Bone: Quest for the Spark, Vol. 2

Bone: Quest for the Spark #2

by Tom Sniegoski, Jeff Smith (Illustrator), Thomas E. Sniegoski

The quest continues! The Nacht, the evil dragon that threatens to destroy both the Dreaming and the Waking World, is growing stronger, and twelve-year-old Tom Elm is the champion the Dreaming has chosen to defeat it. Along with Roderick the raccoon, Percival Bone and his nephew and niece, Randolf, Lorimar, and the two stupid Rat Creatures, Tom must race to find the missing pieces of the Spark. This leg of the journey introduces him to a trio of scheming bears and takes him into the depths of a dangerous beehive. And, on top of everything else, a traitor might be among them. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Adventure, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Tom Sniegoski is the name under which Thomas E. Sniegoski publishes some YA and comics.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story slowed some in this middle volume. The first half was mainly running from the possessed constable and rat king while the 2nd half involved getting the next piece of the spark from inside of a giant bee hive. I'm not sure why the giant bees didn't talk like they did in the Bone comic either. Still it's more Bone with some great illustrations from Jeff Smith.

[Jennifer Rayment · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake's Review: I really wish that these books would go back to being graphic novels. There is way too many words and it takes me forever to read it. I like that there is lots of action, but you can show that in a comic book too. Liked how they brought back the bees from the other books and there was some funny stuff too. My favorite character is Joey because he never listens and he falls asleep all the time like me. I don't like Fredrik because he is kinda weird looking (and sounding). If I could change this book I would make it into a graphic novel with lots more action and less talking. I would recommend this book to boys who like to read alot and don't care if there are not any pictures. While I was reading I kept thinking on how hard it would be to fight rat creatures which also kinda scared me too.

Jake's Rating: 5/10

Mom's Review: Well I definitely enjoyed it more than Jake did, but only slightly to be honest. I really think it is extremely well written and interesting but I like Bone for what it was, a fantastic graphic novel. That being said do not let our review taint you, it really it brilliantly done. It is a fast paced (yes Jake, I know you thought it was slow, but that is because you wanted pictures) the characters are interesting and it is hilarious at times. The artistry is top notch which I think is a little why I was disappointed -- I just wanted more of it. I think it would really appeal to the more mature/sophisticated middle grade reader who loves fantasy.

Mom's Rating: 7/10

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a little trouble with the pacing in this volume, compared to the first one. I think that there are so many plot threads that the author has had trouble keeping them all moving smoothly. The "dark side" seduction tricks of Nacht are brilliantly evil, but may be a little sophisticated for the younger readers of this book.
The mixture of adventure and humor is mostly good, although I got a little tired of the narcoleptic bear. Also, clean dry fuel for a fire produces less smoke, not more...the author must not have built any campfires lately.
On the other hand, it's a good "middle volume" of the quest story, and I am looking forward to the third one. It's such a quick read that it will appeal to kids who have trouble with some of the more epic fantasy stories.

[Jose Arellano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a good book because it doesn't have any actions and they are telling jokes that aren't funny

[Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s definitely a middle book with some filler, less action than the first one it seems. I do prefer the graphic novel format of the original Bone over these. The characters are all great and there’s even a few new ones introduced. Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of them all, but none of them seem really all that pivotal to the quest yet somehow they all manage to fit in and contribute. It’s still a very fun book and some mild humor throughout it helps as well. 3.5

[Riley Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adequate sequel to the first Quest for the Spark. I would say Vol. 2 is about on the same level of quality and enjoyment as Vol. 1, and while it corrects a few problems from the first book it also suffers a few of it's own. The main thing Vol. 2 corrects is the consistency between the art and text, with no discrepancies between what the pros described and what the pictures showed, at least none that i noticed. Another thing this book improved on was the character interactions, since the last book ended with the quest crew finally being assembled, this story is able to have more time to show the characters bouncing off one another and give you a better idea of exactly who they are and what they want.

Despite the improvements, I can't give this story a perfect rating because it still suffers from a slight pacing issue like the first one. While the first book's pacing problem came from scenes playing out too quickly or events feeling glossed over a little, this book's problem is in the opposite direction with scenes going on a little too long, especially in the second half, and occasional conversations between characters being carried on too much. This pacing problem isn't help by the action slowing down after the characters land in the forest halfway through. Sniegoski also seems to be sticking with the classic quest story line for this without doing anything too daring or subversive with it; not exactly a problem, it's just something I hoped he would try with Vol. 2.

Overall, still an enjoyable original story set in the world of Bone, and while it's not exactly the most thrilling or original plot, I'm still invested enough to be at least a little excited to see how it ends.

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re continuing with the “Quest for the Spark” storyline in this “BONE” spin-off. And it’s good! Again, I am happy to return to this world for a new adventure, and this one manages to feel different and yet familiar in this world.

That being said! This installment falls a little into the ‘Second Part of a Trilogy’ problem. It isn’t that NO Plot happens–some definitely does. There’s a bit of a twist, and the heroes also find another piece of the Spark. It feels a little bit like more of the same, rather than something entirely new.

It’s still good, though. The bears are memorable, and there are giant bees! I don’t read enough books with giant bees.

Also, I’m not sure what Stinky and Smelly, the two Rat Creatures, add to the proceedings anymore? I feel like they’re kind of just… here now. Hopefully that changes in the finale.

[5663295313 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought of this book as exciting, adventurous, and pretty funny. It showed how important it was to be brave under any sketchy circumstances. Tom(my character) showed this a lot throughout the book, like when they had to stand off against the creatures. I recommend that you should read volume 1 first, it explains a lot more.

[Marc Ramos Soler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitivo y algo cansino. Constantemente usando el recurso "tuvo una idea" sin decir cual, generando una expectativa que nunca está a la altura.
Da la sensación que se puede leer directamente el tercero para conocer el desenlace, pues prácticamente nada avanza en la trama. Y estoy convencido que nos lo va a repetir en la próxima entrega.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great adventure trilogy for kids. Easy to keep turning the pages. This was not your graphic novel like the other Bone series by the same duo Tom Sniegoski and Jeff Smith but had a few illustrations interspersed. The books had some humor even as an adult that made me chuckle. This trilogy, Quest for the Spark, could be read and understood without having read the original Bone series.

[Larry Wegman · Rating 2 out of 5]

More peril. Will our band of intrepid adventurers truly find the spark and save the world? Under the leadership of a twelve year old boy?

[Ernest "Gunna" · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. When i was reading it, it had some adventure and some losses along the way.

[Emad Sarhan]

Gig drink

[Sean McQuay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abandoned half way through. A pain to read aloud with jilted, awkward writing and a pointless story.

[Jeff Elden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sniegoski’s writing is nowhere near as creative, insightful, funny and engaging as Smith’s.

[hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

laughing that this is my 200th "read book" on goodreads now :P

[Joseph Hamm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely a cash grab series meant to capitalize off name recognition, and I highly doubt the final book will convince me otherwise.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying continuation of the book series. Parker enjoys it because of the exploration that takes place and how it reminds him of how he explores our backyard on his playground.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first shards of the Spark are found. More heroes join in.

[Jack Paul]

Easy to read but you don't HAVE to read them in order you can gets the gist of the series you know
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::SPOILER ALERT::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
get the spark defeat the nacht save the world from nightmares

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the first volume had many individual plot lines that felt destined to interweave at the end, this volume’s story felt a little lost, especially in the first 90 pages. It was as if the author was unsure of how to “start” the adventure with all of the odd errands/“filler events” and running around before the real plot began.

I’m a bit sad that the team didn’t end up uniting with Queen Thorn or Gran’ma Ben in this volume; it’s the one moment I’m eagerly waiting for. It was also unfortunate that Lorimar was absent for most of this volume. I thoroughly enjoyed her presence whenever she was around and I found myself longing to stumble upon more of her scenes to see more of her powers.

I must admit, like many of the other comments about this spinoff, I do miss the graphic novel format and the effortless, comedic humor of Jeff Smith’s original series. I find myself wishing there were more of the classic, beautiful images that define Bone books. Nonetheless, Tom Sniegoski’s writing style also has its wonderfully descriptive and “flowy” storytelling that has a way of interweaving multiple narratives seamlessly into a grander story. His writing style has grown on me - from his clever, well-paced storytelling to the descriptive details that he uses to paint strong and vivid imagery throughout.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Quest for the Spark series. This series wraps up with volume three. This was a great continuation of the story that started in book 1, and is full of adventure and excitement.

The Nacht is taking deeper and deeper hold in the Waking World. Tom and crew are the unlikely heroes trying to find the pieces of the Spark and stand against the Nacht. In this book they deal with some scheming bears and venture into a beehive of gigantic bees to find yet another piece of the Spark. Unfortunately things turn even more dire when they find out that one of their own has been turned against them.

I continue to enjoy this story. It’s not as good as the original Bone graphic novel series, but it is still full of wonderful adventure and very entertaining. I enjoy our group of unlikely heroes and the crazy things they run into on their journey.

I love the questing nature of the story as well and how our heroes try to gather more and more pieces of the Spark together. The pictures throughout are full color and very well done (although I wish there were more of them). I also enjoyed the banter of the two Rat Creatures who have joined our heroes.

Overall this was a fun and entertaining addition to this series. I would recommend to middle grader and older readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure. This book is a pretty easy read and deals with an unlikely group of characters. I enjoyed it and am eager to see how things wrap up in book 3.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.

An enjoyable follow-up to the first book in this series. The main plot centres around our group of heroes as they continue on their journey and quest to find the second piece of the Spark. Everyone from Book One appears in this volume, both good and evil characters, with the inclusion of a few more characters joining them in the quest, possibly temporarily for this book only. I enjoyed the new characters and continue to love all the regulars in this series. The plot was fun, exciting and full of dangers. Characters are developing especially the leader Tom, and the warrior priest from the Veni Yan, Randolph. I enjoy character driven books, and while this is more plot-driven, the characters personalities and motives are also quite important to the plot.

My only complaint is that there is not much, if any, lead-in to this book to refresh your memory of 2011's book one; so it did take me a few chapters to get into the story and start remembering who was who and what was what. Also, I'm pretty sure I said this in my review of book one but there are not nearly enough illustrations by Jeff Smith. One per chapter on the most part. More illustrations would be gladly welcomed by Jeff Smith.

[Yahir Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start off with the Nacht waking up feeling stronger. The Nacht is the enemy of the main characters. Tom, Percival Bone, his twin niece and nephew, and four more joined for Dreaming's mission.

[Brad McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second part isn't as good as the first (which so often happens). The Natch narrates some chapters, the "Constable" others, Tom, Percival, Stinky and Smelly (the rat creatures), and Lorimar all take turns as well. I think he jumps perspectives too much here. The part of the plot with the bears seems to be stretched out a wee bit too much as well.

All that said, this is still a thoroughly enjoyable story. Now I need to find vol. 3, since my library inexplicably only has the first two volumes.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bone Volume 2 was a great book I read during I had free time. I like how they all were brought together. I've read all the Bone Series you've made. I've been a fan of your books for 4 years.I like how you made the animals talk so that was cool.The author made it suspenseful and made how people feel what Tom was feeling. It was pretty amazing and that's why I gave it 5 stars. The main character Tom was the leader and he thought he shouldn't be the leader he thought the veni-yan warrior should've been the leader but everyone listened to him so he felt appreciated and was happy with them.

[Shanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second volume, the servants of the Natch are closing in on Tom and his friends, as they continue their search for the spark.

The story picked up the pace in this installment. It was a page-turner from beginning to end and the illustrations were spectacular, poster quality even.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this fantastical adventure. I’m looking forward to the completion of the trilogy.

[Nathaniel]

I can say I'm not that quiet interested in this series. I feel its to cheesy and predictable. I miss the comic book style books Jeff Smith used to have. Personally I think this should not have the title of Bone or even have the Bone characters on it. It just isn't the same. I am going to continue reading this series because I am a big fan of Bone.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the graphic novels but still enjoyable. I would be curious to see how these novels would read if Jeff Smith wrote it, but Tom S does an admirable job. If there were a few more illustrations I could read this to my young son, but sadly, I think he won't be interested until he's around 9 or 10. (years from now)

[Jonathan Carlisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to match the magic of Jeff Smith's 'silent wonder' with the completely written word, but this series is still fun. BUT, unlike the original Bone series, I'm not really looking for this to continue passed its current storyline completion. If this is what we get when we want more Bone, then quit while you're ahead.