Monday, April 24, 2017

SEABORNE: STRANGERS IN ATLANTIS by Matt Myklusch / Book Review


By: Matt Myklusch
Published by: Carolrhoda Books 
Released on: April 1st, 2017
Series: Seaborne #2
Purchase fromAmazon 
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Rating: 3.5 Owlets
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review

After breaking ties with the deadly Pirate King, Dean Seaborne thought he had left his life of spying and pirating behind. But when the merciless thief Captain Skinner threatens Dean's allies, Dean agrees to one last job. Along with his trusted friends Ronan and Waverly, he agrees to help rob a sea-based resort for the richest of nobles. They'll pose as a band of traveling performers and then lead Skinner to the loot. But the moment Dean reaches the resort, the plan changes. The getaway is actually a gatewayto the undersea kingdom of Atlantis. And a civil war is brewing in the depths, with Dean soon to be caught in the middle of it.

A fast paced, fun read. Strangers In Atlantis wastes no time thrusting readers right back into Dean Seaborne's action filled world. Only this time, there are some surprising, unpredictable plot twists, a whole new setting, and a new set of problems for Dean. 

This story's plot definitely does not suffer from the second book syndrome. The plot is what really drives this story. It's fun, fast paced and at times entertaining, though not quite as entertaining as The Lost Prince's plot. What I did enjoy about this book was the element of surprise with it's unpredictable plot twists. This is what will keep readers hooked.

Dean and his friends have whole new set of obstacles in this book. They're put through a lot, and with that, I had excepted to see them grow and progress because of that. I loved the characters they became by the end of first book, and watching that progression. I had excepted a similar progression by the end of this book as well, but on a different level. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like they really changed all that much. Given what they experiences I had wanted to see a bit more growth in Dean and his friends as the book ends.

I liked that we get to see a whole new part of the the Seaborne world. Atlantis is definitely not as I was excepting it, and I kinda of liked it. I loved the world building in The Lost Prince, with the island of Zenhala. I should have excepted it to be hard to live up to those acceptations. While this book's world building was good, it didn't quite hold up to par with the first book in the series. 

Overall, what I loved about the first book in the series, THE LOST PRINCE, I felt was missing from this book. However, knowing that this is part of a series, I'm looking forward to reading the next book. Often times I feel like the second books in series don't quite live up to the expectations I have for them after reading the first book. I think this may be the case with this.

Yes, I definitely recommend this series. It's a great series with a young hero who's flawed, doesn't give up in his quests, and has some great friends to aid him in his journey. Not to mention there's always going to be a few laughs, and some surprises when it comes to Dean's story.

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~