Wagner does a particularly fine job of portraying shifting friendships as Swift comes to find that his friendship with Ash is changed by the Star of Atlantis. These underlying probes of the impact of an adventure add a dimension of psychological introspection to the story that places it more than a notch above the usual action story. - D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Tricia D. Wagner's writing is lovely, incorporating challenging vocabulary that depicts both medical experiences and the savage beauty of the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline. Painting Swift’s seagoing journeys in vivid detail, the word choice and delivery place readers on the ship alongside him. - Mary R. Lanni, MLIS, Reviewer, Reedsy Discovery
A seafarer driven to conquest. A dash to the shore’s bitter end. What hope might arise from the ruin of wrecked dreams?
Fourteen-year-old Swift loves the study of medicine. His interest is almost a match to his fascination for sea myths—particularly for the Star of Atlantis, a lost relic from Welsh pirate history.
In struggling to “grow up,” Swift sets his sights on competing for a seat in a highly selective internship, for young students aspiring to someday read medicine, until…
Swift’s former best friend, Ash, discovers a centuries old pirate treasure. And on sickening interviews, Ash reveals that his discovery contains a clue to the whereabouts of a treasure far the legendary Star of Atlantis.
To chase his oldest dream and lay his hands on the Star of Atlantis, Swift must cobble together the few clues that hint where it might rest. If he’s to beat Ash to the treasure, he must put his sailing skills to the test, contending with treacherous Welsh sea coves and caverns.
And he must size up his own fortitude, his own capabilities, or lack thereof— for the search for the Star of Atlantis might mean lost friendships, lost dreams, and even lost life.
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As a young reader, writers were like gods and goddesses to author Tricia D. Wagner. She never could have imagined weaving tales like her favorite storytellers, until at a fateful April dinner conversation with her husband, she learned about a lecture he attended, and it got her mind whirling. By the end of that summer, she’d written 400,000 words: a speculative fiction trilogy. Wagner felt as if she’d emerged from a cocoon as some new sort of creature. She was hooked.
It was important to Tricia to sharpen her skills, and she immersed herself in workshops, engaged with coaches, and dove into writing communities, learning from great teachers how to hone her craft. She did this for years, and the result has been five independently published literary adventure novels, including Sun Child of the Moor, a literary fantasy and 2023 winner of the 2023 Royal Dragonfly Book Award. She has also published novelettes, origin stories, children's books, and poetry chapbooks, and to date, she is developing seven new novels. She has found writing to be a method for becoming the person she feels she was born to be, with the act and joy of writing serving to inspire her to be a better person, truer to herself.
Often, when Wagner has completed a story, she feels as if she’s been to her story world, whether it’s on the map or not. She likes to believe all the places she writes about exist somewhere, somehow. And writing for her is all about her characters. In her early experiences writing stories, she was surprised and delighted to discover how real were the characters, that her characters were becoming her most treasured friends. She developed a strong ambition to tell their stories with the excellence they deserve.
Wagner believes revision is magical in its power to make a good book great, and early drafts are only the beginning of a story’s journey. Any idea can wind up a good story, but with reflection, and time, and improvement, it can become art. She hopes her readers feel enchanted when they read her stories; that after completing one, they feel they’re drifting out from under a spell. Because this is how she feels when she places down the pen, she hopes that her writing might expand their worlds, that readers will fall in love with her characters and will be moved by the artistry of language.
When she isn’t writing poignant literary adventures, Wagner works in cardiovascular research, a career that she loves, with a team she profoundly admires. In her spare time, she enjoys studying writing craft, learning languages, and exploring the natural sciences to refine her skills to discover new angles and landscapes that might enrich her writing palette. One such example is a course she took in learning to read and write ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, something that’s sure to end up in a story at some point. Wagner lives in Illinois with her husband and darling cats.
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Star of Atlantis is the second installment of The Star of Atlantis series. In this, you are still following Swift and Ash's pirate adventure. In the beginning, we get to see a little about what they were like playing pretend. Then an unfortunate accident happened which was the start to a little game of jealousy between the two.
Now in the first book, I liked getting to know Swift and Ash. In this one, it was definitely interesting to see them almost a year older on this adventure. Friendships are put to the test throughout this, and it definitely tugged at my heart strings. These two are still growing - heck they are in the pre-teen stage still - and they have to learn to trust one another and get over little things like jealousy. Especially since they really just need to talk about what happened and move on.
Eventually that actually happens after a little betrayal or two. I'm happy that Ash finally came clean, and Swift accepted the apology. I just wish that it didn't take so long for it all to happen. Definitely happy that I came across this series and now I need more pirates in my life.
I received an advanced reader copy of The Star of Atlantis in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this opportunity.
It is entirely my own fault that I didn’t inform myself well about this book before requesting it on NetGalley. As it is, I neither expected this to be the second part in a series, nor a middle grade going on ya book.
Thankfully, however, I was perfectly able to read this as a stand-alone. There’s a flashback to Ash and Swift’s childhood right at the beginning and even throughout the book the past is explained in detail and Swift’s character is introduced as if he were new. That worked well for me for the aforementioned reason, but I imagine it must be repetitive for someone who actually read the series from the beginning. In contrast, I would have wished for there to be more information about the brothers and especially the parents, who play little to no part in all of this.
Swift has been obsessed with treasure hunting and specifically the Star of Atlantis ever since he first read about it. He’s extremely gifted at school, too, and his father wishes for him to pursue a career in medicine at only 14 years old. In order to have one last shot at his childhood, he spends his birthday weekend hunting for the Star of Atlantis together with his brother Caius. Caius, however, believes that Swift’s obsession is mostly fuelled by a rivalry with Ash, and hopes that Swift might move on from those dreams and towards more “mature” ones such as reading medicine.
Swift was a confusing character to me. He was said to be so insanely clever that he can pursue a university career at only 14, but then he turns around and lets himself be provoked by Ash, cares more about the Star of Atlantis than his brother’s well-being and makes rash (and stupid) decisions every couple of pages. Maybe I don’t understand the importance of Swift’s intelligence due to not having read the other book, but I don’t see why Swift couldn’t either have been made older (except for this being middle grade) or focus on something else like some kind of school work BEFORE university instead.
However, I liked that he still had dreams about discovering a pirate treasure and allowed himself to be a child. I hated the pressure everyone was putting on him to go into academics, and I was rooting for Caius when he cautioned Swift about only pursuing this internship if that’s what he really wants. The idea of the story was fascinating and though I know nothing of Welsh lore and can therefore not say what this story may be based on, I liked that mythical element.
I do wish that the writing had done the idea and the characters more justice, though. For example during that scene where Swift does his research before the lightning strikes, he narrates everything that he finds just to then repeat it all to Caius again. That was very repetitive and even a bit boring as not much of it actually mattered in the story later on. The same happens again when the boat flips over and Caius asks Swift seconds before it happens (and is all written down again) what he were to do if the boat flipped.
All of these descriptions and details could have been used so much better to describe the island and everything that happens there (especially the events inside the cave, I still haven’t understood what the cave was supposed to look like - it was dry but there was also water?). I just feel like the action is a bit rushed throughout the book and whereas I do like that there was a focus on Swift’s thoughts and emotions and his rivalry with Ash and everything about their past, I don’t think these two aspects were well balanced.
However, I do have to keep in mind that this is a middle grade book and as such I think that it’s exciting and captivating, and a very different kind of pirate adventure story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Since it first came to his attention, the fabled Star of Atlantis has captivated nearly all of thirteen-year-old Swift’s waking moments. Years of research have gotten him closer to discovering the treasure’s true location, but his efforts have been thwarted time and time again by Ash, a boy who used to be Swift’s best friend. As his fourteenth birthday draws ever closer, Swift is determined to make one final attempt at locating the Star of Atlantis, keeping his cards close to his chest so he can make the discovery before Ash does. Legend and lore guide Swift up the treacherous Pembrokeshire coast, leading to a greater adventure than Swift could have ever bargained for.
Fans of The Strider and the Regulus will enjoy this continuation in which Swift has more autonomy as he grows into his fourteenth birthday. A great deal of the story examines Swift’s fractured relationship with Ash, and his older brothers do their best to help Swift see the truth behind Ash’s narcissistic behavior. Despite their efforts, Swift is easily manipulated by Ash, leading to cringeworthy, ill-fated decision making. However, as Swift’s life becomes more complex, he begins to regard Ash differently, and maturity and time help both boys grow into better people.
The writing is lovely, incorporating challenging vocabulary that depicts both medical experiences and the savage beauty of the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline. Painting Swift’s seagoing journeys in vivid detail, the word choice and delivery place readers on the ship alongside him. A nebulous quote from Swift’s research resurfaces several times throughout the narrative, becoming ever clearer with each appearance. Action sequences pick up as the story progresses, ultimately leading to a resonant and thought-provoking final series of events.
Readers transitioning from middle grade to young adult stories will appreciate this narrative for its incorporation of action, danger, and the turbulence of adolescence. Especially well-suited to readers with an interest in fantasy and folklore, this novel encapsulates the feeling of a timeless and unforgiving sea alongside the comforts of modern technology. This is an enjoyable extension of the tale introduced in The Strider and the Regulus and is a memorable addition to libraries for young adult readers.
Since it first came to his attention, the fabled Star of Atlantis has captivated nearly all of thirteen-year-old Swift’s waking moments. Years of research have gotten him closer to discovering the treasure’s true location, but his efforts have been thwarted time and time again by Ash, a boy who used to be Swift’s best friend. As his fourteenth birthday draws ever closer, Swift is determined to make one final attempt at locating the Star of Atlantis, keeping his cards close to his chest so he can make the discovery before Ash does. Legend and lore guide Swift up the treacherous Pembrokeshire coast, leading to a greater adventure than Swift could have ever bargained for.
Fans of The Strider and the Regulus will enjoy this continuation in which Swift has more autonomy as he grows into his fourteenth birthday. A great deal of the story examines Swift’s fractured relationship with Ash, and his older brothers do their best to help Swift see the truth behind Ash’s narcissistic behavior. Despite their efforts, Swift is easily manipulated by Ash, leading to cringeworthy, ill-fated decision making. However, as Swift’s life becomes more complex, he begins to regard Ash differently, and maturity and time help both boys grow into better people.
The writing is lovely, incorporating challenging vocabulary that depicts both medical experiences and the savage beauty of the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline. Painting Swift’s seagoing journeys in vivid detail, the word choice and delivery place readers on the ship alongside him. A nebulous quote from Swift’s research resurfaces several times throughout the narrative, becoming ever clearer with each appearance. Action sequences pick up as the story progresses, ultimately leading to a resonant and thought-provoking final series of events.
Readers transitioning from middle grade to young adult stories will appreciate this narrative for its incorporation of action, danger, and the turbulence of adolescence. Especially well-suited to readers with an interest in fantasy and folklore, this novel encapsulates the feeling of a timeless and unforgiving sea alongside the comforts of modern technology. This is an enjoyable extension of the tale introduced in The Strider and the Regulus and is a memorable addition to libraries for young adult readers.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
After braving the seas on his own in book 1, Swift agrees to sailing with his brothers while he decides whether or not to apply for a medical internship. But Swift is eager to cling to one last flicker of childhood and sets out to find the legendary Star of Atlantis. By saying some kind words to his arch-rival, Swift persuades his brother to come with. What could possibly go wrong?
I was expecting more from this book. Swift is a fascinating character, but he doesn't strike me as 14: he reads much younger. The plot in this story takes at least one unpredicted turn, but this book isn't trying to have a great plot. The focus is much more on Swift's character growth. Unfortunately, this was done in a very expository style that made it hard for me to empathize with Swift. Is magic real? This book wants to comment but sincerely refrains. Had it made a decision one way or another, it probably would have made the book better. Will there be more books in this series? There's room for more, but I really hope any future volumes get a lot more attention toward the narrative style and character plausibility.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Couldn't wait for New Years to see what happens with Swift and Ash.
The prose again doesn't disappoint! Just as captivating and intriguing as the first book. I'm even more glad that this book focuses a bit more on the relationship between Ash and Swift. Not for once I wanted for them to just hug already, but their relationship is even more complex than what was presented in the first book.
Swift undergoes amazing character development as he enters adolescence. There's also beautiful world building and ballance between the secrets of the mighty sea and modern land.
Swift and Ash's adventure becomes even deadlier and more dangerous.
The Star of Atlantis is Book 2 by Tricia D Wagner. Swift is now 14 and studying medicine and sea myths. Even after his first sea adventure, a part of his heart is with sea legends. When Swift's best friend from childhood, Ash, finds a clue to an old treasure, Swift must beat Ash to find the Star of Atlantis. Swift sets out with his brother, Caius. There is so much action and adventure with tons of danger. When Swift finds the Sunstone of Atlantis, the cost to both swift and Caius just might be deadly. Will all 3 boys survive? You have to read this outstanding book to find out. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
This was an excellent follow up to the first book. It truly deepened the characters development and the world-building. The writing style was just as strong as before, if not better, as Tricia has honed her skills even further. I did appreciate the focus on the relationship between Swift and Ash. It seemed a bit aggressive in the first book and the complexities surrounding both boys as they move into teenagehood and the expectations from their families. I also appreciated the exploration of the Fractured relationships between the brother. Overall it is an excellent story for those driven by plot and characters.
A great sequel to this series and I enjoyed every page of it. Here we see more character development for Swift as he matures and has to make decisions about his future, while still wishing to pursue his dream.
This is an interesting story. At first I thought I wasn’t going to be able to finish it but hang in there it gets better the farther you get. Full of suspense and intrigue throughout the story.
The Star of Atlantis, was set in Devon, England and the coast of Wales. Great story and characters, knife edge suspense! Very disappointing to have a novel set in the UK with US spelling, however. Very off putting
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I was so excited to read it and I'm glad I did. I've always been a fan of mythology, anything to do with Scotland and Wales, and a treasure hunt to boot made it a must read for any age!
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Once again, I learned the hard way to read the description a bit better, because this book was the second book in a series, and I haven’t read the first book.
The story is about two friends (I thought they were brothers throughout the whole book…) with the main character being the younger of the two. They’re on the hunt for a jewel – The Star of Atlantis – which is, I’m guessing, a continuation from book one in the series.
And that’s all I’ve got. Don’t know if this comes from me not having read book one but I felt like nothing happened in the book at all. I was thoroughly uninterested. I did like that it took place in Wales, though.
Wagner has such vivid prose, it’s easy to just languish in the imagery she conjures. The story really gets exciting, though! I can’t wait for the third one.
I liked this book, better then the frist one. It felt like there was more of a narrative story line with better developed dialog. Liked the story of reunions, reconnecting and fantastical elements.