Sticks Stones and Dragon Bones II

Dragon Bone #2

by Evelyn Ink

Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN B00BJC5F4O.

Book Two takes the Darlington Sisters deep into Sookuth territory. With the help of the pirates and their new friend Joash, a messenger boy for the rebel army, the sisters learn of the evil ruler Abraxis and the Dark Guard. More importantly, as they untangle the clues within Sibyl's prophecy, they come to understand their sister’s fate is unequivocally entangled with that of the Sookuth people and the Rebel Crows.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Action

252 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Evelyn Ink was formally trained to be a parachutist, but found it did not fit her longstanding desire to avoid heights and thus decided to study the much less vertically horrifying subject of English Literature.

Due to the web of conspiracy which surrounds Evelyn Ink, she rarely appears in public, but when she does it’s best to avoid her on account of her enduring history of social disrepute. There has been more than one regrettable event regarding bent cameras and shattered umbrellas.

It’s hard to say how old she is, but I would guess she was born well before you were. Her childhood home, deep in some unknown, but undoubtably pleasant countryside, was turned into a plastic bubblepuck factory forcing her family to move far into the Stonegrave Mountains. These Mountains were unfortunately chosen to be used as an experimental avalanche catastrophe (EAC) site and once again the Ink Family was forced to move. It seems ill-fortune struck again and again as they were repeatedly obligated to change locations: once due to a plague of urban badgers, a fracking sinkhole, and then again when a tuna factory’s waste disposal sight was established just outside their home.

As an adult she has continued on in this nomadic lifestyle, crossing oceans and continents when necessary. Necessary being: under the scrutiny of the press, unwarranted investigations, and an ill-timed anarchist fan base. Evelyn was quoted saying,

Mrs. Ink also prefers the term “vacation” to “exile.”

That said, Mrs. Ink continues on writing and publishing while in exile . . . sorry, on vacation, with her husband, who (name unknown) is thought by many to be both an anarchist and mad philosopher.

You may choose to follow Evelyn Ink on her blog, although due to her absolute terror of electronics and a crippling phobia of the social media (technical term: Socmephobia), her blog posts tend to be infrequent and erratic. Also, due to several post exile investigations and her current relocation program, she is generally prevented from giving specific information regarding her whereabouts (Though, by the hollowly echo and vintage-like hum of a rotary phone, I would suspect from our last conversation, she is somewhere deep underground).

This report was conducted by:
Mr. Edwin Riddle
Of Public Relations, Personal Investigates, and Subterfuge.

Reviews

[Erik This Kid Reviews Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

In book I the Darlington girls find a portal to a world called Enil in their basement. The children end up in Enil and find out their mother is princess from Enil who ran away because she was in trouble. In book 2, Paige, Bean, Dorrit and Hayde are still on the ship, the Waltzing Matilda, going up a river, searching for their kidnapped sister, Audra. At the end of the river, the girls get out and meet Joash, a boy who joins them and acts as a guide. Since Joash is one of the rebels who are trying to overthrow an evil ruler, he tells them about the rebellion. Joash also knows where Audra is and he agrees to help them find Audra but it turns out not to be as easy a it sounds.

I liked the first book in this series and this book was a good next book. I like the action Ms. Ink puts in her stories. The plot was very exciting but appropriate for middle graders. I was a bit disappointed that the cover of book 2 is (practically) the same as book 1. I like Paige. She is a doer, but also a writer. I like that. Bean is a scientist, while Dorrit & Hayde think they are pirates and super-tough. The quartet makes an interesting group. I think the how all the sisters treated and talked to each other was very believable. The setting and story were described well, but the beginning of the book was pretty confusing especially if you didn’t read book 1. Book 2 jumped right into the story without an introduction. Because it was a while since I read book 1, I forgot some of the characters’ names and a bunch of new characters were added, so I was a bit confused and had to go back to book 1 to remember which character was who. The world of Emil is cool and Ms. Ink makes you feel like you are there. Once I got all the characters straight in the story, it kept me turning the pages and I really enjoyed it.
**NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved this book as a young girl or teen. Heck, I loved it as a old crone! Four strong sisters, the younger two, twins, are looking for their older, teen sister in a world they have accidentally slipped into. It is one adventure after another. The action doesn't stop! These are smart, strong girls in a story I think even boys would like to read.

This is a continuation of the first story that ended with a cliff hanger. I don't like cliff hangers. I love all the tension that Ms. Evelyn Ink has woven in snarls and tangles adding knights and horses, forests, castles and survival. Yeah, the girls are endanger, running for their lives. But they meet friends along the way. But can they trust them? Are they really friends?

My biggest problem with the book is the sudden cliff hanger, again. I hate those! But I have to admit that the author was clever in her way of dealing with it in afterward.

This was a free book for review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this fun book!

[Cherese A. Vines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige, Bean, Dorrit and Hayde, the Darlington sisters, find themselves on a pirate ship on the Sylock River. They are following the cryptic prophesy cited in book one and headed into the dangerous territory of Abraxis, the almost king, in search of their sister Audra.

The second book of the Sticks, Stones and Dragon Bones series is just as adventurous. However, you must read the first book to fully grasp this one. Although this book does have excitement, I didn't find it as thrilling as the first book. But this being the middle of the story, I expected the slight lull.

I can't wait for the exciting ending to the Darlington sisters' tale. Great series.

Read more reviews by Cherese Vines at www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpre...

[Diane Lynch Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Darlington sisters continue their quest to rescue their oldest sister, Audra. Following the clues in Sibyl's prophecy, they travel with Mad Maddies pirates to get closer to their destination. With the help of a boy from the rebel army, Joash, they are on the run to avoid capture by the fake king, Abraxis and his Dark Guard.

Evelyn Ink keeps the exciting story going in the sequel “Sticks, Stones, and Dragon Bone II.”

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, I feel like this shouldn't be a trilogy it should just be one book as yet again we stopped mid plot and rather than it being suspenseful I just found it a little annoying. But that doesn't mean to say I didn't like the book, aside from not being able to even begin to pronounce anyone's names. It is a very easy read that doesn't take a whole lot of concentration so was very good for late night, just before I go to sleep reading.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series! Great for all ages.