Delver

Fifteen-year-old Temerity Aster lives with her herder family in Oddgoat, a nowhere corner of Atang where houses can be grown like plants. Things change when a mysterious dungeon appears under a neighboring family’s coldhouse, a sentient, shape-shifting dungeon that offers treasure and danger. Oddgoat soon draws treasure-seekers (“delvers”) from far and wide, creating opportunities as well as trouble for the village. Finally, Temerity decides to try her luck underground, partnering with the peculiar yet charming Clem. Can she bring back treasure for her family? Stellar world building from Reed (Americus) and Trotman (Poorcraft) plus beguiling dialog makes Oddgoat and its people easy to love. The effectively grunge-toned earthy art from newcomer Hawken evokes magical realism more than sword and sorcery, so that the fantasy elements seem almost possible.