The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton's Lair

September 1, 2014
A series of elaborately concealed clues send student Explorers Kit, Vander and M.K. to a historically deadly area of the Caribbean on the second leg of their map-based quest. Enrolled in the Academy for the Exploratory Sciences, Kit bases his Final Exam Expedition proposal on a map left by his father in a hidden room in a nearby cave. To his dismay, the proposal is co-opted by sociopathic government official Leo Nackley and transformed into a search for what may be one of this future world's last oil deposits. But there is more than oil waiting to be discovered below "King Triton's Lair"-as Kit and allies discover amid shipwreck, pirate attacks, clandestine meetings with the mysterious Explorer with the Clockwork Hand and close encounters with exotic creatures ranging from amphibious killer eels to telepathic mechanical sea turtles. Kit comes away with yet another map that points the way forward; those readers willing to tolerate a tale overendowed with coincidence and supporting cast will find this middle volume a quickly paced and entertainingly twisty adventure. Considering the importance of maps to the story as well as much talk of impending war with the Indorustan Empire in the Simerian Territories, a large-scale map would have been a plus. The quest's ultimate goal remains enigmatic, but it continues to move along smartly enough. (maps) (Fantasy. 10-14)

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September 1, 2014

Gr 4-7-In a world with unusual countries and lands, and a slightly evil tyrannical government in control, Kit West, along with his brilliant and mechanically inclined sister, M. K., and charming animal-loving brother Zander, is settling into life at the Academy-the training school for BNDL government explorers. Kit finds himself increasingly alone and soon follows the clues to another mysterious map left by his father, a famous explorer who disappeared. Beginning to realize that his father was part of a secret, and illegal, mapmaking society, Kit convinces his siblings and their adventurous friend, Sukey, to propose an expedition to explore King Neptune's Lair, the place Kit believes is indicated on the map. This mysterious location had swallowed ships for centuries in a Bermuda Triangle-like way and is full of danger, as well as rumored oil. Their expedition is sponsored by the government at the annual Announcement Banquet but the leader chosen is their archenemy. After being shipwrecked on an apparently deserted island with vicious attack eels, Kit finds a giant telepathic sea turtle who carries him inside its shell to a secret underwater city and a carefully guarded map made of shells. This is an exciting second installment that leaves the door wide open for book three. The characters continue to develop and grow, realistic in their sibling and friendship relationships. It is a unique adventure series that certainly fits into the steampunk genre, but plows its own course with mystery, suspense, and a well-thought out plot. Maps and detailed grayscale drawings throughout give enough of a taste to feed reader's imaginations.-Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

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