Explorer Academy #6: The Dragon's Blood By Trudi Trueitt

What worked:

Cruz is focused on figuring out a cryptic message left by his deceased mother that will lead him to the seventh piece of a stone cipher. The completed cipher will reveal the recipe for a serum that will change the future of medicine and health all over the world. Cruz’s mother had an accident while she was pregnant, and the serum has given him amazing healing powers; he may be immortal. Nebula is determined to stop Cruz from finding the cipher, and it’s willing to go to any lengths to stop him. Cruz tries to make wise and just decisions, but maneuvering through confusion and suspicions is difficult. Plus, he has feelings for Bryndis, and everyone else on the ship knows they’re a couple. His various friendships in the Explorer Academy are complicated by the fact that he doesn’t know who to trust.

The plot includes a number of mysteries and uncertainties to keep readers wondering. Obviously, the clues to finding pieces of the cipher are cryptic, so the explorers are never totally certain they’re on the right track to finding them. The most interesting problem concerns Nebula’s spies within the academy and aboard the Orion, the ship acting as a mobile school for the students. Cruz and his friends know two spies are on board, code-named Zebra and Jaguar, but that only makes them suspicious of everyone not in their group. Cruz even suspects his own aunt might be Zebra. Every few chapters, the setting focuses on Nebula, so readers gain some insight into their plans. These pages also reveal distrust and sabotage among the antagonists, as the players position for power.

Each book in the series focuses on an ecological mission, and this one deals with finding a marsupial scientists assume is extinct. However, a video surfaced one year ago that seems to show a thylacine wandering through the forests in Tasmania. This book includes information about other rare animals, along with colorful photographs, as well as geographical and historical facts regarding Borneo, China, and Tasmania. Specifically in China, the book displays knowledge of the thousands of statues in the Terra-Cotta Army, the Xi’an City Wall, and the lantern festival. The facts shared throughout the plot don’t interrupt the flow of the story, and some of it’s important to how events progress.

What didn’t work as well:

This book is the sixth in the series, and a lot has happened. References are made to past events, but many holes are left for readers to figure out. Nebula is the evil organization trying to locate pieces of a cipher, while Cruz and his friends follow the clues left by his mother to find them first. Details surrounding Nebula and the Explorer Academy are missing, but reading the previous books will solve those problems. Readers probably won’t miss the information, but it’s helpful in understanding the overall situation.

The Final Verdict:

The search for the cipher nears its end. It’s recommended readers begin with the first book in the series, The Nebula Secret, to appreciate the full story. The science-based adventure is full of mystery and intrigue, as Cruz tries to fulfill his mother’s quest. The Dragon’s Blood should appeal to all middle-grade readers, especially lovers of nature, ecology, and science fiction.

Oliver Blue and the School for Seers #3: The Obsidians by Morgan Rice

My name is Oliver, and I must travel through a dangerous portal in time to have any chance of saving Esther's life. The key to finishing the recipe of the Elixir can be found somewhere in Rome around the time of the Renaissance. However, Esther is quickly nearing death, and my brother Chris has shown up with other Obsidians to kill me.

What worked:
Oliver has been having issues with his brother Chris since the series began. Chris loved to bully Oliver at every opportunity, but his anger and fury have increased with every page. The second book saw Chris recruited by the Obsidians, a school using dark magic to upset history, and he was sent on a mission to kill Oliver. His failure has put Chris into an uncontrollable rage, and this book sees him traveling back in time to end Oliver’s life. Plus, Chris now has received training with his dark powers, so he rivals Oliver’s abilities and is even more formidable than before.
Each book in the series finds Oliver traveling back in time to maintain the integrity of historical events. This time, he goes back to meet Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo in order to finish the recipe for a magical Elixir, although his motivation is saving Esther from dying due to time-travel sickness. It just so happens that creating the Elixir and saving her life will also save history and the future existence of everyone on earth.
Oliver is always helped by other seers and minor characters from the past. Every moment in time has a school for seers, and they’re always stepping up to help Oliver uncover clues for his mission. The story reveals another famous person in history who was secretly a seer. Additionally, the author introduces the possibility that a seer might have been corrupted and is working with the Obsidians. Obviously, this adds another layer of conflict and doubt to Oliver’s quest, as he questions the motivations of some allies. By the way, the truth about Oliver’s parents is finally revealed.
What didn’t work as well:
This book is the third in the series, and you should read the previous two books first. They explain the seer powers and how things have evolved to this point. Many sequels in other series recap previous events from earlier books, but The Obsidians assumes readers already have important knowledge from the past.
The Final Verdict:
The search for an Elixir to save mankind. Readers should read the series from the beginning, as this book continues the tale. Lovers of history, science, and magic should enjoy this book.

Ocean Planet: Animals of the Sea and Shore by Ben Rothery

What worked:

The book presents fascinating creatures that live in or around oceans from across the planet. They range from microscopic organisms to gigantic whales and sharks, and the chapters organize them by species, habitat, and the unusual. Oceans are separated by climate, as animals living around tropical, temperate, and frozen lands vary greatly. There’s a huge difference between living things found at the bottom of the ocean, those near the surface, and those found along shorelines.

The illustrations are colorful and spectacular! A world map and an ocean diagram help readers understand climate zones and ocean habitats, the locations millions of creatures call home. The book is a full fifteen inches tall, so the vibrant pictures of swimming, flying, and crawling creatures are eye-catching and detailed. The realistic illustrations enable readers to note specific characteristics of the flamboyant cuttlefish, the yellow seahorse, and the dragon moray eel.

The book is not meant to have all the information possible about all of the animals living near the oceans. It will make a wonderful introduction for readers interested in learning about things living in these parts of the planet. Each chapter presents some general information and then shares paragraphs and pictures with interesting facts regarding specific familiar and obscure species of animals. There are pilot fish living near blue sharks in the open oceans, deep-sea angler fish located near the bottoms, and sea otters found in kelp forests along the earth’s coastlines.

What didn’t work as well:

There are some science words used in the text that are not defined. Young readers might need to have definitions included in the sentences or available in a glossary. For example, the terms estuaries and cold-blooded are used when describing saltwater crocodiles. Many adults might not know the definition for estuaries, while most young readers might have an idea of the meaning for cold-blooded. However, cold-blooded is a very important term when describing sea creatures, so providing a clear meaning is equally important. In general, the author effectively provides meanings and context clues for most terms, so this issue isn’t a major drawback.

The Final Verdict:

A big, beautiful book to mesmerize young readers. The skillfully crafted, colorful illustrations provide interest and entertainment, while the text full of fascinating information isn’t overwhelming. This book is highly recommended for lovers of sea life and nature, both young and old.

The Dreamweavers by G.Z. Schmidt

What worked:

The main conflict involves a curse from seventy years ago. A gifted writer named Lotus spurns the advances from a Noble General, and the general doesn’t take the rejection kindly. He frames Lotus’s husband for treason and has him executed by morning. With the help of magic from the Jade Rabbit, Lotus’s emotions get out of control and bring a curse upon the City of Blossoms. Its new name is the City of Ashes and no one from the city has been seen since that day. However, somehow the curse has started to spread to the surrounding area which includes the village where the main characters named Mei and Yun live.

The book allows readers to learn about the Chinese culture, as folklore is the backdrop of the plot. Many stories have been written about the Jade Rabbit, and his relationship with the characters expresses some Chinese beliefs. The story depicts the cultural distance between royalty and peasants, as villagers feel powerless against the emperor, his family, and the military. The book also shows the secret issues and injustices in the palace history, as the characters try to make things right. They learn to be judged by their own actions and not by the actions of their ancestors.

The twins embark on a quest to break the curse haunting their village, but their true motivations are to clear their grandfather from being wrongfully arrested and to locate their parents. Their mother and father haven’t been seen since visiting the City of Ashes years before. The author skillfully weaves the different conflicts together to create an engaging adventure mystery. The twins are aware of the truth, but proving it to people in power is a monumental challenge.

The contrast between the personalities of Mei and Yun causes clashes until they’re able to appreciate their differences. Mei typically takes action without planning, while Yun uses his knowledge and logic to analyze situations. Mei’s emotions might get them into trouble, but too much thinking by Yun might lead to nothing getting done. They’re separated once they arrive in the emperor’s palace, but their unique differences allow them to forge new friendships and allies.

What didn’t work as well:

The concept of dreamweaving is abstract and takes a while to understand. Even the twins have trouble comprehending the ability, and they’re the ones able to do it. Inferences can be made, but fully grasping the concept takes most of the book. The entertaining aspect is watching the twins learn by experience and putting the pieces together along with them.

The final verdict:

Dreams have power to change the future. Once the backstory of the curse is established, the personalities of Mei and Yun are highlighted. Their struggles to right past wrongs will entertain lovers of folklore and the Chinese culture. 

Crazy Horse and Custer-Born Enemies by S.D. Nelson

What worked:

The book tells the histories of the two title characters in alternating chapters. This format allows readers to compare and contrast their lives, and there are more similarities than most people might think. Custer’s father teaches him to see non-whites as savages and lesser-humans than himself, and this attitude lasted throughout Custer’s life. Crazy Horse despised whites for trespassing into Lakota lands, killing buffalo, and forcing his tribe to move. Both leaders were energized by battle, so they thrived in times of war. Custer preferred fighting in close combat with his sword, while Crazy Horse led the Lakota on horseback to engage the enemy with his bow and arrows. Their personalities made them natural leaders, however, they each had lapses in judgment that undermined their efforts.

Other historical events are shared to let readers know what is happening across the United States during these years. The Civil War is happening, and the battles give Custer many opportunities to make a name for himself. The government encourages settlers to move west, invading Indian lands, so Crazy Horse is motivated to discourage those efforts. He continues attacks on wagons and settlements even as other Indian leaders sign peace agreements. However, the government continually changes these pacts and stokes the frustrations and anger of the Indians.

The book is full of photographs, illustrations, and quotations to add clarity and credibility to the information. Fellow Indians, soldiers, and other personalities provide their own words to describe Custer and Crazy Horse in detail. Using exact words from the actual people is more impactful than an author paraphrasing those same words. Photographs show Custer at various stages of his life, and they show other soldiers and Indians that impact the story. Crazy Horse never allows himself to be photographed, and the many illustrations represent other people and events that were never recorded on film. Maps, battles, villages, and settlements are depicted in these pictures to help readers fully grasp the stories.

What didn’t work as well:

The book is nonfiction, so it’s meant to inform readers without necessarily developing an entertaining story. The story of Little Big Horn has its own built-in drama to create interest. The aspect of the book that doesn’t work as well is how the author uses different names for the two main characters. George Armstrong Custer is called Autie as a boy, but he is usually referred to as Custer in the book. However, it is momentarily confusing when one of the other names randomly pops up instead of common pronouns. He's referred to as Armstrong on one page. Similarly, Crazy Horse has multiple names, but it’s unnecessary to switch back and forth between all of them and create temporary distractions.

The final verdict:

The countdown to a brutally tragic confrontation. The story moves quickly through the lives of Custer and Crazy Horse and doesn’t get bogged down with unnecessary details. Readers gain an appreciation for the mindset of the times, as well as the motivations of both men. This book is sure to interest lovers of American history and those wanting to know the truth behind Custer’s last battle at The Little Big Horn.

Thunderpaws and the Tower of London by Ben Housden

My name is Teufel, and I wasn't prepared for my move to the Tower of London, the most haunted place in the world. I'm slowly realizing the birds and mice are different around here, and I've met some strange ghosts. They don't seem to understand how special I am, but I'll be sure to remind them constantly. It's not like I'm some silly human! The ghosts say trouble is coming, and I'm the only cat that can save England. I'm sure to become famous if I can only figure out who to trust and what I'm supposed to do.

What worked:

The highlight of the book is Teufel’s personality. He’s a church cat and just wants to hunt and kill mice and birds. He’s snooty and independent like most cats, but it’s fun reading his thoughts. He’s slow to adapt to life in the Tower of London, seeing as he’s surrounded by ghosts from England’s history and he’s attacked by ravens all over the grounds. Throughout it all, he maintains his cocky disposition full of snarky comments. Phrases unique to the English culture make some conversations tricky to understand, but they’re always colorful and enjoyable.

The book shares information regarding England’s long history. The Tower of London is an infamous penitentiary and the imprisoned home and execution site for many of England’s past rulers and personalities. King Richard, Queen Anne, Sir Walter Raleigh, and other English ghosts are characters in the story, and British folklore has an important impact on the events. The Tower is protected by ravens, and magical lions will be summoned when Big Ben’s bells toll thirteen times.

Once the overall conflict is sorted out, the second half of the book is quite entertaining. Evil ghouls are on the verge of escaping, and Teufel is coerced into helping this happen. He thinks he’s outsmarted his foes, but things don’t go as planned. He’s forced into unexpected alliances and teams up with a “traitor”. The conflict has a countdown, so the suspense grows as that moment draws near.

What didn’t work as well:

Unraveling the main conflict of the plot takes more effort than many books. Teufel is frequently told by ghosts and ghostly creatures that there’s a prophecy implying he’s the cat that will save the world. On the other hand, another group of ghosts tells him most of the things he’s heard are lies, and he should help them with their plot. Readers are left in the middle trying to figure out what’s really going on, but that’s what makes the story engaging.

The final verdict:

An eerie clash of ghosts in one of England’s oldest landmarks. The early parts of the book are a bit confusing, as the direction of the plot is unclear. There’s certainly a problem, but defining it and knowing which characters to believe is tricky. Overall, the build-up to the climax is exciting, and the resolution elevates Teufel to new levels. 

Furious Legacy #2: Dungeon of Hades by Meadoe Hora

My name is Erin, and my brother Cass and I must venture down to Tartarus to free our mother and our aunt from their imprisonment. Our grandfather Apollo has offered to help, but he can't be trusted. I wish Cass and our father could see that, but they both seem enchanted by him. I'm sure some of my own decisions and alliances are flawed, but my anger, fueled from growing up without parents, steels my determination. No one can believe we want to go to Tartarus, but it's something we need to do.

What worked:

The book is heavily based on Greek mythology and the shaky relationships between the gods and goddesses. The underlying conflict driving the whole book is Apollo’s obsession to defeat Zeus in order to rule everyone and everything. The complication with the main characters, Erin and Cass, arises from the fact that Apollo is their grandfather. Apollo is good at manipulating others, so it’s safe to say he can’t be trusted whenever he speaks. This lack of trust spills over to other characters since readers are never sure if they’re secretly working for Apollo. In addition, there are other hidden disputes that result in surprise consequences.

The major plotline follows Erin and Cass as they venture down to Hades to free their mother. She’s been captive for years, but now two of the twins’ aunts are prisoners too. The quest leads to Tartarus, and the twins are frequently reminded that no one ever wants to go there. It’s a land of misery and doom where spirits are trapped for eternity. The twins haven’t seen their mother in years, Cass has never even met her, so the suspense surrounding their reunion creates anticipation for that moment in the story. The abilities of the twins are uncertain since there’s never been offspring with the blood of a Fury and a god. Of course, readers will eventually discover what makes the twins special.

The book has plenty of battles between the characters and mythical monsters. Hades is full of creatures and spirits that are looking for ways to release their anger and anguish. Then, there are other monsters tasked with keeping the spirits imprisoned, but they're equally likely to attack two kids trespassing where they don't belong. There are also Furies involved, and their whole purpose for existing is to punish others for their sins. 

What didn't work as well:

This book is the second in the series, and it's important for readers to understand what's happened so far. This book doesn't share many details about past events, so it's imperative that book one is read first. The events stories of the Furies, the twins’ parents, and Apollo are pretty important to know. Clues can be picked up along the way, but there will still be gaps in the backstory that readers may miss. The easiest solution? Read Curse of the Furies first!

The Final Verdict:

The early part of the book is a little slow, but the action and suspense amp up once the kids head down to Hades. The setting and characters create a mysterious atmosphere that will captivate readers. A surprise twist is presented near the book’s conclusion that will have a huge impact on the next book in the series.