The Hunter Chronicles by EJ Patten: Epic Middle-Grade

On goodreads

So I just found out this awesome book...

(break for the blurb)

ONE BOY. UNTOLD ENEMIES. A WHOLE WORLD TO SAVE. IT'S GOING TO BE A LOOONG THREE DAYS. 
Eleven years ago, a shattered band of ancient monster hunters captured an unimaginable evil and Phineas T. Pimiscule rescued his nephew, Sky, from the wreckage of that great battle. For eleven years, Sky Weathers has studied traps, puzzles, science, and the secret lore of the Hunters of Legend believing it all a game. For eleven years, Sky and his family have hidden from dark enemies while, unbeknownst to Sky, his uncle Phineas sacrificed everything to protect them. 

For eleven years, Sky Weathers has known nothing of that day. 

But on the eve of Sky's twelfth birthday and his family's long-awaited return to the town of Exile, everything changes. Phineas has disappeared, and Sky finds himself forced to confront the mysterious secrets he's denied for so long: why did his family leave Exile on that day so long ago? What, exactly, has Phineas been preparing him for? And, the biggest mystery of all, who is Sky really and why does everyone want to kill him?! 

...now has a sequel

On goodreads

and it's due out this winter, December 4, 2012! You can read a rough draft of the summary at EJ's blog.

Agented by Steven Malk of Writers House, E.J. Patten is amazing. Check out his How I Got Published and the awesome blog From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors interview with him last week. 

Have you already heard of this new sparkly middle-grade gem? Read it? What do you think?

As a mom of two little boys (with yet another boy due in June), I'm always on the look-out for middle-grade that looks boyish and spectacular. Recommendations welcome!