The Brink of War

February 15, 2022
Can a 12-year-old save his world from an impending invasion? Continuing where Atlantis: The Accidental Invasion (2021) left its readers hanging, preteen daydreamer and dance aficionado Meriweather Lewis Gates (who goes by just Lewis) is back home on dry land with his friends Hanna Barkley, a fellow human, and Kaya, an Atlantean. Frustrated by aboveground cultural differences (and receiving little acknowledgment of her own culture), Kaya is ready to return home. Before long, the trio find themselves on their way back to Atlantis on a multipronged mission: to save both Lewis' and Kaya's fathers, carry out a dubious assignment for a suspicious corporate leader who wants to pilfer Atlantean tech for her own exploitation, and stave off a megalomaniac who is threatening war. For much of Mone's sophomore effort, the action veers heavily toward a cat-and-mouse premise as Lewis, Hanna, and Kaya keep evading nefarious Atlantean pursuers. Eventually, the plot pivots to a series of reveals and twists, stylistically similar to its predecessor. While the ending is tidily wrapped up, the possibility of more adventures is also floated. Differences between Lewis' and Kaya's worlds are sharply juxtaposed; both find aspects of the other's culture distasteful. Largely action-driven, this story offers enough thrilling chases, cool gadgetry, and gotcha moments to keep pages turning. Lewis reads as White; Hanna is described as having brown skin. A buzzy, fast-paced sequel. (map, scientific explanations) (Science fiction. 8-12)

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August 1, 2022

Gr 3-7-After The Accidental Invasion, humans Lewis and Hanna and their Atlantean comrade Kaya find themselves torn between competing interests on the surface and in Atlantis. Frustrated by the somewhat hostile, strange culture of the "sun people," Kaya is desperate to return home and rescue her father who risked himself for their escape. Lewis is determined to accompany her and reunite with his own father who remains held captive in the underwater nation. Atlantis issues a warning that war will be declared if the warship the kids used to escape is not returned. In the meantime, a conniving tech billionaire hijacks the ship and demands access to more Atlantean technology before letting the kids go. A humorous yet informative "Science of Atlantis" section is appended. VERDICT Fans of the first book will enjoy the mix of adventure, humor, and science fiction gadgetry in this action-packed sequel that leaves room for more stories from this world.

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