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Secrets of an Overworld Survivor #2
When Lava Strikes
When Will and Mina discover an abandoned mine shaft, they quickly plan a treasure hunt. The two friends dream of the riches they’ll unearth together and can’t wait to get started, but they quickly discover that they very different ideas about what treasure is! Torn between searching for mobs and potion supplies and seeking out the chest at the heart of the mine, the duo is on the verge of splitting up.
But then a trio of treasure hunters challenge Will and Mina, and a poorly aimed pickaxe puts everyone in the mine in danger. As the chambers around them fill with lava and their hunt for treasure becomes a fight for survival, can Will and Mina put their differences aside and work together to escape with their lives?
Every chapter of this second installment in the Secrets of an Overworld Survivor chapter book series is packed with adventure—perfect for introducing young gamers to reading!
Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
But then a trio of treasure hunters challenge Will and Mina, and a poorly aimed pickaxe puts everyone in the mine in danger. As the chambers around them fill with lava and their hunt for treasure becomes a fight for survival, can Will and Mina put their differences aside and work together to escape with their lives?
Every chapter of this second installment in the Secrets of an Overworld Survivor chapter book series is packed with adventure—perfect for introducing young gamers to reading!
Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
- GenresChapter Books
112 pages, Paperback
Published January 17, 2017
6 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 2, 2017
Review for Book 1 and Book 2.
So I have absolutely nothing with Minecraft, no interest, no nothing. However, when I spotted these books (or actually previews of pages) being tweeted by the illustrator (whose work I really love) I just had to get them. Yes, I bought the books because of the art.
I think I would have enjoyed it better had Will, our MC, been better. And not so obnoxious, rude, a jerk, an idiot. I really wonder how he survives in this world. He knows NOTHING about it, and also doesn’t care about safety, preparing, shelter, or anything. He just wants adventure, but then is crying when it gets tough. rolls eyes
I was hoping that this would just be a first book problem, but no, in the second one he has some redeeming parts, but they were quite little. For most part he was just daydreaming (and thus falling off a cliff (and almost falling of other cliffs)), being rude to someone who just wants to help him (and who is taking this serious and being serious doesn’t mean she isn’t fun, she just knows when to have fun and when to take care of her body), being an idiot, being ungrateful (he wanted to have a diamond sword, but oh no if they find diamonds then suddenly he is fixated on that stupid mine cart stuff again).
I also wish he would stop being such a baby. Instead of crying all the time about his brother, why doesn’t he learn something and make his own path. And with that I mean with preparation, not just walk into the jungle and hope you are fine. sighs
Sure he did one good thing at the end, so yay for that, but seriously, that was pretty much one of the few things he did right.
Mina however was a breath of fresh air in this book, and I loved her so much. She is prepared, she is fun, she is serious about things, and I loved that she was a potion maker and like inventing stuff. She is also totally kick-ass and I would have loved her to get the main character role. I also found her sweet, how she stuck to this guy and just helped him out each and every time. I know a lot of people would just have rolled their eyes and turned around walking away from all this.
I hope she will get a bigger role in the next book (though I am not sure if I will read those).
The adventure in both is pretty fun, the first book is about a jungle and the second one about mines.
It was definitely a page-turner you just wanted to know what will happen to our characters. Will they make it out fine? What about the monsters? What monster is lurking above them, or in that corner?
The monsters were quite interesting, of course I heard of them, Minecraft is something that is so big that you can’t really escape it. Toys in the toys store, twitter, just internet stuff. Especially the creeper is the big popular guy.
The art was just as fabulous as I knew it would be. Her style just fits perfectly with these books, and I can’t wait to see her artwork for the other books that are coming out. I will definitely be buying those, I am not sure I will read them, but I need them for the art.
I am not sure if I would recommend this one. For the art yes. For the story yes. But the characters (at least the MC) not so much.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
So I have absolutely nothing with Minecraft, no interest, no nothing. However, when I spotted these books (or actually previews of pages) being tweeted by the illustrator (whose work I really love) I just had to get them. Yes, I bought the books because of the art.
I think I would have enjoyed it better had Will, our MC, been better. And not so obnoxious, rude, a jerk, an idiot. I really wonder how he survives in this world. He knows NOTHING about it, and also doesn’t care about safety, preparing, shelter, or anything. He just wants adventure, but then is crying when it gets tough. rolls eyes
I was hoping that this would just be a first book problem, but no, in the second one he has some redeeming parts, but they were quite little. For most part he was just daydreaming (and thus falling off a cliff (and almost falling of other cliffs)), being rude to someone who just wants to help him (and who is taking this serious and being serious doesn’t mean she isn’t fun, she just knows when to have fun and when to take care of her body), being an idiot, being ungrateful (he wanted to have a diamond sword, but oh no if they find diamonds then suddenly he is fixated on that stupid mine cart stuff again).
I also wish he would stop being such a baby. Instead of crying all the time about his brother, why doesn’t he learn something and make his own path. And with that I mean with preparation, not just walk into the jungle and hope you are fine. sighs
Sure he did one good thing at the end, so yay for that, but seriously, that was pretty much one of the few things he did right.
Mina however was a breath of fresh air in this book, and I loved her so much. She is prepared, she is fun, she is serious about things, and I loved that she was a potion maker and like inventing stuff. She is also totally kick-ass and I would have loved her to get the main character role. I also found her sweet, how she stuck to this guy and just helped him out each and every time. I know a lot of people would just have rolled their eyes and turned around walking away from all this.
I hope she will get a bigger role in the next book (though I am not sure if I will read those).
The adventure in both is pretty fun, the first book is about a jungle and the second one about mines.
It was definitely a page-turner you just wanted to know what will happen to our characters. Will they make it out fine? What about the monsters? What monster is lurking above them, or in that corner?
The monsters were quite interesting, of course I heard of them, Minecraft is something that is so big that you can’t really escape it. Toys in the toys store, twitter, just internet stuff. Especially the creeper is the big popular guy.
The art was just as fabulous as I knew it would be. Her style just fits perfectly with these books, and I can’t wait to see her artwork for the other books that are coming out. I will definitely be buying those, I am not sure I will read them, but I need them for the art.
I am not sure if I would recommend this one. For the art yes. For the story yes. But the characters (at least the MC) not so much.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 26, 2025
Will and Mina are off on a new adventure. They are both excited to find an abandoned mine, but for different reasons. While Mina wants to find treasures, Will wants to experience a thrilling minecart ride. When disaster strikes, can they work together to save themselves?
Interest Level: ages 5+
Reading Level: ages 6+
OVERALL RATING 7/10
I was pleasantly surprised by this one! The characters, despite being in a video game, have realistic feelings and desires, and they are kind to one another. I think that this would be a great story for any kid that loves Minecraft! The only complaint I have is that some of the plot would be impossible in Minecraft, such as when they climb down a rope into a cave (there aren't ropes in Minecraft). The inaccuracies might be a little frustrating for any big Minecraft fans reading it. Overall, it's a good story!
Interest Level: ages 5+
Reading Level: ages 6+
OVERALL RATING 7/10
I was pleasantly surprised by this one! The characters, despite being in a video game, have realistic feelings and desires, and they are kind to one another. I think that this would be a great story for any kid that loves Minecraft! The only complaint I have is that some of the plot would be impossible in Minecraft, such as when they climb down a rope into a cave (there aren't ropes in Minecraft). The inaccuracies might be a little frustrating for any big Minecraft fans reading it. Overall, it's a good story!
August 1, 2017
Honestly at so many parts while reading the book I was feeling like I am playing mindcraft and I am in control of the characters life. I miss a certain character in this book that had so much influence on Will. Love all the illustration , made me laugh multiple times, and the fact that Will has not changed very much.
Even though he tries to show he agrees with everything that happens around him, the trouble is just around the corner waiting for him to make a wrong move (and of course he will not let us down, even when he really wants to do it right). What he hates the most is the fact he is not the one in control of their adventure and others have the glory for themselves. At times he can not take it anymore and just goes into things without planing or checking to see if the coast is clear.
No matter the ages this book will make you smile and enjoy every minute of it.
Even though he tries to show he agrees with everything that happens around him, the trouble is just around the corner waiting for him to make a wrong move (and of course he will not let us down, even when he really wants to do it right). What he hates the most is the fact he is not the one in control of their adventure and others have the glory for themselves. At times he can not take it anymore and just goes into things without planing or checking to see if the coast is clear.
No matter the ages this book will make you smile and enjoy every minute of it.
June 8, 2023
Four stars for the target audience.
This is a book for kids that feel more comfortable reading something other than a picture book. The story is simple, it has a little bit of tension, it is full of adventure (for a nine-year-old) and it is not too long... under 100 pages with big print and lots of illustrations. The adventure is all tied to the world of Minecraft so I had to have some of the kids explain certain things to me. They all knew, so nothing was lost on them.
I like these simple, straight forward reads that the kids eat up. They are relatable to most everyone in the class without being too complicated.
This is a book for kids that feel more comfortable reading something other than a picture book. The story is simple, it has a little bit of tension, it is full of adventure (for a nine-year-old) and it is not too long... under 100 pages with big print and lots of illustrations. The adventure is all tied to the world of Minecraft so I had to have some of the kids explain certain things to me. They all knew, so nothing was lost on them.
I like these simple, straight forward reads that the kids eat up. They are relatable to most everyone in the class without being too complicated.
March 22, 2018
I don't really know much about Minecraft, other than that it's insanely popular. I read through this quickly, and then passed it onto my class. One of my reluctant readers finished it in an hour! So definitely a plus!
September 24, 2017
Storyline needs work-jumped around a lot. Might have enjoyed it more if I was a Minecraft fan.
January 27, 2018
The boy gave it 4.5 stars. I give it 3. Pretty sure he could have whipped through this one on his own but he wanted me to read it.
February 16, 2019
This is a cute little story. I enjoyed it
June 2, 2020
It's pwetty epic
September 19, 2021
Read in French to my students this summer. Another great way to reach to 8 to 12 set with French - because they love Minecraft.
May 31, 2022
Honestly a lot better than I expected it to be. And my son loved it. Since he was the target audience, I'd say that's winning.
August 17, 2024
I think that book was about a journey and finding things in caves. It was really cool! Especially how Mina jumped up and down on a slime block.
February 26, 2017
Minecraft story so it's automatically interesting if you're a young Minecraft fan. I liked the part where they had to escape the lava in a rickety old mine cart. But, on the whole, not as exciting or interesting as a lot of the other Minecraft universe books I've read.
December 30, 2016
Loved it and I can't wait to read more in the series!
November 18, 2017
There are NO ropes in Minecraft.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews