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The Weirdling Cycle #1
The Purloined Boy
The Purloined Boy, by C. R. Wiley, is a work of fantasy literature for young adults. In parts dark and grotesque, in others luminous and inspiring; it could be described as R. L. Stine meets Plato. It begins with the question, Where do all those children on the milk cartons go? It provides the answer through the eyes of one of those children, a boy named Trevor Upjohn, the purloined boy.
249 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2009
24 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
C.R. Wiley
6 books384 followersC. R. Wiley is a Presbyterian minister living in the Pacific Northwest. He has written for Touchstone Magazine, Modern Reformation, Sacred Architecture, The Imaginative Conservative, Front Porch Republic, National Review Online, and First Things, among others. His short fiction has appeared in The Mythic Circle (published by the Mythopoeic Society) and elsewhere, and he has published young adult fiction. He is one of the hosts of The Theology Pugcast (a podcast available on iTunes and elsewhere), and he has been a commercial real estate investor and a building contractor. He also taught philosophy to undergraduates for a time. He is the Vice President of the Academy of Philosophy and Letters, and a board member of New Saint Andrews College.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 31, 2019
There's a lot of unimaginative twaddle peddled to children these days in the guise of literature. I'm happy to say that this book is an exception. It's interesting, well-written, and has some depth to it. Imagine my consternation at finishing the book (which ends on a massive cliffhanger) and finding that the sequel was never published! It's still a great book, but prepare to be frustrated.
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Update: I just heard that Canon Press is now going to publish this series, and the sequel is on the way. Consequently shifting my review up to 5 stars...
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Update: I just heard that Canon Press is now going to publish this series, and the sequel is on the way. Consequently shifting my review up to 5 stars...
February 10, 2020
I thought it was really good. The ending was kinda depressing I won`t give spoilers or anything but it was pretty good. And I`m not just saying that because the author is my sister`s father-in-law. I actually liked it a lot
September 13, 2017
There are a lot of good things going on in this book. The symbolism is pretty solid, the premise is intriguing, and the author's own idea of writing posthumously is fun. However, I have a few issues.
First of all, Trevor--the titular Purloined Boy--has no character. He only does what Mr. Clay needs him to do in any given scene, like way too many child heroes I've read about. Maggie, our Spunky Girl today, is irritating. Most Spunky Girls rub me this way. Both the leads suffer from something I used to do, called Flaw of the Day. For example, and I'm making this one up, a character may be terrified of speaking in public, but one good pep talk and he's over it, and it will never be mentioned again. It isn't blatant, but the trope is definitely there. Paracelsus and Lucian are interesting, but everyone else is a stereotype. The inevitable traitor is obvious from him being the only opulent and petty guy in Trothward--the good guy base. The bullies are just that, bullies, without real motivations or humanization. Mr. Clay may have their motivations in his head, but they haven't gotten out on the page. Honestly, I would rather read about Mortimus Clay himself--his backstory sounds much more interesting.
Second, parts of this book don't gel. We open with some Lemony Snicket-esque quirky writing, which fades away and only returns sporadically throughout the book, making it obvious that Mr. Clay is not writing in his own voice. Then we have, in the same book, a creepy fake Santa Claus, 1984-esque world, tree people, a Paradise Lost story, and a cartoony mountain man. These things would take a very experienced writer to fit together, and this is Mortimus Clay's first (posthumous) book.
There are many good things in here, though. The symbolism didn't always make sense standing alone--specifically, during Trevor's escape from the Pantry--but most of it was strong and unifying rather than distracting, Biblical to the point of plagiarism, or another Narnia ripoff. The Paradise Lost part is really, really good. Also, this was originally just the first chunk of the full book, which editors made Mr. Clay chop up, so I can't make a full judgment yet. Suffice it to say, Mortimus Clay's only problems are from inexperience. I fully expect the rest of his posthumous career to be great.
First of all, Trevor--the titular Purloined Boy--has no character. He only does what Mr. Clay needs him to do in any given scene, like way too many child heroes I've read about. Maggie, our Spunky Girl today, is irritating. Most Spunky Girls rub me this way. Both the leads suffer from something I used to do, called Flaw of the Day. For example, and I'm making this one up, a character may be terrified of speaking in public, but one good pep talk and he's over it, and it will never be mentioned again. It isn't blatant, but the trope is definitely there. Paracelsus and Lucian are interesting, but everyone else is a stereotype. The inevitable traitor is obvious from him being the only opulent and petty guy in Trothward--the good guy base. The bullies are just that, bullies, without real motivations or humanization. Mr. Clay may have their motivations in his head, but they haven't gotten out on the page. Honestly, I would rather read about Mortimus Clay himself--his backstory sounds much more interesting.
Second, parts of this book don't gel. We open with some Lemony Snicket-esque quirky writing, which fades away and only returns sporadically throughout the book, making it obvious that Mr. Clay is not writing in his own voice. Then we have, in the same book, a creepy fake Santa Claus, 1984-esque world, tree people, a Paradise Lost story, and a cartoony mountain man. These things would take a very experienced writer to fit together, and this is Mortimus Clay's first (posthumous) book.
There are many good things in here, though. The symbolism didn't always make sense standing alone--specifically, during Trevor's escape from the Pantry--but most of it was strong and unifying rather than distracting, Biblical to the point of plagiarism, or another Narnia ripoff. The Paradise Lost part is really, really good. Also, this was originally just the first chunk of the full book, which editors made Mr. Clay chop up, so I can't make a full judgment yet. Suffice it to say, Mortimus Clay's only problems are from inexperience. I fully expect the rest of his posthumous career to be great.
November 7, 2012
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
THE PURLOINED BOY begins with the question, Where do all those children on the milk cartons go?
It provides the answer through the eyes of one of those children, a boy named Trevor Upjohn, the purloined boy.
There's nothing hiding under the bed. There's no such thing as a bogeyman. Nothing is in your closet ready to gobble you up as soon as you fall asleep. At least that's what everyone says.
Trevor lives in Superbia, "the worst place in the universe," where the kids eat watery gruel, are watched by Guardians, and punished for saying naughty words like home and mother. Trevor is among the many children that have been snatched from their homes by bogeymen and are now considered missing. The children are taken at such young ages that they don't remember their family and consider Superbia their only home.
When Trevor begins to pay attention to his dreams of home he sets into motion events that will change his life forever. He and his friend, Maggie, uncover the secret of Superbia and what the missing kids are really for, but can they escape the bogeymen and make their way home?
THE PURLOINED BOY is a great story, but more than that, it is a pleasure to read. The book is beautifully written and caught me on the first page with its lyrical sentence structure and descriptive vocabulary.
Visit Mortimus Clay's website to keep up-to-date with the latest information about the author.
The sequel, THE QUEST FOR THE FEY BRAND, is set for release in April 2010.
THE PURLOINED BOY begins with the question, Where do all those children on the milk cartons go?
It provides the answer through the eyes of one of those children, a boy named Trevor Upjohn, the purloined boy.
There's nothing hiding under the bed. There's no such thing as a bogeyman. Nothing is in your closet ready to gobble you up as soon as you fall asleep. At least that's what everyone says.
Trevor lives in Superbia, "the worst place in the universe," where the kids eat watery gruel, are watched by Guardians, and punished for saying naughty words like home and mother. Trevor is among the many children that have been snatched from their homes by bogeymen and are now considered missing. The children are taken at such young ages that they don't remember their family and consider Superbia their only home.
When Trevor begins to pay attention to his dreams of home he sets into motion events that will change his life forever. He and his friend, Maggie, uncover the secret of Superbia and what the missing kids are really for, but can they escape the bogeymen and make their way home?
THE PURLOINED BOY is a great story, but more than that, it is a pleasure to read. The book is beautifully written and caught me on the first page with its lyrical sentence structure and descriptive vocabulary.
Visit Mortimus Clay's website to keep up-to-date with the latest information about the author.
The sequel, THE QUEST FOR THE FEY BRAND, is set for release in April 2010.
August 9, 2015
This book was a "hidden" gem as I didn't hear about it until I got it for the blog tour. I really really enjoyed it and found it great for kids and adults alike!
The characters were detailed and realistic, the kids asked questions and weren't treated stupid for asking. They also were explained things when they needed to have things explained.
The action moved along but not so fast that you were lost or didn't get where you were going. Although bad things do happen to the main character, there is always something good to be had and sometimes even a little light at the end of the tunnel.
I can't wait till the next book!
The characters were detailed and realistic, the kids asked questions and weren't treated stupid for asking. They also were explained things when they needed to have things explained.
The action moved along but not so fast that you were lost or didn't get where you were going. Although bad things do happen to the main character, there is always something good to be had and sometimes even a little light at the end of the tunnel.
I can't wait till the next book!
August 21, 2019
Great book that grabbed my kids’ interests from the start. A tale of courage and adventure, with spiritual parallels hidden within, can’t wait for the rest of the series.
May 4, 2022
This will be great for my kids to read in the tween/teen years!
February 13, 2023
Fun. I hope he writes the next one.
May 19, 2010
This is the tale of Trevor, a young boy who becomes one of those children who end up on milk cartons under the word Missing.
Trevor is living in a dark and dreary town called Superbia, along with many other children. Think of an orphanage from Victorian England. They are not allowed to say words like "parents" or "home." If they do, the boogeymen who run Superbia (and who kidnapped the children from their beds), will send them away for behavior modification, or send them to the Pantry, to be fattened up and eaten by the boogeymen. Becoming a meal for the boogeymen is the eventual fate of all the children.
After a very vivid dream about his parents, Trevor asks about going home, and is sent away for behavior modification. Around this time, he meets Maggie, a fellow orphan who also has memories of life before Superbia. She tells Trevor that she is part of a secret society whose aim is to help all the children who want to return home to actually do it. He also meets Epictetus, a one-eyed slave who is a leader in the "underground," and Zephyr, a very unique talking mouse. Trevor also learns about Trothward, a very nice place outside Superbia. He also learns about the long-term war going on between the Guild, who runs Trothward, and Lucian, the leader of the boogeymen. This leads Trevor to one adventure, and narrow escape, after another, while he is traversing many dank and dreary passageways beneath Superbia.
This is a young adult book that was made to be read aloud to older children, say between 10-13 years old. It may be a little too much for younger children. There are a number of dark and spooky bits in this story, and, being first in a series, there is not a "happily ever after" ending. The author does an excellent job with this tale from beginning to end, and it is very much worth the time.
Trevor is living in a dark and dreary town called Superbia, along with many other children. Think of an orphanage from Victorian England. They are not allowed to say words like "parents" or "home." If they do, the boogeymen who run Superbia (and who kidnapped the children from their beds), will send them away for behavior modification, or send them to the Pantry, to be fattened up and eaten by the boogeymen. Becoming a meal for the boogeymen is the eventual fate of all the children.
After a very vivid dream about his parents, Trevor asks about going home, and is sent away for behavior modification. Around this time, he meets Maggie, a fellow orphan who also has memories of life before Superbia. She tells Trevor that she is part of a secret society whose aim is to help all the children who want to return home to actually do it. He also meets Epictetus, a one-eyed slave who is a leader in the "underground," and Zephyr, a very unique talking mouse. Trevor also learns about Trothward, a very nice place outside Superbia. He also learns about the long-term war going on between the Guild, who runs Trothward, and Lucian, the leader of the boogeymen. This leads Trevor to one adventure, and narrow escape, after another, while he is traversing many dank and dreary passageways beneath Superbia.
This is a young adult book that was made to be read aloud to older children, say between 10-13 years old. It may be a little too much for younger children. There are a number of dark and spooky bits in this story, and, being first in a series, there is not a "happily ever after" ending. The author does an excellent job with this tale from beginning to end, and it is very much worth the time.
July 18, 2019
WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!
In The Purloined Boy, C.R. Wiley has spun a beautiful and fascinating tale about a young boy, Trevor, who was stolen by bogeymen as a 4-5 year old. He lives for 7-8 years in an awful place called Superbia, with many other children, stolen as toddlers. He meets Maggie, a fisher (a person who rescues children from Superbia), and then is sent to the dreaded Pantry, a place where children are in detention, kind of like a jail. No children ever sent to the Pantry have returned. Why? Because they are eaten by the bogeys! A mouse named Zephyr rescues Trevor and then takes him to a beautiful place, outside of Superbia, called Trothwood. There, Trevor heals from his time in Superbia. Will Trevor leave for 'home' just when Trothwood needs him most? Will he accept a horrifically dangerous quest? Will he rescue Trothwood and the life-giving tree?
An excellent book with a cliffhanger ending. 5/5 stars.
UPDATE: as of this review, the sequel is not published. When I wrote the above review, I thought there would be a sequel to remove the suspense of the cliffhanger ending! But then my hopes were dashed onto the rocks when I heard there is no sequel yet and the publishers have been telling everyone that the sequel is currently in the process of being published since around 2010. I almost shifted my review down to four stars but since The Purloined Boy is so good, I didn't. Anyways, prepare yourself for an excellent cliffhanger ending - with no way to stop the suspense.
In The Purloined Boy, C.R. Wiley has spun a beautiful and fascinating tale about a young boy, Trevor, who was stolen by bogeymen as a 4-5 year old. He lives for 7-8 years in an awful place called Superbia, with many other children, stolen as toddlers. He meets Maggie, a fisher (a person who rescues children from Superbia), and then is sent to the dreaded Pantry, a place where children are in detention, kind of like a jail. No children ever sent to the Pantry have returned. Why? Because they are eaten by the bogeys! A mouse named Zephyr rescues Trevor and then takes him to a beautiful place, outside of Superbia, called Trothwood. There, Trevor heals from his time in Superbia. Will Trevor leave for 'home' just when Trothwood needs him most? Will he accept a horrifically dangerous quest? Will he rescue Trothwood and the life-giving tree?
An excellent book with a cliffhanger ending. 5/5 stars.
UPDATE: as of this review, the sequel is not published. When I wrote the above review, I thought there would be a sequel to remove the suspense of the cliffhanger ending! But then my hopes were dashed onto the rocks when I heard there is no sequel yet and the publishers have been telling everyone that the sequel is currently in the process of being published since around 2010. I almost shifted my review down to four stars but since The Purloined Boy is so good, I didn't. Anyways, prepare yourself for an excellent cliffhanger ending - with no way to stop the suspense.
December 22, 2009
I had trouble staying involved with the story, which is a shame because this is a remarkably imaginative tale with engaging characters and picturesque--though bleak--settings. I just found too much of the action to be predictable. I'm interested to see what the sequel is like in 2010, however.
September 13, 2019
This was an incredibly disappointing book. I had high hopes for a new adventure book to read to the children, and my understanding was it is the first in a trilogy. I told the kids we won't be reading the next two books. They (all 5, ranging from 16-9) thanked me collectively.
The plot is transparent, character development superficial, and we often felt antagonistic toward the protagonists, particularly a girl named Maggie.
The plot is transparent, character development superficial, and we often felt antagonistic toward the protagonists, particularly a girl named Maggie.
December 29, 2019
Can I give it 3.5 stars? I'm torn. I wanted to like this book. But I didn't like it for the reason I didn't like Harry Potter. (So maybe this is high praise...) It plucks a random boy from his setting and throws him into a new one and, though his skills/talents are far inferior to others', he succeeds and more than that--is the Chosen One who will defeat the evil one and restore good. Bits of it were great! I loved the concept of the Troth tree, Zephyr, and the Pig, but the plot lacked something for me.
February 1, 2018
This was an absolutely fabulous YA fiction work. The plot was engaging and the characters lovable. The only downside is that it ended on a total cliff hanger, and I’m wondering if/when the second book will be published.
April 1, 2024
This story was a delightful read. The action quickly picks up after the start. You learn the background of the world of Superbia along with Trevor, the main character, as the story unfolds. The story offers magical elements, interesting characters, examples of virtue, and lessons in wisdom. Hoping to get my hands on the second installment when it comes out.
March 9, 2019
Our eleven year old loved it and can't wait for the next one in the series! Very creative and fun with plenty of action and mystery to move the story along.
April 27, 2019
Why is it not possible to give something zero stars? I’ll bring in my full review later. Prepare yourselves.
December 20, 2019
Awesome. I read it with my wife and kids. We cannot wait until the next book in the series comes out.
February 2, 2021
Well written but beware - there's a sequel that's not quite done yet.
March 11, 2021
Cannot wait to find out what happens next.
August 26, 2021
Well written story, weak main character, inconsistent logic/world-building. Ends on cliffhanger, apparently book 2 was never published, no trace of author/pseudonym OR printing house online.
August 1, 2023
Great storyline, Wiley is humorous and witty throughout. Overall fun read
Read
October 19, 2023Pretty good. I'd read the next one.
November 20, 2023
I didn’t actually finish this book. It just didn’t grab me and I had to force myself to read as much of it as I did.
February 10, 2024
Really good story. Looking forward to book 2.
April 16, 2025
A lot of great potential
Ending was especially good
Curious about the next in the series
Ending was especially good
Curious about the next in the series
June 29, 2025
This is so enjoyable and perfect for kids and adults alike. We’re eager for the next book in the series!
January 5, 2026
I've never seen bogeymen as evil, but after reading this book i can see why they would be. I hope that Mr. Wiley continue this book series, especially since this book kind of ends on a cliff hanger.
September 21, 2010
I'm having a hard time starting this review; bogeymen haunt every child's imagination, the quintessential nightmare...and I am 28 :)
But what I like about the whole good-vs.-evil struggle in this book is that the bogeys are scary, yes, but they are terrified of Lucian, something more terrifying than they could ever hope to be. The author understands that the most terrifying model of evil is not the evil born from a human's imagination (that can be conquered in our minds with enough courage), but the human gradually turned inhuman, led astray by his or her own arrogance, weakness, greed... until often (at least in fantasy stories) the outside appearance reflects the evil within. Tolkien was a master at this; every villain he created was a symbol of light and hope, something resembling human, until it was corrupted by fear and hatred. Wilde's Dorian Gray is another good example.
The most destructive choices are not those you know are wrong and wrong for you; those are easier to avoid because they are evil on the face of them. Surfaces can be not only deceiving but dangerous, and Lucian's arrogance and lack of human understanding and compassion eventually twisted him into the worst kind of monster: something that was once human until it crushed out all remnants of human feeling to become darkness itself.
The 'heroes,' Trevor and Maggie, seem to be woefully in over their heads. I feel, however, that this is a hugely refreshing change from 11-year-old protagonists who are raring and ready to overcome any obstacle and kick some bad-guy butt. When I was 11, I was practically scared of my own shadow, and I am so happy to find Trevor, a child hero who actually seems to me like a real child. Book One saw the exit of Trevor's and Maggie's Obi-Wan figure, though, so they're going to have to get their act together pretty fast.
I am so excited that Book Two is on the first-reads giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed.
But what I like about the whole good-vs.-evil struggle in this book is that the bogeys are scary, yes, but they are terrified of Lucian, something more terrifying than they could ever hope to be. The author understands that the most terrifying model of evil is not the evil born from a human's imagination (that can be conquered in our minds with enough courage), but the human gradually turned inhuman, led astray by his or her own arrogance, weakness, greed... until often (at least in fantasy stories) the outside appearance reflects the evil within. Tolkien was a master at this; every villain he created was a symbol of light and hope, something resembling human, until it was corrupted by fear and hatred. Wilde's Dorian Gray is another good example.
The most destructive choices are not those you know are wrong and wrong for you; those are easier to avoid because they are evil on the face of them. Surfaces can be not only deceiving but dangerous, and Lucian's arrogance and lack of human understanding and compassion eventually twisted him into the worst kind of monster: something that was once human until it crushed out all remnants of human feeling to become darkness itself.
The 'heroes,' Trevor and Maggie, seem to be woefully in over their heads. I feel, however, that this is a hugely refreshing change from 11-year-old protagonists who are raring and ready to overcome any obstacle and kick some bad-guy butt. When I was 11, I was practically scared of my own shadow, and I am so happy to find Trevor, a child hero who actually seems to me like a real child. Book One saw the exit of Trevor's and Maggie's Obi-Wan figure, though, so they're going to have to get their act together pretty fast.
I am so excited that Book Two is on the first-reads giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews