Curse of the forgotten city by Alex Aster

In this the second book of the Emblem Island series, Tor and his friends, Melda and Engle, must combine abilities and powers to protect their home community from the threat of the cursed and evil Calavera pirates. In the first book of this series Tor became cursed with powers that he did not seek, but powers that can be harnessed and used in a positive way against the pirates who have threatened to destroy his home and community. The threat has been communicated by the mysterious Vesper, a waterbreather whose own emblematic powers are critical to defeat the pirate assault, but can she be trusted? Together, they join a rapscallion pirate, with a tendency to refer to himself with the plural ‘we’, on a quest that is on board ship and under the waves. An omen is shared that implies that someone must die and leadership is tested. Fear must be tamed, friendship is stretched and survival is in peril as they set out on this action-filled journey with impossible sea-creatures and magical permutations that distract and distort their intentions. Will they be able to do the impossible?

Reading the second book in a series as a stand-alone adventure is not recommended, but Alex Aster manages to weave enough of the history and character details to enable the reader to join the series at this point. The charmed and cursed world of emblem-wearing individuals is somewhat unique and complex and may present some difficulties for some readers who are not prepared for the alt-magical world and its vagaries . This is really for lovers of magical fantasy and quest sagas who are prepared to delve into depths of alternative magical possibilities. It is not Tolkien-esque in its quality or depth, but it has enough eccentricity and intrigue to engage readers who have fortitude (and fantasy leanings), aged 14+. This book did initially confuse me, so I would recommend starting the reading expedition by consuming a large ‘chunk’ in order to engage with the Emblem Island world and therefore understand the nuances of  the journey.

Themes: Fantasy, Quests, Magical powers.

Carolyn Hull