Nic Blake and the Remarkables (The Manifestor Prophecy) by Angie Thomas

What worked:

Remarkables have endless powers unlike limited Unremarkable magic that uses wands and there’s a bit of animosity between the two groups. Nic desperately wants to learn to use her Gift but her father keeps saying he’ll train her to use it next year. However, strange things happen when she touches two other Remarkables as she drains their powers and temporarily knocks them unconscious. Her father has no idea what’s happening so it sounds hollow when he says everything will be alright.

Nic doesn’t remember her mother and she’s been told her mother left for some unknown reason. This establishes a conflict for readers to consider as they try to figure out why the woman’s not around. Nic’s father isn’t fully open about why they left her mother and it’s clear there’s something unusual about Nic. Nic realizes she knows a lot more about the Remarkables than she thought when she finds out the books she loves to read are based on true events. Stories of Roho being the Manowari, prophesized to bring down the Remarkable world, and the disappearance of the missing Msaidizi are mostly true. It turns out Roho may not have been the Manowari and the actual destroyer of Remarkables will arise soon.

Black history is mentioned throughout the book to enhance the story without moving it into historical fiction. Past injustices spanning decades are woven into the plot as memories or motivations for current events. Nic and her friends experience suspicion in a store and with the police simply due to their skin color. Slavery led to an awakening of Remarkable powers that had been quashed by slave traders and owners. An actual Underground Railroad for Unremarkables fleeing to freedom gave rise to the Underground Railroad we know from stories of Harriet Tubman. Racism and violence cause the Remarkable community to live segregated from Unremarkables although some wonder why they can’t use their powers to help those in danger.

What didn’t work as well:

Nic receives a hellhound puppy on her birthday but it’s participation in the story is less than expected. I mean, hellhounds are supposed to be terrifying creatures that burst into flames and Cocoa only manages to bite ankles and puff smoke. I assume she’ll become a bigger factor in the future and evolve into more than an adorable pet.

The Final Verdict:

The author provides readers with many chances to wonder how the plot will unfold. It’s reasonable to assume the identity of the Manowari will be revealed but the events leading up to that moment will be surprising. Overall, this book is an entertaining start to a new series and I anxiously await the publishing of its sequel. 

Aliyah Serin and the Box of Zenas by Lucy Anne Holland

What worked:

After determining Aliyah is able to control two elements, her parents are murdered so she’s raised by her two uncles. The plot takes a turn when she’s suddenly sent to a private school for elemental students. Aliyah immediately becomes a curiosity at Petrovis since she must choose between the fire and water and elemental houses. Her training is always interesting since she has an affinity for water but working with fire is always volatile. She feels additional pressure to perform when she’s chosen to join one of the school’s quest teams as its fire elemental. Her self-doubt creates a conflict throughout the book as she’s afraid of letting her friends down or possibly causing them to be harmed.

With Aliyah being a bit of an outcast, it’s natural that she gravitates toward other students who aren’t readily accepted. Seth’s element is aether which makes other students uncomfortable. It’s a rare, mysterious ability they don’t understand and it's even banned from the Atheneum, the building housing the leaders of all Canadian elementals. Rae is an earth elemental who has her own self-doubt and often messes up in critical moments. She’s also a bit impulsive which sometimes leads to endangering Aliyah and Seth. Together, the trio spends much of the plot investigating secret tunnels and passages where they enter a maze with increasingly difficult puzzles to solve. They also encounter the ghost of Aliyah’s relative who offers assistance in a frustrating manner. Rae immediately dislikes him but the trio probably can’t survive without his help.

The author creates a mystery when Aliyah is sent to the school due to her uncle’s ambiguous thinking. The actual reason establishes an underlying problem for the entire series but it’s not revealed until much later in the book. An unusual twist to the plot is how Aliya’s best friend Dorian flees to a secret destination with his family and the excuse is connected to Aliya’s own problems. Dorian isn’t physically part of the story but his communication with Aliya offers insightful information related to Petrovis and the Box of Zenas.

What didn’t work as well:

The antagonist is kept anonymous throughout the book and is never clearly identified. Aliyah and her friends suspect they must keep the Box of Zenas away from someone evil but they don’t know who or why. It’s sometimes easier to build tension from the conflict when there’s more clarity so the seriousness and intensity of the problem could have been elevated. On the other hand, not knowing the villain first lets readers’ imaginations free to imagine the many possibilities.

The Final Verdict:

Attending a school for kids with powers will be a familiar format but this book offers creative angles to make it different. Racing to navigate a maze of tunnels by decoding puzzles to beat an unknown opponent is novel and problems with Aliyah’s uncle are interesting. Overall, this book is an exciting start to a new series and I recommend you give it a shot.

Festergrimm (The Legends of Eerie-on-the-Sea #4) by Thomas Taylor

What worked:

This book is fourth in the series but it can be read independently of the previous books. Herbie, Viola, and Sebastian Lee clearly have a contentious past but enough details are shared to let readers know Lee is a despicable villain. Herbie and Viola are the only characters fully aware of Lee’s wicked past so everyone else is willing to assume he’s remorseful and a changed man. This attitude allows him to move freely about town, threatening the two kids when no one else is around. A few adults have doubts about Lee but they just plan to watch him rather than actually taking action to stop his plans. It’s unclear why Herbie and Viola haven’t shared details about Lee with the adults but it adds subtle drama to the plot.

The author establishes Eerie-on-Sea as a creepy, mysterious setting that non-residents will avoid at all costs. Many parts of the town are rundown and the overall story has a dark, gloomy atmosphere. Then, an abandoned building called Festergrimm’s Eerie Waxworks is introduced with its own level of spookiness. It’s shadowy and dusty inside with disturbing wax statues of strange, legendary personalities from the town’s past. Herbie ventures down into the underground section of the museum where he discovers even more wax sculptures and something more. He could swear one of the figures turns its head to stare at him.

The plot evolves into a mystery of sorts with Sebastian Lee scheming to uncover Eerie-on-Sea’s greatest secret. Herbie and Viola are determined to uncover it first and their investigation leads to connections with their own pasts. Vi finds a book written by her father that reveals details of the museum’s origins and leads to speculation about Lee’s plans. Herbie begins to sense he has hidden memories about a connection to the waxworks and he’s troubled that Lee may know more about his past than Herbie knows himself. The story is told from Herbie’s point of view so readers will have intimate knowledge of his emotions and thoughts. He knows Viola is more daring and adventurous when it comes to gathering clues but his own talents mesh well with hers and make them a formidable duo.

What didn’t work as well:

The initial conflict is a bit strange since Herbie and Vi want Sebastian out of town before they even know what he’s doing. It turns out they have reason to be suspicious. The conclusion of the plot may not appeal to everyone but that may be because it’s not a typical, happy ending. The book ends by opening the door for its sequel so readers should expect to read it too.

The Final Verdict:

The author creates an innovative story of love, loss, and greed. Herbie’s vague knowledge of his past is very compelling and makes me want to read the next book in the series. I recommend you give this book, and its sequel when it's published, a shot. 

Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu (The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts #2) by Erika Lewis

What worked:

Kelcie and her friends find themselves in the middle of serious drama once again that ranges from saving the Land of Summer from total destruction to navigating boy-girl relationships. Kelcie learned in the first book that she has the rare abilities of a Pulse, able to manipulate all four elements of land, water, air, and fire, although she hasn’t learned to control them without disastrous outcomes. Much of her focus in this book is training in sword skills plus she must eventually learn to blend them with her elemental abilities. She’s upset with Niall but he’s dealing with complications arising from being the queen’s son. She must sort out her feelings for him (is she a bit jealous?) before the time of the formal ball arrives.

In the book’s prologue, readers discover the Land of Winter has a plan for revenge against the Land of Summer, and a young girl named Lexie has been ordered to go undercover at the academy. It’s not exactly clear what she’s going to do once she gets there so readers have plenty of time to imagine what kind of chaos she’ll create on Ascension Day. Lexie quickly “befriends” Kelcie and subtly begins to dig for information from her friends. She tries to ignore their kindness and remembers there will be serious consequences from the queen if she fails her mission. An interesting twist to Lexie’s character is that she’s a Pulse like Kelcie although her skills are more developed. Her fianna moves behind the scenes with their own elemental powers, preparing for the attack, but again, readers will have no idea where the plot is headed.

The lands of Summer and Winter have been waging a never-ending War since their origin. No one seems to know why they’re still battling and their queens dispense propaganda to maintain the conflict. However, this book brings characters from the two cultures together allowing them to compare and contrast the two lands. This consideration is mostly presented through Lexie’s eyes since the other characters don’t know she’s from Winter. She’s immediately surprised by the vivid colors but she later wonders about another character’s clipped wings. She’s heard about how Roswen failed the Winter queen and wonders who might have dished out her punishment. This motivates Lexis to fulfill the queen’s mission but she has second thoughts when she discovers the truth about the Heart of Danu.

What didn’t work as well:

There are many references to events from the first book and readers may feel like they’re missing information, especially with regards to Kelcie’s first year at the academy. The story shares how her father is the most hated man in the world but readers won’t fully understand why. Also, even though Kelcie is the main character with rare abilities, readers may need to remind themselves that she’s not the leader of her fianna.

The Final Verdict:

This book has a myriad of intriguing problems that will engage and entertain readers. There are many dynamic characters with contrasting fiannas from both Winter and Summer. Overall, this book and series should fascinate middle-grader readers and I recommend you give them a shot.

Mission to Shadow Sea (Future Hero #2)

What worked:

The book begins back in Jarell’s cousin’s barbershop where Jarell is transported to a world where he’s the ancestor of a legendary hero named Kundi. Jarell’s reunited with the warrior Kimisi and they’re quested with locating and retrieving the second missing part of the Staff of Kundi, the Iron Crocodile. Readers will notice a similar format to the first book although much of the action this time occurs underwater. The science fiction angle of the series kicks in as Jarell’s suit allows him to stay submerged for most of the adventure.

Jarell’s character oozes integrity as he’s always trying to do the right thing and protect the innocent. Kimisi is laser-focused on the mission, getting the next piece for the staff, but Jarell displays understanding and compassion for all of the characters he meets. These qualities prove to be valuable as they promote positive attitudes, support, and cooperation from others. This is demonstrated as Jarell encounters manatees in distress, a monster terrorizing the waters, and sea horse creatures that have been cursed. The spirit of Kundi speaks to Jarell in his greatest times of need and helps to connect him with the kingdom of Ulfrika.

What didn’t work as well:

The book lacks character and plot development due to its fast-moving story. Sacrifices must be made when the author creates a short, action-filled plot but emerging young readers should enjoy it. More experienced readers may be looking for more description and depth to the characters and conflict.

The Final Verdict:

Like the first book, this one can be read very quickly which will appeal to young readers wanting to feel like they’ve accomplished something. The story is full of drama and action which should maintain reader interest. Overall, this book is fun to read and I recommend you give it a shot.

Future Hero #1 by Remi Blackwood

What worked:

The action-packed plot moves very quickly so it should hold the interest of most young readers. In the first few chapters, Jarell goes from being teased in school to emerging as the savior of Ulfrika in another dimension. Ulfrika has qualities of an African culture blended with science fiction. Jarell meets a young, spear-wielding, armor-plated warrior named Kimisi who’s able to transport them to new locations via portals or pilot a futuristic plane. They’re forced to hike across a desert on their way to a volcano while encountering a painted wolf and were-hyenas. The events are depicted in accompanying illustrations to help readers envision characters and settings. 

Jarell needs to overcome self-doubt due to his school bullying and comparisons to his older brother. His brother has all of the confidence and athletic skills so Jarell feels inadequate following in his footsteps. Teachers and classmates mock Jarell when he daydreams about a fantasy land of warriors and goddesses. He draws these images to escape bad experiences with people but that leads to his distracting imagination. Others see him as absent-minded and weird which only makes him want to retreat into his sketchbook. However, readers quickly discover these make-believe characters and locations aren’t totally fictional.

What didn’t work as well:

It feels like the story is over before it barely gets started. The whole plot involves locating and retrieving one piece of a powerful staff and Kimisi is able to find it fairly quickly. There are a couple of complications and battles along the way but the story lacks depth or development. This style may not work for many students but it will be attractive for middle-graders who are not avid readers. 

The Final Verdict:

This book is one of those engaging, quick-reads that help motivate reluctant readers. The energetic adventure jumps from one exciting conflict to another as Jarell and Kimisi try to stop an evil being from gaining enough power to invade other worlds. 

Hollowthorn (A Ravenfall Novel #2) by Kayln Josephson

What worked: 

The author skillfully crafts a creative story that makes readers anticipate what’s in store as events develop. Ravenfall Inn has its own personality and typically fulfills most of the roles of a typical hotel staff. However, the opening chapter finds the inn acting strangely so readers don’t know if that will become something significant. In the same way, Max, a jabberwocky usually appearing as a cat, always has a testy attitude toward certain characters so his behavior is unpredictable. However, animals in stories often sense secrets that human characters can’t. Anna’s father is typically absent from Ravenfall, off searching for magical artifacts, but he reappears in this book while his wife travels off to Ireland. Anna is eager to prove to him that she has more abilities than visions of death but she’s still learning to magically connect with inanimate objects. She’s starved for her father’s attention and becomes frustrated and angry with him.

A new character is introduced as Simon, an old, experienced Raven, who’s seeking help from Anna’s father. Colin’s only recently discovered his own abilities as a Raven so he’s excited to learn from such a talented veteran. Colin’s older brother never lets Colin do anything on his own but Salem encourages him to trust his powers and kill every magical creature they find in the Otherworld. Anna is okay with Colin learning to master his abilities but she has some reservations about some things he’s being told. Max, on the other hand, clearly doesn’t like Salem and everyone chalks it up to a grudge from the Raven stepping on Max’s tail. Salem leads the group in search of the Tree of Life but something seems off with the quest, especially once they enter the Otherworld. Colin’s internal struggle dealing with the death magic inherited from his father adds another uncertain element to the story.

The Jewish religion is a big part of the story but it’s not overdone so much that it becomes a distraction. The setting is around the time of Hannukah but Anna notes that she uses it to keep track of time and not necessarily a celebration of the holiday. She also realizes she’s growing up Jewish but doesn’t really understand what it’s all about. Her father makes a connection between Hebrew letters and numbers and Anna hopes her father will teach her more about the Hebrew alphabet once their adventure ends. Jewish demons, gods, and bible references are part of the plot, and protecting the Tree of Life is the goal of Anna and Colin’s quest. A Hebrew prayer plays an important role at a critical moment in the plot.

What didn’t work as well:

The story is told from two points of view which isn’t typically a problem. For some reason in this book, I need to remind myself when Anna or Colin is narrating a particular chapter. It’s not a big issue and it lessened as the plot move along. Periodic chapters share concerns from Ravenfall and it’s nice to be reminded the inn is still part of the story.

The Final Verdict:

You might be able to read this book on its own but I recommend reading Ravenfall first. It will be especially helpful in understanding Colin’s turmoil. This book takes readers on an exciting adventure to the Otherworld and they’ll sense an underlying problem that’s waiting to explode. Overall, this book and series are quite entertaining and I recommend you give them a shot.

Haarville by Justin Davies

What worked:

It’s hard to find stories with innovative twists on familiar themes but this book brings freshness to middle-grade literature. Haarville’s existence is only rumored in the Out-There as almost all of its residents are related to shipwreck survivors. Manx’s relatives founded the town in a land full of fog-shrouded rocks and the discovery of amberose is the only reason people have been able to survive. This power source keeps all perpetual inventions working although Manx and his guardian are the only ones knowledgeable enough to work with the volatile resource. However, two strangers appear in Haarville taking over Manx’s repair shop and confiscating all of the perpetuals in town. The most interesting twist is how the town’s leaders immediately allow the strangers to take over and disrupt life in Haarville.

An insightful observation made by one character is that some stories have two beginnings. Manx doesn’t understand how this is possible until the woman explains what she means. Everyone in town knows the tale of how Manx’s relatives founded Haarville but she offers another version of what citizens “know”. Manx discovers the story told by the strangers might be true but their motivation for appearing in Haarville is less than honorable. They have no desire to repair perpetuals for townsfolk but are more interested in searching for a treasure referred to as the hoard. What exactly is the hoard? The plot evolves into a mystery where Manx is in a race to solve clues and locate the hoard before the strangers.

Readers will empathize with Manx’s character as he’s beaten down and stripped of his freedoms. The strangers evict him and his guardian from their home and the author masterfully describes their new life across the bridge in the squalid part of town. They’re forced to help an innkeeper with chores that include cleaning privies, laundering crusty garments and linens that may have never been cleaned, and making meals from assorted fish parts. A curfew assessed to Manx limits his access to Haarville but additional orders systematically restrict his movements to visit friends and investigate new clues.

What didn’t work as well:

Most of the plot finds Manx battling problems on his own as he tries to unravel what’s happening. He’s supported by his guardian Father G and best friend Fantoosh but he always investigates on his own. Fantoosh comes across as more of a classmate since the author doesn’t have her going out of her way to help. Most books with close friends find characters taking risks for each other and defying authority to make things right. Fantoosh doesn’t behave in this way until the story nears its climax.

The Final Verdict:

The author creates a magical story where Manx fights increasingly difficult challenges to uncover the truth and save Haarville. The descriptions are inventive but familiar enough for readers to make connections. The underdog story should appeal to young readers so I recommend you give it a shot.

World's Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady

What worked:

The author includes zaniness and humor to entertain readers. The time machine is found in a garage sale with a sign that clearly says “World’s Worst Time Machine”. It’s made of wires, typewriter keys, a rotary telephone, and a lantern of orange goo all stuffed into a cardboard box. Surprisingly, the author doesn’t try to create a fancy, complicated explanation for how time travel works. Liam accidentally transports a child-wannabe gangster from 1933 who just wants to rob a modern bank. Cheetos play a big role in handling these kinds of predicaments but it requires a whole bunch of Cheetos. The story also includes expected comedic situations that develop when characters from the past discover new inventions from their futures.

Elsa is Liam’s best friend but she’s more important than he knows. He probably should listen to her when she suggests he read books and instruction manuals as she’s miffed when her ideas are ignored. She’s frantic when she realizes Liam might accidentally activate the time machine but she arrives too late to stop him. However, she somehow knows exactly what’s happened and knows how to handle the problem. That doesn’t mean the solution is easily executed since the presence of characters from the past creates complications. Elsa carries a chaos meter clock with her that keeps track of the amount of chaos caused by the misplaced characters. Readers know Elsa can make things right unless the meter reaches twelve o’clock and the story reminds them whenever the hands on the clock advance.

The average length of each chapter is around seven or eight pages so the plot moves quickly. This format also makes it easy to find stopping points for young readers who don’t want to read a bunch of pages at one time. Many chapters are enhanced by black and white drawings depicting key moments in the plot. The pictures of gangsters are very helpful when trying to visualize Creepy Karpis and his thugs. The end pages share “after-credit scenes”, like in superhero movies, that describe the lives and demises of characters from past history. Several of them actually existed.

What didn’t work as well:

The swift-moving plot doesn’t allow much room to fully develop characters so some readers might want to learn more about the relationship between Liam and Elsa. They’re neighbors and close friends but it would be helpful to have additional descriptions of what they’re thinking and feeling.

The Final Verdict:

Time travel is always an entertaining topic in middle-grade novels and this book doesn’t get bogged down with the science and how it’s actually accomplished. Overall, this is a fun, humorous quick-read that should appeal to a wide range of young readers and I recommend you give it a shot.

Escape From Grimstone Manor (Monsterious #1) by Matt McMann

What worked:

The story offers three characters with a complete range of bravery or perhaps common sense. Mateo is the cautious one who never wants to take a risk. He’s totally against visiting the community’s haunted house amusement ride right before closing. Taylor’s on the other end of the spectrum and makes reckless decisions, like leaving the safety of the amusement ride car and getting everyone trapped in the haunted house. Zari fits right in the middle and is afraid to speak out against either of her friends. In a way, her inability to take a side only makes things worse.

The author establishes a creepy setting to set a frightening, chilling mood. The haunted house used to be owned by a necromancer named Hezekiah Crawly who liked to experiment with life and death. Readers aren’t sure which scary sights are props for the ride and which ones are artifacts left from Crawly’s actual collection. The kids discover mummies, a werewolf, and a reptilian statue that look almost lifelike but they can’t understand how the skeletons have maintained their poses and grips on weapons after all these years. Most of the objects are found in a dark, dank basement but they’re only the beginning of the spine-tingling discoveries.

The best part of the book is the non-stop action; it reminds me a bit of a Scooby Doo adventure without Scooby Doo. Once the kids realize they’re stuck in the Grimstone Manor, they’re constantly on the move trying to find a way out. The house is full of secret rooms with hidden doors that require investigation to find out how they open. The characters figure moving up in the house is the best way to find an exit but the paths they find always lead down. Of course, the real escapade begins once the creatures become animated. The number and variety of monsters make it impossible to turn a corner without finding one and the puzzle to solve is how to stop beasts that should already be dead. The memory of Hezekiah Crawly is constantly looming in the back of readers’ minds as his ghastly experiments must be behind all of this mayhem. Will the necromancer himself return or is something more dreadful waiting at the next turn?

What didn’t work as well:

The plot moves so swiftly that there isn’t much time to fully develop the characters and story. The events are fairly predictable for kids stuck in a haunted house so readers shouldn’t expect many surprises. The solution to the problem becomes evident once its cause is discovered.

The Final Verdict:

This book is a fun, quick read that’s packed full of suspenseful events. While this book is the first in the series, it appears as though each book will have its own setting and cast of characters. Overall, I suggest you give this book and series a shot.

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga #1) by Andrew Peterson

What worked:

Mystery surrounds the father of Janner, Tink, and Leeli as their mother and grandfather, Podo, don’t speak much about him or the family’s past. Their whispers and subtle looks at each other tell Janner his guardians are hiding secrets. Podo spends much of his time tending the farm crops but he transforms into a fearsome fighter if his grandchildren are threatened. Janner doesn’t understand why his mother treats them differently from other kids in the village as Janner must practice his reading and writing, Tink perfects his artistic talents, and Leeli improves her musical talents. Janner can’t stop thinking about the father he can’t remember and he’s determined to uncover whatever his mother and grandfather are concealing.

The character of Peet is curious as the author presents mixed messages about him. He’s most known for being the crazy man romping around town, squawking and waving his arms around. When he’s not in town, he ventures deep into the woods where dangerous creatures abound and townspeople fear to enter. However, he pops up whenever the kids are in trouble but they can’t figure out why. Their grandfather, Podo, is never happy with Peet even after he jumps into danger to protect Podo’s grandkids. Janner and readers will be confused as to why Podo is so angry with Peet and their relationship remains a mystery until the very end of the book.

The Fang are lizard-like creatures that have taken over the village and surrounding country. They harass, beat, and arrest the humans and force them to live in fear. Children fear the sound of the Black Carriage because it means one of them will soon disappear forever. However, the author adds drama to the loathsome Fang as there is discontent among their ranks. The lizards are bad enough already but one Fang in particular becomes consumed with hate toward the Igiby family and spends most of the book trying to kill the children. He incurs the wrath of his fellow Fang and ends up lurking in the shadows before reappearing at strategic parts of the story.

What didn’t work as well:

The author creates levity early in the book by frequently including humorous comments and footnotes. These parts of the passage are entertaining but they muddle the seriousness of the tone as the plot develops. Also, the book’s synopsis gives away a little more information than it should.

The Final Verdict:

A warning isn’t much different from an invitation. It’s nice to read an adventure story about a normal, relatable boy. Janner doesn’t have superpowers, elite fighting skills, a magical object, and he’s not overly brave. The essence of the story is his battle to be brave enough to keep his younger siblings safe against the Fang. The mystery of his family’s past underlies everything and is eventually revealed in the end. Overall, I recommend you give the book a shot. 

Clara Poole and the Long Way Round by Taylor Tyng

What worked:

This story reminds me a bit of another book I’ve recently read, “The Great Texas Dragon Race”, with its own differences. Clara is a fearless young girl and has an innate passion for heights. The plot’s hook in the opening pages finds her stranded in a plastic lawn chair, suspended under gas-filled balloons, drifting in the sky toward Lake Michigan. This event leads to her immediate, worldwide fame in newspapers and media which draws the attention of the organizer of a balloon race around the world. Clara manages to get into the race and hopes to convince her father that they shouldn’t leave their farm and move to Chicago. A big twist in the plot is the fact that her daring stunts led to the death of her mother one year before so her father is now overprotective of Clara’s safety.

Clara ends up as the “copilot” for a crotchety, 80+year-old woman named Gildersleeve who’s been in this race longer than many competitors have been alive. Her actual copilots are three monkeys named Mayhem, Houdini, and Bob with entertaining personalities and talents. They’re able to swiftly maneuver through the balloon’s riggings and they even man the helm, keeping the ship on course. The monkey named Bob gets a hostile attitude when he’s insulted, which is exactly what Clara’s father does. These monkeys prove to be skilled navigators and add unpredictable drama and amusing moments to the plot.

The author presents a range of characters that antagonize and comfort Clara. Clara becomes this year’s Face of the Race so last year’s personality, Ophelia, takes an instant dislike to her. Ophelia oozes superior airs toward everyone and she demeans Clara at every opportunity. The youngest competitor is Hatsu, a sugar-loving co-pilot with Team Ussuri who also has a deep adoration for Clara. Other co-pilots Clara’s age become friends but her main antagonist is an old pilot named Godfrey Sway. Clara knows the man has a past, secret history with Gildersleeve but she can’t understand the hatred and malice he has toward her pilot. Clara quickly figures out this man will do anything to become the 100^th winner of this legendary balloon race.

 What didn’t work as well:

The plot follows Clara’s character all the way through so other characters aren’t as fully developed. It would be nice to know more about Hatsu specifically since she’s Clara’s most inspired supporter. The story is still very entertaining and presume a sequel will provide deeper character development.

The Final Verdict:

Readers are quickly immersed in Clara’s need to escape the shroud of her father’s protection and live a more exciting life of her own making. Different parent-child relationships are part of the story and add different perspectives on family issues. Overall, this book shares a thrilling adventure and I recommend you give it a shot.

Skandar and the Phantom Rider (Skandar #2) by A.F. Steadman

What worked:

The revelation that Skandar’s a spirit wielder, the spirit element also called the death element, is the biggest issue affecting his character. His abilities scare all of the other riders at the Eyrie, a school for new unicorn riders, because they don’t understand what he can do. Spirit wielders have a unique ability to kill bonded unicorns although Skandar would never consider doing something that atrocious. However, his mother is an evil spirit wielder called the Weaver and she has no reservations about performing ghastly, violent attacks. No one besides his close friends knows the Weaver is his mother but he’s still ostracized by all the other riders and society due to the fact he’s a spirit wielder.

The character relationships are more complicated than the first book and that makes the story more interesting. Riders at the school are grouped into teams of four and Skandar’s friends face their own, individual challenges. Flo has an opportunity to join the elite Silver Circle but their main focus is getting rid of spirit wielders. Mitchell wants to do well in school and remain friends with Skandar but his father is highly demanding and prejudiced and he expects his son to become the Commodore. Bobby also has high aspirations, she won last year’s trial, but she’s tired of being perceived as Skandar’s sidekick. Skandar becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about his sister and possibly helping her bond with the wild unicorn that was supposed to be her lifelong partner.

The underlying conflict connecting all of the events is news that wild unicorns are turning up dead which results in devastating elemental disasters on the Island. Wild unicorns are supposed to be immortal so how are they being killed? Who would want to kill wild unicorns and what could be their motivation for doing it? As noted, spirit wielders are already feared and despised so immediate suspicion is directed at the Weaver. Not surprisingly, suspicion then turns toward Skandar so the plot becomes a mystery adventure. An additional complication develops as some riders are overcome with bloodlust and you can probably guess who’s blamed for that too.

What didn’t work as well:

You need to read “Skandar and the Unicorn Thief” before reading this book. Some information about previous events is shared but you’ll want to have a more thorough understanding of the Weaver and how the Eyrie works.

The Final Verdict:

This book may not appeal to lovers of unicorns as the creatures this time are prone to violence and enjoy eating raw meat. The author artfully crafts Skandar’s intriguing story as he battles unfairness and accusations of evil to save the Island from destruction. I highly recommend you read this book, after reading book one of course.