The Princes of the Abyss (The Lords of Dimensions 2) by George Jankovic

What worked:

The book opens where the previous book ended. Alex is dying, and Lin makes a drastic decision. She gives him some of her life energy to survive, even though it will shorten her own. Lin becomes weak and less focused, and the effects continue as the story progresses. She hears screaming demons in her head, and she still has mixed feelings about her visions of the future. The mental noises addle her thinking, and the others are concerned for her safety in battle. Alex, Whiz, and Cleo aren’t fully aware of her condition, so readers will anticipate the moment they learn of the pain and anguish tormenting her.

Moloch, The Man With No Face, manipulated Alex’s team in book one, and they wonder if he might be doing it again. Moloch plans to wipe out the city of Alamon, where Alex grew up, before wielding his undead forces against the human world. The inhabitants of Alamon aren’t fighters and don’t have any defenses or weapons, so Alex and his friends must be their “army”. Once again, an author pits several kids with elemental powers against an overwhelming, malevolent force. There’s no way for them to recruit more allies, and their search for an imposing weapon is futile. They must discover untapped abilities hidden deep within themselves.

The four kids have unique personalities, and their interactions evoke a range of emotions. Whiz frequently lets readers know he frightens easily, as the author shares Whiz’s mental voice saying “bock, bock, bock” like a chicken. He’s the most intelligent character, but Cleo enjoys teasing him at every opportunity. Cleo lost her whole crew in the previous book, but she’s retained her bravado and willingness to fight. Perhaps her feelings for Whiz will be realized. Lin is Cleo’s twin sister, although they grew up apart. Lin is more reserved and emotional, and she has a budding affection for Alex. Alex is the most well-rounded character, and he awkwardly shares his interest in Lin. He’s willing to listen to others’ ideas before making plans, and he bravely fights when the need arises. However, he’s prone to putting himself at risk if one of his teammates is in danger.

What didn’t work as well:

The chapters shift the story’s focus to either Alex, Lin, Cleo, or Whiz, so readers must keep this in mind. Even though readers might be most interested in Alex’s character, all four of them go through more significant transformations than in the previous book. Also, this plot’s resolution will require middle-graders to read the next book.

The final verdict:

You should read The Night Slayer before reading this book. The confrontation with Moloch will be familiar, but shifts in characters’ relationships are a highlight. They’re joined by an amazing, talking ship, and it becomes an additional character. I recommend you check this book out for yourself.