Series: 5 Worlds #3
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 7, 2019
Genres: Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Oona Lee is determined to light Moon Yatta's beacon and continue her quest to save the galaxy. But reaching the red beacon means navigating an impossible maze of pipes and facing devious enemies at every turn. Luckily, her friend Jax Amboy has returned from his adventures transformed! Now he must confront the owner of his former starball team, a ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to get his best player back on the field . . . and who can grant them access to the beacon. Meanwhile, Oona and An Tzu find a mysterious rebel leader and release a surprising power within Oona's magic. Will they make it in time to stop the evil force seeking to rule the 5 Worlds?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The 5 Worlds series keeps getting better and better! Now that Oona is gaining more recognition as the Light of Beacons and her friends alongside of her, her task becomes even more dangerous, for the Mimic is still at large and working against them.
Then let go of the impossible. Set down that burden and trust.
This third installment of the 5 Worlds series provides great complexity and depth of character and world building. It portrays human greed and corruption, media manipulation, questions about artificial life, and the doubts and fears that hold us back. The red maze itself is both literal, as an external force that prevents our heroes from lighting the beacon, and figurative, as the internal force that creates doubt within.
We each have a red maze inside of us. It keeps us from seeing what we need to see.
The characters continue to grow and mature from their experiences. Finding herself up against a wall she cannot break down on her own, Oona seeks a mentor to teach her more about her magic, and she gains more self confidence in the process. Jax confronts his past and learns to relate with humans on a deeper level. An Tzu learns there is more to his dreams and becomes a guiding force to the team. In order to move forward, each character will have to confront the “red maze” inside of them—Oona most of all, as the five worlds’ hope for lighting the Red Beacon.
The thing about a maze is, you can’t figure it out when you’re inside of it. You can only see the pattern from above.
This is by far my favorite book of the series (thus far). It raises the stakes and tensions even as Oona and co. learn how deeply the Mimic has corrupted the five worlds. I’m so hyped for The Amber Anthem, book four in the 5 Worlds series!
Bonus Features
The back of the book includes sketches depicting character development and world building. In addition, it features fan art from the community and provides directions to submit your fan art to the creators!
Content
- Individuals influenced by profit and greed
- Some violence
- Discriminatory laws against shapeshifters
Hilo: Then Everything Went Wrong by Judd Winick
Series: HiLo #5
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on January 29, 2019
Genres: Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 208
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
MORE ACTION! MORE FUN! MORE LAUGHS! MORE ROBOTS! What REALLY happened in Hilo's world before he came to Earth? D.J. and our favorite space boy, Hilo, take a DANGEROUS trip to Hilo's home planet to find out! But everything Hilo thinks he knows about his past is about to be turned inside out and UPSIDE DOWN! Hilo was supposed to save everyone...but what happens if it's Hilo that needs saving?! Is ANYONE who we think they are? Can Hilo and his friends figure out how all the pieces fit...before it's too late?!
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
HiLo: Then Everything Went Wrong is a quirky read that is at times humorous, at times serious, but always remembers to have fun with itself. As the title suggests, everything that can go wrong does go wrong, including the kids’ efforts to come up with solutions to their problems.
While adults are present in the story, they don’t play an active role in saving (read: attempting to save) the day. Some know what’s going on but remain in the background; all they provide is vital information to unlock the truth, or they rely on HiLo to solve all their problems. Others are completely in the dark, such as DJ’s parents. Still others, like government workers, create the problem.
Through HiLo’s story, this book raises the question on the ethics associated with artificial intelligence and android rights. Visuals-wise, it features full-color illustrations, open layouts, and minimal text. This is perfect for young readers and reluctant readers. I enjoyed this creative, light-hearted read and recommend it for fans of space adventures like the Akiko series, superheroes, humor, and aliens and robots with a touch of magic.
Note: I jumped into this one without having read #1-4. While I was able to figure out key plot elements as I went, I recommend reading this series in sequential order. I am definitely interested in reading the first four books and then book 6 when it comes out!
Twilight of the Elves by Zack Loran Clark, Nick Eliopulos
Series: The Adventurers Guild #2
Published by Disney-Hyperion on November 13, 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Zed, Brock, and their friends may have saved Freestone from destruction, but the fight against the Dangers is far from over. No one knows what to expect next from the dark power that forced the elves to abandon their city. And the influx of elf refugees in Freestone strains resources and brews resentment among the townspeople. Things have shifted between best friends Zed and Brock, as well, with their friendship crumbling under the weight of the secrets they're keeping from each other.When tensions reach an all-time high, Queen Me'Shala, leader of the elves, approaches the Adventurers Guild with a mission. She wants a small group of adventurers to go behind the king's back on a covert mission to save her city, and Zed, Brock, Liza, Jett, Micah, and their elven friend Fel join the quest. To face a powerful form of magic thought to be extinct, the adventurers will have to learn how to rely on each other and fight harder than ever before.
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
With a series title like The Adventurers Guild, I jumped into this world expecting a fantasy adventure, and the author duo delivers. The world building is one of my favorite parts of this series, and this time the focus is on the elves. I enjoyed learning more about elvish culture and discovering new Dangers outside the walls.
The squad provides enjoyable friendship dynamics appropriate for their age group. I know that they rely upon each other and will fight for each other, but like any kids, they also get on each others’ nerves and enjoy making fun of each other. Especially Micah. He’s hilarious and one of my favorite characters.
The story alternates between Zed and Brock’s POVs. The two besties are still at odds with one another and unable to communicate because of their secrets. Despite their mutual desire to come clean with one another, they don’t know how to begin. These secrets not only threaten their friendship but create additional conflicts that threaten the larger group.
While the plot is formulaic, it does deliver the fantasy adventure that I expected jumping in. Things to know are that the adults are active participants. Much is left to the kids, but there are solid reasons why, and the adults still provide mentorship and have their opportunities to save the kids in turn. The ending wraps up quickly once the villainous mastermind is revealed, but we are given some plot developments that give me hope and have me worried for the squad’s future.
Content
- Horrifying Dangers (age-level appropriate)
- Violence / killing / death (not graphic)
You May Also Enjoy
- The Adventurers Guild (The Adventurers Guild #1) by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos
- 5 Worlds series by Mark Siegel et al.
- Momotaro series by Margaret Dilloway
- The Wishing World by Todd Fahnestock
Chat With Me
📚 Have you read books from any of these series?
📚 What are some middle-grade reads that you have enjoyed?
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
5 Worlds sounds like a series I need to add to my TBR! I love when each character in a squad setting are dealing with different arcs and learning different things from the same situation. It’s just the type of storytelling that I enjoy!! Hilo is a series I want to read just to see how it holds up to my own standards for a graphic novel. I’m not sure I would enjoy it as a reader, reader though. ❤️ Thanks for these Crystal!! I love reading your middle grade reviews.
Crystal says
5 Worlds is a fantastic series. I hope you enjoy it! HiLo is pretty different from most graphic novels. I’d be curious to see your thoughts on it.
Thanks, Dani. I’m glad to hear that! ❤️
Melliane says
Oh great! many different good things there!
Crystal says
These are great reads 🙂