The Guardian's Quest (The Magic Paintbrush 2) by Kat Zhang and Eric Darnell

What worked:

The previous book introduces readers to Amy and the magic jade paintbrush and this book provides enough information to get the gist of the backstory. Amy’s grandmother was the previous guardian of the magic paintbrush and Amy’s still learning how to take her place. Amy unexpectedly creates a portal to a fantasy world where she encounters an old woman living inside a cage. Minli says the paintbrush’s power must be recharged every 500 years so Amy accepts a quest that will create the magic. Readers will be leery to believe Minli’s story and it’s puzzling when her cat shows up later to help Amy and her two friends. The cat gets annoyed when Amy asks for help but he gets irked anyway when she acts like she doesn’t need it. Its surly attitude and questionable actions make readers wonder if the cat is a friend or a foe in disguise.

Luna is a humorous character and his impulsiveness is sometimes surprisingly helpful. He has the body of a tiger and the wings of a bird, although tiger claws aren’t great for holding things. He has the enthusiasm of a little kid but is fiercely protective of Amy. That might be because he’s only existed since Amy created him in the first book. His ability to fly makes him an excellent scout and his sense of smell makes him immediately suspicious of Minli and Cat. Many young readers like to see animals in books so they’ll be overjoyed with this large, cute, energetic creature. The bummer is when Luna disappears and is absent from the story.

The quest seems straightforward without any complications but of course, that’s not the way things go. Minli gives Amy a time limit for the quest which adds an unspoken countdown clock as the plot progresses. Characters can magically change their appearances so readers should always question the motives of anyone Amy meets. Is generosity coming from a kind heart or is it bait for a trap? The quest tasks seem simple enough, such as collecting sap from a specific tree, but surprises await Amy at every stop. The cat begins to regain some of its lost memories and shares tidbits of information making her question the whole mission. Amy envisions praise from her grandmother and Minli after she collects the ingredients to recharge the paintbrush but what if her efforts create a more terrible problem?

What didn’t work as well:

The characters can be developed more as we know little about Amy other than being the guardian of the magic paintbrush. Also, Luna’s disappearance leaves a big void in the story. His bold personality creates a presence in the story and readers will miss him when he’s not there.

The final verdict:

The plot is fast-paced with plenty of action that will appeal to young readers. The magical world leads to a wide range of characters that will keep readers guessing. The conflict’s resolution is predictable although events during the quest offer surprises. Overall, this book offers an imaginative story and I recommend you give it a shot.