Book Review
The Falcon's Feather (Explorer Academy #2)
By Trudi Trueit
Published March 19, 2019
Why I chose this book:
After The Nebula Secret, I am excited to review this follow up from National Geographic. A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
The Falcon's Feather picks up right where its predecessor left off: Cruz and his fellow students are aboard the Orion for their semester at sea with the Explorer Academy. In addition to the curriculum, Cruz, Emmett, and Sailor are trying to decipher a clue left by Cruz's mom. Each clue will lead to a puzzle piece and the next clue. Once Cruz has found all puzzle pieces, he will have the formula for a powerful drug that can cure some of the worst diseases and injuries. Nebula Pharmaceuticals does not want this formula found, of course. In fact, it is they who caused the death of Cruz's mother and they who are behind the attacks on Cruz himself; this Big Pharma company will stop at nothing to stay obscenely profitable. One of the exciting developments in The Falcon's Feather is that we are given a firsthand glimpse of the villain's plans, and we find out that a student is working for them! The suspense was killing me as I read! Fear not, you can read on with no spoilers.
The groundwork for the series was laid in the first book, and now we get to accompany the youth explorers on their first mission. Cruz's class is asked to help rescue a pod of right whales, several of which have become entangled in fishing nets. The technology is again amazing, with a translator that interprets whale-song and allows Cruz to send a message of assurance and aid to the whales while his teammates cut the nets away. As before, back matter informs the reader about the real-life inspiration for events and gizmos (bycatch is a significant threat to whales, but there are smart buoys that monitor whale presence in shipping corridors). It comes as no surprise that a book put forth by National Geographic would highlight endangered animals, man's impact on them, and man's responsibility. The second adventure for Cruz and his friends features melting glaciers and environmental change. These issues are the backdrop for the adrenaline rush that is Cruz's search for the puzzle piece, which takes him all the way to Iceland!
The diverse preteens are coming into their own as young people do over the course of a school year, developing friendships and crushes, making mistakes, and supporting one another. (But throughout, one can't help but wonder who the traitor is.) And as Trueit introduces animals and locations, she paints such vivid images that you can easily imagine yourself alongside Cruz. Again, the storytelling, the story, and the background message make for a thrilling and timely novel. Definitely a series to follow!
The Falcon's Feather (Explorer Academy #2)
By Trudi Trueit
Published March 19, 2019
Why I chose this book:
After The Nebula Secret, I am excited to review this follow up from National Geographic. A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
The Falcon's Feather picks up right where its predecessor left off: Cruz and his fellow students are aboard the Orion for their semester at sea with the Explorer Academy. In addition to the curriculum, Cruz, Emmett, and Sailor are trying to decipher a clue left by Cruz's mom. Each clue will lead to a puzzle piece and the next clue. Once Cruz has found all puzzle pieces, he will have the formula for a powerful drug that can cure some of the worst diseases and injuries. Nebula Pharmaceuticals does not want this formula found, of course. In fact, it is they who caused the death of Cruz's mother and they who are behind the attacks on Cruz himself; this Big Pharma company will stop at nothing to stay obscenely profitable. One of the exciting developments in The Falcon's Feather is that we are given a firsthand glimpse of the villain's plans, and we find out that a student is working for them! The suspense was killing me as I read! Fear not, you can read on with no spoilers.
The groundwork for the series was laid in the first book, and now we get to accompany the youth explorers on their first mission. Cruz's class is asked to help rescue a pod of right whales, several of which have become entangled in fishing nets. The technology is again amazing, with a translator that interprets whale-song and allows Cruz to send a message of assurance and aid to the whales while his teammates cut the nets away. As before, back matter informs the reader about the real-life inspiration for events and gizmos (bycatch is a significant threat to whales, but there are smart buoys that monitor whale presence in shipping corridors). It comes as no surprise that a book put forth by National Geographic would highlight endangered animals, man's impact on them, and man's responsibility. The second adventure for Cruz and his friends features melting glaciers and environmental change. These issues are the backdrop for the adrenaline rush that is Cruz's search for the puzzle piece, which takes him all the way to Iceland!
The diverse preteens are coming into their own as young people do over the course of a school year, developing friendships and crushes, making mistakes, and supporting one another. (But throughout, one can't help but wonder who the traitor is.) And as Trueit introduces animals and locations, she paints such vivid images that you can easily imagine yourself alongside Cruz. Again, the storytelling, the story, and the background message make for a thrilling and timely novel. Definitely a series to follow!
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