The Expeditioners and the Lost City of Maps

The Expeditioners #3

by S.S. Taylor, Katherine Roy (Illustrations)

As the world teeters on the edge of war, Explorer-in-Training Kit West finishes his spy training and is sent on his first secret mission: a dangerous journey across the Simerian Desert to retrieve a secret map that will allow his government to fend off an invasion. But things are not as they seem and Kit must battle deadly sandstorms, ruthless spies, and government agents to find the map and stay on the trail of his father, the famous Explorer Alexander West. Will Kit have what it takes to find the map and a secret desert city known only in legend? And will he have the courage to finally find out where his father is leading him?

Genres: Steampunk

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

S. S. Taylor has been fascinated by maps ever since the age of 10, when she discovered an error on a map of her neighborhood and wondered if it was really a mistake. She has a strong interest in books of all kinds, expeditions, old libraries, mysterious situations, long-hidden secrets, missing explorers, and traveling to known and unknown places.

Reviews

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a long time since we read the first two books in the Expeditioners series, and that made it somewhat difficult to recall where things left off. But we enjoyed the writing style and the characters in this third installment. Overall, it didn't strike me as being as meaty and well written as the first two. It had more the feel of an extended an after-school cartoon adventure (think Speed Racer or Johnny Quest, that sort of thing). My impression was that it could have been developed more and expanded into a more substantial tale. But, as it is, it has left us wanting and hoping for more, so I guess it wasn't a disaster.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this isn't the conclusion to the story as I thought it was. The ending left more questions than answers and now I am going to figure out if another book has been written. The length of the book was much shorter than it's previous titles and probably could have combined into the previous one. I'm giving 4.25 stars.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kit is going on his first mission as an explorer-in-training. He is to find his way to a palace across the Simerian Dessert where a map that shows safe routes across the desert can be found. But he has to get there without such a map, and he also has his own personal side mission to find the Lost City of Maps and what his dad wanted him to uncover around Simeria.

It’s been quite a few years since I read the first 2 books in this series, but I eventually remembered who people were and what they were trying to do. I thought this book would wrap up the series, but it doesn’t. So now the wait is on for book 4. This was an entertaining spy/adventure book. It heavily features Kit and I missed having the others around as much, but it was still engaging and cleverly woven.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There were perilous circumstances and war is threatening, but no serious injuries on page that I remember.
Ethnic diversity: Kit is white American. His companion on this journey is Kemal who appears to be ethnically Arabic. They meet other Arabic people and a couple Europeans.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Some adults who are supposed are out to stop Kit because they want the treasure/findings for themselves.

[talefin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was finally able to get a copy of the third book! I'm sure it's much more appealing as a physical copy, but I seriously ate it up. It was easier to follow, having re-read the previous two books recently.

Coming back to the characters, they were still their hallmark selves. Watching Kit go from cartographer/explorer to spy, you can tell he's out of his comfort zone. At first, it's a bit of a disappointment to see a deviation from the regular crew of Zander, Kit, MK, and Sukey, but it makes much more sense this way with Kemal Asker and Kit, and I actually found it much more enjoyable. I thought it helped focus the plot to have Kemal and Kit.

(Side characters that are probably underrated that I really liked were Marek and Kemal.)

My favourite part was definitely the ending— it felt like a very cinematic shot and I loved seeing those characters come together. It was a cliffhanger as much as a satisfying conclusion to the third book. I would really, really love to see a fourth!

[Stephen Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read

I started reading this for a summer read and I really liked the first book, so naturally I got the second and I couldn’t put the trilogy down until I finished the last book. It was a great thrilling, mystery, page turner, roller coaster. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is in to mystery adventure novels. This book follows kit and his friends perfectly through when they first start leaning about adventuring and the world they live in all the way up to them being split up and fighting in a war. This follows their growing up and maturing, truly one of my top book reads. I would love another book this last one was a little different then the others it felt different a little rushed but still an amazing read. I would like to hear about kits next adventure.

[Andy Grabia · Rating 3 out of 5]

So glad I picked this series back up. A perfect summer read. Now I just need book four!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd been keeping an eye out for another in this series - I really enjoyed the first two. Maybe my expectations were too high because this fell a little flat. It was a fun read that adds to the worldbuilding. I do hope the author continues the series.

[Emma Cowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but 1st and 2nd were better