Hyacinth and the Stone Thief

March 1, 2018
When someone steals ancient magical stones from beneath London, Hyacinth and her mother connect with old friends to solve another mystery and possibly save the world again.Frustratingly, despite their recent experience (Hyacinth and the Secrets Beneath, 2017), no one believes they will be any help. Still whether she is locked up, chased, or shot at with magical beams of light, Hyacinth is determined to find the stones and discover the connection that her family has with the magic running beneath the city. But when Minnie Tickle, a girl with magical tattoos covering her arms, begins blasting them with bolts of light, Hyacinth must admit she is in over her head. Thankfully, Oaroboarus (a giant pig who speaks only with a deck of cards), a menagerie of stone animals, and the mysterious Saltpetre Men are all prepared to help. This wacky sequel is filled with dry humor, outlandish characters, and wild adventure. Hyacinth is brave, curious, and imaginative, but readers may find her mother's continual helplessness wearing. The principals all appear to be white, but characters include men made from cork, a police force fashioned from mud, and various sentient animals. This adventure is endlessly creative, but the whimsy often becomes forced, and the plot is sacrificed to wacky hijinks.A mixed, magical bag best for fans of the first book. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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May 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-Fans of Hyacinth and the Secrets Beneath will not be disappointed with this sequel. All the evidence of the magical messes and her adventure below London has been erased, but Hyacinth is still curious and gets drawn into an adventure to find a magic stone that protects London. If the stone is not found and returned fast, the city will fall into chaos. Weinstein once again delivers a delightful tale filled with magic, adventure, and humor. This sequel adds more depth to the world-building, expands on character development, and provides a satisfying arc for the characters. VERDICT Perfect for fans of Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams' "Tunnels" or Suzanne Collins' "Gregor the Overlander" series, and a must-buy where the first novel has an audience.-Patrick Tierney, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School, Providence

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