clubs," Hazel said.
"Oh!" Swedish nodded, satisfied. "Yeah, that makes sense."

That... sounds painful.

This is one example of their effortless communication.
The familial bond between Hazel, Bea, Chess, and Swede is what holds these kids from the slums together. They look out for each other, they care about each other (how rare is that), and not in a mushy way. These kids can fight, and whether it's against mutineers, the Fog, or Kodoc himself, these encounters WILL provide an adrenaline rush. Defending an airship isn't the easiest thing. Not that I know from personal experience or anything.
And the world-building was believable, down to the details, as was the characterization.
If we take just the character of Hazel, for example, she was the captain, but not in an abrasive, bossy way, but in the way that she was in the position to make hard decisions and push her crew to their limits in life-threatening situations. She had grit, but the author allowed her to be both girly and tough, without compromising either of those qualities. I love it. ( )

"This," Bea whispered, "is the purplest."
"Doesn't get any purpler," I agreed.

I couldn't have put it better myself.
This book is so unique, in that it's not a retelling, or set in a historical time period, and it uses its unique time period to make fun of the present (for us, at least) in hilarious ways. Here's an example:
"In the old days," I said, trying to take my mind off the foghead, "they played a game called 'golf.' You knocked a ball the size of an egg into a little hole the size of an egg into the ground, using a club."
Swedish cocked his his head. "You couldn't use your feet?"
"No, just the club."
"What'd they call it?" Bea asked.
"Golf," I repeated.
"Not that," she said. "I mean, what'd they call the club?"
"Oh. Just a club, I think."
She giggled. "They did not call it a club! Might as well call it a cudgel or a beating stick."
"Well, that's what it says in the scrap-book."
"Huh," Swedish said, scratching his cheek. "So each team had a hole? It sounds too easy to guard. You just put your foot over the hole."
"Until the other team starts beating you with their clubs," Hazel said.
"Oh!" Swedish nodded, satisfied. "Yeah, that makes sense."

That... sounds painful.

This is one example of their effortless communication.
The familial bond between Hazel, Bea, Chess, and Swede is what holds these kids from the slums together. They look out for each other, they care about each other (how rare is that), and not in a mushy way. These kids can fight, and whether it's against mutineers, the Fog, or Kodoc himself, these encounters WILL provide an adrenaline rush. Defending an airship isn't the easiest thing. Not that I know from personal experience or anything.
And the world-building was believable, down to the details, as was the characterization.
If we take just the character of Hazel, for example, she was the captain, but not in an abrasive, bossy way, but in the way that she was in the position to make hard decisions and push her crew to their limits in life-threatening situations. She had grit, but the author allowed her to be both girly and tough, without compromising either of those qualities. I love it. ( )

The crew: Chess, the tetherboy with the fog-eye he must keep secret; Hazel, the captain; Swedish, the pilot; Bea, the gearhead (mechanic); and Mrs. E, who took them all in and is sickening from the fog.

Their mission: to find enough goods down on earth to sell in exchange for passage to Port Oro, where they hope to find a cure for Mrs. E.

Their problems: Oh so many, but mainly Lord Kodoc, who created Chess by lowering his mother in a cage into the fog to give birth, and is now hunting for him. Also, grinding poverty and constant danger, just in general.

Their backstory: the fog is composed of nanites; the crew only has a foggy (pun intended) idea of what life on earth used to be like, mainly from Chess's dad's scrapbook. Readers can enjoy the crew's misconceptions, from mixed-up Star Wars/Star Trek stories to mispronounced fairy tale characters to the lyrics of "Yellow Submarine."

An adventure story where the kids prevail, at least on to the next adventure. See also: The Expeditioners; Firefly.

Quotes

"Take care. You are more important than you know." (205)

And I'd seen the truth in her face: she trusted me the way I trusted her, she saw me the way I saw her, as someone special, someone extraordinary. She believed in me, which made me believe in myself. (322) ( )

Thirteen-year-old Chess lives with his fellow crewmates and friends in the lower mountain slums above the deadly gray fog that has surrounded earth for hundreds of years. He is a tether boy on a raft used for diving into the fog and scavenging in the ruins below for items they can sell or eat. Chess is one of the few people who appears to suffer no ill effects from breathing the polluted thick air. He guesses it might be connected to his strange-looking eye which he keeps hidden under his hair. With their biggest treasure ever, and the rich, powerful, evil Lord Kodoc hot on their trail, he and his friends must rely on their wits and talents to escape. This book is a fun read and a real treat for tween readers who especially enjoy science fiction, post-apocalyptic and adventure novels.

Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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