Island of Fire

September 1, 2014
Gr 3-7-Pre-vious series installment "Island of Silence" ended with the loss of Artime, its mage, and all the hopes of the Unwanteds, magically artistic children who were sent from their homes for being too creative. The first few chapters are a little bumpy: first Alex tries to figure out the puzzle Mr. Today left, then he gives up, then becomes a leader, and then everybody leaves the group. It doesn't appear as if the author knows whether she wants Alex to be Supermage or a colossal failure. However, the book finds its groove by the time Alex miraculously restores the land of Artime. This will be a little frustrating for new listeners, but fans of the first two books will likely stick it out, if only to find out what happens. Steve West is the third narrator in as many books. While different narrators might not be a problem for a series distinguished by different points of view or broken by significant spans of time, the discontinuity in this series is jarring, though West does an adequate job. That aside, "Island of Fire" provides an absolute firecracker of a cliff-hanger, so listeners will definitely be chomping at the bit for book four. Librarians should have the whole series on hand to give to the next student who asks for a Harry Potter or "Hunger Games" readalike.-"Michaela Schied, Indian River Middle School, Philadelphia, NY"

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2014

Gr 4-7-This third book in the series begins in the ruins of what was once the world of Artime, where the residents are now suffering greatly. When their beloved leader, Mr. Today, was killed at the end of the previous book, all of his magic that created Artime died with him. There is very little food or fresh water and things are growing desperate. Two Artimeans are held captive in neighboring Quill while two more are prisoners on Warbler, the next island in the chain. Mr. Today left young Alex Stowe in charge and gave him a clue to a spell that could restore Artime to its former magical state. Alex needs the help of his best friend, Meghan, and Sky, a refugee from Warbler, to decipher the riddle, but both of them have been silenced with a horrible spell that has embedded metal thorns into their throats. Meanwhilie on Warbler, Lani and Samheed literally cling to each other while they are confined in total darkness, developing their own language of spelling by hand and growing closer to each other. Alex and his friends must re-create Artime and rescue those held captive. The book closes with a period of recuperation and a celebration which is marred by troubling new developments, leaving plenty of clues for a fourth book. The pacing is slow for most of the narrative, interspersed with angst that seems unnecessary. Still, there is a lot here to delight middle-grade readers and fans of the series will certainly be glad to get their hands on this installment.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Lib. Wisconsin Rapids

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.