When eleven-year-old Sander and his family move to a historic old house in the Hudson Highlands, he expects things to be different, but nothing can prepare him for the adventures he’s about to have. A centuries-old family squabble between the mythical Duergar, or Black Dwarves, of the region draws Sander and his new friends, Bobby the Goat-Boy and Mini the half-Native American girl, into a wild series of mishaps. They’ll brave pirates, ghosts, wolves, and more, in an attempt to break the power of the evil old Dwerg and free the region from his clutches. If Alfar, Dwerg’s grandson, can learn to stand up to the old tyrant’s bullying ways, everyone will be fine. If not, Dwerg has some nasty plans for Sander, Mini, and the rest.

The Book of Alfar is a pleasant blend of Celtic folklore, Hudson folklore, and fantasy adventure that’s sure to entertain the younger set. For those used to more sophisticated tales, they may find it to be a little lacking. It’s a good story, and a perfectly serviceable first novel, but it doesn’t ever seem to fully commit itself to the depths it’s clearly capable of.