Assessment:
Plot/Idea: An entertaining setup—a 13-year-old haunted by the near-death experience of his best friend who sets out to hunt down a legendary Welsh treasure—evolves into a harrowing seagoing adventure that will hook readers. Brimming with nautical lore and risky feats, the more predictable plot points blend easily into the background.
Prose: Wagner writes crisply and effectively, with an eye for charged action scenes that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Metaphors are splashed freely throughout the text, giving the story a definitive seasoned feel.
Originality: The Star of Atlantis checks all of the boxes for a seafaring crusade, but the insightful writing style and gripping moments allow it to shine.
Character Development/Execution: Wagner fashions likable characters with just enough background to make them authentic and believable. The exploration of treacherous relationships fits well for young adult audiences, as do the coming-of-age exploits for Wagner’s protagonist.
Date Submitted: April 12, 2022
"Fans of The Strider and the Regulus will enjoy this continuation in which Swift has more autonomy as he grows into his fourteenth birthday. A great deal of the story examines Swift's fractured relationship with Ash, and his older brothers do their best to help Swift see the truth behind Ash's narcissistic behavior. Despite their efforts, Swift is easily manipulated by Ash, leading to cringeworthy, ill-fated decision making. However, as Swift's life becomes more complex, he begins to regard Ash differently, and maturity and time help both boys grow into better people.
The writing is lovely, incorporating challenging vocabulary that depicts both medical experiences and the savage beauty of the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline. Painting Swift's seagoing journeys in vivid detail, the word choice and delivery place readers on the ship alongside him. A nebulous quote from Swift's research resurfaces several times throughout the narrative, becoming ever clearer with each appearance. Action sequences pick up as the story progresses, ultimately leading to a resonant and thought-provoking final series of events. Readers transitioning from middle grade to young adult stories will appreciate this narrative for its incorporation of action, danger, and the turbulence of adolescence.
Especially well-suited to readers with an interest in fantasy and folklore, this novel encapsulates the feeling of a timeless and unforgiving sea alongside the comforts of modern technology. This is an enjoyable extension of the tale introduced in The Strider and the Regulus and is a memorable addition to libraries for young adult readers."
"The Star of Atlantis joins other books in the series of the same name, providing young adult audiences with a riveting adventure story that both stands well on its own and supports the series as a whole. From Swift's uncanny ability to absorb different languages to his proficiency at math, Tricia D. Wagner nicely sets up the scenario of adventure that makes The Star of Atlantis a worthy read for middle grade and young adult readers looking for attention-grabbing action.
Wagner excels in juxtaposing mystery with philosophical and interpersonal observations as the brothers are tested and changed by their adventures, and by a sense of urgency and desperation that grips them during their pursuits. The blend of intrigue, supernatural influences, and the dilemma faced by Swift as he tries to save his brother Caius highlights a journey far from home that might never bring him back.
Wagner does a particularly fine job of portraying shifting friendships as Swift comes to find that his friendship with Ash is changed by the Star of Atlantis. These underlying probes of the impact of an adventure add a dimension of psychological introspection to the story that places it more than a notch above the usual action story. Young readers seeking a thought-provoking blend of adventure, mystery, and interpersonal relationship challenges will find much to like about The Star of Atlantis, whether it's read as a stand-alone story or in conjunction with the other series titles."
