Happy book birthday? Okay, not quite yet. While I'd love to shout that out, it doesn't release for five more days. So, that'd probably be a teeny bit too early.
This is the 2nd book in the Spineless series, and...hold your breath...I actually read the first one!!! See, miracles can happen! I'm curious where this one will lead and am looking forward to revisiting the hotel and the characters. If it's anything like the first book, it's impossible to guess what will happen. Luckily, I'm ready to be surprised.
So, off we go!
FATHOMLESS
Spinless, #2
by Samantha San Miguel
Union Square Kids
Middle Grade Fantasy
304 pages
ages 8 to 12
COMING...
SEPTEMBER 10th!!!
“Pure storytelling at its best.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Ghostly pirates, lost treasure, and high adventure abound in Fathomless, the sequel to Spineless, set in glittering Gilded Age Florida.
After months away at boarding school, Lulu Davenport was looking forward to summer vacation at her home on the southwest Florida coast, especially since her best friend, Algie Emsworth, will be spending his vacation with the Davenport family. But since his widowed mother has fallen on hard times, he’s gotten a job nearby that keeps him away from the house most of the day. And Frankie, Lulu’s sister and usual companion, is out of commission after injuring herself while sailing. But when Lulu hears about a possible haunting in a nearby abandoned fort and rumors of hidden treasure, she decides it’s time to strike out on her own and solve the mystery herself. In the process, she meets Vic, a blind boy who’s just moved to town, and the two of them embark on a hunt for clues about the ghostly appearances. Soon enough, Frankie and Algie join them, and the four friends uncover all sorts of very real dastardly deeds going on, and the villain is much closer to home than they expected!
Fathomless is full of hijinks, mystery, and heart, as Samantha San Miguel brings readers into the wild and wonderful world of nineteenth century Florida in this sparkling sequel to Spineless.
MY TIDBITS
Adventure and friendship combine with island magic to create a fun read.
Frankie, Lulu, and Algie are back together during school vacation after their last adventure. But things have changed. Algie is now working at the local grocery store, Frankie isn't really listening to her anymore, and Lulu feels a bit alone. When she hears rumors about a long-dead captain, who is stealing kids at night to join her crew, se decides to see what's behind the ghosts and appearances...as long as she can keep up the courage. Luckily, she discovers Vic, a new boy in town, but even with him, she'll need the help of Algie and Frankie to get to the bottom of it all.
This is the second in the Spineless series. While it can be read alone, it is better to start with book one to have a better handle on the characters. That said, the flow of this second novel is very similar to the first. So if you enjoyed that one, you're sure to want to grab up this one, too. The fantasy aspect is subtle, leaving mystery and adventure to hit with tons of imagination. The three friends (now four) are up against a difficult task, and it's fun to root for them the entire way through. The tension is just right to keep excitement high as they face a dangerous scheme, but it's still age appropriate.
Set around 1900 in the 'wild' coastline of Florida, this carries an historic note but the characters never come across as old-fashioned. They are easy to connect with, and their highs and lows in the friendship realm are realistic and understandable. While there's always something going on and the mystery keeps the reader guessing the entire way through, the author takes time to let personalities shine. Which means the pacing does slow at times to give character depth and make readers wish they could join this group of friends themselves. Especially if they're ready for a pirate-y twist.
And here she is...
Samantha San Miguel grew up on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Living sandwiched between ocean and estuary gave her a wholehearted respect for wildlife, especially the kind that can eat you. She’s spent countless hours scanning for sea monsters, but the only ones she’s seen so far have been in her imagination. Samantha dreams of one day seeing with her own eyes the landscapes from her abuelito’s stories of Cuba. She currently lives in Texas, and she can be found online at samanthasanmiguel.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment