The Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty

Colours of Madeleine, bk 2. Pan Macmillan, 2014. ISBN 9781742612874
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Aurealis Award winner, best young adult novel 2014. Queensland Premier's Literary Awards 2014. Following A corner of white (2012) this is the second in the Colours of Madeleine series. Elliot Baranski of the Farms continues to write secret letters to Madeleine Tully in the world delivering them through a crack and is determined to find his father. Meanwhile Princess Ko's family has been taken into the World through cracks and she enlists the aid of Elliot and others to locate them. She has kept the country running by pretending that her father is still reigning the kingdom and she is desperate for help in solving who has taken the Royal Family to the World.
This is an utterly unique and challenging series that I really love. Moriarty has created an intriguing world in Cello and Elliot is a determined and thoroughly engaging hero. Through the notes, letters and late nights by the Crack, Moriarty brings to life the dramas that Madeleine and Elliot are going through in their own worlds. I was kept on the edge of my seat worrying about Elliot and hoping that his illicit dealings with the World would not be uncovered. Princess Ko was a fascinating character and her actions and dialogue was very amusing, while at the same time the running commentary that Elliot makes provides a diversion from the very serious problem of the two missing fathers.
Moriarty is able to bring some resolution at the end of The cracks in the Kingdom but leaves readers on another cliff hanger which is sure to bring them back readers for more of this outstanding series.
Pat Pledger