3.5 This was and enjoyable read. It's an adventure novel about animals, something I wish I'd read when I was younger because I was crazy about these types of novels. The animal-human relationships were a highlight of the novel. I see it in many Junior/Middle Grade reads, but it's not usually handled in this fashion. It was new and fresh. I could also see areas where the authors drew in ideas form myths and legends as well as some other novels, but the were very suttle and mixed in ery well with their original ideas. ( )

First, I love how book two picks up right where book one leaves off leaving no unexplainable time gaps to try and figure out. If you decided to start with book two though, you wouldn’t be completely lost. There is enough information shared to bring you up to speed in order to follow along in the opening chapters, however the journey will feel more complete if one started at the beginning.



The familiars have secured their loyals once again…but Pakashara will have none of this chummy business. She wants to rule them all and put the lowly humans back in their place with the help of an army of animals….dead animals (as in zombie like). Yes….she plans on raising an army of those animals that have passed in order to claim what she feels is rightfully her future. To stop her, they must find the Shifting Fortress, for it is only within its walls that the spells to save (or ruin) all of Vastia can be cast. But how does one pin down a shifting object when by definition alone it is constantly on the move? They’re about the find or…meet the new undead minions of Pakashara paw to paw.




Filled with danger, adventure, magic, friendship and family these are wonderful stores for Middle Grade fans through adults. You have the old “diamond in the rough” message illustrated thanks to Aldwyn, as well as the “things aren’t always as they seem” adage courtesy of…well, all three of them and several others they meet along the way. We uncover the pasts of all three of our unlikely heroes and learn that family can be flesh and blood….but it is also those that we hold nearest to our hearts that make us whole.



Aldwyn’s character is coming to terms with a past that keeps changing. Skylar shares a part of herself that was no intended for her friends to see. Gilbert reveals the underlying reasons for his shaky sense of his magical abilities. Suffice it to day that there are twists and turns some of which are easy to spot while others take a moment to wrap your mind around (especially the River of Time…) but it all adds up to a whole lot of fun. Book three is forth coming and word to the wise....there’s ALSO going to be a movie based on the series! ( )

Adult Reader Reaction: I'm glad I read this right after finishing The Familiars (Book 1). There are subtle yet important references that I would likely have forgotten if the story wasn't still fresh in my mind. The plot has a few more twists than Book 1, which made it even more enjoyable. Deciphering the nursery rhyme added to the depth of the plot, kept the curiosity going, and expanded the reader's knowledge of the Familiars and Vastia.

Pros: Readers will cheer on Aldwyn, Gilbert, and (even) Skylar! From start to finish, this engaging, unpredictable adventure is a wonderful read. It is an excellent read aloud choice for mixed-age audiences.

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This is the 2nd book my daughter and I have read this school year.
This is also the 2nd book in the "Familiars" series.
The first book set up all the characters and developed their back stories. It also introduced a villain and story arc. This second book develops everything a few steps. The characters are familiar and so the author has been able to show their personalities a bit more vividly. For instance, there is more humor. The relationship between the characters has grown as well. The trust between the members of their group is palpable and is obviously valuable to each. They each have something to contribute and their confidence in their individual abilities strengthens in the face of opposition.
The plot is as tight as In the first book. The animals go on a quest to save the world from the evil bunny (I never get tired of saying that!) and to return magic to humans (stolen by aforementioned evil bunny). The animals are directed by an ancient epic poem which shows them the way. They encounter all sorts of other characters and have to find a way to solve each part of the poem puzzle. The thing to remember about this author is that each part, each character, each mystery is interconnected. Sometimes it seems as though you are just having a random encounter - something to fill the pages of an adventure book. However, be warned, each of those bits and pieces will come around again and be an important part of the book. Read with attention for maximum enjoyment!
My only complaint is that the ending of the book is a dreadful, painful cliffhanger - I do hate those! Its like book 2 of the LOTR books - just a sort of interstitial between 1 and 3. A great book - tightly and wonderfully written with lots of important things happening - but still, always, it is the book in-between.
Overall - a wonderful book with memorable characters and I can't wait to get to book three! ( )

So much fun. Truly a cross between Harry Potter and Warriors.

Admittedly, there are a lot of things that don't always work or just seem very very very unlikely, or that just, y'know, don't make sense. For instance, when the Familiars travel into the Beyond, why do they run into so many familiar faces and people and stuff? I thought no one knew what was in the Beyond.

But really, the story is just so much fun that those details aren't really a big deal. A very good fantasy adventure for a younger audience. ( )