Five Elements

April 15, 2017
Gabe, Lily, Brett, and Kaz are four friends bonded by the elemental powers--fire, air, water, and earth, respectively--gained from a secret friendship ritual performed in series opener The Emerald Tablet (2016). After having survived an attack on the island of Alcatraz, the four friends have successfully stayed hidden and kept the Emerald Tablet from the evil cult that's after it, the Eternal Dawn. Their annoying tag-along, Jackson, aka Ghost Boy, a time traveler trapped in the present, becomes a new ally, offering his power of a fifth element, magick. The diverse group of kids (Lily and Brett are Latino, Kaz is Asian-American, and Gabe and Jackson are white) attempt to find the secrets that will destroy Arcadia, or the Shadow World, a dark alternative reality that exists alongside San Francisco. As they use their powers to fight off large, winged batlike creatures and the oozing, flying, tentacled creatures of Arcadia, they also search for clues that will lead them to Gabe's missing uncle Steve and mother, whom they believe to be trapped in Arcadia. When one of their own shows signs of treachery, what lies behind the betrayal is revealed by the evil leader of the cult, Jonathan Thorne. This sequel is a bit darker than its predecessor, as Jolley adds such icky details as blood cocoons, along with an ending that is reminiscent of Stranger Things, an unsettling cliffhanger readers might want not to encounter just before bedtime. A scary adventure mixed with shadows and suspense. (Fantasy. 9-13)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-The second installment of this series continues the momentum of The Emerald Tablet as the four child elementalists and the Ghost Boy work together to channel their powers and save Gabe's uncle and mother from the evil shadow dimension, Arcadia. Their efforts are dogged by the terrifying creatures hunting them on behalf of the Eternal Dawn, the apocalyptic cult bent on merging the shadow city with the real San Francisco to a destructive end. When one of the elementalists is possessed by cult leader Jonathan Thorne, his behavior turns treacherous and Thorne's bloodthirsty plans are revealed. Jolley provides thrilling entertainment as his child heroes deal with problems young readers may recognize, such as the emotional aftermath of a death in the family. The importance of books, teamwork, and perseverance is stressed, but amid the seriousness of the children's quest is a continuous stream of lighthearted, appropriate humor that is sure to bring a smile to any reader's face. VERDICT This fast-paced fantasy adventure should please readers of Cassandra Clare and Holly Black's "Magisterium" series as well as fans of the lesser-known but equally engaging "Century Quartet" series by Pierdomenico Baccalario.-Kerry Sutherland, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH

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