The Relic Hunters

The Clockwork Chronicles #2

by Derek Benz, J.S. Lewis

In just one semester at Iron Bridge Academy, The Grey Griffins have already had quite an education-clockwork robots, students with super powers, and a hidden land beyond our world where mystical creatures and incredible inventions exist. But as second semester begins, their friendship is put to the test-Max, Ernie, Natalia, and Harley are growing apart. When their arch nemesis Otto Von Strife reemerges with another evil plan, the Griffins must learn to set aside their differences and reunite to save the world. And each other.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Adventure, Steampunk, Magic, Childrens

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Born in the wrong place, and unquestionably the wrong time, Derek Benz spent most of his early years trying to figure out where he was and why he was different than everyone else. By the age of five, he had stumbled upon the answer: the rest of humanity was really nothing more than an elaborate hoax of cleverly disguised robots, and he was the only real human among them. Having overcome that mystery, he set out with other young members of the Grey Griffins (a super-secret club) to protect the world from darkness and bring about a better world through friendship, wit, and superbly-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

He's climbed volcanoes in the Ring of Fire, fished for sharks in the North Atlantic, scandalized the Cathedral of Barcelona, been mauled by an angry kitten off the coast of Turkey, narrowly avoided being blown up outside Belfast, learned the meaning of defenestration in France, and even jumped off a few cliffs in Greece. His interests spanned a wide spectrum: archaeology, linguistics, mythology, cosmology, conspiracy theory, religion and a host of others. At the same time, he managed to catapult himself to the top of his game in a Fortune 100 company doing what some idly speculated to be nothing less than international computer espionage.

But there was always the desire to change the world around him. And since the age of fifteen, he had become obsessed with writing as a means to this end. Year after year, he labored to prefect his craft, until he felt the time was right. In 2000, he teamed up with J.S. Lewis and with an eye to the stars, they launched The Revenge of the Shadow King.

Benz met and married his lovely wife and son in sunny Arizona, where they enjoy researching ancient civilizations and studying theology.

Reviews

[Mu'aath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! The Relic Hunters is indeed a relic.

I’m embarrassed to say I just finished this book a year after it was published. This series was so interesting to me because a 5th grader I looked Max, guardian of the Codex, and saw who I would’ve wanted to be. Now that I’m in the 9th grade I still enjoy the works of Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis. This book is probably the most important book in the Clockwork Chronicles series because you hoping that the gang won’t break up.

I’m not a big fan of reading but what I love about these books are the way the picture are painted clearly by the authors, Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis, with use of nearly perfect adjectives and adverbs. If The Relic Hunters was read to me I would be able to see a light post illuminate the foggy streets of Bludgeon Town. I feel it would be appropriate to call this the Iron Man 2 of the Grey Griffins. Like Iron Man 2, The Relic Hunters does contain action but the story is mostly about the personal and relationship problems of the protagonists. The story has a Man vs. Self theme rather than the usual Good vs. Bad/Man vs. Man (or Technology). I’ve noticed that being the 2nd book of the trilogy, The Relic Hunters is a bridge between the first and last books. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense and cliffhangers.

[Dorine White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grey Griffins-The Clockwork Chronicles Book 2, The Relic Hunters is an adventure filled middle grade novel published by Little Brown and Co. Written by Derek Benz and JS Lewis, it finishes up at 349 pages.

The story- The Grey Griffins are back, but things aren’t well at Iron Bridge Academy. Ernie is angry with Max for not saving his friend in the previous book and these feelings begin to split the group apart. So, as Ernie moves further and further into the changeling world, Natalia finds new friends among the girls at school, Harley works at Monti’s workshop, learning the ins and outs of clockworks and Max preps for the finals of the Round Table tournament, our four friends don’t spend a lot of time together.

As the Griffins grow apart, their enemy, Von Strife is on the move, looking for an ancient relic that will allow him to open a portal to the shadowlands.

My Thoughts- I liked the book, it wasn’t quite as exciting as book 1, but it kept the story moving and the twist at the end is exciting. It is fun to watch the kids train in a special relic hunting class and fight against evil slavers in New Victoria.

I also liked that it wasn’t just the Grey Griffins; it was also a group of Halflings. They have to learn to work together in order to solve their problems and find the lost relic. They get to train in a virtual room, which reminded me of the danger room for the X-men, so that is fun. The author does a great job describing clockwork machines so that the reader gets a feel for the robots and tech that is involved. It is a good read for ages 8 and up.

For Parents- Violence-yes. Sex- no.
www.dorinewhite.blogspot.com

[WhyNN ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm wondering if they switch the author (i didn't how they work in this book) because this volume is easier to understand than The Brimstone Key. much easier, understandable from the very first page. they even made a quick introduction in this one which is weird because this one is volume 2 but i'm pretty sure help first reader alot.
--------
Ceritanya sendiri masih berkisah tentang Max, Harley, Natalia dan Ernie atau yang dikenal sebagai Grey Griffins (apa itu Grey Griffins..saya yakin penjelasan ada di set buku sebelumnya) yang disibukkan dengan clockwork yang dikendalikan dengan kekuatan para changeling. Agent of Justice yang berusaha membuat Slaver jera dengan menangkap dan menjebloskan mereka ke penjara mengalami kegentingan saat melakukan penyerbuan berikutnya.

Entah bagaimana kolaborasi antara Derek Benz dan J.S. Lewis bekerja, tapi untuk buku ini jauh lebih mudah dimengerti sedari awal. Pilihan kata dan terminologi yang digunakan juga jauh lebih sederhana, lebih cocok untuk pangsa targetnya yaitu anak-anak dan remaja. Kisah yang ditulis kali ini juga lebih menarik dibandingkan dengan buku sebelumnya. Untuk urusan sampul buku, saya rasa tidak diragukan lagi karena banyak sampul dari Little Brown yang saya suka. hampir kebanyakan saya suka.

[Yarden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Clockwork Chronicles

The Relic Hunters



A lot has happened since the Max and his friends or known as the Grey Griffins had attended Iron Bridge a school for kids who are trained to become the mighty templar society that once ruled history. But now the Grey Griffins are growing apart and there enemy Von Strife returns with a new and deadly plan. The Grey Griffins are going to have to set aside their differences if and unite to defeat Von Strife and save the world again.



One technique I liked that the author used was show not tell. If the author did not use it you could not feel the surprises and action scenes in the book. But the author did not put a lot of mystery into to it. I know it is hard to put a lot of mystery into the second book of the series, but if you compare the second book of the series The Grey Griffins“which is the series before”he incorporated a lot of mystery into the second book The Black Wolf. The Black Wolf also had more action and surprise scenes. Overall the author did a good job writing this book. I recommend this book to people who love fantasy and a lot of action.

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want this series to be as good as the first trilogy so bad, and yet, it constantly falls short. I think the main problem lies with the Clockworks. I don't care about them at all. I find them to be boring. After facing menacing monsters in the first three books, the Grey Griffins should not be frightened in the least by robots. I don't know where the authors went wrong. The fun was sucked out. The relationship between the Griffins isn't the same. The humor, not so hilarious. Perhaps everything the authors wanted to say was used in the first trilogy and now they are running on steam like Stephen King post-1985.
Now I am not saying these books are ridiculously boring. Hardly. It's just sad to see a favorite series of mine end up in the average category. There was nothing mind-blowingly awesome in this book. And I know that they probably needed a new direction for these books, but they fell short in my opinion.

[Tony Keefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grey Griffins go through some trying times in this story. Max and Ernie struggle with the aftermath of a friend's death. Harley's mentor is mysteriously I'll and Natalia starts to separate herself from the group. I liked many of these added elements because I thought it made the interactions between the characters a little more complicated. The plot was filled with action again and the steampunk elements of theclockwork devices continue to add a layer that makes this series a little different than others that are geared for middle grade students. I was though irritated with the complete cliffhanger twist ending since the next book won't be out for another year or so.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grey Griffins I would recommend this book to 6th grades and up. Ernie is angry with Max for not saving his friends in the previous book and these feeling being split the group apart. So, as Ernie moves further and further into the challenging world, Natalia finds new friends among the girls at school, Harley works at Monti"s workshop, learning the ins and outs of clockworks and max preps for the finals of the round table tournaments.

[Eli Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!THis book is as awesome as the book Revenge of The Shadow King!I haven,t found the Brimstone Key yet but when I do I will read it.I hope someone will find out where it is.The book 2 in the clockwork chronicles is so cool!I loved it!I think everyone on planet Earth should read this book.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An improvement over the first book in this trilogy. Still a bit "clunky" in spots, but, overall, a good read. The story line grows more exciting as we progress, and it's difficult to guess where it's going at this point. An engaging and enjoyable series for junior high and middle graders.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book that met my expectations and more. A must read for its thrills and twists.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!!!I can't wait for the last book in the series!!This book will have tons of actions. I love the authors.

[ultimate reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

extremely good but confusing if you have never read Revenge of the shadow king, The Rise of the Black Wolf, The fall of the Templar, and The Brimstone Key

[Micah Bomar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first book.

[R]

I don't remember this book at all other than a possible recollection of the protagonist wrecking an aircraft, which doesn't bode well. Unfortunately, I probably won't go back to this book.

[Jim Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ends in a cliff-hanger, dang it.

[Lucee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good second book to the Grey Griffins series, and I will be reading the third.

[Janeandjerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER GREAT READ TO ADD NOW JUST TO GATHER THE REST OF THIS SERIES...

[Jordan M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good novel.