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Secrets of the Silver Lion: A Carmen Sandiego Novel: Carmen Sandiego Series
From the bustling streets of New York City to the cobblestones of Seville and the silver mines high in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, Carmen is off on another quest to stop VILE in this heart-pounding caper full of twists and turns!
For centuries, the magnificent Throne of Felipe has stood with two empty spaces beside its famous silver arrow - spaces where the silver castle and lion should have been. And now, with the recent discovery of the silver castle within a secret vault in Seville, Spain, the hunt is on for the third silver icon. With all three pieces in the place, the throne will be enormously valuable - making it a hot item on VILE's radar. Now it's up to Carmen and crew to find the silver lion before VILE does, and protect the throne from winding up in the wrong hands.
For centuries, the magnificent Throne of Felipe has stood with two empty spaces beside its famous silver arrow - spaces where the silver castle and lion should have been. And now, with the recent discovery of the silver castle within a secret vault in Seville, Spain, the hunt is on for the third silver icon. With all three pieces in the place, the throne will be enormously valuable - making it a hot item on VILE's radar. Now it's up to Carmen and crew to find the silver lion before VILE does, and protect the throne from winding up in the wrong hands.
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First published September 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 7, 2020
This "novel" (novella) essentially reads like a long episode of the Netflix series, though I was confused as to when it was supposed to be set, since Shadowsan was no longer a member of VILE but wasn't working with Carmen (and was never even mentioned by name). Aside from the sometimes poor prose, the reason I knocked off a star is that Otheguy didn't capture the characters particularly well. Ivy and Zack's dialogue in particular sometimes sounded out of character.
That being said, the adventure itself is good, and while the info-drops are irksome, they're at least handled a bit better than in the show. (Not that they could be much worse.) For the show's fans, there's also a little bit of Player's history revealed. And while Argent and Devineaux are absent, as is Tigress, we get to enjoy rather a lot of time with my favorite minor character, Paperstar.
But what really impressed me was the way the book addressed biracial identity and colonialism. These are topics not often addressed in kids' genre fiction, and Otheguy (or the powers that be) handles them simply, perhaps simplistically, but clearly. While the show occasionally tries to broach difficult topics, it usually ends up brushing past them to get on with the action, but here they're an inherent part of the story.
As a lifelong Carmen fan, I'm still unhappy with the direction Houghton Mifflin has taken with the franchise, but taking that for granted, I think this book shows where the concept could be taken with some social awareness. I hope that awareness will become more a part of the show and the books moving forward.
That being said, the adventure itself is good, and while the info-drops are irksome, they're at least handled a bit better than in the show. (Not that they could be much worse.) For the show's fans, there's also a little bit of Player's history revealed. And while Argent and Devineaux are absent, as is Tigress, we get to enjoy rather a lot of time with my favorite minor character, Paperstar.
But what really impressed me was the way the book addressed biracial identity and colonialism. These are topics not often addressed in kids' genre fiction, and Otheguy (or the powers that be) handles them simply, perhaps simplistically, but clearly. While the show occasionally tries to broach difficult topics, it usually ends up brushing past them to get on with the action, but here they're an inherent part of the story.
As a lifelong Carmen fan, I'm still unhappy with the direction Houghton Mifflin has taken with the franchise, but taking that for granted, I think this book shows where the concept could be taken with some social awareness. I hope that awareness will become more a part of the show and the books moving forward.
October 16, 2020
Review from my 8-y.o.: “This is just a really, really good book!”
September 26, 2024
Really didnt care for the story of this little novel. I picked it up on a whim. Just was to easy and when i should have stopped way sooner.
November 20, 2020
I'm not sure how I feel about this book exactly. I do think it accomplishes its goals; it feels like an episode of the show, it's fast paced, it has funny dialogue, and overall, a good feeling. But as the show, it gets very white very quickly and there are some plot holes that are huge. I mean, you can't really look that closely at the plot, or the story just crumbles.
For a story that tries to tackle a deep message about identity, I found it very frustrating that makes a very easy explanation about the colonization in Bolivia, the exploitation of Indigenous communities, and the way Spain monarchy stole the land. I understand this a children's book, but if it's not possible for the author to tackle with nuance the topic, well, better avoid it then. The way it's brushed aside and painted as less evil as it was, very disappointing.
An arc was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
For a story that tries to tackle a deep message about identity, I found it very frustrating that makes a very easy explanation about the colonization in Bolivia, the exploitation of Indigenous communities, and the way Spain monarchy stole the land. I understand this a children's book, but if it's not possible for the author to tackle with nuance the topic, well, better avoid it then. The way it's brushed aside and painted as less evil as it was, very disappointing.
An arc was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2021
This read like an episode but with added commentary. I love Carmen Sandiego but I think the tv format works better. I’d still give the graphic novels a shot.
November 9, 2024
This book was okay. Nothing spectacular but nothing wrong with it either. Just okay.
March 2, 2021
Quick read. I loved the Netflix series and this book does a really good job of being a companion novel to the show in a way that doesn’t spoil it for people who haven’t watched every episode, but still delivers the same narration and fast pace style that it would if it was part of the tv series. It was made for an audience about twelve years younger than me, and I probably would have loved it way more if I were in the age range of the intended audience, but I did really like it and would read more like this if more books were released.
October 10, 2025
There are two main sides to this review. My son watched the 2019 Netflix series, and was excited to jump into another adventure with Carmen Sandiego. He loved the action and was able to follow along with the plot behind the throne's silver inlays and their mysterious silversmith.
For me, this review needs to include some commentary on the show. I grew up watching the 1990 Carmen Sandiego. When I picked up this book, I thought I would understand it because of my past experience. However, the Netflix series is so far different, I was constancy lost until I caught up with all of the new subplots. While it is interesting that Carmen's backstory is expounded, it almost felt like it over-complicatedly answered too many questions that I wasn't asking. This book is an excellent companion to the 2019 show, but I cannot help but feel that some of the original heart of the 1980-90s Carmen was lost to frivolous details.
The book is still a good mystery and a fun read. 4/5 stars.
For me, this review needs to include some commentary on the show. I grew up watching the 1990 Carmen Sandiego. When I picked up this book, I thought I would understand it because of my past experience. However, the Netflix series is so far different, I was constancy lost until I caught up with all of the new subplots. While it is interesting that Carmen's backstory is expounded, it almost felt like it over-complicatedly answered too many questions that I wasn't asking. This book is an excellent companion to the 2019 show, but I cannot help but feel that some of the original heart of the 1980-90s Carmen was lost to frivolous details.
The book is still a good mystery and a fun read. 4/5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2020
Join Carmen Sandiego and her friends as they go on a caper, preventing V.I.L.E. operatives from stealing treasures!
In New York City, Carmen attempts to protect the Throne of Felipe IV from being stolen, only to lose it to Paperstar. Now Carmen, Ivy and Zach must recover the Spanish throne with its silver inlay--and find the other two pieces of Bolivian silversmith work before Paperstar can! This adventure takes Carmen Sandiego and her friends around the world, learning about Spanish and Bolivian history, geography, and more.
An amazing media tie-in for the popular Netflix series, "Secrets of the Silver Lion" will make fans feel as if they are watching an episode. Or, perhaps more accurately, like they are Carmen herself, Player's voice in their ear, donning the trademark red fedora, and ready for adventure at every turn!
In New York City, Carmen attempts to protect the Throne of Felipe IV from being stolen, only to lose it to Paperstar. Now Carmen, Ivy and Zach must recover the Spanish throne with its silver inlay--and find the other two pieces of Bolivian silversmith work before Paperstar can! This adventure takes Carmen Sandiego and her friends around the world, learning about Spanish and Bolivian history, geography, and more.
An amazing media tie-in for the popular Netflix series, "Secrets of the Silver Lion" will make fans feel as if they are watching an episode. Or, perhaps more accurately, like they are Carmen herself, Player's voice in their ear, donning the trademark red fedora, and ready for adventure at every turn!
July 1, 2020
This book was received as an ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group - HMH Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is my second Carmen Sandiego book this month and I am becoming more of a fan each time I read them. The book is just like the show on Netflix and all of the characters are more spunky and quirky in the books. Just like the show, this book glued my eyes to each page and when it ended I could not wait for more. I know our patrons will love this series and hope they have just as much excitement as I do.
We will consider adding this title to our JFICTION collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
This is my second Carmen Sandiego book this month and I am becoming more of a fan each time I read them. The book is just like the show on Netflix and all of the characters are more spunky and quirky in the books. Just like the show, this book glued my eyes to each page and when it ended I could not wait for more. I know our patrons will love this series and hope they have just as much excitement as I do.
We will consider adding this title to our JFICTION collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
September 12, 2023
This was a DNF for us. My kids enjoy the Netflix series. The series is engaging and they have learned a lot of geography, history and culture from the series. I thought that they would enjoy this book based on the series, but it left us all feeling very bored. There were not many engaging geography or history lessons. The book was focused more on the mystery and suspense aspects of the series. We listened to this as an audio book on a recent road trip and only got a little more than half way through it before the kids asked me to turn it off.
April 22, 2021
I honestly bought this book because my favorite character is in here: Paperstar. I really enjoyed the participation of El Topo and Le Chévre as well. As for the plot and as a latina myself I really loved how careful the book was with the historic events in the story of Bolivia and the Spanish colonisation. I'm giving it just 4 stars because some actions/ or dialogs were kinda off(?) It just didn't fit the character very well.
That's it, and far from that, i really loved the book.
That's it, and far from that, i really loved the book.
May 17, 2022
It felt more like a fan-fic story than a cannon story. Something about Carmen seemed off from the show. It seemed to me that she got more angry and didn't think quite as clearly as she seemed to in the show.
It had a good background story with a half-Spanish, half-Incan (?) man's journal. But little bits of it felt slightly propagandist in my opinion. I think the author just wanted to tell his story and used Carmen as a vehicle for that. It was fine.
It had a good background story with a half-Spanish, half-Incan (?) man's journal. But little bits of it felt slightly propagandist in my opinion. I think the author just wanted to tell his story and used Carmen as a vehicle for that. It was fine.
July 4, 2024
The continuing adventures of the current generations Carmen Sandiego - where she is actually a good guy, working to stop VILE, not the head of VILE. In this caper, Carmen must find the Sliver Lion, a valuable icon, that completes the Throne of Felipe, before VILE henchmen are able to get their hands on it. It's a foregone conclusion that she will be successful, but the VILE henchmen give her a run for her money.
3 1/2 stars, not Carmen's best outing
3 1/2 stars, not Carmen's best outing
December 4, 2020
This novel was an adventure that I was looking for from Carmen Sandiego and the gang. Ya, there were some issues, but this book is made for ages 8-12. As a Social Studies teacher, I would keep this on my bookshelf for my students. It has great geography and historical information about the subject of King Felipe IV, his throne, and the Spanish involvement in Bolivia. Nice and simple read.
July 1, 2021
This book doesn't disappoint. This person who read it did the voices quite well. What I like about this book is that you can't easily guess what's going to happen in the end. In most mystery-type novels you know what's going to happen at the end, but this book has so many twists and turns that you can't possibly guess what's going to happen. This makes me enjoy the book even more.
August 16, 2022
I liked the narrator and the Spanish though she could get kind of loud at times. My daughter loves the TV series so we had to listen to the book. It was a lot like the show (& fit right in the storyline.) You don't have to have watched the series though - everything is explained for anyone who hasn't. There was some interesting history. Definitely a middle-grade book but fun enough.
September 20, 2020
An amazing book tie-in for the popular Netflix series, "Secrets of the Silver Lion" will make fans feel as if they are watching an episode. Or even like they are Carmen herself, donning the trademark red fedora, and ready for adventure at every turn!
June 6, 2021
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Secrets of the Silver Lion was a cute short mystery with creative characters and entertaining story
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Secrets of the Silver Lion was a cute short mystery with creative characters and entertaining story
July 16, 2021
I imagine if you've seen the show this would be a lot better. My kids enjoyed it and it talked about Potosi Bolivia 🇧🇴 quechua, Cerro Rico, el Tio, etc. so that was kind of fun but I didn't really get pulled in by the storyline.
February 12, 2022
This was a fast paced read that really felt like watching a TV show. It was a little too short to properly develop the plot or the characters though and I lost interested in the story at some point.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
August 23, 2023
Not only did this book make me smile with 90s nostalgia but I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of plot for a children's book - diving into potential complications of being an artisan during a time of colonial empire. Will definitely be looking into more!
October 24, 2023
Fun story with plenty of action, adventure and some historical facts. I couldn't quite connect with any of the characters, though, and didn't feel an urgency to read this book. There is a theme of family and belonging that resonated with me.
July 14, 2024
It was fun to read an all new Carmen adventure. I think they leaned a bit heavily on the political side, but otherwise it was fine. I wish they had drawn the ending out just a bit more instead of doing a 5 minute wrap up.
September 9, 2024
This was actually pretty decent. I did like getting a deeper insight Carmen's and Player's character, as well as Carmen's thought process, but besides that there's nothing special about this book. Nothing really stands out about it.
April 18, 2020
Educational, yet edgy. Carmen brings style back to the younger generation. I love this series and this story had great flow, interesting characters and a gripping plot!
April 20, 2021
Carmen Sandiego fans should really enjoy this book. This audiobook was outstanding.
May 22, 2021
Eh, ok. I wanted to few more nostalgia for the Carmen Sandiego of my childhood but it just wasn’t there. Recommend to kids looking for some light adventure.
July 19, 2021
Car listen with Stella & Iliana
October 26, 2021
I mean... it was okay. It's very obviously meant for children and because of that I think some of the clues suffered from being too obvious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews