SEEKERS OF THE FOX (Thieves of Shadow), by Kevin Sands, Viking Books for Young Readers, Oct. 18, 2022, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A group of friends race to save one of their own in Seekers of the Fox, the sequel to Children of the Fox, by Kevin Sands.
Rule number one: Never mess with magic. Even so, a life-or-death situation calls for Callan and his criminal friends to make a deal with the Eye — the sinister, sentient artifact they stole from a sorcerer. It’s Lachlan’s life in exchange for a future task, and the gang has no choice but to agree.
But even as Lachlan is resurrected, it’s not without cost. Through the Eye, Callan can see a tiny purple stain inside Lachlan’s soul, which will eventually consume him. The cure — and their part of the deal — lies with the Dragon’s Teeth, a pair of swords with extraordinary powers, and the search for them leads the thieves on a quest that will unravel the mystery of the Eye. Old friends, new betrayals, and an even more daring break-in than the last culminate in a confrontation that will take all the gang’s skill and power to resist — or they’ll die trying. —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for young Readers
The Thieves of Shadow series centers on a ragtag group of kids that join forces among unexpected circumstances. The first book, Children of the Fox, follows five young criminals as they work to steal a heavily guarded magical treasure. Without giving too much away for newbies of the series, the second book, Seekers of the Fox, picks up immediately where its predecessor left off.
The books definitely need to be read in order, and it’s definitely worth checking out Children of the Fox — it’s a great read. You can learn more about it here.
As with Children of the Fox, Seekers of the Fox is told from Callan’s point of view. He remains a strong protagonist — clever with a bit of snark — but he’s evolved, too. The other kids — Garath, Lachlan, Foxtail and Meriel — have become more than just a crew. They’ve become his friends, his family. That bond is what pushes the action forward. And while you will learn more about the other kids, their characters have yet to be fully realized — fingers crossed for Book 3.
In Seekers of the Fox, Author Kevin Sands stays true to the world he’s created — specifically the one in which the children operate. They’re still young criminals. They’re still pulling off heists and playing to their individual talents. Sands just pumps everything up. The stakes are higher, the action more intense and the magic more mysterious.
The Thieves of Shadow series is entertaining and engaging. It should appeal to a large cross-section of readers, and one or both books would make a great present.
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