Operation Storm City

The Guild of Specialists #3

by Joshua Mowll

"Book Three of The Guild Trilogy": the adventure continues and the stakes are higher than ever. "Book Three of The Guild Trilogy" finds Becca and Doug back at their old family home in Lucknow, India, where they discover research papers containing clues to their missing parents' expedition route and to the location of Ur-Can - the fabled Storm City. Soon they are on a perilous journey to the Takla Makan desert, racing against the enemy by steam train, riverboat, and airship across the Himalayas. But the race is on to take control of Ur-Can - ancient source of power and threat to the security of the planet. Can Becca, Doug and the Guild get there in time? And has their quest taught them enough to solve the final mystery of Storm City, or will they find their parents only to lose them again for ever?

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction, Historical Fantasy

Hardcover

First published May 12, 2009

About the author

Author of Operation Red Jericho, Operation Typhoon Shore, Operation Storm City, The Great Space Race and Beautiful Titan

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old-me would have eaten this entire series with a spoon. In addition to the visual interest of illustrations, diagrams, and marginalia, there's several fold-out schematics that just adds to the artifact value of the book itself. And, of course, it's styled as a hefty Moleskine journal with elastic closure.

Substantially-older-than-twelve-me likes the idea of the thing more than the thing itself. Lost civilizations and secret world histories and conspiracies are great, but the components are familiar and I never had the impression that it was going to go in some new direction.

[Genevieve Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a kid, this book was hella difficult to follow. Who are all these new people? Where did they come from? This confusion led to me not actually remembering very much of this book. It's hard to retain information you don't understand. Now it's not quite so confusing, but still falls short of being really satisfying. The first half of this book, with the intrigue in Lucknow and subsequent train and blimp shenanigans is right up the alley of the first two books.

The wrap-up, though, is weak.

The fact that some random group of Cossacks found the legendary city of Ur-Can when the Sujing, the HGS, the Tembla, and the Coterie have all been fighting for clues to its location for hundreds of years... seems a little random. Similarly, Pugachev's plan to wipe out all of Eurasia with a giant land hurricane comes off as kind of pointless. I assume Pugachev is unhinged and irrational, because why else would anyone think a giant land hurricane would solve any of their problems?

I too hate my country's current government, but would killing billions of random people for no reason and destroying 2 continents help? Not really. Also, how exactly did the Tembla think that building a giant hurricane machine would be useful? The only way we can vacuum dirt from the atmosphere is to devastate half the world in the process? Is it even worth it, when the necessity for having an atmosphere vacuum machine in the first place seems deeply questionable?

I wish there was more closure, as well. During the battle Becca and Doug's reunion with their parents was necessarily rushed and awkward. Afterward, all we get is a brief "the conversation flowed as it had around their dinner table." That's it?! The captain invited Becca and Doug to continue sailing with him, but what about their parents? How is that going to work? How the heck are Xu and Xi going to rebuild the entire Sujing Quantou order with just the two of them?

This book is still a rip-roaring adventure, but I could have done with a little less rip and roar in exchange for the story making some more sense at the end.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of adventure and action but the characters felt flat. Quantity does not equal quality - the author crammed this installment full of new and old villains and alliances, so many in fact that it was hard for me to keep up, no idea how the 12 year olds in the intended audience managed. The best part was the graphic design, the fold out schematics, the sidebars and journal entries and sketches. Wish Mowell had kept himself to flushing out these accessories and basic plot outline and then let a better writer take over to fill in all the details. Kept going in the series because I wanted to know what this ancient technology was intended to do and how it was being corrupted by power hungry humans, but even more so because I wanted to know what happened to Doug and Becca’s parents and if the family would ever be reunited. Everything was anticlimactic. Great opportunity to really let the characters shine through in these pivotal moments and everything just dissipated like the air in the blimp when it crash landed.

[Carl Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to the Guild of Specialists trilogy that leads Becca and Doug MacKenzie deep into the desert of China in their quest to find their missing parents. Operation Storm City hits all the Indiana Jones tropes at a middle reader level--codes to break! secret maps! archaic forms of transport! villain monologuing! mystical metaphysics! hidden passages! science mumbo-jumbo! ancient cities! brotherhoods sworn to defend secret artifacts! the end of the world!--but rises above the level of simple exploitation of the theme.

Improving the book (and the entire series) is the presentation. Each volume feels like a large Moleskine, chock full of sketches, asides, and fold-out ephemera that augments the story with visual and tactile interest.

My inner middle school reader self was delighted; as an adult, a little more character depth and more focus on the personal impact to the characters would have made this series excellent instead of "just" enjoyable. Fun escapism with a heart and fabulous presentation: 3 stars for the story, 5 for the creativity and rich, enjoyable format.

2024 Read or Die Challenge book #10 of 12!

[Shelby Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading the first book in this trilogy about a year ago because my Grandad got it free from a newspaper. I picked it up from his table because the cover design really appealed to me and I ended up reading the whole book in days. It wasn’t until the end of that first book I realised it was a trilogy. Naturally, I hopped online to buy the next two instalments. Upon delivery I see the note on the front cover of the third book (Operation Storm City): “A Da Vinci Code for children”. I had to laugh because here I am, a 25 year old woman completely hooked on a trilogy written for children. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of Doug and Becca’s escapades around the world fighting pirates, Russian mercenaries and all sorts of other intriguing villains in the merciless hunt for their missing parents. Every book in the trilogy is so moreish and the visuals and pullouts make them even more fun. Not written for adults but it was a fun change for me!!

[Matthew Taddeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

For this quarter, I read Operation Storm City, by Joshua Mowll. This book is the final book in the three book series. This book was probably my favorite one so far. It was action packed and finally gave an ending.

In this book, Becca, Doug, and others are returning on the Expedient from Typhoon Shore. The main purpose of this book was to give an ending to the story. The turning point in this book was when Doug and Becca (Spoiler Alert) finally found their parents. The story was not as action packed as the ones before, but it was more of a suspenseful book.

Overall, I think this whole series was great. I would recommend this book to any teen or adult who likes adventure and lots of action.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a rarity for a trilogy, the second installment remains the strongest, largely due to its location. A desert just can't compete, not even when it contains cities of legend buried beneath the sands. But I'm glad I finished it out as it remains an enjoyable if silly ride to the end, carried as always on the strength of its incredible illustrations and fold-out papers.

(I especially loved the detailed drawing of a beautiful rearing pinto horse in the pull-out section on the fighting techniques of the Wetern chapter of the Sujing Quantou. And though I'm not normally into the schematic stuff, I did find the details on the airship fascinating.)

Bummer about the deaths of Ba'ad Ak and Master Aa, though. Way to give me semi-literal war flashbacks to Lupin & Tonks.

[Angus Shen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well written and had me wondering if these events really happened. The graphs and images to show certain objects and events they are talking about. This book was a great conclusion to this series as it wrapped up everything and revealed that their parents were still alive. I would highly recommend this book as it will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book also gave us a look at the final villain an that Crozier was a good person in the end and helped Doug and save the world.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than the second one and kept my interest without so much struggle.
This series would be okay for a young adult to read with no problem, but is definitely dated and they would need to be able to wrap their minds around the fact that there are no cell phones or computer technology.

[Jimena Paredes · Rating 2 out of 5]

In general I found this and intriguing trilogy. However it did not manage to capture my attention and at times it felt slow and quite dull. The only reason I kept going was to find out what had happened to their parents, a mistery only resolved in the last installment.

[Vic Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

bit of a lackluster ending

I would have liked more spookiness. the first book in the series is deiniftely the best. their parents being all messed up is super hard core tho

and plus, I've finally finished this series after like twelve years of my life. yay!

[Lizeth Corredor IG: los libros de Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

La tercera y última (creo) entrega de la trilogía de la ICE y debo decir que en lo personal me encantó, una historia llena de aventuras que te deja con ganas de más, siento que además de ser una edición especialmente cuidada en cada detalle, le da el cierre perfecto a la historia de los McKenzie

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

IDK, I kinda expected the climactic ending of a trilogy to be a bit more... climactic.

[kingshearte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinkiang Desert, China: Deep in the Desert of Death, forces converge in the race to find Ur-Can - the fabled Storm City. Becca and Doug are desperate to reach the lost city and discover their parents' fate, but enemies, old and new, threaten to arrive first and take control of the ancient machine located there. Can Doug and Becca solve the final mystery and stop the power-hungry General Pugachev from endangering the planet - or will they find their parents only to lose them forever?

Book 3 in the Guild of Specialists Trilogy, and a nice conclusion to the series. Everything got nicely wrapped up, they found their parents, saved the world, yadda yadda yadda... Oh, I'm sorry, that was a spoiler. But I'm sure you didn't think that in a children's book, they wouldn't successfully reunite with their parents, and might in fact blow up the world?

In any case, despite the outcome being somewhat predictable, the story was still exciting, with lots of adventures, and shifting loyalties, and all that good stuff. The villain's final speech about why he was doing what he was doing was so awesomely petty and ludicrous; I loved it.

Another thing I kind of liked, that sounds a little counter-intuitive, is that, as a result of the span between when I read each of the three books, I was ever so slightly lost in places. Never so much that I couldn't still follow the story just fine, but certain details, I'd forgotten entirely. What I love about that is that it means Mowll didn't feel it necessary to recap everything that happened in the previous books every time. That sort of thing can be sort of handy if you are in fact reading the books as they come out, and there is a gap between readings, but now that they're all out, anyone reading them has the option of reading them all in one go, and that's when it becomes very good not to have to read summaries of what you just read. So yeah. That was something I really liked.

One thing I gotta say, though, is that based on the illustrations, every female has atrocious hair. Almost shoulder-length, but a little shorter on top (not quite a mullet, but almost), curly and shaggy... kind of like a sheepdog. It's a terrible haircut and all of them seem to have it, and I think it's a terrible thing to have done to his characters.

Generally, though, nice little series. As I've said before, great for boys who aren't into fantasy, and even for boys who have just read a lot of the more common things, because I think this one is still a bit under the radar for most people. So while I haven't had much opportunity lately to recommend kids' books, this one stays firmly in mind, and I recommend it to other co-workers to recommend to customers.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Ja, ja, Rebecca en Douglas MacKenzie, ik zie dat jullie zonder mij zijn begonnen? De problemen hangen als vliegen tegen een autoruit aan jullie kont, niet?'

Als eerste wil ik hier, zeker als vertaler, even iets zeggen over de vertaling. Die is echt heel erg goed gedaan. Je staat er meestal niet bij stil, maar zo'n illustraties en kaarten vertalen is écht moeilijk. Niet per se vanwege het vertalen zelf, maar omdat je moet uitkijken dat je - in een perfecte wereld - niets overslaat; de tekst kan eender waar staan, en soms niet al te zichtbaar. Wanneer je erop gaat letten, dan zul je zien dat er in de drie boeken wel enkele plekken zijn waar het Engelse is blijven staan, maar da's eigenlijk heel miniem. En daarnaast heeft deze reeks een heel rijke vocabulaire, te meer met al die specialistische termen. Knap werk van Gerbrand Bakker!

Met dit boek komen we aan de apotheose van Becca en Dougs avonturen - en wat voor een! Hier zit alles in wat er maar in moet en kan zitten, en toch is het niet té veel. Bijna 300 bladzijdes aan puur lees- en kijkgenot. Daar komt nog bij dat er in dit boek een van mijn favoriete vervoersmiddelen aan bod komt: de zeppelin! Mét uitvouwbare kaart, een van de grootste én knapste van de reeks, wat mij betreft. Die details, mensen, die zijn ongelooflijk.

Het is trouwens ook wel eens leuk dat het zich in Azië afspeelt, een setting die we in jeugdboeken (en YA ook) redelijk weinig zien, en dat dan nog in 1920. Er zouden meer zulke boeken moeten zijn, want de culturen zijn ook echt reuze-interessant!

Bon, als afsluiter: Deze reeks bevat voor mij, na al die jaren, mee van de beste verhaallijnen, schrijfstijlen en aangenaamste personages die ik ooit ben tegengekomen. Het is jammer dat praktisch alle boeken - op een paar na - na een tijdje uit de belangstelling en de boekenwinkels verdwijnen, want dit is voor mij echt een blijver. Als je die boeken ergens ziet staan en je hebt wat geld op overschot, koop ze, en het zou me erg verwonderen mocht je het berouwen.
10/10 (nog maar eens).

Gemiddelde rating voor deze reeks: 10/10

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

With each installment, this trilogy just gets better and better, and "Operation Storm City" is no exception. Exciting, mysterious, funny, and even a little unpredictable (it's a rare thing to find an adventure story that isn't). And of course, the illustrations and fold-out diagrams add to its awesomeness. For those Readers who enjoy stories like "Indiana Jones" and "The Adventures of Tintin," this is an ideal trilogy. The only thing that is lacking is some Germans. Sorry, but Russains just aren't as good of villains. Too bad the Author didn't set it a little further in history, so we could have the Nazis be the central villains. Then it would have been a 100% ideal adventure story.

But that's my only complaint. The characters are all good; Doug and Becca are siblings who banter with each other, but aren't always constantly fighting. They turn their attention to the immediate problem and put aside any differences they might have until a more appropriate moment. And it makes me unbelievably happy that the Author successfully wrote in a tomboy character who wasn't annoying. While Liberty's Texan accent did get old, that is the only thing about her that grows taxing, and the rest of her is good. I am glad, also, that the Author made her a pilot. Let's face it: in every single adventure story, our protagonist(s) will have to fly a plane at some point - it is a "must have" in an adventure story. And so few writers give their protagonist(s) an understanding of flying. So it was nice that Liberty knew how to fly planes.

"Operation Storm City," while certainly the most exciting volume, is also the weirdest. Think along of lines of "Tintin" meets "Stargate SG-1." At some point in our history, a very ancient civilization invented a gravity machine. And the whole plot of "Operation Storm City" focuses on the villains trying to power up this gravity machine in order to cause havoc across the globe. It's a little strange and more than a little science-fiction-ish. But it still makes for a good adventure story, and the ending will not disappoint.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read all the books in this triology. The preceeding volumes are Operation Red Jericho and Operation Typhoon Shore. Great adventure books for the young and the young at heart. The books contain all the good stuff, fold out maps, codes, diagrams and machines. The female characters get as much adventure cred as the males, which is refreshing (they may actually get more but I could be bias). The plot is fast, and the characters well developed. Books Quarterly describes Operation Storm City as the 'A Da Vinci Code for children" I'd have to disagree, this book is better written. As an adult I couldn't put it down and it would appeal to to both boys and girls.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun adventure book, but not as interesting or well-constructed as the previous two. There's an odd feeling of going through the motions as we travel from place to place, swallowing plenty of dutiful exposition along the way. The more promising ideas from the last book (Borelli, Charlie, the Coterie, sibling conflict) are abandoned, replaced with a colourful chase across India and some moustache-twirling Russians.

As ever, the design is lovely and the ideas are often clever. But sadly it's a bit sterile.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion of the series does not disappoint. From Srinagar to the deserts of China's silk road the McKenzie siblings seek to rescue their parents with the help of Xi/XU Sujing, Liberty Devine, Captain McKenzie and and bigger cast of characters. Great book for anyone who loves adventure. One plus this book cannot be read on an e-reader to appreciate it one must have the book and devout the fold out maps, diagrams and pictures.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a good adventure novel, but I have to say that I didn't feel afraid for the fate of any of the characters as I read. Knowing that everything was (probably/more than likely) going to end up okay distanced me a bit from the plot. This series still blows me away with its illustrations, maps, and other goodies peppered around the pages. We need more illustrated novels in the world of non-young adult fiction!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good "story" nothing more i read the whole book on the plane ride to germany and i enjoyed every bit. the science adventure the crosses the globe is a good way to describe the book. this book is the third installment in a series that i have followed for quite some time. also the book its self is interesting it has plans and fold out to give more facts about the stories.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final episode of Becca and Doug as they travel to Asian deserts in search of their parents and Ur-Can. They meet up with old friends: Liberty, Master A, the eastern and western chapters of the Sujing Quantou, the captain and crew of the expident as Doug's lucky socks are relied upon more than ever. Sujing Cha!

[family · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book so far. I only got to page 57 today but it good. Doug and Becca MacKenzie are searching for their lost, and presumed dead, parents who disappeared in the Chinese desert. They go to a maze to find an type of navigation tool. That's all.

[Cristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me encanto el desarrollo del libro, no estoy segura que el personaje de Liberty me acabara de gustar y sinceramente la reunión con los señores Mackenzie me dejo un extraño sabor a desilusión.
Aunque me gusto la aventura y Leonel libró en tan sólo un día, me quede con ganas de un epílogo decente.

[Lettervreter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik heb dit boek gisteren in de standaard boekhadel gekocht.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

See comments for Operation Red Jericho The Guild Specialists Book 1.

[Mark Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wraps up the series nicely with a big ol' grand finale. Not everyone survives but overall, the fun stuff continues.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interresting finally. A book that could keep you reading through the night!

[Roshni · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final episode in this interesting series. The shape of the book is unusual and the extensive diagrams and pictures make it all the more interesting

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason I picked up this book was because I saw pictures on the inside and I thought the cover was cool.... never actually read it.. oh well.