Do you crave an adventure story to entertain you during these last cold weeks of winter? I’ve got a great suggestion, especially if you like action, magic, and Arthurian legends.
In January 2015, Dianne Salerni released the second book in the middle grade The Eighth Day series, and I’ve gotta tell you, I liked The Inquisitor’s Mark even better than The Eighth Day.
The Premise
Long ago, King Arthur and Merlin Emrys trapped their enemies into a magical eighth day of the week. Thirteen year old Jax Aubrey and his friends are modern-day descendants of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. They have special magical powers, including the ability to transition between the eighth day and regular time. Jax and his companions must use their talents to keep evil sorcerers from breaking the eighth day spell and taking over the world.
What I liked
The first chapter of The Inquisitor’s Mark gives Jax multiple problems to solve, and plenty of obstacles to get in his way. Jax embarks on a quest to help his liege lady, and plot twists and unexpected revelations kept me up reading later than I should have.
The Inquisitor’s Mark has several good role models for young readers. In this book, Jax’s guardian Riley is absent much of the time, so Jax must buck up and handle things himself. It was fun to watch him grow. I especially like Evangeline, a girl with powerful magical talent who everyone wants – for all the wrong reasons. Jax and his friend Riley must protect her, but she’s no passive damsel. During a battle, Riley tries to use his magical gift of command to get Evangeline to escape to safety. But Evangeline chooses to stay and help:
“Stop making me waste my strength fighting you!” she shouted. “I’m not leaving!
Gotta love a girl with moxie.
Even though kids today don’t worry about clan wars or evil sorcerers, most struggle with knowing who to trust. Jax, and his younger cousin Dorian, don’t always like the things their friends and family members do, and they must decide where to place their loyalty.
The book ends on a high note for Jax (which so often doesn’t happen with a second book of a series- so thank you Dianne!), but it’s clear that he still faces grave danger. I can’t wait for the next installment, but I’m afraid that won’t be out for at least a year.
What I struggled with
I read the first book in the series, The Eighth Day, a while ago, so I needed help remembering all the family connections and some key plot points. Dianne weaves in review during the first few chapters, and even includes a chart for visual people like me, but I was still confused sometimes.
What my son said
My 11-year-old finished The Inquisitor’s Mark a few days after we got it. He raved about the plot and liked book number two better than The Eighth Day. He didn’t appreciate all the necessary groundwork laid out in the first book, but The Inquisitor’s Mark fed his craving for adventure.
For more information about The Eighth Day, The Inquisitor’s Mark, or Dianne Salerni, visit her site at DianneSalerni.com. You can also find her on Twitter. Also, if you are a writer, Dianne is looking for submissions for her monthly critique feature, First Impressions. I submitted the first page of my manuscript and got helpful feedback.
Have you read either The Eighth Day or The Inquisitor’s Mark? What do you look for in an adventure story?
Thanks for stopping by!
Julia
I’m a big Dianne Salerni fan! I really really really want to read this book so I guess I better get it. Definitely right up my children’s adventure/fantasy genre preference. Way to go, Dianne, and thanks for the review, Julia.
Thanks for the wonderful review, Julia!
My editor wants a family chart of Who’s Who on the end papers of Book 3, which will hopefully keep everyone straight! 😉
I would LOVE a family chart! Can’t wait to share this book with more kidlit fans.