Explorer Academy #2: The Falcon's Feather by Trudi Trueit

My name is Emmet, and we've finally set sail on Orion. Cruz, Sailor, Lani, and I have figured out the Explorer Academy flagship must travel to Norway to locate the next piece of a secret formula for a miracle medicine. However, the captain and Cruz's aunt are the only other people on the ship who are aware of our search. Nebula Pharmaceuticals will do anything to stop us, including murder. We know they have spies everywhere, so we don't know who can be trusted. I've set up surveillance and security equipment in my room, so we can see if anyone tries to steal the journal and the first stone Cruz is hiding. However, the Orion has been hailed for a rescue mission to save a pod of whales, so our search for the next part of the formula will need to wait. 

You should read the first book in the series, The Nebula Secret, before reading this one. The author included some pages from some members of Nebula, so I was able to gain some insight into the mind of the main antagonist. There was a hint that one of the Explorers is spy for him, so that kept me wondering about this character's identity. I liked how Lani, Cruz's best friend in Hawaii, was still included in the story even though she wasn't a member of the academy. Cruz's feelings for her were unclear, since he became a little jealous about Lani spending time with another boy. On the other hand, a female Explorer is interested in Cruz, so he was forced to deal with those emotions himself. You should have an interest in science, mysteries, and the environment to enjoy this book and the series. The Academy's main purpose is to protect the planet, and the Orion sails the ocean on expeditions and nature-saving missions. The plot includes information about animals in nature, conservation measures like the world seed bank, and historical events around the world. You can learn some interesting facts about our planet. The book is full of impossible inventions that add to the fun-factor of the story. I won't try to describe them, but rest assured they're imaginative and impressive. Overall, this series won't appeal to everyone, but I'm enjoying the fresh characters.