Moving Target

June 1, 2015
Set in present-day Rome, Gonzalez’s
(A Thunderous Whisper) thriller hits the ground running and doesn’t let up. Eighth-grader Cassie Arroyo is unceremoniously whisked out of school one afternoon by her father, a “mild-mannered art historian,” who tells her that a secret organization called the Hastati is after her. He instructs Cassie to find a man named Brother Gregorio—and is promptly shot and wounded. After escaping to the monastery where Brother Gregorio lives with his nephew, Asher, Cassie’s questions are slowly answered. For centuries, the Hastati has guarded the mythical Spear of Destiny, which purportedly can shape world events when paired with a descendent of St. Longinus—like Cassie. Cassie, Asher, and her best friend Simone set off to find the spear, following clues that lead to more answers, questions, and peril. Gonzalez’s characters can be a bit one-dimensional, but the story’s shocking twists and juicy mix of
history and legend, as well as a cliffhanger ending, should be more than enough to keep readers eager for Cassie’s next adventure. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Rofé, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

June 1, 2015
Take a precious relic, add a secret organization and an ancient brotherhood, throw in some action, place it all in the Eternal City, and what do you get? A grand adventure! Cassie Arroyo is bored at her new school in Rome, but all that changes when her normally calm dad collects her from school and reveals there are secrets he should have told her. Now they are out of time, because someone is determined to kill her. When a bullet meant for Cassie wounds her father instead, Cassie must leave him at a hospital and seek Brother Gregorio, the only person who can help. And so starts this adventure that will involve the secret organization of the Hastati; the Holy Lance of Longinus, a holy relic that can shape the future; a birthmark that distinguishes the true descendants of St. Longinus-which Cassie bears; and the ancient brotherhood of the Knights of Malta. With the help of her best friend, Simone, and Brother Gregorio's nephew Asher, the spunky heroine must decipher riddles, follow clues, and make life-or-death decisions. Gonzalez focuses on plot and action in this series opener. Some readers might long for more historical background and better fleshed-out secondary characters, but this is nevertheless an exciting and entertaining adventure. An adventure that will keep readers engaged until the cliffhanger ending and leave them waiting for the next book. (Adventure. 9-12)

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August 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-Cassie Arroyo's life is turned upside down when her father is shot and she finds out that she was the target. When she must leave her ailing father's side-or face an assassin working for a dangerous secret organization called the Hastati-Cassie goes to her father's friend, Brother Gregorio, for protection. Cassie learns from Brother Gregorio that she is the marked descendent of Saint Longinus and only she can control the Holy Lance of Longinus (the Spear of Destiny). Cassie, accompanied by her best friend and Brother Gregorio's nephew Asher, decides to leave the protection of the monastery to find the spear and her father before the Hastati find them. Gonzalez has created an action-packed mystery that utilizes Christian mythology seamlessly. This plot-driven story wastes little time in character development and background, which may turn some readers off, but the pacing will hold most kids' attention as they try to piece out the clues alongside Cassie and her friends. A cliff-hanger ending will keep readers anxiously awaiting the next installment. VERDICT Fans of Jude Watson's Loot (Scholastic, 2014) and Chris Grabenstein's Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Random, 2013) will devour this series opener.-Amanda Augsburger, Moline Public Library, IL

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 6-9 An attempt on 13-year-old Cassie Arroyo's life results in her father's hospitalization, but not before he warns her that she is the target of a secret organization known as the Hastati, protectors of the mystical Spear of Destiny. After being sent to a monastery to speak with Brother Gregorio, Cassie learns of the spear's and the Hastati's historiesin particular that she is powerfully connected to the spear, a fact that puts her in great peril. With her friend Simone and 15-year-old protector Asher, Cassie races around Italy, trying to locate the missing spear while avoiding death or capture. Gonzalez is a bit heavy-handed at foreshadowing, but this is a solid entry in the young teen adventure-suspense genre, along the lines of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider books (without the tech toys). The well-plotted story contains plenty of action and an interesting setting; the language at the end of the book indicates that we will hear more from Cassie and Asher.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)