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Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magic Creatures #1
Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures
In this madcap adventure, a brother and sister find themselves in the underground hospital for magical creatures where they must save the lives of millions of magical creatures . . . and themselves.
Deep below ground, there is a secret hospital for magical creatures. At Saint Philomene's Infirmary, all creatures are welcome—except humans. So when twelve-year-old human boy Chance Jeopard unearths a plot to destroy the hospital and its millions of resident patients, he is launched into the role of unlikely—and unwelcome—hero. His infinitely pragmatic and skeptical sister, Pauline, thinks it's all nonsense until she finds herself swept up in the mission. It will take all their wit and courage for the brother and sister to save Saint Philomene's—and escape alive!
Deep below ground, there is a secret hospital for magical creatures. At Saint Philomene's Infirmary, all creatures are welcome—except humans. So when twelve-year-old human boy Chance Jeopard unearths a plot to destroy the hospital and its millions of resident patients, he is launched into the role of unlikely—and unwelcome—hero. His infinitely pragmatic and skeptical sister, Pauline, thinks it's all nonsense until she finds herself swept up in the mission. It will take all their wit and courage for the brother and sister to save Saint Philomene's—and escape alive!
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2018
6 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
W. Stone Cotter
2 books9 followersW. Stone Cotter was born in Texas ages ago, and lives there now. He is continually inspired and awestruck by the brilliant (and occasionally harrowing) antics of his four indomitable and indestructible nephews, Bobby, Jack Henry, William, and Ben. Cotter’s books are dedicated to them.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 27, 2020
Chance has a bit of an obsession with digging holes. He's got the one in his back yard pretty deep when he hits an odd pipe with quite an air current going through it. While poking into the pipe he accidentally catches a letter with a most peculiar address. After reading the contents, he realizes someone needs this letter to recover from a serious illness and he decides he needs to deliver it. So Chance grabs a backpack of supplies and ventures into the pipe. His mom is going away for the week and his sister is used to Chance spending massive amounts of time digging his holes, but after Chance is gone for more than a day she decides to explore his most recent hole too and also descends into the unknown. Both siblings soon find themselves in a strange hospital for magical creatures where humans are banned and a madman is threatening to unleash a virus, and the letter Chance interrupted holds the only hope to stop him.
This premise has a lot of promise but the execution was just odd. It reminded me of the MirrorMask movie not in content but in style. A kind of weird fantasy that will click with a very specific audience and probably be a miss with most others. I personally would just give it a 2.5 stars. It had promise. It was definitely imaginative. But it was...odd, and not in a way I found enchanting. But I'm also sure there are some fantasy fans who will absolutely love this and it will be their favorite book.
Notes on content: If I remember right, about four minor swears. No sexual content. Violence is frequently threatened, but the bad guys are quite bumbling too so it usually ends up ok.
This premise has a lot of promise but the execution was just odd. It reminded me of the MirrorMask movie not in content but in style. A kind of weird fantasy that will click with a very specific audience and probably be a miss with most others. I personally would just give it a 2.5 stars. It had promise. It was definitely imaginative. But it was...odd, and not in a way I found enchanting. But I'm also sure there are some fantasy fans who will absolutely love this and it will be their favorite book.
Notes on content: If I remember right, about four minor swears. No sexual content. Violence is frequently threatened, but the bad guys are quite bumbling too so it usually ends up ok.
February 18, 2019
Saint Philomene's Infirmary For Magical Creatures is a story of two middle grade kids finding their way to a hidden civilization and becoming entrenched in a doomsday scenario that only they can defuse.
I had different expectations with some of the writing choices. A bit of the vocabulary seemed elevated compared to the subject matter. Hopefully, the target audinece still understands how to reference a dictionary.
The parental figures of the two main characters could have been absent from the story. IN my opinion, they made little impact to the events in the story. However, main characters, siblings, I found to be very clever in their various situations, and had a decent story arc and character growth.
There are a couple of pacing issue where the plot jumps around chronologically, but it works in that it helps provide a bit of suspense, and then backs up to explain how the different portions of the story unfolds.
THe beginning has a little bit of a set up to get the heroes to the infirmary, but once they arrive, the adventure they do on is as entertaining as it is exciting.
Mr. Cotter paints an interesting and imaginative underground civilization. He uses many non-traditional creatures. I appreciate the appendix in the back with the creature and character descriptions. I hope to one day return to this infirmary to further explore this author's world.
Overall, Saint Philomene's is an enjoyable read with a swift and steady pace.
I had different expectations with some of the writing choices. A bit of the vocabulary seemed elevated compared to the subject matter. Hopefully, the target audinece still understands how to reference a dictionary.
The parental figures of the two main characters could have been absent from the story. IN my opinion, they made little impact to the events in the story. However, main characters, siblings, I found to be very clever in their various situations, and had a decent story arc and character growth.
There are a couple of pacing issue where the plot jumps around chronologically, but it works in that it helps provide a bit of suspense, and then backs up to explain how the different portions of the story unfolds.
THe beginning has a little bit of a set up to get the heroes to the infirmary, but once they arrive, the adventure they do on is as entertaining as it is exciting.
Mr. Cotter paints an interesting and imaginative underground civilization. He uses many non-traditional creatures. I appreciate the appendix in the back with the creature and character descriptions. I hope to one day return to this infirmary to further explore this author's world.
Overall, Saint Philomene's is an enjoyable read with a swift and steady pace.
April 23, 2018
The story: Chance Jeopard would never have thought digging a hole would turn out to be so dangerous--although it was actually the underground mail system leading to Saint Philomene's that really got him into trouble. When he tries to hand-deliver a lost letter, he finds out that humans are NOT welcome here--and now he's trapped in an underground dungeon with a greasy dwarf-looking guy. If only his older sister Pauline would come looking for him! (Well!?!? That's not any less likely than a hospital for magical creatures under the ground in Lubbock, Texas.)
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (epidemic disease) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: This fantasy novel by first-time author Cotter has plenty of action and LOL moments. Hand it to boys who are looking for an action-packed story with magic (and who are tired of girls being the main character in all the latest fantasy novels).
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult PG; GLBT content G; adult themes (epidemic disease) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: This fantasy novel by first-time author Cotter has plenty of action and LOL moments. Hand it to boys who are looking for an action-packed story with magic (and who are tired of girls being the main character in all the latest fantasy novels).
January 1, 2018
I adored this. Fun, nary a bad note to set up overly moral people's hackles (unless they have an issue with a world under ours filled with odd and interesting beings), siblings that learn to work as a tight team and such cool world building.
It might be scary for the wary youngsters (pun intended), should be fine for the mature younger readers and no issues with middle-grade readers at all.
You know, so often, I'll read a book for kids and love it, yet feel the need to point out where there might be something hinky or objectionable to either myself or the even more stringent parental figure. There isn't anything in this book, not even any magic for those uber-vigilant parents and I love the closing notes on courage versus bravery and the relationship between the siblings, Chance and Pauline, throughout.
I can't wait to pass this on to loved ones and 'handsell' at the library when they get their copy.
It might be scary for the wary youngsters (pun intended), should be fine for the mature younger readers and no issues with middle-grade readers at all.
You know, so often, I'll read a book for kids and love it, yet feel the need to point out where there might be something hinky or objectionable to either myself or the even more stringent parental figure. There isn't anything in this book, not even any magic for those uber-vigilant parents and I love the closing notes on courage versus bravery and the relationship between the siblings, Chance and Pauline, throughout.
I can't wait to pass this on to loved ones and 'handsell' at the library when they get their copy.
November 21, 2017
Chance is a natural risk-taker, but with the best of hearts. So when he accidentally stops an important letter from being delivered, Chance immediately seeks to remedy this error, even though it means climbing into a pipe several feet underground and hand-carrying it to supposedly magical creatures somewhere below. What Chance hadn't counted on was that humans are absolutely, positively NOT WELCOME. Soon Chance is running for his life, and the lives of every magical creature in the Infirmary, because another human has arrived in the Infirmary, and he is threatening to unleash a plague from up above unless he gets what he wants. With the help of Chance's sister and some open-minded creatures, Chance needs to use everything he's got to save the world.
The lexile level of this book will be up there with Series of Unfortunate Events- Love it!
The lexile level of this book will be up there with Series of Unfortunate Events- Love it!
February 7, 2018
Did you know that well underground there is a whole tunnel system that leads to a hospital for injured or sick magical creatures? Chance didn't either until his obsessive digging (it runs in the family) uncovered a mail pipe. He quickly understands that his taking one of the letters and reading its contents makes him responsible for the fate of all the wonderful creatures below. Too bad the creatures don't know that humans are trying to save them. A terrific older sister as daring as he is will come to rescue him. Fast paced and fun - for all those kids who want to believe there really is something magical if you just dig deep enough.
May 25, 2018
*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*
This book didn't really click for me, but I can definitely see it having readers who love it. Very madcap (for me it jumped around a little too much, but that's just me) with a lot of neat creatures and interesting world-building.
Chance stumbles on an alternate world underground and his sister goes after him. They have to save the infirmary while not getting killed, helped and hindered by all sorts of wild creatures. It is a bit of a challenging read, but your fantasy-lovers will probably dig it.
This book didn't really click for me, but I can definitely see it having readers who love it. Very madcap (for me it jumped around a little too much, but that's just me) with a lot of neat creatures and interesting world-building.
Chance stumbles on an alternate world underground and his sister goes after him. They have to save the infirmary while not getting killed, helped and hindered by all sorts of wild creatures. It is a bit of a challenging read, but your fantasy-lovers will probably dig it.
November 7, 2017
Thank you, NetGalley, for this arc.
Every book its reader; every reader its book. This one wasn't for me, but I know it will find its audience with children who enjoy fantasy. This book I could encourage both boys and girls to read. I stress boys because of the male protagonist, Chase, who gets really dirty digging a big hole in his backyard. He ends up in another world far below the ground, where he meets all kinds of creatures and finds himself on an adventure to save himself and the infirmary. A wild romp!
Every book its reader; every reader its book. This one wasn't for me, but I know it will find its audience with children who enjoy fantasy. This book I could encourage both boys and girls to read. I stress boys because of the male protagonist, Chase, who gets really dirty digging a big hole in his backyard. He ends up in another world far below the ground, where he meets all kinds of creatures and finds himself on an adventure to save himself and the infirmary. A wild romp!
March 30, 2018
Strength of this book: VERY rich language. We read it together and there were a few words in it that sent us to the dictionary. The author also tends to use a lot of long sentences that almost feel like they are going to be a run-on, but aren't. Think Dickens. If you like stories that ride almost entirely on plot with little character development, this is a good pick.
May 27, 2021
Siblings Pauline and Chance discover an infirmary for magical creatures below their house in Texas. Chance sets out to save the creatures in danger of being wiped out but discovers that they are hostile to humans. Pauline sets out to find Chance and they use costumes, their wits, and determination to find each other and attempt to escape a dangerous world.
June 9, 2018
Twelve-year-old Chance Jeopard digs a giant hole, cracks a pipe, and discovers a mysterious letter with an urgent message. He never knew that there was a hospital for magical creatures right underneath him until that moment, but St. Philomene’s Infirmary for Magical Creatures - a 955-year-old underground infirmary with over 6,000 levels and 1.8 million patients - is in grave danger if he doesn't get this letter delivered. There's a human down there, ready to unleash a deadly virus, and this letter details the cure. The only problem? No. Humans. Allowed. Chance and his science-minded sister, Pauline, along with her best friend, goth girl Mersey, are on a mission to save the day, as long as they avoid getting sniffed out by the current inhabitants. They'll encounter ghouls, vampires, Deviklopts, Geckasofts, and more as they race against time to save the Infirmary.
Saint Philomene's is madcap, crazy fun. Chance is an earnest, likable character who finds himself tossed into the middle of a crazy mission, when he really just wanted to be the messenger. Pauline is a pragmatic realist, and her friendship with goth Mersey make them wonderful foils for one another, especially once they find themselves pulled into the madness of Saint Philomene's. While the frenetic pacing may overwhelm some readers, fantasy fans will get a kick out of this one.
Saint Philomene's is madcap, crazy fun. Chance is an earnest, likable character who finds himself tossed into the middle of a crazy mission, when he really just wanted to be the messenger. Pauline is a pragmatic realist, and her friendship with goth Mersey make them wonderful foils for one another, especially once they find themselves pulled into the madness of Saint Philomene's. While the frenetic pacing may overwhelm some readers, fantasy fans will get a kick out of this one.
September 1, 2018
Even though the characters are middle grade, the plot is much lower. There were times when things came together so easily, that it was almost insulting. I'm not sure the target audience would appreciate this book.
September 26, 2018
This is a quick fun read with excellent vocabulary and some crazy plot contrivances. Read the rest of my review at Bookish Adventures.
April 13, 2018
Quirky romp that started strong. Wonderful for the right reader. It felt a bit indulgent after a while and I was ready to wind it up but I think it will tickle many funnybones.
May 4, 2018
I wanted to love this book,
But found it a bot shallow with plot holes and convenient plants that didn’t really follow any rules
Or struggle
But found it a bot shallow with plot holes and convenient plants that didn’t really follow any rules
Or struggle
September 23, 2018
Got about halfway through and didn't want to read on. Had no buy in to characters and the adventure/danger aspect did not capture my attention enough to care what would happen next.
January 19, 2023
This starts out portal with pipe sliding into magical location. The fast paced adventure is closer to the middle. I really liked the middle and ending but I want another adventure like this.
November 25, 2019
What is it about digging holes and 13-year-old boys?
We recently dug a small foundation in the backyard for a concrete slab, and there wasn't a day without a small, yellow, plastic sabre-toothed tiger roaming that form trench, so I'm well aware of the allure of dirt, mud and holes.
This book begins with Chance, who's 12, digging a hole. The description of him entering the house, dripping mud after digging, is priceless -- and an absolute nightmare to any parent who's wielded a mop. It's roll-on-the-floor funny.
The book has an interesting premise. While digging, Chance hits a tunnel, part of a network that connects ever-deeper chambers in which live all kinds of creatures, and of course they need medical attention.
His big sister, Pauline, who's too old for monsters and creatures underground, doesn't believe him until he disappears and she investigates the hole he's dug and ...slips in too.l
I won't ruin the story, just know it's a dark romp and a lot of fun to read!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.strikingly.com/
We recently dug a small foundation in the backyard for a concrete slab, and there wasn't a day without a small, yellow, plastic sabre-toothed tiger roaming that form trench, so I'm well aware of the allure of dirt, mud and holes.
This book begins with Chance, who's 12, digging a hole. The description of him entering the house, dripping mud after digging, is priceless -- and an absolute nightmare to any parent who's wielded a mop. It's roll-on-the-floor funny.
The book has an interesting premise. While digging, Chance hits a tunnel, part of a network that connects ever-deeper chambers in which live all kinds of creatures, and of course they need medical attention.
His big sister, Pauline, who's too old for monsters and creatures underground, doesn't believe him until he disappears and she investigates the hole he's dug and ...slips in too.l
I won't ruin the story, just know it's a dark romp and a lot of fun to read!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.strikingly.com/
Want to read
September 30, 2017I received a copy of this book from McMillan Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
September 25, 2017Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Read
April 9, 2019feels a bit ridic saying that a book about an underground hospital for magical creatures wasn't zany enough but that's the situation at hand here. how does a novel about an underground hospital for ogres & vampires & whatnot end up so straight-laced? case in point: after tunneling their way in, the kids on whom the book is centered find out what they've stumbled upon by looking it up online. like, that's really how you're gonna provide exposition, bruh? the action too just resolutely fails to crescendo in any way -- the situation is fraught with peril ofc but it's pretty much a consistent level of peril throughout such that one builds up a peril tolerance. extra weird since wackiness totally permeates cotter's works for adults. and that's the story of how i ended up yelling "BE ZANIER" at a y.a. book on the internet.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews