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Posts tagged ‘Infinity Ring’

Behind Enemy Lines

By: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Infinity Ring Bk 6
behind-enemy-lines
Our trio have found themselves in the ravages of World War Two, they can tip the scales in the favour of the Allies. In order to do so they have to split up. The plan they have is a big risk, they can’t be there to watch each other’s back. Tilda is also there doing everything in her power to disrupt their work. She seems to pop up everywhere, she is still after the ring. The choices Dak, Sera and Riq are having to make are getting weightier.
This remains an interesting way to introduce kids to history, it is full of action and in this case espionage. It is nice that the big decisions and difficult tasks are split between the three of them, they really share the weight and in a subtle way this is a good lesson for our kids to learn. There are without question many events in history that can provide fodder for this kind of story but I’m not sure how long they can keep this formula up without providing some kind of resolution.
Publisher: Scholastic US
Published: 1st February 2014
Format: Hardback 186 pages
Categories: Adventure, History
ISBN 13: 9780545387019
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

Cave of Wonders

cave-of-wondersMatthew J Kirby

Infinity Ring bk 5

Bagdad has become a centre of learning in the Dark Ages. As well as merchants and explorers from all over the city houses many scholars. It is here that Sera, Dak and Riq find themselves for their next fix. They determine that they have to find a way to save the great library that is there from destruction. This is no small task as what is coming toward the city is one of the most ferocious and successful armies ever, the Mongols. Convincing the Khan is one thing, they still have to get around the SQ and they have no idea who they are, or who might be on their side.

This is a turning point for Sera who finally shares her big secret, so it is a weight she is no longer carrying alone. Riq still has his own demons to face and with it looking like they will be returning to their own time shortly he has no clue what is going to happen to him, but he continues to hold this close. This is a fun addition because for all the success of the Mongols they are not often used in a children’s book setting and this is an interesting look at that army and what was the prosperous city of Bagdad. I enjoyed the tone of this one and continue to look forward to what the next instalment brings.

Publisher: Scholastic US

Published: 05 September 2013

Format: Hardback 192 pages

Categories: General Adventure Science Fiction Historical

ISBN 13: 9780545387002

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Curse of the Ancients

the-curse-of-the-ancientsBy: Matt De La Pena

Infinity Ring bk 4

Sera, Dak and Riq find themselves back with the ancient Maya people. The Maya’s are a people who seem to know a great deal about the future but that doesn’t prevent them from being involved in one of the breaks that the kids have to fix. The only problem is they aren’t sure exactly what it is they have to do. To make things even more complicated Dak gets injured and Sera can’t tell any of them what it was she saw in the future. Riq finds friendship and possibly something more with Mayan girl Kisa. Sometimes fixing one thing leads you to another discovery and they find out how much they influenced one person’s life, and how it rippled out from there.

An interesting instalment. After the last story and how it affected Riq it was interesting to see his character arc through this. Sera is struggling with what she saw and it is influencing her choices, especially as this story has to do with her past. The way the Mayan civilisation has been woven into this story is very interesting. It is nice to see an ancient civilisation fleshed out, de la Pena has done a great job of this, bringing the people and their lives to life in a way they comes very visually off the page. Probably my favourite book in the series so far.

Publisher: Scholastic US

Published: 06 June 2013

Format: Hardback 192 pages

Categories: Science Fiction, History

ISBN 13: 9780545386999

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

The Trap Door

I got my copy from the publisher.the-trap-door

Infinity Ring series bk 3

By: Lisa McMann

Finally Dak, Sera and Riq are back in the United States, only the year is 1850 and the continent is divided on the issue of slavery. These are bleak times but the Underground Railway brings a touch of hope as it helps runaway slaves make their way to freedom. Things aren’t as they should be though as the SQ are taking control of the railway and sending every slave back to captivity. This is a tricky time for them all to work their way through, Riq in particular, he knows about his ancestors from this time and their escape from slavery but now he finds himself in the midst of it, every action he takes might change his future. When the life of a small boy  is in his hands Riq will risk everything to see this boy to safety.

This is a fascinating story. Like the 39 Clues books, these are written by different authors and set in very different locations, only in this instance there are also different times. Where Clues takes famous people and puts them into the story this series takes famous events and twists them. In this case slavery. This story is very much Riq’s story as he is the one who goes through the biggest change, this is his story, his family’s past. It is good, I think for Riq to be the focus and hopefully some of what he goes through can get readers thinking about the implications of slavery. You have to have a good grasp on history to pick up some of the changes and I don’t now how much younger readers will get of that. Still it is filled with action and exciting scenarios to keep any reader interested. It might be possible to set projects around the events in our history that these are based on (however it is coming up holiday season in the southern hemisphere and I’m pretty sure no one will appreciate me giving parents etc ideas for holiday study).

An intriguing concept and good read.

Publisher: Scholastic US

Published: 02 May 2013

Format: Hardback 192 pages

Categories: Adventure, History

ISBN 13: 9780545386982

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

Divide and Conquer

By: Carrie Ryan

Infinity Ring series bk 2

Dak, Sera and Riq find themselves in medieval Paris as thousands of Vikings are preparing to attack. The Parisians are fighting back but won’t be able to hold out forever. The three time travellers need to figure out what they are supposed to change, they think it is one thing, but what happens if they are wrong? Things only become more complicated when Dak disappears and ends up fighting on the side of the Vikings. If he is going to survive then he is going to have to find an ally amongst the enemy Vikings.

The second book in the series is a fun read. Dak, Sera and Riq think they have a better grasp of what is going on. Dak thinks he knows what needs to happen but he hasn’t taken into account that his knowledge of history comes from what has happened. He needs to learn to see things from a wider perspective and his story arc in this book gives him that opportunity. Sera has her own moments of self-discovery – the chance for her to grow a little. She also gets to spend some time with Riq. Finally they begin to work more like a team.

The historical aspects of the story are fascinating. Some events they have chosen are clearly more well known than others but it makes for a no less interesting story (in fact that may even make it more interesting). The action is fast. The decryption gritty and engaging. Each of the main characters is slowly revealing more of themselves.

This is a fun read and I can’t wait to see where they take this series.

Publisher: Scholastic US

Published: 06 November 2012

Format: Hardback 192 pages

Categories: Adventure, History

ISBN 13: 9780545386975

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

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