Book Review: New Lands

Media Type: Print Book (ARC)
Title: New Lands
   * Series: The Chronicles of Egg #2
Author: Geoff Rodkey
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: Hardcover; 336
Release Date: May 2, 2013
Source: Publisher
———————————————–
Content Screening: Mild Violence

HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart

Recommended to: Fans of the series, as well as readers who love a good adventure story!

Add it on: Goodreads / Shelfari / Amazon / B&N

After a narrow escape from Deadweather Island, Egg and his slightly deranged partner Guts head for the remote New Lands. They’re in search of the lost Okalu tribe, who hold the key to the mysterious treasure map that Egg can’t decipher.

But the ruthless Roger Pembroke is hard on Egg’s trail, and the New Lands are full of new enemies — against which our heroes only weapons are their brains, their courage…and the two dozen swear words Guts just memorized in the local tongue.

They’re going to need help.

But who can they trust?

Is Kira, the beautiful and heavily armed Okalu refugee, their ally…or their enemy? Is Pembroke’s daughter Millicent on Egg’s side…or her father’s? Why on earth is the notorious pirate Burn Healy being so nice to them? And the biggest question of all: what shocking secret is Egg about to discover in the shadow of an ancient Okalu temple?

Since I was so very charmed by Geoff Rodkey’s first installment in the Chronicles of Egg series, I couldn’t wait to read New Lands! I was looking forward to more adventures, and greatly hoping that some of my questions from the last book would be answered. I was nervous as I turned the first page.

Luckily, I had nothing to worry about. New Lands turned out to be just as quirky and enjoyable as its predecessor. Rodkey reintroduces our faithful travelling companions and then, best of all, gives us some new ones to fall in love with. What I loved about this book was how much more in-depth the reader is allowed to see into the characters. Egg, Millicent, and even Guts, each begin to grow up right before our eyes.

Egg especially comes into his own during the course of this book. His new, mature attitude makes a definite impact on his travels this time. He finally begins to understand that he doesn’t need to lean on his family for support, but that his strength comes from within. Rodkey allows Egg the perfect balance between childishness and adulthood, making for a beautiful adventure.

Rich with new lands (no pun intended) and problems to face, this is a very fast moving book. Whether it’s chasing ancient weapons, battling curses, or figuring out who might be a traitor, Egg and his companions never have a moment’s rest. Although this series is a bit darker than I expected, it is absolutely well written. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.