Mavis: Lust For Gold

by Caroline Crow Salmon

In this, the second novel in the Mavis series, Mavis is called to the Goldfields of the Western Australian outback after a cry of help from a desperate Pelican. As his body morphs alternately from bird to human he tells Mavis that the birds in the inland migratory breeding grounds are mysteriously disappearing. After having been trained by her grandmother to magnify sight like the eagle, fly as fast as the Peregrine Falcon, mimic any sound like the Superb Lyre Bird as well as many other bird skills, Mavis now is trying to master these powers of the birds she has inherited and flys bravely towards the dry, red, isolated gold mining lands to save the remaining birds.

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2024

Reviews

[Andrew Kirschner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mavis: Lust for Gold is the second adventure of the Girl with the Powers of the Birds. Summoned by the birds over an emergency, Mavis investigates the disappearances of migratory birds in the wilderness of Western Australia. Together with her team, she soon finds herself in the midst of a strange, magical conspiracy involving gold mines and birds imprisoned in human forms.

This book is loads of fun, with many surprises. The plot is more focused than in the more episodic first book. There is more mystery than action, though there is no shortage of fantasy. There is also a strong focus on the characters, which is welcome, since these characters are so engaging. There are more these than before; the hero's team has grown. The story occasionally drags, but the payoffs are worth it.

Mavis is a wonderful heroine for anyone who loves superheroes, and I enjoyed spending some more time with her.