The Nerdy Book Club
Suspense, stakes, and action. Enormously satisfying.
ALA Booklist
Adventure, magic, and Arthurian legend combine in a roller-coaster ride of secrets. Perfect fodder for fans who adore mythology, legends, and series with more volumes yet to come.
School Library Journal
04/01/2014
Gr 5–7—Jax Aubrey wakes up one day to discover he is a Transitioner; a person gifted with an extra 24-hour day between Wednesday and Thursday. His guardian, Riley, is also a Transitioner, and begins to slowly introduce Jax to a secret world of magic and adventure. Jax soon realizes it's not all fun and games. Not all Transitioners are who and what they appear to be, and Riley is tasked with guarding the girl next door, a prisoner who only exists in this magical Eighth Day. The girl, Evangeline, is the key to rival Transitioners' plans to use the extra day to destroy the normal world. Only Riley, Jax, and their allies can hope to stop them. The Eighth Day is an interesting concept, and Salerni makes it work by having Jax learn, along with the reader, to navigate this extra day that is both fascinating and extremely dangerous. The concept melds Arthurian legend into present day in much the same way that Rick Riordan uses Greek and Egyptian mythology, with characters being descendents of heroes long thought to be folklore and their place in this world sometimes dependent on that lineage. There are a few points where the action stalls slightly, but in general the writing is fast paced and exciting. The story lends itself to further adventures and readers will be excited to follow Jax and eager to see what happens next.—Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX
Kirkus Reviews
2014-01-29
Thirteen-year-old Jax wakes to an empty world, believing that he is the sole survivor of some terrible event. However, his isolation ends after only one day when he wakes again to life as usual. Following the death of his father, Jax is sent to live with Riley Pendare, a tattooed 18-year-old who can barely care for himself. However, when Jax discovers that he is a Transitioner, a member of an elite group that has access to a hidden eighth day each week, Riley may be the only one with the answers. Arthurian legends come alive as Jax learns that the eighth day was created by Merlin and other magicians to contain the power-hungry Kin. Imprisoned within a single day each week, some of the Kin and their allies are seeking to destroy the spell even if it means the world will be torn apart in the process. Ancient magic pairs nicely with modern intrigue as Jax is forced to navigate his dangerous new reality. Complicated alliances, unclear motives and ruthless villains will keep the pages turning. Although the plot is familiar, the inclusion of Arthurian legend keeps it fresh. A promising start to a new trilogy. (Fantasy. 8-12)
