The Palace of Memory

November 1, 2016

Gr 4-8-In this second installment of the series, Danny is hellbent on continuing right where we left him, breaking whatever rules he needs to in his search for clues related to his parents' death and the criminal organization that has it out for him. Readers will be thrilled to see that this story brings the Mysterium back to life as the central setting. The colorful characters, descriptions of props and acts, and excitement surrounding the grand reopening make for the perfect home base for Danny in his pursuit. The narrative is action-packed and will keep readers hooked and moving along from cover to cover. The major characters stay largely the same, a good thing, but there are many interesting new side characters to engage readers. Though the book ends on several cliff-hangers, there are enough clues to create excitement for a third volume. VERDICT Danny's charm, abilities, and mental fortitude will endear him to both old and new readers. Purchase where readers clamor for fast-paced adventure/mystery.-Chad Lane, Tulip Grove Elementary School, MD

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2016
Following the events of series opener The Black Dragon (2016), 12-year-old Chinese-English orphan Danny Woo is once again running for his life, but this time he is not the only one in danger.When the magical traveling circus, the Mysterium, decides to reopen, Danny fears that there is a traitor among the performers. He travels from Hong Kong to Barcelona to warn them, but once there he discovers that the stakes are much higher than he imagined. Even his godfather, Major Zamora, cannot protect him when a hired assassin begins playing a deadly game of cat and mouse. Danny will need the skills he learned from his circus-performer parents as well as the street smarts he has acquired since a mysterious explosion forced him from his boarding school and into a dangerous game he does not yet understand. This fast-paced mystery is packed with exotic locations, a multicultural cast, code-breaking, high-speed chases, and masterful magic tricks. Readers unfamiliar with the series will have a challenge initially, but the payoff is there. At times cohesion and clarity are sacrificed for intensity and drama, but the effect is pure heart-stopping adventure. And while Danny's sleight-of-hand and acrobatic ability give him an edge, his logic, his loyalty, and his determination are what will ultimately serve him best. Chaos barely contained makes for a thrilling read. (Adventure. 8-11)

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