Get ready for Book II of the thrilling, novelty-packed Guild of Specialists trilogy. After being lashed by a typhoon on their uncle's ship, THE EXPEDIENT, intrepid siblings Becca and Doug MacKenzie want nothing more than to escape from the volcanic island on which they're stranded and resume the search for their parents. But their uncle, Captain MacKenzie, seems more concerned with the missing gyrolabe than their missing mother and father, and he refuses to discuss the role the mysterious Guild of Specialists played in their disappearance. As the formidable Kalaxx warriors close in on their hidden cove, Becca and Doug unearth a riddle linked to a 1533 painting, which may hold the key to the Guild's dark secrets and to finding their parents. But how can they possibly solve the puzzle and escape with their lives — before their enemies attack? Grade 5–8—In this second adventure, Becca and her brother, Doug, have escaped Wenzi Island, but find themselves right back in the action. Their ship is struck by a powerful typhoon and is driven ashore on a group of islands. There the two teens; their uncle, Captain MacKenzie; and his brave crew find themselves once again facing their nemesis, Pembleton-Crozier, and his army of Kalaxx warriors. It takes all of their ingenuity, bravery, and wit to figure out his intent and why the islands are so very important to these enemies of the Guild of Specialists. This book rolls along with plenty of action and fun. Readers will be captivated by the story line, but also will be intrigued by all of the sketches, photographs, newspaper clippings, and foldout information on technology. Encourage fans of Alex Rider and Eoin Colfer to try this series.— Tasha Saecker, Menasha Public Library, WI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. After escaping from pirates at the end of Operation Red Jericho (2005), Doug and his sister, Becca, along with their uncle, the captain of a science expedition ship, find themselves run aground on an island. The kids don't have time to feel claustrophobic because they are quickly plunged into adventures that take them into a skeleton-strewn jungle, through glass-lined tunnels, and into a battle against Kalaxx warriors. Mowll's elaborate documentary-style novel includes snippets from Becca's diary, Doug's sketches, and materials from the files of the organization to which the children's parents and uncle belong--and against which villains are waging war. Readers unfamiliar with the first book won't have sufficient background to appreciate this one, but fans of Operation Red Jericho will be well pleased. Francisca Goldsmith Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Joshua Mowll has worked as a graphic artist for the MAIL ON SUNDAY since 1994. During that time he has illustrated and drawn everything from space flights, medical procedures, and airplane crashes to ancient pyramid theories, invasions, and laser-guided weaponry. OPERATION RED JERICHO, Book I in the Guild of Specialists trilogy, was his first book. He lives in London. Used Book in Good Condition