The Jaguar Trials

by Ruth Eastham

Thirteen-year-old Ben finds himself in South America, in the heart of the Amazon jungle, and stumbling into an ancient mystery. Along with two local kids, he is determined to solve the trials of El Dorado, lift the curse and find his missing Dad. The pursuit of the legendary gold has taken many lives and there are spirits not at peace; supernatural powers that bind Ben to a mystical black jaguar. Through the trials, Ben must learn the importance of friends and realise that treasure isn’t always what you expect it to be.

Genres: Adventure

225 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2015

Reviews

[Aljaž Podgornik · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was an ok adventure book, but it wasn't particularly interesting to me, all except for the cower which is my favorite book cover so far. My problem with this book is that it is very predictable. Besides that the main character is flawless and is THE CHOSEN ONE, which really kills the tension for me. And I think the characters needed more descriptions, for instance the main character's dad is only called dad. But I guess my biggest problem is that it just isn't grand enough, which is what I like in Indiana Jones, Uncharted, Tomb Raider, National treasure (as they are all about the adventure, and have one dimensional characters). Maybe I would have enjoyed this if I was younger, but as a 19 year old it was just ok.

[Dave Hume · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of people know this, but Indiana Jones’s first name must have been Ben. Ben is the fearless and flawless central character in this page-turning Amazonian adventure of the supernatural. His sidekick, Rafael, is neither fearless nor flawless, yet he turns out to be much more useful than you expect. The third of the junior musketeers is Yara, a local girl with a surprisingly good grasp of idiomatic English (“Awesome!”) Throw in a missing Dad, a black jaguar, a nefarious Professor and his henchman, and a complex set of do or die magical tests and you have the ingredients for a full-on, full speed story. It appears to be aimed at 9-11 year-old readers, and the fast pace and excitement should keep them reading to the conclusion. The characters are perhaps a touch stereotypical, and the plot speed and excitement levels completely define the book. This will encourage and stimulate readers to keep reading and be positive about reading more. My own experience of the age group, as parent and grandparent, is that many can engage with more challenging ideas and more depth beyond the thrill of fast-paced narrative, but it’s the author’s book! I will see what the grandchildren think of it without my prejudices and expectations.

[Ethna Brave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to ‘Arrowhead’ I read this book as part of my English Departments preparation for World Book Day and an author visit by Ruth to our school. I enjoyed ‘The Jaguar Trials’, it was an easy, gripping and descriptive adventure story cleverly weaving Amazonian legends and a modern exploration together.

[Annabel Gallagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used this as a reading to pleasure book linked to our Amazon topic. This book is so hard to read with the poor sentence structure and incomplete sentences. Unfortunately too poor to use for writing or guided reading. The children had to be very focused to understand the book as it was so quick moving and not well explained.

[Darshn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its good

[Mazen Felfel]

it might be in a rainforest.

[Reza Zin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average teen adventure novel

[Frannyhaha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read an advanced copy of this book for lovereading4kids.co.uk
The Jaguar trials was a vivid book but was probably more appropriate for 9-11 year-olds. I enjoyed it, but I felt like I had to force myself to keep reading. Although I would recommend it would probably be to my younger cousins who are 11 and not my friends. Its a good summer read if you want to be transported to Africa and have an adventure. However, some of the trials were unexpected and creative. But, most of the plotline was predictable and obviously going to happen. I know this review is brutally honest but its just how I felt about it. It could be somebody else's new favourite novel.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arrowhead by award winning author Ruth Eastham was a great read and very popular so I was excited to read her latest offering. Ruth researched her book by reading the diaries of famous explorers. Set in the exotic Amazon on an archaeological mission to find the legendary El Dorado things go terribly wrong for Ben, Rafael the boss’s son and Ben’s father. This novel begins with action and adventure and the pace does not let up. Spurred on to find his father Ben agrees to undergo the mysterious and dangerous Jaguar Trial. Readers who love action books with a supernatural backdrop will love this book.

Suitable for 10+ - supernatural themes, action, adventure,

[Mazen Felfel · Rating 5 out of 5]

it will be in the rainforest