Căutătorii Vulpii

Thieves of Shadow #2

by Kevin Sands, Maria Rizoiu (translator)

Regula numărul unu: stai departe de magie fiindcă s-ar putea să se întoarcă împotriva ta!

Fanii poveștii pline de suspans din Copiii Vulpii vor afla cum continuă aventura lui Callan și a prietenilor lui după ce au furat Ochiul, cel mai puternic artefact din ținut.

De data asta, cei cinci adolescenți se confruntă cu o situație mult mai gravă decât orice jaf periculos: o magie necunoscută și redutabilă și-a făcut loc în sufletul lui Lachlan și crește cu fiecare clipă.

Cal, Meriel, Coadă de Vulpe și Gareth, pornesc într-o nouă aventură contra cronometru: trebuie să găsească Colții Dragonului, două săbii gemene cu putere de viață și de moarte.

Căutarea lor frenetică îi poartă în adâncul oceanului, pe o corabie scufundată cu mii de ani în urmă, și îi conduce apoi către cel mai ambițios și riscant jaf, în chiar subteranele Enclavei Vrăjitorilor. Miza este uriașă, iar trădarea cuiva apropiat îi ia pe nepregătite. Cine știe dacă vor reuși încă o dată să sfideze soarta?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Mystery, Young Adult, Audiobook, Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2022

About the author

Since escaping from university with a pair of degrees in theoretical physics, Kevin Sands has worked as a researcher, a business consultant, and a teacher. He is the author of the bestselling The Blackthorn Key series. His brand new fantasy adventure, Children of the Fox, is out now.

Reviews

[Cindee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series looking forward to the reading the finale when it releases. The characters were really interesting as always Cal will be the standout among them he is such a great character he really stands out. I really liked the relationship between the main characters they fit so well together even if some are very mysterious. The plot was really good it picks up where it left off with the race to save Lachlan they manage to do that with some hardship but there is more to do to save him entirely so they go looking for another item they find out many things more interesting mysteries I am really looking forward to the final book.

[book_worm119 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this so much!
I have absolutely no complaints and it was so awesome and entertaining
I would probably give this a 5 star if I remembered bk 1...but I read that a few years ago, so that's my own fault!
I just loved the found family element and the way this was like a younger Six of Crows series, but super interesting and different.
I loved Callan's intelligence (he's so smart...) and he's definitely one of my favorite middle grade characters and characters if all time!
I mostly stopped reading middle grade books because of the immaturity, but I wasn't annoyed by any of the characters and found them likeable.
I forgot what age Callan is and Meriel is, but honestly I loved their relationship, banter, and romantic-ish moments. I definitely ship them!!
I can't wait for bk 3 and I love the running joke of them forgetting he's a gaffer(..?).
I miss the magical element of middle grade books. This is definitely one of the best middle grade books I've ever read!

[esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kevin Sands really has a chokehold on us"
-hannah

[Choco · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what..this book reminds me so much of Six of Crows, but this time there is more magic involved than grisha and there is no Kaz Brekker (tho Cal can suffice). Then again this is my first impression for one of Kevin Sand’s books because I believe this is the sequel (edit: never mind it isn’t it is book 2 ._.) to the Thief of the Fox series…yea I did it again..I read the sequel (*didn’t read book #1..) before the actual series…

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I think the story starts to slow down, Kevin Sands slaps me in the face with multiple plot twists at once. I don't know how he does it. It's incredible. I get this is for middle schoolers but it still amazes me. Easy 5 stars. Every Kevin Sands book is a 5 star read

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Red Maple nominee

Wow- this book picks up where the first left off - and in true Sands fashion ends on a cliffhanger.

Can't wait to read the next book!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah wth was that ending ???

[jules (drowned in studying as of currently) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dnf

[Fiyinfoluwa]

This was great!!!! Can't wait for book 3 to be released.

[christine ✩]

This book is a massive 0_0?!?/!??!
Anyway I need need to know who Foxtail is and also Meriel

.... I'm so excited for Blackthorn 6 to come out massive fan of Sands

[Elena Druță · Rating 5 out of 5]

Căutătorii vulpii este o poveste alertă, cu foarte multă acțiune și dezvoltare a universului în care se petrec lucrurile. Aflăm din ce în ce mai multe informații despre magie, despre trecutul oamenilor, despre Țesători, dar și despre cele două spirite primordiale, Vulpea și Ursoaica, care stau la baza construcției societății din volum.
Recenzia, aici.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great continuation from the first book. This series forces you to read them one after the other! The audiobook narration is top tier. I loved that we got to learn so much more about the rest of the team in this book. I love them all even more bc of it. They have grown to be a true found family. I love their example of being so uplifting toward each other and the little acts of service. This world is so interesting and I love the stories that get told of the history and spirits. The dragons teeth are one of the coolest magical items ever. I can’t wait for the last book.

SPOILERS and book notes:
The dragon eye shows Callan the life force of everything. And it shows it in different colors depending on the living thing. It makes him dizzy looking through both eyes though. They take Lachlan to a pig farmer to heal him bc that is where the eye takes them. They also have Solomon’s dragon staff. Bragan the pig farmer uses the dragon staff to save Lachlan. The dragon staff was made my dragons light 4000 years ago and has wind power. They saved him! But now there is a little bit of the staffs primeval magic inside Lachlan and it will eventually consume him. I love how protective everyone is of Lachlan now!! And how Lachlan doesn’t take anything for granted. Especially the people around him. Calling the girls beautiful etc. dragons staff and dragon eye and dragon tattoo on bragan. He is a dragon cultist! Callan can see life light coming from all his friends through the dragon eye except fox tail! She is blank!! Callan tries to stop merien from going into a sailers tavern bc she is a pretty girl: ““It’s funny,” Meriel said, “that you imagine anything you say will stop me from going in there.” “Miracles do happen.” “We’ve used up our miracles tonight, sweetheart.” Lachlan elbowed me, eyes wide. “She called you sweetheart!” I opened the door. “I’m pretty sure she didn’t mean it.” And then when the men heckled her she threw a knife into the man’s mug. And everyone loved her lol. Callan asked her how many knives she had left and she said 7 but needs more lol. Aeric, first emperor of Ayreth got a gift from weavers: the dragons teeth. The dragons teeth are twins swords! “The first of the swords, Camuloth, was a soulstealer. Its pommel black as jet, the blade had the power to drain the life of any enemy with a single cut. Its sister, Belenoth, was a healer.” “Pommel white as the sun,” Fergal continued, “Belenoth could draw the stolen energy of Camuloth and heal the wounds of its owner. When used together to cut down enemies and restore one’s injuries . . .” Fergal’s voice trailed off. “Whoever held them would be nearly invincible,”. Find them to save Lachlan! But the eye is tricking them again…? “Need, greed, and speed, he’d once told me. These, boy, are the three pillars of a most effective gaff.” They are leaving the city by airship! ““Ain’t this the most dangerous way out, then?” Lachlan asked. “Exactly the opposite. It’s the least dangerous because it’s run by the Weavers.” They all looked puzzled at that, so I explained. “It’s something the Old Man taught me. The things people trust the most are what they defend the least. It’s like, if you’re going to war, where do you mass your troops? On a border with an ally? No. You station them where your enemy will invade.” And Callan will be the only one to ride first class bc they won’t search first class. And Meriel is mad bc she will be flying 4th class lol. Meriel is a secret affectionate softy!!! She climbed the outside of the airship to be in first class with him. ““Will you relax already? I promise, I won’t cause any more trouble. Besides, I didn’t bring my parachute this time.” “I . . . you . . . fine. Stop stealing my beef.” She laughed again, then linked her arm in mine, leaning her head against my shoulder as she gazed over the side. The scent of her jasmine perfume left me a little distracted. And surprised, too. She’d never been so affectionate before. Seeing Lachlan die and then come back to life has changed her, I thought. It hasn’t changed her, the Old Man said. It’s made her drop her walls. You’ve seen her playing with Lachlan before. This is the girl inside. The one she won’t let herself be.” The swords are in the middle of lake Galway!! Different colors represented different magic: red is life, purple is wind. Gray is dying! So he gives Callan a crystal ring that the old man gave him. So now he will think of them both while wearing it. Now they are sailing on a ship to the ship wreck with the swords! Foxtails mask hides magical life force. They are using a diving bell to get to the ship wreck in the lake. They have stones to have an air pocket around their heads as long as they are holding the stone. And a harpoon bc there are sharks! There is a whole ocean creatures and coral that shouldn’t be in a fresh water lake. Just like there shouldn’t have been a jaguar in the forest. The sharks attacked! Attracted to the magic. But foxtail saved them by attacking the sharks. Her mask allows her to breathe underwater! “I took her by the shoulders. “That,” I said, “was the most heroically insane thing I ever saw.” She relaxed, as if relieved. Then she patted my cheek.” Awww! Callan got each of his friends a gift! Garath he got a deck of cards and a dictionary of the old language, Lachlan he got a picture book of fox and bear stories, foxtail he got her a new beautiful veil and mirror polish for her mask. And Mariel he got her a gold necklace with a dragon pendent. They were all so shocked and grateful. No one used to receiving gifts. And look at this sweetest scene between foxtail and callan. “Still, whatever the truth is, I want you to know: I don’t really care. You saved my life. Twice, actually. No matter what your secret is, you’ll always be my friend.”I expected her to pat my cheek like she always did. A charming dismissal. Instead, she gave me a hug, soft and tender. I hugged her back, until she let go. “So will you stop avoiding me?” Now she patted my cheek. But she nodded, and I was sure, under the mask, she was grinning.” The ring detects when there are spirits around! Dafna betrayed them!! The spirits saved them. And then they saved Lachlan by stabbing him first with one sword that sucks all the life energy and then transforming it back to only Lachlans and then putting it back in his body! I love the metaphor of when callan used the swords to heal lochlan, it also healed the burns on his finger that were there from the finger that gray gave him. (that ring is what summoned the bear). And it left a scar shaped ring.

[Paula Dyches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictive Fantasy Ocean’s Eleven Style Series

Parents- PG- older elementary kids and up
Language- None
Violence- PG13- normal to genre nothing too graphic
Sexual Content- none

I really love this series so far! It grabs you and is a hard one to put down, is clean and everyone can enjoy it, and is amazingly free of political pushing... which in new books seems to be more and more rare. My review is going to mimic the first mainly because I don't want to give anything away. It’s a fantasy/magic story mixed with Ocean’s Eleven style heist and characters made up of a team of 5 kids, each with their own talent. It’s geared toward kids but adults can completely get into this one too. This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger but is left wide open for the series to continue. I’m now waiting impatiently for book three to come out in November.

Narrator- 5 stars- Has wonderful differentiations between characters, acting skills were great, he simply fun to listen, and there was no need to speed up the playback!

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series that needs more love. It's a middle grade that everyone can enjoy.

[Michelle the Magical · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, it's really not surprising that this author can write such good books about thieves considering how much of my sleep these books have managed to steal.

Need, greed, and speed. Does anyone else realize that the books themselves are a gaff to steal our time, hearts, and attention? Genius!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so I read the first book and DEVOURED it.

Now, there's a book 2 and guess what? I LOVED this one, too! Kevin Sands just keeps getting better and better.

It's upper MG / lower YA, as there's no love interest (thank heavens!), just all action, all the time.

This picks right where book one left off…

The Eye is still embedded in Callan, but now it's enchanted so he can't hear its overpowering thoughts all the time, and Foxtail provides an eyepatch that effectively renders it blind as well. It can't see what Callan is doing and seethes as he gives it only glances of whatever situation he's in.

Callan's still working to fulfill his bargain with it, but keep in mind, it hasn't revealed all the terms of that bargain.

Callan and his band of teen cons (the gorgeous knife-throwing Meriel, enigmatic Foxtail, and bookish Gareth) are desperately following a path out of Carlow, away from the exploding volcano, trying to escape the High Weaver, who's hot on their trail, looking for the Dragon's Eye (which Callan and gang stole, remember?).

They're carrying young Lachlan, who's dying, and Callan is following a trail only the Eye can see that leads them to… well, what Callan wants / needs / must have to save Lachlan's life. Immediately. It reeks of all the elements of a good con – need, speed, greed – the still-as-yet-missing Old Man taught Callan to use to get marks to take the bait.

While on this escape, Callan encounters a leopard and pay attention to this. He already knows he's got the patronage of the Fox, as all thieves and con men do, but he also has a special, personal relationship with the Fox. This leopard encounter seems inconsequential, but I LOVED how it was pulled in at the end! I won't say how, but just know, nothing in this book is included out of sheer happenstance; it all has meaning, never fear.

To continue…the Eye leads Callan to a man who can save Lachlan, but only by using the magic in the Dragon Staff, a sort of ancient, elemental magic that's difficult to control. The mage, who's not a Weaver, drains the staff and channels it into Lachlan, managing to convert most of this wild essence into bringing Lachlan back from the dead, but not all…

A small sliver of the elemental magic lives in Lachlan, twisting, writhing, trying to grow and get free. Callan can see it with the Eye, and he very quickly learns, this is but a brief reprieve for Lachlan. Because this wild magic will eventually consume the boy if Callan can't find…

…and you guessed it, exactly what the Eye wants him to find: the Dragon's Teeth. Before Lachlan is consumed and turned into something evil.

The Dragon's Teeth are two swords, hidden away more than a thousand years ago, and it's still a death sentence to anyone who touches them. One can siphon magic out of a person, the other can *supposedly* heal Lachlan.

Once again recognizing he's being conned, Callan's got no choice. He and his friends head to the lakeshore on the ancient trail of the Dragon's Teeth, just as the Eye intended all along. And here it becomes a fast-paced archaeological thriller, with Callan and gang struggling to find and correctly interpret the ancient clues…all while being conned, remember? But by just about every person they encounter!

I won't say any more, but oh my gosh, I am loving these books! The plots are intricate and extremely well-thought-out. The stakes, even when appearing to be achieved, are actually upped. The characterizations are spot on, and poor Callan, thinking he's leading or got any agency in this twisted game the Eye and his world's magical spirits are playing, when in fact – and it's all the more poignant, because deep-down he knows this – he's nothing but an instrument, a finely tuned one at that, in a thousand-year con, one that encompasses … his whole life. He's a manipulated instrument in a game he still can't see.

Can't wait to read the next one!

Enjoy these fantasy books. They'll make great gifts for the advanced readers in your life.

Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?

Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[eve.lyn._.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌊🦊🌗Children of the Fox🌓🦊🌊
3.75 Stars
Lachlan's life is hanging in the balance due to several decisions that could change the course of their mission. They follow The Eye to a farm, where they meet a mysterious man who gives them a risky answer to the question they seek to understand. They set out on a journey to find The Blade of Heaven as they dug deeper into Artha and Shuna's twisted past. Tension brews between Callan and the others as the Eye reveals a suspicious secret about Foxtail that stirs up his curiosity, while Lachlan's behaviour is slowly hanging. A mysterious sentence from Meriel's past leaves many questions to be answered at a later time. Seekers of the Fox delivers a rip-roaring adventure on the seas filled with several secrets, a deeper dive into the fantasy world's mythology, and a group of brilliant thieves. 

        So far, the Thieves of Shadow series has been both entertaining and intriguing. Kevin Sands is one of the most brilliant authors I have ever read a book from. Both this series and The Blackthorn Key have memorable plots, crazy plot twists, heavy world-building, and the ability to always fascinate me. Kids in my class who would normally read graphic novels actually read Kevin Sand's other series, which had them instantly intrigued. I would definitely recommend both of his books for those who aren't avid readers and need something interesting to keep them captivated.

    Every single chapter is packed with new, important information and has a shocking ending. The protagonist, Cal, reminds me a lot of Jaron from the Ascendency series. He has such an interesting voice and perspective. Cal imagines the Old Man from his perspective, making his thoughts talk to himself. In a way, his common sense and judgement are personified as a person's voice speaking to him in his head. Sometimes it feels like Cal is having a conversation in his head with a completely different person, but in fact, it's a lot like he relies on The Old Man because of their past together, and it reassures him to imagine that voice. This is a really interesting part of his character that can show that he has a fear of being abandoned and bitter emotions that he hasn't fully explored yet. 

    Cal is the sort of protagonist who is a lot more rational than he is emotional, but he can get caught up in his emotions sometimes, choosing them over better judgement. I enjoyed the individual relationships between Cal and the four other main characters. However, there was a reason why I didn't give this book a four-star rating. I felt as though the overall bond between the whole entire group as a whole felt rather week. I could see it, but I didn't feel the strong relationship between all of them together. I love when the "found  family" trope feels like the beating heart of the story; however, I just couldn't get into the feeling of their bond.

    Meriel, Lachlan, Foxtail, and Gareth do get little character development, which disappointed me. Although they are all likeable characters, I would love to see their stories explored more. There were small hints thrown into this book about their past, such as Meriel's and Foxtails, which were just left off. I do believe these plot lines would be continued in book three, but the information was given early on in the book, so I was curious to see why it wasn't brought up again or explored more.

   The book did seem to lack some continuity from the first book to the second, solely because certain plot lines just seemed to be dropped. Book two was still enjoyable despite having a different atmosphere, but I enjoyed it more because a lot of the world-building and direction of the plot were already established. This was an interesting second book to the trilogy, and I would recommend picking up Kevin Sand's books!
☑️PLOT
☑️PLOT TWISTS
☑️CHARACTERS

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lachlan was horribly injured during the gang's last heist. They need to save him very quickly. And their only hope is Callan's new Eye, which is most definitely not trustworthy. It promises to lead them to someone who can save Lachlan if they will then go find something it wants. Out of options, they agree. The Eye leads them to a pig farmer much more than he seems, and then has them on a quest to find the Dragon's Teeth, a pair of swords that date back to the founding magic of the land. But how does one find something from a myth?

This was an exciting adventure with our likable gang of thieves. Gareth, Meriel, Foxtail, Callan, and Lachlan all grow as characters and as a team through this adventure. Readers also get a lot more information about the mythology and history of the land/magic, so the world building gets a good boost. I was actually impressed by the amount of thought Sands put into his world building. He's created this whole set of mythology and mythological characters to flesh out the back story of the magic and world. It's quite impressive. Most people just borrow from existing mythology. The action scenes are well balanced with planning/regrouping scenes and character growth. Both Callan and Lachlan are dealing with exposure to sinister magic, and so there's a battle going on for their goodness in the background of the grand adventure. Overall, an excellently crafted adventure that felt extremely unique in setting and characters. (Oh, and I listened to part of this on audio and actually missed the narrator's voices so much I gave up reading the text version after 2 paragraphs. The audio version is EXCELLENT!)

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some very serious battles and fights of good magic vs dark magic that sometimes require drastic measures (like stabbing someone in the heart with a magic sword). Because of those scenes I'd only recommend this to middle school on up.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe not quite as good as the first book, but still an excellent ride. The subtle pace of the world-building and how it ties into the main plot is just wonderful, and the main characters are ALL delightful - which is an extreme rarity! My favorites are Gareth and Foxtail, though I might love Meriel's development the most. Lachlan is such a cutie, and it was so sweet how all of them doted on him as a little brother. And Cal's sheer gall puts him in the same league as Aladdin, one of the all-time great brains-over-brawn heroes. I also appreciate that the characters come across as much older than they are (other than Lachlan) - at least 16 rather than 14. Chalk it up to growing up fast in a cutthroat fantasy world!

The plot did seem a little like a bridge between installments (the site of the climax gave me a little deja vu, even though it turned out differently enough from the first book to be distinctive), but I was still eager to flip the pages and find out what happened next. A couple of revelations were a little telegraphed (speculation incoming, possible spoiler for book 3: calling it now, the Old Man is 100% a spirit and Cal really has been hearing his voice), but with one exception, that didn't make them stale or paint the characters as dummies. And I love that there's still so much meat to devour in the next book, from Foxtail's deal to Meriel's past to the Eye's true desires! The swords were very cool too, especially with their corrupting influence.

I could harp on about tiny flaws and crevices for improvement, but you know what? I don't want to! The true measure of a great book is, to me, how much I enjoyed it. And Seekers of the Fox gets top marks from me. Thank you for another great read, Mr. Sands, and I will grab the third book the second it's available in paperback!

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

**received as a finished copy from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program

The first book in this trilogy was filled with fun highjinx, a neat magic system, and a pretty quality cast of characters, so when I had the opportunity to request an early copy of the second book I figured why not continue the story. It’s been a while since I read the first one, so it took me a while to get back into the story and the author’s narrative style, but I’m glad I stuck it out. Cal is a fun protagonist, and being back amongst his motley crew of thieves as they continued their shenanigans was an easy sell with the story’s action-packed narrative. They might have escaped their botched heist with an accidental treasure (the Dragon’s Eye, which has attached itself to Cal), but things are still complicated as they must find a way to heal and then bring back to life then heal again one of their crew, Lachlan. For all that Cal and co. were a bunch of lone wolves in the first book, this story makes clear how they’ve become a little family and would do anything to save eachother. The plot thickens further as they begin a search for more magical objects related to the Eye and it primeval magic, which takes them to the depths of a massive lake and to the heart of the Weaver’s enclave - a quest that also serves to begin unraveling and revealing more about the Spirits who rule their belief system and the magic that pervades their world. The book is definitely a bit young for me to be as obsessed with as I was with similarly styled stories at the same age, and it doesn’t hit with quite the same panache, but I’m intrigued enough that I do want to see how things play out for Cal and company in the third book!

[OpenedBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The Seekers of the Fox," Kevin Sands delivers the second installment in his thrilling series with another gripping adventure. Determined to save Lachlan, Callan and his companions embark on a perilous journey, risking everything once again. This book features another exhilarating heist, but with trust misplaced, the outcome seems doomed from the start. Only through Callan's astute understanding of people's mindsets and motivations are they able to navigate and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

One of the standout features of this book is the electrifying heist. Sands masterfully crafts a suspenseful and engaging plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Callan's breakthrough is brilliantly executed, showcasing his exceptional skills and quick thinking. However, this focus on Callan's achievements comes at a cost.

While "The Seekers of the Fox" excels in delivering a thrilling narrative, it falls short in character development compared to the first book. In the initial installment, the diverse cast of characters and their evolving dynamics were a highlight. Unfortunately, in this sequel, the emphasis shifts predominantly to Callan, sometimes relegating other characters to the background. This shift detracts from the rich ensemble dynamic that was so appealing in the first book. Characters like Foxtail, Lachlan, Meriel, and Gareth, who played crucial and inclusive roles in the initial heist, are less prominent and their contributions feel somewhat sidelined.

Despite this, the story's momentum is strong, and the ending, with its tantalizing cliffhanger, compels readers to immediately reach for the next book. Sands' ability to weave a compelling narrative that leaves readers wanting more is undeniable.

Overall, "The Seekers of the Fox" is a fast-paced and exciting continuation of the series. While it may not delve as deeply into character development as the first book, it still offers a thrilling adventure that fans will eagerly devour. The promise of the final installment holds great anticipation, as readers look forward to the resolution of this captivating story.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thieves of Shadow series centers on a ragtag group of kids that join forces among unexpected circumstances. The first book, Children of the Fox, follows five young criminals as they work to steal a heavily guarded magical treasure. Without giving too much away for newbies of the series, the second book, Seekers of the Fox, picks up immediately where its predecessor left off.

The books definitely need to be read in order, and it’s definitely worth checking out Children of the Fox — it’s a great read.

As with Children of the Fox, Seekers of the Fox is told from Callan’s point of view. He remains a strong protagonist — clever with a bit of snark — but he’s evolved, too. The other kids — Garath, Lachlan, Foxtail and Meriel — have become more than just a crew. They’ve become his friends, his family. That bond is what pushes the action forward. And while you will learn more about the other kids, their characters have yet to be fully realized — fingers crossed for Book 3.

In Seekers of the Fox, Author Kevin Sands stays true to the world he’s created — specifically the one in which the children operate. They’re still young criminals. They’re still pulling off heists and playing to their individual talents. Sands just pumps everything up. The stakes are higher, the action more intense and the magic more mysterious.

The Thieves of Shadow series is entertaining and engaging. It should appeal to a large cross-section of readers, and one or both books would make a great present.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't had this much fun with a book in a while.The magnetism from the first book, and any of Kevin Sands’ books, was as prominent as ever. The distinct narrational voice, surprisingly complex and original personalities of the characters, and epic treasure hunt and heist are something you don’t want to miss.

My biggest critique of the first book was that there wasn’t enough group work. The characters split up too much and I wanted to see more of the group as a whole. That problem didn’t come up once in this book. The dynamic was fun and witty, the vibe competent as the crew worked with one another to solve the problems and execute a glamorous and exciting heist. My biggest critique of this book is more an expectation thing. While the heist was awesome and grand, I thought the treasure hunt would be more prominent. Most of the book features the characters hunting down a pair of legendary swords, and I thought there would be more of a struggle to find them. I will admit that I thought the heist maybe went off too seamlessly, even when everything inevitably fell apart.

The plot was incredibly fast paced as well– I didn’t even realize how far along into the book I’d come until I reached the climax. The writing was mesmerizing and quick to read, painting everything so vividly in my head. Cal himself, the narrator, has such a distinct voice, he feels so real and three dimensional.

This was a brilliant sequel I loved even more than the first book, and I am beyond excited to read the third book.

[Jeilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a great sequel! There were parts where it slowed down but I was in a reading slump so I was more affected than I would normally be. Because during those parts we learn more about the kids and they get closer as friends. Which is things I am constantly begging for in other media so having it and not enjoying it in this book meant I was out of it for sure. I really loved how the story progressed and the twists and turns I did not see coming at all. I also like how this book had its own plot that isn’t just setting up the next book. Them trying to save Lachlan helped to push the plot forward, served as motivation, and provided stakes and a timeframe in which the narrative needed to be completed. I will say this book, like the first is a little brutal. I wasn’t a big reader of fiction as a child but I don’t know if this is appropriate for younger children maybe like 12-14 and up. Overall I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next.

[Emily Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

*I received a copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review*

Seekers of the Fox, the sequel to Children of the Fox, follows the same group of resilient, creative young thieves/adventurers as they search for ancient items alluded to in myth and folklore. I found this book to be even better than the first, in large part due to the world-building and character development the author invested in Book One. I loved the deep dive into the Spirit World and the further emphasis on each young person's unique set of gifts and character traits.

This truly is a series of books that can be appreciated by readers of all ages and I can't wait to pass them along to my nieces and nephews. Also more than ready for the author to publish Book Three!

[𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were to rate this book, I would give it a 3.9 out of 5.

This book was so fun, and I loved reading it.
The characters remained relatively the same, and the plot moved along smoothly.

However, the book felt a bit long for my taste (12 hours on Libby!), and I think some parts could've been cut out.
I just felt tired after listening to the entire story (despite the last book being over 100 pages longer), so I think the first book was slightly better.

I won't say a lot about what happens in the story itself, but this con was a whole lot simpler and much less exciting than the last.
I don't like that; I liked the first book for its elaborate and thrilling cons, not its character development and discoveries and whatnot.
This book had a lot of the latter and not even one of the former.

The rest of the book was good, though.
I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book better than the first one! There are however, some considerations. At the very beginning, the youngest of the gang "dies." His soul is still intact and he is revived through the magic of a wizard. It reminded me a bit of the scene in Princess Bride where Wesley is only partially dead. Nevertheless, I read on cautiously. What I found is that this action of magic was portrayed as evil. The evil magic lives within the boy and the friends band together to find a cure and save their friend. What saves him in the end is the loyalty of his friends and magic that has not been corrupted by evil wizards. Again, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one which comes out later this year. But if it makes you hesitate, please feel free to skip it and find a book from the supplement list!

Found in L4M Volume 64.

[Lost Inthe Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book's crazy, underwater adventure and plot turns in places you don't even expect.
What caught my attention is the MC's ability to read people expressions(well I find that fascinating). Ow it's has some anime like mojo callan has a green len stuck or embedded to this eye sockets (which I would say is similar to the sharingan- visual prowess) which makes him see life energy and magic. Here's the cliffhanger the Len is a sentiment being which means it's alive and it also speaks. I loved this books so much 'cause callan gives out vibes which are similar to that of kraz. I feel this is the middle grade version of the six of crows. There are alotsa of heists which will leave your throbbing.

[Books_cats&Tea♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
Now, I've stopped reading middle grade novels because I usually find them a bit boring and not very mature, but this book was totally the opposite. It was entertaining, had a lot of humour and magical scenes and was just really fun to read. The world building, plot and characters are all really great. I love the character's family dynamic, they were so fun to read about! I can't wait to find out the mysteries of Meriel's background or Foxtail's mask (also I really hope Cal and Mariel end up together, they are so cute). I definitely liked this book as much as the first one, which is unusual for me.

Champions of the Fox (book #3) is definitely on my to-read list now!

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun adventure but not as engaging as the first one, tbh. It was all a bit predictable and I find Callan a boring character (for someone with his past, he's surprisingly well-adjusted). The pacing is good and the world-building solid. The ending is, unsurprisingly, set up for a sequel as the Dragoneye continues to pursue its own agenda.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.