Gr 4–7— The village of Mata-Mata itself feels "like time stood still." Imagine a place where everyone has a tortoise companion, some of them quite large, that are able to shed their shells and grow even larger ones. The villagers use the discarded shells for containers, backpacks, and even roofs! Fishing and farming seem to be the inhabitants' major occupations, but Cobalt Cogg hopes to become an inventor like his grandfather. When Cobalt and his friend Linnea are injured in Grandpa's workshop, the mayor puts an end to any more inventions. Readers are left to wonder why the people on the island are so set in their ways, especially the mayor, and why Grandpa Alfred is so different. Some clues may be found in Grandpa's journal entries, dated April 7, 2586. Most of the characters seem to be human, although there is a child with an elvish appearance in Cobalt's class, and the writing in the village is a mix of the modern English alphabet and other symbols, which lead to the question: Is this a future in our world, or an alternate dimension? The hints all point to a deeper backstory that may be revealed in future books. The artwork feels manga-inspired with the use of saturated colors and characters with large eyes. An author's note and a sketchbook of characters and settings are included. VERDICT An intriguing story for fans of graphic novels and gadgets which leaves many questions yet to be answered.— Suzanne Costner