Dragons fill sky in Obert Skye’s ‘Pillage’

Imagination — a useful tool to make the impossible possible, the unbelievable believable, and fantasy reality.

Obert Skye values imagination and puts his own to work with his young adult novels. The author of the “Leven Thumps” series taps his creativity once again with “Pillage,” featuring 15-year-old Beck Phillips.

Beck, who has a nose for trouble and a bit of a smart mouth, finds himself out of his element after his mother dies and he’s sent to live with his rich, eccentric Uncle Aeron. Aeron, who has a reputation for being a loon obsessed with dragons, lives in an expansive, seven-floor manor, which wows Beck from the second he arrives.

The car followed the bend in the drive and the view parted to reveal my uncle’s mansion. I couldn’t keep my jaw from falling open. The house was not a house, nor was it a mansion — it was somewhere between a mall and a castle. There were more chimneys and windows than any chimney or window store could ever possibly stock. ... It was obvious my uncle wasn’t just wealthy; he was two steps beyond filthy, stinking rich.

Beck’s enthralled by the mysteries lurking in the dark halls of the manor. He’s also comforted by the warm welcome of the estate’s staff: Thomas, Millie and Wade. But he’s a bit troubled when they forbid him from exploring his peculiar surroundings. No going to the top floor, where his uncle resides. No going into locked rooms. No going into the woods behind the manor.

Of course, telling Beck no is like dangling a worm in front of a hungry fish — he just can’t help but take the bait. He immediately begins to explore his gloomy new home. What he finds will forever change him.

Beck’s adventure rapidly unfolds as he learns he has the ability to make things grow. He also finds that his crazy, dragon-obsessed uncle might not be crazy at all, or maybe just a little bit. And though his discoveries will lead him down a dangerous path, new friends are there to help him uncover his destiny.

Skye’s quick-paced, humorous adventure will keep kids of all ages reading this summer. “Pillage” is out in paperback and book two, “Choke,” just hit shelves.

Skye dedicates “Pillage” “To those who still watch the sky ...,” and with Beck’s story fueling imaginations, readers just might find themselves wondering what’s hidden behind the clouds.