The Transparency Tonic

October 1, 2018
In this follow-up to The Eternity Elixir (2018), eighth-grader and Elixirist-in-training Gordy Stitser faces another threat as enemies conspire against B.R.E.W (the Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide) and attempt to throw the world into chaos.In the months since Gordy and his friends and lab partners Max and Adilene defeated the evil Esmerelda and defended the powerful Vessel, the kids have grown closer, but they also have begun to change. Gordy, a powerful Dram, cannot understand his mother's increasing control over his training. Max dreams of becoming a champion wrestler but remains the group's fearless troublemaker. Adilene feels increasingly distanced from her friends and dreams of being a potion master herself. Gordy's natural skill with potions, coupled with his family full of powerful Elixirists who often operate outside of the law, makes him a target for the new B.R.E.W. administration looking to reduce risk. But Gordy and his friends may need to break a few rules to keep chaos at bay. Whether it is Max's mischief, Adilene's focus, or Gordy's genuine desire to do the right thing, the trio is the perfect mix of adolescent and hero. Gordy and Max seem to be white, and Adilene is a Salvadoran immigrant; secondary characters come together from around the globe to form a racially and culturally diverse cast.A clever second volume in a magical series sure to entertain fans of J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, and Brandon Mull. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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February 1, 2019

Gr 5-8-Nine months have gone by since Gordy, Max, and Adilene stopped B.R.E.W.'s (Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide) destructions at the hands of Esmerelda. Gordy is continuing his education with B.R.E.W. and at school he meets Sasha who is also a dram (an elixirist-in-training). Sasha's mother is the new head of B.R.E.W. and has been making some very strange decisions. To make matters worse, Mezzarix, Gordy's grandfather and one of the most powerful elixirists of all time, has escaped from his exile in Greenland. The mysterious Ms. Bimini asks Mezzarix to brew a special elixir called Silt, which he agrees to do on the condition that she use the power of Silt to destroy B.R.E.W. once and for all. Though Gordy may have the skills to match his grandfather's, but his blackouts may well give Mezzarix the edge that he needs to emerge victorious. This is a wonderful story with an ending that will likely lead readers to beg for more. VERDICT This latest addition to the series picks up where the previous book left off and is filled to the brim with adventure and excitement.-Wayne R. Cherry Jr., St. Pius X High School, Houston

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