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Explorer Academy Vela #2
The Unbreakable Bond
The thrilling conclusion to Sailor York’s mission to find her sister and save her from an evil wildlife-trafficking ring.
In this suspenseful sequel to The Sailor Cipher, Sailor York must learn to control her extraordinary ability to communicate with animals to save her sister—and the planet.
The deadly animal-smuggling ring Hydrus is at it again: They’ve created a high-tech device that lures animals to be captured and sold. Sailor and her Explorer Academy friends Lani, Cruz, and Emmett—aka the Vela Squad—are determined to stop Hydrus at any cost. Their secret weapon? Sailor’s mysterious powers, which she is still learning how to use, all the while juggling their most challenging semester at Explorer Academy yet! To add to the pressure, it’s not just animals’ lives at stake, but the life of Sailor’s missing sister, Keel. Following a trail of clues around the globe leads the Vela Squad to an astounding discovery and daring race against the clock. In the end, their courage—and everything they thought they knew about Explorer Academy—will be put to the test.
In this suspenseful sequel to The Sailor Cipher, Sailor York must learn to control her extraordinary ability to communicate with animals to save her sister—and the planet.
The deadly animal-smuggling ring Hydrus is at it again: They’ve created a high-tech device that lures animals to be captured and sold. Sailor and her Explorer Academy friends Lani, Cruz, and Emmett—aka the Vela Squad—are determined to stop Hydrus at any cost. Their secret weapon? Sailor’s mysterious powers, which she is still learning how to use, all the while juggling their most challenging semester at Explorer Academy yet! To add to the pressure, it’s not just animals’ lives at stake, but the life of Sailor’s missing sister, Keel. Following a trail of clues around the globe leads the Vela Squad to an astounding discovery and daring race against the clock. In the end, their courage—and everything they thought they knew about Explorer Academy—will be put to the test.
216 pages, Library Binding
Published June 3, 2025
2 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Trudi Trueit
127 books280 followersTrudi Trueit writes the kind of books she loves to read; stories packed with adventure, mystery, friendship, and hope; stories that reminds us to forge our own path and be our own hero! She's published more than 100 fiction and nonfiction titles for kids, including the award-winning EXPLORER ACADEMY series (National Geographic), which was chosen as an Amazon Prime Book Box selection and named one of Barnes and Noble Best Books of the Year for Young Readers. Look for her NEW EXPLORER ACADEMY spinoff series: VELA!
Born and raised in Seattle, WA she lives in the Northwest with her husband and three cats. P.S.: Trudi Trueit IS her real name (by marriage). Visit her website at www.truditrueit.com.
Visit her website at www.truditrueit.
Born and raised in Seattle, WA she lives in the Northwest with her husband and three cats. P.S.: Trudi Trueit IS her real name (by marriage). Visit her website at www.truditrueit.com.
Visit her website at www.truditrueit.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 29, 2025
So, I don't love these as much as I did the main Explorer Academy books...but I still love the characters and enjoyed getting to see all of them again! The theme that emerged toward the end of this one wasn't my favorite.
Characters:
Sailor is a great main character, she's got spunk, charisma, and is struggling with what it means to be a North Star, but I loved seeing what her friends thought it meant and that she finally realized what the point of it all was.
Emmett is the sweetest, and I love him! I will never tire of reading about him.
Cruz is so nice! And just a fun guy!
Lani is fun too...sometimes, sometimes she too serious...loosen up, girl. XD
I loved Redwood, and that we got to see so much of Fanchon!
Themes:
The theme that emerged toward the end seemed to be following your heart because no one else knows what you need...and while that sounds harmless enough as a Christian I know that the heart is deceitful above all else and feelings without thought can get you into a lot of trouble. So, parents, be sure to talk to your kids when they finish this one and make it clear if they know something, or feel alone, to talk to you. That you can't know what they need unless they tell you, and following their heart isn't what's needed, communication is.
Romance:
Some indications that a few explorers like each other, but nothing but crushes mentioned.
Language:
Crickey...but nothing else.
Violence/Gore:
A fire, smoke, cut on someone's arm, a car chase...but nothing super intense or scary. Handled well.
Overall:
This was a fun book and had plenty of twists and turns. I would have liked to have seen more Keel...and I kind of hope that Trudi Truett continues to write short spins offs for each member of Team Cousteau...or at least for Lani and Emmett!
Recommend age 9+ though unless they enjoy science stuff...maybe 11+
Characters:
Sailor is a great main character, she's got spunk, charisma, and is struggling with what it means to be a North Star, but I loved seeing what her friends thought it meant and that she finally realized what the point of it all was.
Emmett is the sweetest, and I love him! I will never tire of reading about him.
Cruz is so nice! And just a fun guy!
Lani is fun too...sometimes, sometimes she too serious...loosen up, girl. XD
I loved Redwood, and that we got to see so much of Fanchon!
Themes:
The theme that emerged toward the end seemed to be following your heart because no one else knows what you need...and while that sounds harmless enough as a Christian I know that the heart is deceitful above all else and feelings without thought can get you into a lot of trouble. So, parents, be sure to talk to your kids when they finish this one and make it clear if they know something, or feel alone, to talk to you. That you can't know what they need unless they tell you, and following their heart isn't what's needed, communication is.
Romance:
Some indications that a few explorers like each other, but nothing but crushes mentioned.
Language:
Crickey...but nothing else.
Violence/Gore:
A fire, smoke, cut on someone's arm, a car chase...but nothing super intense or scary. Handled well.
Overall:
This was a fun book and had plenty of twists and turns. I would have liked to have seen more Keel...and I kind of hope that Trudi Truett continues to write short spins offs for each member of Team Cousteau...or at least for Lani and Emmett!
Recommend age 9+ though unless they enjoy science stuff...maybe 11+
June 18, 2025
Right off the bat, the new Vela series is missing a charm that I really liked in the main series, but it has its own special way and that's fine. But in the other books, Sailor was a really confident, outspoken girl. Now, I felt she became a nervous wreck who is more afraid of what other people think of her as the North Star than anything else. Aside from that, I think Trudi did a good job at making a new series from a completely new perspective, but still keeping things the same. I like the Biota mission assignments and Sailor's Log entry to add things up, but I think it still isn't the same.
August 28, 2025
The Vela Squad is back! Sailor and the team have more codes and clues to decipher, missions to complete, and adventures that take them to far-flung destinations around the globe. I loved the fast-paced storyline, all the adventure, and I also really enjoyed learning more about the Māori culture and language through this book.
The Unbreakable Bond is another amazing addition to the Explorer Academy series that I’m sure to read over and over again - I wish the series was longer!
The Unbreakable Bond is another amazing addition to the Explorer Academy series that I’m sure to read over and over again - I wish the series was longer!
October 1, 2025
Unsurprisingly, this book kept me engaged and speculating what was going to happen next all throughout. I loved seeing Sailor and the Vela Squad not only doing their best to be good students of the Explorer Academy, but also in their fight to rescue Keel from the evil plans of Hydrus.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews