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Saint Lupin's Quest Academy for Consistently Dangerous and Absolutely Terrifying Adventures #2
The Adventurer's Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me)
Get ready for dragons, robots, and an even more dangerous quest in this hilarious, unputdownable sequel to The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes.
Anne, Penelope, and Hiro are nominated for Best Illegal Quest That Nearly Destroyed the Entire World at the annual Quest Academy Awards, but they barely get to enjoy it before a strange boy tricks Anne into activating a new quest. Her charge: kill the dragon queen. The problem is, Anne doesn't want to kill any dragons. But the mysterious boy does, even if it means igniting a devastating war between people and dragons. The only chance Anne and the others have to stop it is to get to the queen first. Along the way, they'll have to navigate ancient mines, avoid erupting volcanoes, outsmart robots, and survive the dragon trials. And, of course, get a passing grade on their quest. Packed with action, humor, and endless heart, this is a truly irresistible middle grade fantasy tale.
Anne, Penelope, and Hiro are nominated for Best Illegal Quest That Nearly Destroyed the Entire World at the annual Quest Academy Awards, but they barely get to enjoy it before a strange boy tricks Anne into activating a new quest. Her charge: kill the dragon queen. The problem is, Anne doesn't want to kill any dragons. But the mysterious boy does, even if it means igniting a devastating war between people and dragons. The only chance Anne and the others have to stop it is to get to the queen first. Along the way, they'll have to navigate ancient mines, avoid erupting volcanoes, outsmart robots, and survive the dragon trials. And, of course, get a passing grade on their quest. Packed with action, humor, and endless heart, this is a truly irresistible middle grade fantasy tale.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2017
25 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Wade Albert White
7 books82 followersWade hails from Nova Scotia, land of wild blueberries and Duck Tolling Retrievers. He teaches part time, dabbles in animation, and spends the rest of his time as a stay-at-home dad. It is also possible he has set a new record as the slowest 10K runner. Ever. He owns one pretend cat and one real one, and they get along fabulously.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 21, 2017
Seriously, Wade Albert White is one of the funniest authors writing today. This book, book two in the Adventurer's Series, is even better than the first and just as witty and creative. Anne and Penelope and Hiro are off on another quest, one that could result in them being shish-kebobs for the Dragon Queen. Rollicking adventure, brilliant writing, clever plot-twists - this book has it all!
April 28, 2018
I enjoyed this second installment of the Adventurer's Guide series and absolutely love the mystery and puzzle-solving aspect of these books (and definitely think I would have adored that challenge as a kid). That said, I often find that it would be incredibly difficult to actually solve the puzzles since there are so many interpretations and it seems like any one could have been "the right one" making it hard to play along.
I like the power-play questions presented in this book, as well as the concept that someone motives might not be what they appear. But, I was ultimately left feeling unfulfilled by the conclusion and am still not entirely sure what the message and point were. Which not every book has to hit you over the head with a moral! But, I'm not sure what the characters thought about the conclusion (or even entirely what the conclusion was).
I do adore the characters. The first book had me captivated by their unique, but also non-caricature personalities. And, while this book introduces a few new fun characters it doesn't really explore the original characters any further or delve too much into furthering their arcs.
Also, some potentially unsettling plot points for sensitive readers:
Overall, I still enjoy White's writing style. I always look forward to reading more of the story, it's easy to read without being simplistic, and the worlds and situations he creates are definitely, well, creative!
If there's another book to the series I'll be seeking it out :)
I like the power-play questions presented in this book, as well as the concept that someone motives might not be what they appear. But, I was ultimately left feeling unfulfilled by the conclusion and am still not entirely sure what the message and point were. Which not every book has to hit you over the head with a moral! But, I'm not sure what the characters thought about the conclusion (or even entirely what the conclusion was).
I do adore the characters. The first book had me captivated by their unique, but also non-caricature personalities. And, while this book introduces a few new fun characters it doesn't really explore the original characters any further or delve too much into furthering their arcs.
Also, some potentially unsettling plot points for sensitive readers:
Overall, I still enjoy White's writing style. I always look forward to reading more of the story, it's easy to read without being simplistic, and the worlds and situations he creates are definitely, well, creative!
If there's another book to the series I'll be seeking it out :)
July 27, 2017
Okay so these books are really fun, but I hope hoping they're going to deeper into what's /really/ going on. Like, is the world inside a computer? Is it being run by a computer?? What's with the computer stuff??? There better be a third book, because I need answers.
September 1, 2017
Anne, Penelope, and Hiro are back! My favourite adventuring trio have returned and managed to land themselves right smack in the middle of another mess- I mean quest. While attending the annual Quest Academy awards (they're up for Best Illegal Quest That Nearly Destroyed the Entire World), someone steals Anne's gauntlet and ends up activating a new quest. I don't want to give too much away, but it involves dragons and evil robots!
This book was just as delightful as the first one. I love the friendship between Anne, Penelope, and Hiro - I would follow them on any adventure! The world building in this series is so fun and unique. It's the type of book that you need to read multiple times because you'll catch interesting new bits at every pass. And the humour! I was laughing out loud at every chapter. It's a great book to read on your own, but I think it would be fantastic as a classroom or family read-aloud as well.
I highly recommend this series!
This book was just as delightful as the first one. I love the friendship between Anne, Penelope, and Hiro - I would follow them on any adventure! The world building in this series is so fun and unique. It's the type of book that you need to read multiple times because you'll catch interesting new bits at every pass. And the humour! I was laughing out loud at every chapter. It's a great book to read on your own, but I think it would be fantastic as a classroom or family read-aloud as well.
I highly recommend this series!
November 7, 2017
Okay, now I just want more haha.
This world is SO CONFUSING and addicting!!! Though this one isn’t as amazing as the first, it’s still incredible, and I’d be first in line for a third.
Valerian was a new, unpredictable character, who I wish we could’ve gotten to know more of. I hope he comes back, because I feel we didn’t have enough time to truly understand him.
Minor complaint, there wasn’t as many dragon math jokes as the first book as I hoped, but I mean, picky picky.
The ending felt too... stuffed? Too much happened at once so it’s gonna take a while to process it all, but it was still an enjoyable, adventurous read as ever.
This world is SO CONFUSING and addicting!!! Though this one isn’t as amazing as the first, it’s still incredible, and I’d be first in line for a third.
Valerian was a new, unpredictable character, who I wish we could’ve gotten to know more of. I hope he comes back, because I feel we didn’t have enough time to truly understand him.
Minor complaint, there wasn’t as many dragon math jokes as the first book as I hoped, but I mean, picky picky.
The ending felt too... stuffed? Too much happened at once so it’s gonna take a while to process it all, but it was still an enjoyable, adventurous read as ever.
November 7, 2017
I think this is a good book. I would recommend it to people who enjoy fantasy books.
June 28, 2017
My 11 year old son read this as an advanced copy. He loved it (and hadn't read the first one). He said it was really funny and couldn't put it down. In fact he had me go out and get him the first one right away and plowed through that as well.
November 21, 2019
My name is Penelope, and our team has accidentally been given a quest, again. As usual, a medallion attached itself to Anne’s gauntlet and activated an unauthorized quest. We’re supposed to slay the dragon queen, or are we supposed to save her from being slain. I’m not sure. Anne and Hiro seem to be okay with Valerian joining our team, but I don’t trust the thief. He was working with the Copper Knights that attacked us, but he says the creatures were actually using him. He also has a secret that sounds unlikely. Whatever, we need to find the blade of fifteen fingers before the Copper Knights do, or an all-out war between the humans and dragons may erupt.
It would help to read the first two books in the series, but you can still enjoy this book without them. I read the first three books out of order and can still recommend them. Floating islands form the setting, and characters can travel quickly using dragon fire. Technology is included through the use of robots, but there's an underlying computer factor that's briefly addressed at times in the series. I don't fully understand it yet, but I think that's the way it's supposed to be. The plot is all about an adventure, but you can expect a whole lot of silliness too. Many characters have goofy names, there are zany rules to follow, and the characters have amusing interactions. I enjoy the humor, but it may challenge the tolerance of some readers. The backbone of the story is a clever conflict with numerous twists and turns. The team is following a false quest, but someone caused it to be activated. Who did it, and what was the reason behind it? Several characters have false identities, so the reality of some events isn’t always clear. Many of these identities aren't revealed until the book nears its climax. Overall, the series is funny and entertaining, and I think it's worth a shot.
It would help to read the first two books in the series, but you can still enjoy this book without them. I read the first three books out of order and can still recommend them. Floating islands form the setting, and characters can travel quickly using dragon fire. Technology is included through the use of robots, but there's an underlying computer factor that's briefly addressed at times in the series. I don't fully understand it yet, but I think that's the way it's supposed to be. The plot is all about an adventure, but you can expect a whole lot of silliness too. Many characters have goofy names, there are zany rules to follow, and the characters have amusing interactions. I enjoy the humor, but it may challenge the tolerance of some readers. The backbone of the story is a clever conflict with numerous twists and turns. The team is following a false quest, but someone caused it to be activated. Who did it, and what was the reason behind it? Several characters have false identities, so the reality of some events isn’t always clear. Many of these identities aren't revealed until the book nears its climax. Overall, the series is funny and entertaining, and I think it's worth a shot.
March 1, 2022
3.5 stars
I grabbed this book for my daughter not realizing that it was the second in a series. That said, we were a little thrown off when it picked up by mentioning a bunch of stuff that happened in another (unread) book. Still, it wasn't too hard to follow along.
The main driving force behind this book was the humor. The best bits were the excerpts from Ann's adventurer's guide that showed up between chapters. Most of those were hilarious. That humor was carried through the whole story, though the execution didn't always carry over as well. The overall experience was sort of like watching a stand-up comedian on improve night. Some of the jokes hit gold while others fell flat.
There was a good deal of adventure and some fun action scenes. I wasn't super invested in the characters. Maybe that comes from jumping in at book 2? If I was to pick one thing that bothered me most it would probably be the character interactions. There were a few too many times when I was thrown out of the story and found myself thinking, "No one would ever act like that." I think the idea was to make the interactions funny, but the author often slipped from silly to ridiculous. (But maybe White was aiming for ridiculous. *shrug* Just know it's there so you're forewarned.)
The writing itself was fairly straightforward, which is good for a middle grade book. There were a few plot twists that seemed like a bit of a stretch, but we glided past them easily with a healthy suspension of disbelief. My daughter enjoyed the book enough that when we finished she begged my to buy the first one, which I did. Since she's in the target age range, I'd say that's recommendation enough. ;)
I grabbed this book for my daughter not realizing that it was the second in a series. That said, we were a little thrown off when it picked up by mentioning a bunch of stuff that happened in another (unread) book. Still, it wasn't too hard to follow along.
The main driving force behind this book was the humor. The best bits were the excerpts from Ann's adventurer's guide that showed up between chapters. Most of those were hilarious. That humor was carried through the whole story, though the execution didn't always carry over as well. The overall experience was sort of like watching a stand-up comedian on improve night. Some of the jokes hit gold while others fell flat.
There was a good deal of adventure and some fun action scenes. I wasn't super invested in the characters. Maybe that comes from jumping in at book 2? If I was to pick one thing that bothered me most it would probably be the character interactions. There were a few too many times when I was thrown out of the story and found myself thinking, "No one would ever act like that." I think the idea was to make the interactions funny, but the author often slipped from silly to ridiculous. (But maybe White was aiming for ridiculous. *shrug* Just know it's there so you're forewarned.)
The writing itself was fairly straightforward, which is good for a middle grade book. There were a few plot twists that seemed like a bit of a stretch, but we glided past them easily with a healthy suspension of disbelief. My daughter enjoyed the book enough that when we finished she begged my to buy the first one, which I did. Since she's in the target age range, I'd say that's recommendation enough. ;)
September 27, 2018
White has written another snarky, humorous adventure novel with this book. After their first madcap adventure, Anne, Penelope, and Hiro have enjoyed a bit of calm as they settle in at Saint Lupin's Quest Academy for Consistently Dangerous and Absolutely Terrifying Adventures, which Anne owns. But it's the calm before the storm. After arriving at the capital city of the Hierarchy to receive an award, things begin to go wrong in monumental ways. Anne's gauntlet gets stolen, iron robots come alive, and Anne ends up with another unexpected and unwanted quest. And this quest isn't just life-threatening, but war-threatening. Once again it's up to Anne and her friends to somehow save the day in their rather unorthodox way.
One of the things that I've especially enjoyed about this series is the twists and turns that jump out at one from behind almost every chapter. One really can't predict where the story is going to go next. Which is why I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series which involves pirate treasure. So many fantasy stories follow tried and true tropes that I always find it refreshing to find one that stands on it's own as uniquely as this series does. The combination of fantasy and science fiction elements is so unique that I can't really think of any books to relate it to. Just know that if you have a middle grade reader who enjoys a strong dose of snark and sarcasm with their fantasy adventures, this series makes for a wonderful place to start.
One of the things that I've especially enjoyed about this series is the twists and turns that jump out at one from behind almost every chapter. One really can't predict where the story is going to go next. Which is why I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series which involves pirate treasure. So many fantasy stories follow tried and true tropes that I always find it refreshing to find one that stands on it's own as uniquely as this series does. The combination of fantasy and science fiction elements is so unique that I can't really think of any books to relate it to. Just know that if you have a middle grade reader who enjoys a strong dose of snark and sarcasm with their fantasy adventures, this series makes for a wonderful place to start.
November 19, 2017
White, Wade Albert The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me), 366 pgs. Little, Brown 2017. $16.99. Language: G ( 0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (Sword fights and battles but not at all graphic)
When Anne, Penelope and Hiro are nominated for “Best Illegal Quest that Nearly Destroyed the Entire World”, the award ceremony is overtaken by a boy and his robot guards who compel Anne into activating a new quest - but this one is even more dangerous than the last, and the Dragon Queen is in danger. Picking a fight with the dragon queen is never a good idea, sending our heroes on another “things go from bad to worse” adventure.
A continuation of the adventures from book 1 there are new characters, old friends, and complete surprises. It’s very difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys, but the adventure is exciting, the humor is delightful and the pace will keep the pages turning. “Guide to Dragons” is better than “Successful Escapes” as the adventure starts right away and doesn’t really end, however, the reader will be in for the long haul as I’m sure there is another installment. This mix of fantasy and science fiction is an interesting use of the genres.
MS - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
When Anne, Penelope and Hiro are nominated for “Best Illegal Quest that Nearly Destroyed the Entire World”, the award ceremony is overtaken by a boy and his robot guards who compel Anne into activating a new quest - but this one is even more dangerous than the last, and the Dragon Queen is in danger. Picking a fight with the dragon queen is never a good idea, sending our heroes on another “things go from bad to worse” adventure.
A continuation of the adventures from book 1 there are new characters, old friends, and complete surprises. It’s very difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys, but the adventure is exciting, the humor is delightful and the pace will keep the pages turning. “Guide to Dragons” is better than “Successful Escapes” as the adventure starts right away and doesn’t really end, however, the reader will be in for the long haul as I’m sure there is another installment. This mix of fantasy and science fiction is an interesting use of the genres.
MS - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
August 26, 2019
The students of St. Lupin's are attending the annual Quest Academy Awards ceremony since they've been nominated for Best Illegal Quest That Nearly Destroyed the Entire World. However, the ceremony gets a little bit interrupted when Copper Soldiers knock out the Council and Anne's gauntlet again gets a mind of its own and activates a quest. This time it is a Dragon Slayer quest, which really doesn't go down very well with the dragons. The whole world is threatening to go to war but the details of the quest are odd and something just isn't adding up here. Can Anne, Penelope, and Hiro save the day before it goes all to pieces?
Not quite as funny as the first one, but still a very enjoyable and imaginative fantasy/scifi adventure. The blend of magic and dragons with robots and computers just doesn't happen that often (usually if it does they are enemies or something). I really like the world building. And Anne, Penelope, Hiro, and their new friends are quite entertaining to follow around. Hand this series to kids who like exciting adventures and using their imaginations.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There is one non-gruesome death by petrification. There is one stabbing, but it doesn't quite end as expected and isn't gory. Some robot on robot violence.
Not quite as funny as the first one, but still a very enjoyable and imaginative fantasy/scifi adventure. The blend of magic and dragons with robots and computers just doesn't happen that often (usually if it does they are enemies or something). I really like the world building. And Anne, Penelope, Hiro, and their new friends are quite entertaining to follow around. Hand this series to kids who like exciting adventures and using their imaginations.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There is one non-gruesome death by petrification. There is one stabbing, but it doesn't quite end as expected and isn't gory. Some robot on robot violence.
October 6, 2017
When Anne, Penelope and Hiro are nominated for “Best Illegal Quest that Nearly Destroyed the Entire World”, the award ceremony is overtaken by a boy and his robot guards who compel Anne into activating a new quest - but this one is even more dangerous than the last, and the Dragon Queen is in danger. Picking a fight with the dragon queen is never a good idea, sending our heroes on another “things go from bad to worse” adventure.
A continuation of the adventures from book 1 there are new characters, old friends, and complete surprises. It’s very difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys, but the adventure is exciting, the humor is delightful and the pace will keep the pages turning. “Guide to Dragons” is better than “Successful Escapes” as the adventure starts right away and doesn’t really end, however, the reader will be in for the long haul as I’m sure there is another installment. This mix of fantasy and science fiction is an interesting use of the genres.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
A continuation of the adventures from book 1 there are new characters, old friends, and complete surprises. It’s very difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys, but the adventure is exciting, the humor is delightful and the pace will keep the pages turning. “Guide to Dragons” is better than “Successful Escapes” as the adventure starts right away and doesn’t really end, however, the reader will be in for the long haul as I’m sure there is another installment. This mix of fantasy and science fiction is an interesting use of the genres.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
September 3, 2017
Despite a busy schedule, I plowed through this book! (That is, when I could smuggle it from the thieving hands of my 13-year-old.) Wade Albert White is SO FUNNY! This book is full of zany adventures and the kind of utter silliness that makes my heart happy.
Second books in a series can be difficult to pull off, but The Adventurer's Guide to Dragons is every bit as fun (funny/hilarious/belly-laugh-inducing) and well-written as the first. In this installment, Anne (Anvil), Penelope, and Hiro are once again thrust on a quest--a dangerous and highly illegal one. They must find a way to kill the Queen Dragon while keeping her safe.
The world-building shines. The mysteries deepen. The characters feel like friends. This is the perfect kind of book to get lost in while curled up under a blanket.
My only complaint is that it ends. Can't wait for the next book!
Second books in a series can be difficult to pull off, but The Adventurer's Guide to Dragons is every bit as fun (funny/hilarious/belly-laugh-inducing) and well-written as the first. In this installment, Anne (Anvil), Penelope, and Hiro are once again thrust on a quest--a dangerous and highly illegal one. They must find a way to kill the Queen Dragon while keeping her safe.
The world-building shines. The mysteries deepen. The characters feel like friends. This is the perfect kind of book to get lost in while curled up under a blanket.
My only complaint is that it ends. Can't wait for the next book!
November 3, 2019
366 pages. This is the second book in the series. It is filled with lots of adventures and dangers from start to finish. The twists, turns and challenges that Anne and her friends meet are quite a handful. The author really takes things to another level when they have to deal with dragons, magical stones and knights that can be controlled from external sources. No matter what success Anne achieves, she always seems to fall short and land in some sort of trouble. She is such a resilient character and will inspire readers. This tale includes friendship/teamwork, puzzles to solve and endurance in the face of mortal danger. I think kids will love it. The middle got a big bogged down but keep reading. It is a satisfying read for sure. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.
October 31, 2018
I received this book free from goodreads giveaways.
I did not realize immediately that this was book number two in a series. I should have read number one first. To really understand what is going on and not be lost the first third of the book you need to read number one. After I finally figured out what was going on I really enjoyed the story. The chapters are short and I loved all the additional information at the beginning of each chapter. The characters were likable and the story kept my interest. I am putting the first book on my to read list.
I did not realize immediately that this was book number two in a series. I should have read number one first. To really understand what is going on and not be lost the first third of the book you need to read number one. After I finally figured out what was going on I really enjoyed the story. The chapters are short and I loved all the additional information at the beginning of each chapter. The characters were likable and the story kept my interest. I am putting the first book on my to read list.
August 8, 2019
Second in series where a dragon slayer quest is activated by mistake. Anne Anvil, Penelope Shatterblade and Hiro Darkflame once again are thrown into a quest, but this time it is to kill the dragon queen.
A new student named Valerian activated the quest on purpose because the dragon queen turned his mother into stone.
If Anne and her friends accomplish this killing, it would mean the start of a war between the humans and the dragons. No one wants that.
A new student named Valerian activated the quest on purpose because the dragon queen turned his mother into stone.
If Anne and her friends accomplish this killing, it would mean the start of a war between the humans and the dragons. No one wants that.
January 22, 2021
What's great about this book: My kids read it, so they are thrilled that we can talk about it. They especially loved the climactic battle scene, which *was* awesomely cinematic. Also: I love the pages from The Adventurer's Guide stuffed between each chapter. They are hilarious. I would recommend this book to any young fantasy gamer.
What's not-so-great about this book: The prose is uninspiring and the plot twists don't always make a lot of sense. But the author pushes through them with such gusto that I have forgotten the details of my objections.
What's not-so-great about this book: The prose is uninspiring and the plot twists don't always make a lot of sense. But the author pushes through them with such gusto that I have forgotten the details of my objections.
September 28, 2017
An unforgettable of adventure brimming with humor, friendship, dragons, and magic! This is the kind of book that gets kids exciting about reading. Be warned, this adventure is one you'll be reading at your own risk....
FULL REVIEW http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2017/0...
FULL REVIEW http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2017/0...
June 18, 2019
This is the second in the series featuring Anne, Penelope and Hiro who are headed to a celebration of their success with their first quest (despite burning their school down) when they are chosen by a medallion to kill the dragon queen (not a good idea). Since one of their best friends is a dragon, they must find a way to tackle the quest and save the queen's life.
August 21, 2017
Another installment in this irresistible series filled with adventures and hijinks. I've recommended the first one to every fantasy-loving kid I know since I read it, and I'm going to do the same with the sequel. So much fun!
September 12, 2017
I loved the first book in this series, and this was equally as much fun. It's clever, funny, and completely original. I highly recommend this series for middle-grade readers. Added bonus- the author is Canadian.
September 22, 2017
A worthy successor to book 1 in the same style of "Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy if it were middle grade fantasy" that will make you alternately laugh and gasp as you wonder what impossible surprise turn of events will come up next.
Can't wait for book 3.
Can't wait for book 3.
June 5, 2018
This second great entry in the Adventurer's Guide series picks up where the first left off, poking loving (and hilarious) fun at fantasy tropes while pulling readers into a page-turning adventure with plenty of heart.
October 9, 2018
"The Adventurer's Guide to Dragons (And Why They Keep Biting Me)" by Wade Albert White was a 363 page book about four kids named Anne, Penelope, Hiro, and Valerian who go on a dangerous dragon-slaying quest.
In the second book of the "Adventurer's Guide" series, Anne, Penelope, and Hiro are finally settling into life after their first quest. They are nominated for an award, but when they attend the ceremony, a strange boy activates an illegal quest to murder the dragon queen. The boy, along with the malicious robot Copper Knights, escapes to find a mysterious sword, leaving Anne and her friends detained at the capital. Then, with the help of Nana the dragon, they escape to stop him and save the dragon queen. The valiant trio finds the boy, whose name is Valerian, at the home of a blinded blacksmith named Emmanuelle who is under a curse that makes her slowly turn to stone. Emmanuelle, who turns out to be Valerian's mother, reveals that Valerian's intentions were actually good, and, joining forces, they journey onward to retrieve the sword. On the way, they are reunited with their friend Rokk the robot, who assists them in retrieving the sword. However, the Copper Knights find them, and they brainwash Rokk and kidnap Valerian and Emmanuelle, along with the sword. Just after that, dragons swoop down and capture Hiro, Anne, and Penelope, taking them to the dragon capital to be put on trial before the queen.
They are found guilty, despite their pleas, and so their only way out of execution is to attempt the dragon trials, which are "a big test involving riddles and sword fighting and maybe even a bit of magick and whatnot." They pass, but the queen denies their freedom anyway and a dragon mutiny ensues. The steadfast group escapes into an underground maze, where they meet up with Valerian. They also discover that Emmanuelle has turned completely to stone, and she was secretly a dragon, meaning Valerian is half-dragon. The Copper Knights find them again, capturing Penelope and Hiro. Valerian and Anne stage a daring rescue, just barely succeeding. They end up in a deserted wasteland, where they meet the Construct, a holographic computer interface who has assisted them in the past. Once again, the Copper Knights find them just as they reclaim the sword, and Rokk, still under mind control, takes the sword and escapes to kill the dragon queen. They discover that the Copper Knights are actually power suits inhabited by people, and together with the Construct they free the pilots from the suits and take control of them, using the suits to get back to the dragon capital. There, there is a huge battle where the queen commits suicide, but then is resurrected into an evil indestructible robotic dragon. She flies to the capital to wreak havoc, but Anne commandeers a giant Copper Knight to stop her, eventually succeeding by crawling inside the robot and destroying it from there.
I liked this book, but not nearly as much as the first one, because I found the plot to be very complicated and hard to understand at times. I did really like the new character, Valerian, though, and I think he adds a lot to the story with his mysterious backstory and unpredictable personality, and I like how you go from not trusting him to trusting him and back again over and over; it really keeps you guessing.
I think I would probably recommend this book to somebody else, but as I said the plot could be very confusing at times, even though overall it was an excellent story.
In the second book of the "Adventurer's Guide" series, Anne, Penelope, and Hiro are finally settling into life after their first quest. They are nominated for an award, but when they attend the ceremony, a strange boy activates an illegal quest to murder the dragon queen. The boy, along with the malicious robot Copper Knights, escapes to find a mysterious sword, leaving Anne and her friends detained at the capital. Then, with the help of Nana the dragon, they escape to stop him and save the dragon queen. The valiant trio finds the boy, whose name is Valerian, at the home of a blinded blacksmith named Emmanuelle who is under a curse that makes her slowly turn to stone. Emmanuelle, who turns out to be Valerian's mother, reveals that Valerian's intentions were actually good, and, joining forces, they journey onward to retrieve the sword. On the way, they are reunited with their friend Rokk the robot, who assists them in retrieving the sword. However, the Copper Knights find them, and they brainwash Rokk and kidnap Valerian and Emmanuelle, along with the sword. Just after that, dragons swoop down and capture Hiro, Anne, and Penelope, taking them to the dragon capital to be put on trial before the queen.
They are found guilty, despite their pleas, and so their only way out of execution is to attempt the dragon trials, which are "a big test involving riddles and sword fighting and maybe even a bit of magick and whatnot." They pass, but the queen denies their freedom anyway and a dragon mutiny ensues. The steadfast group escapes into an underground maze, where they meet up with Valerian. They also discover that Emmanuelle has turned completely to stone, and she was secretly a dragon, meaning Valerian is half-dragon. The Copper Knights find them again, capturing Penelope and Hiro. Valerian and Anne stage a daring rescue, just barely succeeding. They end up in a deserted wasteland, where they meet the Construct, a holographic computer interface who has assisted them in the past. Once again, the Copper Knights find them just as they reclaim the sword, and Rokk, still under mind control, takes the sword and escapes to kill the dragon queen. They discover that the Copper Knights are actually power suits inhabited by people, and together with the Construct they free the pilots from the suits and take control of them, using the suits to get back to the dragon capital. There, there is a huge battle where the queen commits suicide, but then is resurrected into an evil indestructible robotic dragon. She flies to the capital to wreak havoc, but Anne commandeers a giant Copper Knight to stop her, eventually succeeding by crawling inside the robot and destroying it from there.
I liked this book, but not nearly as much as the first one, because I found the plot to be very complicated and hard to understand at times. I did really like the new character, Valerian, though, and I think he adds a lot to the story with his mysterious backstory and unpredictable personality, and I like how you go from not trusting him to trusting him and back again over and over; it really keeps you guessing.
I think I would probably recommend this book to somebody else, but as I said the plot could be very confusing at times, even though overall it was an excellent story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2019
LOVE this series! Events are getting twistier and more exciting for Ann and her friends! Adventures pile on top of adventures, and the humor is there as well. I kept laughing and reading past midnight to find out exactly what was going to happen.
January 20, 2021
What a fun book/series! All three of my kids loved this, as did I. So funny, full of adventure, and characters are just awesome. My 7-year old begged for me to read this multiple times. It left in a good place, but we will most definitely pick up the next one.
September 29, 2017
This book is a great combination of fantasy and sci-fi, and plenty of adventure to keep the pages turning! Not to mention completely hilarious!
November 13, 2017
Another wonderful adventure!!!! I love this book!!!!!
November 28, 2017
I love, love, love this amazing book!!!!! Great adventure for kids!!!!!
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