What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there's a fair amount of violence
here, though it's not as graphic or as terrifying as the
previous book in the series. A teen character and others drink,
and cigars are smoked. The siblings are reflexively disobedient
and defiant, often putting themselves and others in extreme
danger.
Families can discuss the book's wealth of historical, geographic, scientific, and period detail. Which is real, or at least realistic? Which is pure fantasy? How can you tell? If you've read the first book in the series, too, which do you like better? Why?
Common Sense Media Review
There are many action/adventure series available for middle
schoolers just now, from
The Alex Rider Adventures
by Anthony Horowitz to
The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. But for
depth, complexity, loving attention to detail, literary
quality, respect for the audience's intelligence, and sheer
excitement, none can hold a candle to this one.
Imagine Indiana Jones written by Jules Verne, with equally competent boy and girl siblings as the heroes, and you begin to get the picture. As in the first book, this one is filled with fascinating photos, diagrams, maps, and lots more to support the rich plot. They present a mix of science and science fiction in great detail, and readers will enjoy taking a break from the action to pore over them.
For young lovers of action who are looking for something with a little more intellectual heft, this is a treat that shouldn't be missed.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
