A missing Martian. A sinister plot. A Napoleonic spy. . . Boundless adventures await in Book 2 of The Secrets of the Dragon Tomb middle grade sci-fi series! If Edward thought life was going to be easy in Lunae City, he was very, very wrong. The moment he intercepts a thief escaping from Lady Harleston’s town house, he is caught in a terrible scheme that threatens all of Mars. Soon he’s fighting off vicious sea serpents, battling a small army of heavily armored thugs, and trying to unpick an impossible mystery. Edward doesn’t know whom he can trust. Will he make the right choice? Or will his family―and his entire planet―fall victim to the treacherous Emperor of Mars? A Christy Ottaviano Book Gr 4–6—Eight months after thwarting Sir Titus Dane's tomb-robbing scheme, Edward Sullivan attempts to find himself by vine-mining in Lunae City. He's been sneaking out of the house without his usual partner in crime, little sister Putty, but he quickly learns that he does not have what it takes to root out the beetle-vines. Dejected at failing yet again, Edward is pondering his future when he spots a thief rappelling down the wall of Lady Harleston's enormous townhouse. Little does he know, this chance encounter is about to send him on an adventure even more perilous than the last. Not only has the notorious Dr. Blood returned, but Rothan Gal is missing, and there appears to be a traitor among the Sullivans. As in the first installment, there is plenty of action; readers will encounter saber-toothed spiders and shark kites, as well as sea serpents, mechanical scorpions, and the dreaded Apprentice. Somewhat lacking the levity of the first book (which was often provided by the shenanigans of Freddie, who does not appear this time around), the second installment will have readers questioning the ideas of power and might. VERDICT This fast-paced sequel exploring deep topics of power, corruption, family, and identity will find a broad audience.—Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York "As in the first installment, there is plenty of action; readers will encounter saber-toothed spiders and shark kites, as well as sea serpents, mechanical scorpions, and the dreaded Apprentice. . . This fast-paced sequel exploring deep topics of power, corruption, family, and identity will find a broad audience ."-- School Library Journal Patrick Samphire grew up in England and Zambia. He holds a PhD in physics from the University of Essex and attended the Clarion Writers Workshop in Seattle. He lives in Wales with his family. Secrets of the Dragon Tomb was his debut novel. Jeremy Holmes is the creative mind behind Mutt Ink, a graphic design studio, and the illustrator of many children's books. His first book, There Was an Old Lady, was awarded Bologna Razzi’s Opera Prima award at the 2010 Bologna Book Fair. He lives in Pennsylvania.