After finding a compass
and clues left by Kallista’s father, Leo Babbage, Trenton and Kallista
head west aboard their homemade mechanical dragon to search for the
missing inventor. The two teenagers hope to find answers about their
mountain city of Cove, but instead, they find only a blackened forest,
ruined buildings, and a small underground city.
Almost
immediately, Trenton and Kallista are caught up in a civil war between a
clan of scavengers called Whipjacks and the Order of the Beast, people
who believe that dragons are immortal and divine.
Stranded in a
new city, the two friends meet Plucky, a Whipjack girl with mechanical
legs, and Ander, a young member of the Order who claims humans are able
to communicate with dragons. Can they trust anyone, or have they
unknowingly stepped into a trap?
And high above in the sky, the dragons are gathering . . .
Opening line:
"Trenton lifted the side flap of his leather flight helmet, and a blast of mountain air instantly made his exposed ear go numb."
J. Scott Savage has written another intriguing, mysterious middle-grade book that everyone, even adults will want to read!
The
story moves along as our main characters face their fears and flaws and
keep moving on and becoming stronger and better. Kallista and Trenton
are in the middle of trouble and excitement again and this second
doesn't disappoint as other second books might. Imagination and twists
and dragons fill this story and it's hard to put down.
I love how Mr. Savage always has parents in his books and they are helpful and smart.
His
writing and skill are awesome and keep getting better, if that's
possible because I don't think I've read a book of his I disliked.
I recommend this for a great summer read to keep kids brains from turning to mush! Keep writing, Mr. Savage! Keep on writing!
Thanks to netgalley for the read in exchange for my honest review.
5 STARS
Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and “invention” is a curse word.
Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion—an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.
Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on—and quite possibly their very lives.
Ok. I already love Savage's storytelling so I may be biased...BUT this was another great read from this awesomesauce author.
I loved the world, the creativity and inventions but "creativity" is a naughty word and inventing is against the law. The world is totally opposite of SKY JUMPERS by Peggy Eddleman, where inventing is honored and if you can't invent, you're an outcast.
Good word-building, deep characterization, and great villains, as well as twists and turns and... can't tell ya. You'll have to read it to find out!
Good, clean book, perfect for a summer read! I'm going to buy one for my son.
V: a couple of scenes, not graphic
L: no
S: no. Well, maybe cheek kiss
4 STARS
Thanks netgalley for the read!
