Ocean Chase (Dungeon Runners 3) by Kieran Larwood

What worked:

This book continues the adventure of Kit, Sandy, and Thorn, as their team, called Triple Trouble, competes in the Dungeon Runners tournament. The short chapters will appeal to reluctant and emerging readers, helping the plot move quickly. Black-and-white illustrations help create mental images of the characters and setting as the story progresses through an underwater cavern. Various creatures and other dangers await the competitors, with a giant Narghoul, a huge, undead, sword-wielding monster, waiting at the end. To add drama, Kit’s nemesis and school bully is on another team, and Kit’s convinced Rook Blackheart and the Roost Raiders have been cheating in the past two competitions.

Kit is the main character, but he’s an unlikely warrior and hero. He now possesses a formidable weapon called Featherblade, but it tends to have a mind of its own. It’s just as apt to send Kit flying away as it is to help him during combat. Kit has a fear of water; he can’t swim, which is an issue when competing at the bottom of the ocean. He’s forced to wear inflatable buoys on his arms, and that doesn’t make him look any more heroic. Not to mention, one of Thorn’s healing potions turns Kit’s skin orange. However, Kit’s strategic mind comes in handy, and he displays bravery to protect others. He has a strong sense of sportsmanship, which is a rare attribute among the Dungeon Runners. Young readers will find his character charming and a very likable underdog.

What didn’t work as well:

Because of the story’s fast pace, it doesn’t go into any detail, and challenges are rapidly solved. More capable readers will find the book is finished when it feels like it should be just ramping up. The character development is happening throughout the series, so readers will need to begin with the first book to understand the characters.

The final verdict:

Readers don’t need to start from the first book in the series, but choosing to read all three episodes won’t take long. Kit and his friends are entertaining characters, and I recommend you try the series for yourself.