The Questmaster's Trap

Champion's Quest #2

by Frank L. Cole

“A fun read for those who wish their imagined adventures could become real.”
—Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fablehaven and Dragonwatch

Hello, Brave Reader: You’re just in time to roll the Die of Destiny and play a game of Champion’s quest. The wizard Questmaster Hob has summoned the Wild Crows on a new adventure. But not everything is what it seems.

A new, sinister Questmaster creates chaos for Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine. They are ill-prepared to fight stronger, challenging monsters, including an evil centaur who has taken a magical ally hostage. As the Wild Crows journey to rescue her, they encounter shadow elves, troltusses, and giants. They also learn new skills and strategies, and discover their quest is more than just a game this time. The fate of the world of Champion’s Quest—including the lives of the wizards Hob and Bogie—hangs in the balance.

Can the Wild Crows prevail? Will the luck of the dice be in their favor? Can they gather the right magical items and overcome their weaknesses? It will take true champions and a bit of luck to win this gripping, fantastical, high-stakes adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Magic, Adventure, Young Adult

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2022

About the author

Frank L. Cole has lived in such exotic places as the Philippines and Kentucky, and currently lives with his wife and three children out west. While he strived for years to earn his publishing credits, Frank considers sharing his message of “Exercising Your Imagination” to over 100,000 kids across the country as his greatest accomplishment. Frank has been published with Cedar Fort Books, Delacorte Press, and Shadow Mountain Publishing. The Legend of the Last Library is Frank's 15th published book. You can learn more about his writing at frankcolewrites.com

Reviews

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to be back with this story, it’s characters, & amazing writing. This was even better than the 1st. This is still Jumanji meets Dungeons & Dragons vibes all the way. (I’ve seen both Jumanji movies, but I’ve never played D&D-just going off what I know about it, & the whole vibe of it all lol.) There are a couple big plot twists in this 1, & what a ride. I didn’t know how I felt about either when they 1st happened, but it was done so well, I can’t imagine it being any other way now. Absolutely loved it. Added a whole new level of mystery, suspense, danger..& just unknown to the story. Along with our characters, we learn even more about this incredible place, learn new skills, meet amazing new characters there, & see so many new imaginative things as well. Every detail that goes into these is so creative & imaginative period. I wish this were a game I could actually play, or even a movie or tv show I could watch. It’s so engaging, & gripping. It was also great seeing our kids have to step outside their “Quest Champion” comfort zone, so to speak. It forced them into different ways of thinking/strategizing, & I loved seeing how they each did with something new. The high stakes, & “realness” to this quest added to the race against time fast-paced suspense level immensely. So good. We see some old favs, & meet some new favs-Nodring & Dungle have my heart. We see some old villains, & meet some new too. Riddles, puzzles, detailed/imaginative/INCREDIBLE story/world building, friendship, adventure, action, & just living those “real life role playing game type” dreams. Lol Another epic ending as well. Love how it all came together, the twists & turns there, all the feel good emotional vibes with 1 new character, & just everything we discovered this book that has left me NEEDING TO KNOW MORE! Lol Can’t wait for the next quest! HIGHLY recommend. This came out today! Happy book birthday! Another BEAUTIFUL cover by Owen Richardson too.💜

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not many greater things than seeing the love of books in a child. I know that my son got to meet Frank L Cole at his school last month. And that impacted him greatly. He pointed to my book and was very interested in what I was reading. I’ll have to let him read these. Make sure that you read The Die of Destiny before you read this one, or you’re going to be so lost!

This book follows the adventures of The Wild Crows. It’s all told through the perspective of Lucas. But his friends, Miles and Jasmine are there, as well as a new friend, Sierra. I love the way these four kids have to learn to work together. And there is some distrust, that leads to issues. As they work together, things work so much better.

This book is full of adventure, magic and fantasy. Middle grade readers, and their parents, will love it!

I was sent a copy of The Questmaster’s Trap as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Champion’s Quest: The Questmaster’s Trap is the second book in this series. I have to admit, even though I really, really, liked the first book, this new novel was even better. I loved how more confident each of the characters was as they had already won a quest. I did think the switch-ups that happened to the team were very clever. Each of them was given new opportunities to learn and grow. The new team member of The Wild Crows was also a great addition. I really liked Sierra and her spunky personality. Of course, it was good to be back with Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine. With more action, escapades, and fierce foes to defeat and outwit, reading The Questmaster's Trap will be an adventure for the young and the old.

[Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing the second book of “The Champion’s Quest” series, I was pleasantly surprised by how much the series improved. The characters were more likable the second time around and the story was a lot more compelling. The new characters had a great blend of fitting in while still developing their role throughout the book. The only complaint I might have is the pacing of the book was a little fast as things seemed to move from one location to another in a blink. Overall, I enjoyed The Questmaster’s Trap and would recommend it for others around the ages of 12-15 for a fun, easy read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved every book I’ve read from this author. Oh the imagination he has to create these amazing worlds and adventures. The Questmaster's Trap is another perfect example of this. This book starts off quick and reads fast! Hold on for a great adventure story and how the kids are forced to work together in harrowing situations. Some pretty amazing twists too.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I have not read book one in this series, I felt like I could understand what was happening, and rather enjoyed the story. In fact, it made this bookworm kind of want to look into playing dungeons and dragons, something I never had even the slightest interest in. But now I kind of do!

Cole creates such a fun world here. It's full of imagination, fantasy, fun, magic, and so much more. It's whimsical even. I think that teens and adult alike will want to jump in and explore this magical world. The adventure will keep you on your toes, and the life lessons will stay with you for a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Maleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Audio) These books are definitely for teens, but I still enjoy them a lot. It's fun to see kids experiencing Dungeons and Dragons' style gaming in real time. I like the creatures and scenarios they come up against. But most of all, I love the reader. Kirby Heyborne is a genius when it comes to voices. All his creatures sound awesome and the different accents he uses keeps me engaged the whole time.
Just a bit of fun for anyone.

p.s. No one is sorry you are gone Vanessa.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

#TheQuestmastersTrap #NetGalley

Join, Lucas, Miles, Jasmine and a new player, Sierra, as they play another round of Champions Quest. This book is action packed, and reads quickly. With Sierra joining the team as an alternate, there are some clashes, between the players. Can the players become a team or will they choose not to unite in their quest?

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lots of fun and adventure! It really does feel like Jumanji meets Dungeons and Dragons.

[A.L. Sowards]

I read this with my seven-year-old son and it was a lot of fun! It’s book two in a middle grade fantasy series and a great choice for readers (especially young readers) looking for a fantasy adventure.

The series is about a game called Champion’s Quest, which transports kids from the real world into the Lower Etchlands, a fantasy world full of mythical creatures, danger, and adventure. In the first book, Lucas, Miles, Jasmine, and Vanessa were able to complete their quest. Now most of the team is eager to try again. Except Vanessa, who’s more interested in her upcoming date. When the call comes to play another round, Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine are thrilled, at least until a rouge questmaster with nefarious plans gets involved. They are given their quest, albeit with some unusual conditions thanks to the rouge questmaster’s interference, and they’re given a fourth player to add to their team, Sierra. Thus begins another adventure with lots of fantasy action and some important lessons about friendship and working together as a team.

[Teenage Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot:
Lucas Silver was ready to play Champion’s Quest again, only problem is the Wild Crows are missing their quest master. Every time he passed Hobs and Bogie’s Curiosity Shop, it remained closed, with no notice of opening again. This is why when Lucas got home he was shocked to find a message on his bed from Hob, requesting that Lucas and the other members of the Wild Crows come to meet him for a game. With Vanessa refusing to join them as she had a date tonight, Lucas, Jasmine, and Miles went to meet up with Hobs at an abandoned pizza shop. When Hob turned out not to be Hob at all but Mystery Waddlewort, who tricked the Wild Crows into playing a game with them, at a level our champions were ill-prepared to deal with. Missing their fourth, Bogie sends in his spare Sierra to join their team for this one quest. With the Wild Crows plus Sierra off on another epic quest, our champions are faced with even greater threats than before, higher stakes, and secrets that could break their group for good.

Thoughts:
Fank Cole brings us back to the world of role-playing and D&D with this next installment in the champion quest series. Told similarly to the first novel with the first-person point of view of Lucas, the novel spends the majority of its time in the quest with an action-packed plot to keep the story flowing. From our previous members, Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine's characters all developed a bit more throughout this story. Lucas became a bit more of a leader in this story, as he once again leads the Wild Crows through an adventure, with no thoughts of leaving them this time, and works more on developing a team bond. Jasmine’s trust issues come into light a lot more in this novel, as she is faced with a new person, Sierra, who to her knowledge becomes a threat to the group, despite Sierra always showing good intentions. Speaking of Sierra, I absolutely loved her, and am so glad Cole included her in this novel. Unlike Vanessa, Sierra wants to play the game, and works diligently for the good of the team, with the hopes of becoming a permanent member of a band, so she is no longer a spare. This story shows the character’s weaknesses throughout the game, we see that with Sierra being outcasted by the group through Jasmine, Jasmine’s dislike of new people, Lucas dealing with his panic attack, and Miles' fear of being forgotten. The D&D aspect makes the novel fun and fast, with new adventures popping up for our characters, as the story is essentially their quest. With the rules explained in the previous novel, this one really opens up the world showing off new possibilities and leaving plenty of room for future quests.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I read this one without diving into the first book in the series, and while there were a few references, which I was missing out on, it was no problem to get lost in the adventure.

With the air of Dungeons & Dragons, this world and characters draw in and weave as much friendship into the tale as action.

The Wild Crows, a group of friends, managed to complete their first round in the exciting game world and are back in normal life. But when they are suddenly forced into another round with a new member, things get more interesting. Not only will the new quests stretch them to new limits, but no one is sure what to think of this new team member, especially since the only way to make it through is to give complete trust...considering she may be a spy, that might be what brings them down.

The author has created a rich world, which is easy to visualize and get lost in. While I assume most of this was set-up in book one already, I was pleasantly surprised that there was more to discover, right along with the characters. And what an enjoyable bunch of characters these are! The friends are enjoyable to accompany, and it's not hard to wish to be right there with them. My favorite character is actually the 'new' one, but then all of them have something to offer.

There's a great contrast with the good and evil. While the wizards are unique and not always transparent, it's the evil characters, which really grab. Plus, there's a large variety of imaginative creatures, including an evil centaur (which seemed unique). All of them create gripping scenes and make the world that much richer.

While action keeps the pages turning, there's also the message of friendship and trust. The Wild Crows share a close bond, and this gets tested over and over again, especially with the introduction of the new character. In order to make it through this adventure, this trust is key and trust isn't always easily won and held.

I really enjoyed this adventure and am looking forward to see where it is going next. I received an ARC through Netgalley and enjoyed the read quite a bit.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I finally picked up the ARC of this middle grade, and a short way in realized it is the second in the series. However, due to some pretty excellent landmines being planted along the way, I was able to piece together most of what I needed to know. Which wasn't much. This functions pretty well as a standalone, although as the series progresses I'm sure it will be more necessary to have followed along.

The kids are all right in this one, as they agree to play a game which seems to be real-life DnD, and somehow are tricked into a nefarious deal that might cost them dearly.

It's a pretty cool premise, and the world building of the game arena world is very interesting. It follows the usual formula - Group tries to get from Point A to Point B, but is foiled along the way by characters A and B, who may or may not be villains, and then finally are faced with the actual villain. As they travel, the pitfalls they run into get more and more complicated, and more and more embedded as actual parts of the game. There is the added dilemma of not always knowing what is part of the game and what is just normal happenstance.

I liked the characters, although one of the kids seemed to be too much of a caricature to be believed. However, in the end she turned out okay, and the rest of the kids seemed to be pretty well-rounded.

Of course, whenever I read MG, especially for review, I try to take into account the age range and interest of the kids for whom this is intended. I think this one is pretty solid, though I cannot say it is exciting enough to hold the interest of kids at the older end of the range. The game conceit is pretty fun, but it does wear thin at points, and needs some propping up. However, it carries through to the end, and I am sure there will be other adventures coming. I'd be interested to see what they get up to next.

This would be good for younger MG readers who are interested in reading about kids that have adventures, and are not necessarily magical. Think more like A Wrinkle in Time rather than a boy wizard. I think tween readers, especially gamers, would love this.

[Monica H at The Readathon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 3.5 stars!! The Questmaster’s Trap (Book #2) continues the adventure from book #1! This time, The Wild Crows find themselves starting their quest in less-than-optimal circumstances. They don’t even have time to get full instructions or to get to know all their teammates before they’re thrust into their quest. It’s a bit of a shock, to say the least.

This book, although similar to the first book, has some fun twists and turns that add a whole lot of mystery, intrigue, and suspense. The characters are well developed and seem authentic. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses, which end up being important to the story line. Each character needs to overcome some big hurdles—some of these hurdles require help from others and some of them require individual effort. There are some epic failures and a few amazing wins. I like how the characters learn from each other and each situation.

I like how mental health is also addressed in these books. One of the main characters, Lucas, suffers from panic attacks. He calls them the “creepers.” Although he may have a panic attack at a very inopportune moment, the other characters accept, love, and support him through it. He talks himself through them and is able to control them sometimes. This shows growth, acceptance, and a normalization of mental health struggles. We need more of this today!

The Questmaster’s Trap has a fun writing style and is well written. Middle-graders and early YA will enjoy this book as a fun addition to the series! I actually liked it more than I liked the first book. I would rate it as PG and recommend it for middle-graders (4th-6th) and early YA. I gave it 3.5/5 stars! You may read my full review on my book blog: thereadathon.com.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Questmaster's Trap
Champion's Quest #2
By Frank L. Cole

The second book in the Champion's Quest takes the reader on a journey fraught with danger. When Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine answer a summons from Hob, they are expecting to enter their next quest. But rather, they find that not everything is as to seems and have unwittingly walked into a trap that could destroy everything.

But to survive, the Wild Crows need to up their skill level fast and replace a missing player. Because if they can't, they may fail, and failure isn't an option, not with the fate of everything and everyone depending on them.

This is a fast-paced, action-filled book that will grab the attention of pre-teen readers. The gaming world setting is a draw that will pull them into the story. But winning isn't the sole focus as the Wild Crows will need to work together and trust one another if they hope to succeed. Going it alone sometimes isn't enough, and sometimes teamwork is what is necessary to see a problem from all sides while coming up with a solution that has the best chance of success.

While our heroes are battling a range of mythological creatures, there is nothing over-the-top in regard to violence. There is no graphic anything or no offending language. This is just good clean reading with a sci-fi/fantasy adventure with a few twists and turns.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectation but that I provide my honest opinion, all thoughts expressed are my own.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Champion's Quest: The Questmaster's Trap is the second book in the Champion's Quest Series by Frank L. Cole. I liked the second even better than the first book. Frank L.Cole captured the reader's interest from the very beginning. I loved the characters and the side characters. I was a little disappointed in not seeing the troll from the first book, but I loved the new characters. The new characters were interesting and seemed to have their own back story. I only hope to see them again! The various settings were interesting, and I almost wished I was in the book so I could explore and see more of this world. The author keeps the reader engaged with twists and turns in the story. I asked the author in an interview with his first book - how many books would there be in this series - and he mentioned three, but I feel like this series could do with more. The only downside in this series is that not many people seem to know about it, and I am not sure the cover art draws young readers into the story. I've noticed that I feel like this is an excellent series for middle grade readers who enjoy fantasy. Personally, I think it's one of the top fantasy series for middle grade readers as far as in creativity and how it's written. It should be on the New York Times bestseller list in the top ten. It's clean, age appropriate, engaging, fun and very well-written. The story moves you along and the characters are so fun and interesting. The storytelling in this series is just so well done.

Please note that I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion.

[Emily Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Lucas and his band of Wild Crows have been waiting for another opportunity to play Champion's Quest, but when they make a mistake and they are forced into their next quest. With a new teammate they aren't sure they can trust, will the Wild Crows be able to save the day or will the world of Champion's Quest be destroyed before their eyes?

This was an absolutely lovely sequel. I love it when authors take the time to expand on the worlds they've created and this story definitely delivered! You, Lucas, and the other characters learn more about not only the world of Champion's Quest but also about the two wizards who serve as the usual Quest masters.

Not only that but, due to spoiler-infested circumstances, Lucas and the others must find their self-confidence and really rely on and trust each other. This really builds on the found-family foundation we were given in the first book and I loved it.

As I mentioned above, I enjoyed encountering new fantasy elements in this book, especially troltusses. And it's not every day that you encounter centaurs in stories, especially not evil ones.

I cannot wait to see how this series continues to progress!


And as always the Content Warnings:
-Some violence (not super descriptive)

[ChamberBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never played Dungeons and Dragons but I feel like this book is how it would be to play it!

Its compelling, exhilarating, and just super fun! I really enjoyed the characters and their whole journey with the quests they had! There is a first book in the series but it definitely did not make it hard to read this book, other than make me want to buy the first book so I can come back to this exciting world!

The characters in this story all have fears and the different quests and experiences they go through hone in on each of those and give them all great character arcs! And though this is technically a middle grade book, I thought it was very well written and could definitely become a hit with kids or really anyone that is looking for an adventure!

If you love adventure, dungeons & Dragons, and heroic tales like Harry Potter then I think you would enjoy this!

*This book was given to me by the publisher but all thoughts are my own!

[Jan farnworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Questmaster's Trap is the second novel in the Champion's Quest series that revolves around a dungeon and dragon-type game. There must be four players for the Quest to begin, and at the start of this Quest, they are short due to Vanessa not wanting to play anymore. In this second novel, you learn much more about how the rules work when new scenarios, such as missing a fourth player.
The second book could probably be read independently, but I always feel that books in a series are valued more if you have read the first book. The author draws you into the story, especially if you are a fan of role-playing dice games. The twist and turns of how the Quest plays out are very well thought out. The Questmaster's Trap is a beautiful middle-grade story appropriate for that age group, and I, as an adult, liked it, too.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.
What a fun second book in this series. I would recommend reading the first book in the series before this one, as there is so much given in that first book that makes this one more understandable. It was fun to be able to just jump right into the Quest and go on an adventure with the Wild Crows. When they are thrown into a quest by a new questmaster, they have to figure out how to complete the adventure and save the entire world of the Champion’s Quest. All the twists and turns are creative and I can see my middle school boys loving this one! I’ll for sure share it with them and try to update once I get their review. Overall a fun story with plot twists, crazy monsters, funny characters and lots of adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Coralee Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in the planned trilogy (Champion's Quest) finds our heroes back at Hog and Boggie's Curiosity Shop. Another quest is in the works. This time a more hidden hooks await, including a new member to the Wild Crows, who may or may not be a friend. Filled with monsters and mayhem, including an evil Centaur. This past paced adventure would be a great selection for the reluctant reader. Like most trilogies, this volume ends on a cliff hanger with the world as we know it hanging in balance. Happily Book 3 is due out soon.
Recommended for fantasy readers in the middle grades. A lot of suspense without a lot of gore.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC from Netgalley and Shadow Mountain in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wild Crows minus one get tricked into joining a quest which they are not prepared for by a Gamemaster named Hobs. The other two Gamemasters join forces to do what they can to help the Wild Crows be successful down to sending in Sierra to fill out their group and give a bit more experience, but is she really there to help?
This is a great book and I like that the characters are real with real life issues that others their age (and older) experience, so it is easy to find yourself in the book. The characters are developed well, and the story flows smoothly. There is plenty of action and tons of suspense that is sure to please even a reluctant reader. This is a book that will keep you up past bedtime to find out what happens next. This is a great book for all ages.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, creative, and unique series. This is book 2 in the Champion’s Quest series. It could be read alone but you won’t want to miss out on the first book. The series is exciting and full of surprises. Book 2 isn’t just the same story with a new quest, there are a lot of differences. The biggest one is that Vanessa no longer wants to play the game with Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine so their new team member is cheerful and kind Sierra. They face a lot of uncertainty about who and what they can trust. I loved the positive family relationships, specifically Sierra’s love for her sister regardless of what the others think. I also love the theme of learning to work together for the benefit of all. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to use for my review.

[Rorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I agreed to read this book, I thought we already owned the first one in this series. It wasn't until I started reading it that I realized this isn't a series we've read yet. I was able to read and enjoy this story, but I really feel like you should read the books in order. They do make multiple references to things that happened in the first quest, and that left me feeling a bit lost.

It seems like the Champion's Quest is similar to Dungeons and Dragons, only the characters are actually in the game (again, I'm sure all this was explained in the 1st book.) This was a quick read, and despite my confusion, I enjoyed the story. I need to get the first book and read that now so I can get all the backstory.

[Book Geek Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked book 1 in this series, but this one is even better. A group of kids are transported into a role playing fantasy. This time around, one of the characters from book 1 has dropped out and another has taken the spot. I liked the interplay with the new character a lot, as the group has to learn to trust the new girl and rely on each other even more. And they're pushed to learn new skills. We also get to revisit some of the interesting characters from the first book.

Highly recommended. I think any tween/teen reader who likes fantasy adventure and/or role playing games will like this one. But you do need to read book 1 first.

[Nicole Bohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing. This review is that of my own thoughts and opinions.

The Questmaster’s Trap is the second novel of the Champion’s Quest series. This literary RPG novel by Frank Cole provides another action packed story. This series will be perfect for my local library’s teen D&D night!

The visualization that Cole created easily allows readers (of all ages) to follow along. Each character - Lucas, Miles, Jasmine, and now Sierra - have their own quirks about them that I think any young reader would be able to relate to at least one of the characters.

This story focuses on how the three original Wild Crows handle their newest member, Sierra, who is an alternate player. Can the Wild Crows trust Sierra?

The Questmaster’s Trap is about deception, trust, and learning of new skills.

[Ryan Sagers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Questmaster's Trap picks up very smoothly from where The Die of Destiny ended. Additions to lore and expanded storytelling are done so seamlessly you'll have to stop and wonder if you just forgot them from the first book.

Some books try to pack so much in to each chapter that it's almost exhausting to progress to each stage in the novel. Frank's style has made this book easy to keep consuming chapters without getting angry at arbitrary cliffhangers or bloated on heavy exposition. Callbacks to the first book are done in a natural way that doesn't take you out of the narrative.

Will your kid like it? Sure! But so will you.

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A fun second installment in the Championship's Quest series. This book would be great for young readers who enjoy RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, or just fun adventures!

While I enjoyed Sierra as a character, I didn't like Jasmine's hostility towards her. It seems, especially in middle grade novels, that girls are often pitted against each other for no reason. I don't see that their conflict added any necessary to the story, and I wish they'd been more friendly from the get go.

I can't wait to recommend this series to my nephews who I know will enjoy it.

*thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a review copy of this book*

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the Champion’s Quest series which follows Lucas and his friends as they play a Jumanji version of a role-playing game. It’s a grand adventure and will be sure to satisfy fans of the first book.

Personally, I don’t think it is as thematically strong as the first. This is, in part, because it’s rehashing the same theme. The stronger element of this one is the reader beginning to see that there is something bigger going on with this game and the people who act as the questmasters. That is a mystery that I will enjoy seeing developed.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure! The three heroes must learn how to play a game as their quest. But like with all quests, there are dangers and surprising twists. I can't tell you if they complete their quest--that would spoil the story. I can say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to get caught up in the story and forget everything around me. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys adventure. Don't be fooled by the "YA" rating--adults will love it, too.