For British Columbia writer Andrea Spalding, a Keeper is someone who holds old traditions and passes them on to the next generation. In her earlier book, Finders Keepers, a wise elder shared his knowledge. Now, Spalding reaches out in a totally different direction to create Dora, a Keeper who holds Pandora’s Box in secrecy, protecting it from watchful crows who covet it.

This novel is truly high fantasy, as Dora’s nephew Misha, visiting her in the small Ontario village of Belfountain, is quickly drawn into a desperate search for the second key to Pandora’s Box, which has been stolen by the crows. In a magical transformation scene, Misha becomes a fish, and swims with the Ancient One, a giant sturgeon, into the Deep. This section of the novel is very convincing, as Misha’s sense of kinship with the fish and the natural world intensifies.

The heart of a well-crafted fantasy is found when a seemingly weak hero wins out over evil, conquering his fears to ally with the powers of good. Spalding succeeds in this tale, as Misha explores the tunnels under an old mansion and finds the key. The lyrical use of an old riddle to summon help from the Ancient One is perfectly placed. Above all, Spalding has woven the myth of Pandora’s Box into a charming fantasy, with an underlying message that each human can bring hope to the world.

Illustrations were not available for review, but the cover art by Kirsti, showing crows looming behind Misha, is arresting. One jarring note is the old mansion’s name, “Luck-ee-nuff,” which befits a cottage rather than the mysterious centre of a fantasy. However, this is a minor flaw in a well-written novel for younger readers.