The Silk Road (Lucy and Dee #1) by Kirsten Marion

What worked:

Lucy and Dee are best friends with differing views of the world. Lucy is adventurous and dreams of exploring. Dee puts all of his faith in science and likes to observe and analyze all new discoveries. He wants to learn alchemy so he can create gold from lead, sell it for money, and then venture out to find his missing, archaeologist parents. Dee doesn’t believe in magic, Lucy does, but his beliefs are challenged when the pair meet a talking rock called Lord Petram. The pair enter a whole new world where they’re called barbarians, strange creatures might be helpful or deadly, and a sorceress is becoming more powerful.

An interesting conflict is created when Lucy and Dee are tasked with protecting a young emperor. They have no idea of the emperor’s identity or why he might be in danger. Who might want to hurt him? Lucy and Dee wonder about the emperor himself and what kind of person he might be. He apparently has no friends, but how is it possible that no one likes him? What if the emperor is a jerk, and now Lucy and Dee are supposed to protect him? Whatever the case, Lucy and Dee accept the quest with the hope that it will help them find Dee’s parents.

The plot is straightforward and easy to follow and boils down to a good versus evil situation. Protecting Emperor Yidi is a challenge for various reasons, with one of them being the pompous ruler himself. He hasn’t been allowed to leave the castle and now must flee with Lucy and Dee into a country where unknown discoveries await. Somehow, dangers find them wherever they go, but Yidi is finally exposed to the injustices that have befallen the citizens. His character eventually transforms, and these changes will become important as the series moves on. The last part of the book introduces new characters and settings that lead right into a sequel.

What didn’t work as well:

There are several instances when the kids escape dangerous situations with some unexpected magic or surprise characters. A fortuitous event is okay, but I prefer when characters resolve problems using their own wits, talents, and available resources. That being said, some of the magic foretells a character’s transformation, so it fits the plot.

The Final Verdict:

Helping good battle evil. The most enjoyable part of the book is following the changes in Yidi’s character, as he breaks out of his arrogant mold and begins to display empathy for others. The overall story feels familiar, but I still recommend you give it a shot.