Genre: Fantasy Age Range: MG Star Rating: 4 stars Series: yes - second book
*SPOILER ALERT: contains SPOILERS for THE STORM KEEPER’S ISLAND*
Blurb:
Fionn Boyle has been Storm Keeper of Arranmore for less than six months when thousands of terrifying Soulstalkers arrive on the island. The empty-eyed followers of the dreaded sorceress, Morrigan have come to raise their leader and Fionn is powerless to stop them. The Storm Keeper’s magic has deserted him and with his grandfather’s memory waning, Fionn must rely on his friends Shelby and Sam to help him summon Dagda’s army of merrows.
But nobody else believes the ferocious sea creatures even exist. And how can he prove he’s right without any magic? As Fionn begins his search for the lost army, the other islanders prepare for invasion. The battle to save Arranmore has begun.
Blurb taken from Goodread. Add to your shelves here.
Review:
This sequel is gorgeous, as much of a delight to read as the first book. This is fast becoming one of my favourite middle grade series, with its unique magic system and cast.
Fionn has friends this time! He’s officially friends with Shelby now and, teaming up with new-to-the-story Sam, they’ve got to find the Tide Summoner shell, or watch the island die. I liked the fact that he wasn’t on his own and the dynamic between the three of them.
Fionn’s relationship with his grandfather really plays on your heartstrings. It’s so warm and supportive, but tinged with Fionn’s growing realisation that grandparents don’t live forever. If books make you cry regularly, this one will too!
THE LOST TIDE WARRIORS felt a lot pacier than the first book. For a start, Fionn already knows about Arranmore and its Storm Keepers – being the Storm Keeper. This means the plot is less about discovery and more to do with saving the island. The stake introduced in the first book – Morrigan waking – is explored further as her minions invade.
The action is more relentless, from the sequence on the cover with the pirates (my favourite part of the book) to the final confrontation. I absolutely flew through the book, pulled along by the danger looming. I love that middle grade books tend to be a bit shorter than adult, so I can read in one sitting at night – I think I appreciate books more if I read them in one go. I certainly can remember things better this way.
Read my reviews of other books by Catherine Doyle:
Middle Grade:
Storm Keeper (this series):
Standalones:
Young Adult (With Katherine Webber):
Twin Crowns:
- TWIN CROWNS (#1)
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 