R.L. LaFevers

Jan 29 2011

The Basilisk’s Lair by R.L. LaFevers

The great review catch-up is on! Here is a quick report to kick things off …

School Library Journal:
Grade 3-5 Nate Fludd, budding beastologist, is back in an adventure even greater than his first. His Aunt Phil receives a telegram that a basilisk has escaped from the village of Bamako. The natives need her help, and soon Nate is racing on a camel, flying across the Sahara, and warding off crocodiles from a boat. Aunt Phil has two friendly weasels willing to do battle with the basilisk, and Nate’s troublemaking pet, Greasle, accompanies him every step of the way. The basilisk is terrifying, with it’s deadly venom and scales, and Nate musters all his courage to fight it and continues to wonder who freed the beast and what happened to his parents, who disappeared in Flight of the Phoenix (Houghton, 2009). Children who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by the sequel, and those new to the series can easily pick up the story line. The action is nonstop, and the elements of fantasy, mystery, and humor will appeal to a wide audience. Murphy’s spot art and occasional full-page drawings carry the action along nicely.

I read the first book in this series of chapter books a year or so ago. When I saw The Basilisk’s Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2) at the library recently I decided to check out the second book. It made for a quick read before bed.

This one continues the theme and style of the series: new mythological beast presents new challenge; Nathaniel is not sure he is up to it; but in the end he finds a way.

Cute and well packaged series – not enough suspense or imagination for me to continue to read but recommended for age appropriate readers. (Grade 3–5)

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Oct 3 2009

Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. LaFevers

BeastologistWhen I am stressed out, or just looking for some light reading, I often turn to young adult fiction or chapter books.  They can be quite entertaining and often have quality illustrations.  I enjoy seeing how different authors approach the genre.  Having young kids, I also figure it is good practice.

My most recent read along these lines was Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book I) which caught my attention at the local library.  The story starts off with a pretty common hook: boy is orphaned and sent to live with relatives; and the relatives seem odd and foreboding.  But after that it takes a different turn.

Here is the publishers blurb:

Nathaniel Fludd’s life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin—the world’s last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, to Arabia, where the world’s only phoenix prepares to lay its new egg. When disaster strikes, Nate quickly finds himself all alone.
Will he be able to see the phoenix safely hatched, keep his accidental pet gremlin out of trouble, and rescue his guardian from the Bedouin? If he fails, nothing will stand between the world’s mythical creatures and extinction.
Too bad Nate’s not the sort of boy who enjoys adventure . . .yet.
Despite the dangerously close to tired orphan meets adventure story line, it turned out to be a cute and well paced story.  The concept of a Fludd family whose job it is to take care of exotic animals thought extinct offers enough adventure while at the same time leaving room for mystery and keeping the reader excited about further books in the series.  Nate, his Aunt Phil, and the gremlin Greasle are all interesting characters that I look forward to seeing developed.
Of course, this is a children’s chapter book so don’t expect deep plots and complex characters.  But if you have young children looking for another adventure series to get hooked on, this one has a promising start.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 1 • Tags: , , ,