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The Secrets of the Pied Piper #2
The Magician's Key
On the Summer Isle, siblings Max and Carter discovered the magical land where the villainous Pied Piper led the children of Hamelin centuries ago. But only Max made it back.
Now she is determined to rescue her brother. To do so, she will have to find the one and only key to the Summer Isle. That key is controlled by Vodnik, a dastardly magician and soul stealer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Meanwhile, Carter must overcome his own troubles back on the Summer Isle. He’s been separated from his friends and left with a very untrustworthy companion: the Pied Piper himself.
Struggling desperately to find each other, Max and Carter encounter a bashful trollson, a daring elf, a seafaring hobgoblin, and the ever-loyal kobold Bandybulb. As their paths converge, they prepare for the most important quest yet: to send the children of New Hamelin home.
Now she is determined to rescue her brother. To do so, she will have to find the one and only key to the Summer Isle. That key is controlled by Vodnik, a dastardly magician and soul stealer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Meanwhile, Carter must overcome his own troubles back on the Summer Isle. He’s been separated from his friends and left with a very untrustworthy companion: the Pied Piper himself.
Struggling desperately to find each other, Max and Carter encounter a bashful trollson, a daring elf, a seafaring hobgoblin, and the ever-loyal kobold Bandybulb. As their paths converge, they prepare for the most important quest yet: to send the children of New Hamelin home.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2016
6 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Cody
47 books148 followersOriginally from the Midwest, Matthew Cody now lives in New York City with his wife and son. When not writing books or goofing off with his family, he teaches creative writing to kids of all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 16, 2021
Reading this series with my 10 year old. It's a fun adventure. Can't wait to see how it all ends.
January 6, 2019
Our main characters, siblings Carter and his sister Max are separated by a magic mirror, and this book begins their tales as the two grow and learn apart from the stultifying but loving oversight of Max of her crippled younger brother, who has a clubfoot that can't be corrected. Max tries to get back to the magical isle where she last saw Carter, traversing hidden ways beneath Manhattan, even as Carter unites with the evil(?) Pied Piper to try to stop the ill effects of the magic of Grannie Yaga on the magical Summer Isle.
Much of the story could be condensed, especially the travel, but the action is often exciting and wondrous. A very good retelling of part of the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Much of the story could be condensed, especially the travel, but the action is often exciting and wondrous. A very good retelling of part of the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
October 22, 2018
It is very rare that I enjoy the second in a series more than the first book, but that happened here. I felt the characters developed more in this book, and I am looking forward to reading the third!
January 4, 2019
I LOVED this book!!!!!
August 12, 2022
Really great sequel
November 17, 2022
I enjoyed this one a lot! It's even better than the first! There is so much going on, and great character development. Lots of twists and excitement.
March 5, 2017
Cody, Matthew The Magician’s Key (Secrets of the Pied Piper 2), 318 pgs. Alfred A. Knopf, 2016. $17.99. Language G; Mature Content G; Violence G.
This is book two of the secrets of the Pied Piper trilogy. Max and Carter have become separated in their journey to help the lost children of Hamelin, and embark on very different adventures, both filled with danger. This separation lets Carter become more of his own person, instead of always being protected by his older sister. Vlodnik, an evil magician, holds power by holding the key to get to the Summer Isle. He is troubled to find that two children have gone there without his assistance and is now hunting them. Meanwhile, the Piper is loose and the children of Hamelin are in grave danger.
The story is an enjoyable read. The ending is not satisfying, as this story will need book three to finish off the series, but it leaves the reader with some interesting story lines and anxious to get to the final book.
EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Michelle in the Middle
This is book two of the secrets of the Pied Piper trilogy. Max and Carter have become separated in their journey to help the lost children of Hamelin, and embark on very different adventures, both filled with danger. This separation lets Carter become more of his own person, instead of always being protected by his older sister. Vlodnik, an evil magician, holds power by holding the key to get to the Summer Isle. He is troubled to find that two children have gone there without his assistance and is now hunting them. Meanwhile, the Piper is loose and the children of Hamelin are in grave danger.
The story is an enjoyable read. The ending is not satisfying, as this story will need book three to finish off the series, but it leaves the reader with some interesting story lines and anxious to get to the final book.
EL, MS - ADVISABLE. Michelle in the Middle
October 13, 2016
The Magician’s Key by Matthew Cody is the second book in the Secrets of the Pied Piper trilogy. It is scheduled for release on November 8 2016. The first book was The Peddler's Road, which I gave four stars. You do need to read the books in order to understand the characters and storyline. There is a third book promised to conclude the series.
On the Summer Isle, siblings Max and Carter discovered the magical land where the villainous Pied Piper led the children of Hamelin centuries ago. But only Max made it back. Now she is determined to rescue her brother. To do so, she will have to find the one and only key to the Summer Isle. That key is controlled by Vodnik, a dastardly magician and soul stealer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Meanwhile, Carter must overcome his own troubles back on the Summer Isle. He’s been separated from his friends and left with a very untrustworthy companion: the Pied Piper himself. Struggling desperately to find each other, Max and Carter encounter a bashful trollson, a daring elf, a seafaring hobgoblin, and the ever-loyal kobold Bandybulb. As their paths converge, they prepare for the most important quest yet: to send the children of New Hamelin home.
The Magician’s Key begins shortly after The Peddler's Road ends. Max in back and searching for a way to save Carter and her friends still on the Summer Isle, while those left behind are struggling with a changing world, the Piper, and Baba Yaga. Everyone has dangers and decisions to face, and most of the hardest moments come when least expected. Betrayal and loyalty and major components to the story, and keep everyone guessing. I felt like I got a much better understanding of the Piper, Carter, and some of the New Hamelin children but felt like Max's adventures did not offer nearly as much insight. There were many satisfying moments, and plenty of excitement. However, this book did not appeal to me quite as much as the first book in the series. I feel like this book was mostly just the set up for a grand conclusion. It was still an enjoyable read, but since I enjoyed the first book so much, and the other books I have read from the author, I felt a little let down. None of this will stop me from reading the next book, and looking forward to it.
The Magician’s Key is a good follow up to The Peddler's Road, but was not as compelling in the story or action. It was still a solid read, and I am glad I read it. However, like many second books in trilogies it felt more like a bridge between books than a full story in itself. I sill plan on reading the third book, and trust this author not to disappoint with the conclusion.
On the Summer Isle, siblings Max and Carter discovered the magical land where the villainous Pied Piper led the children of Hamelin centuries ago. But only Max made it back. Now she is determined to rescue her brother. To do so, she will have to find the one and only key to the Summer Isle. That key is controlled by Vodnik, a dastardly magician and soul stealer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Meanwhile, Carter must overcome his own troubles back on the Summer Isle. He’s been separated from his friends and left with a very untrustworthy companion: the Pied Piper himself. Struggling desperately to find each other, Max and Carter encounter a bashful trollson, a daring elf, a seafaring hobgoblin, and the ever-loyal kobold Bandybulb. As their paths converge, they prepare for the most important quest yet: to send the children of New Hamelin home.
The Magician’s Key begins shortly after The Peddler's Road ends. Max in back and searching for a way to save Carter and her friends still on the Summer Isle, while those left behind are struggling with a changing world, the Piper, and Baba Yaga. Everyone has dangers and decisions to face, and most of the hardest moments come when least expected. Betrayal and loyalty and major components to the story, and keep everyone guessing. I felt like I got a much better understanding of the Piper, Carter, and some of the New Hamelin children but felt like Max's adventures did not offer nearly as much insight. There were many satisfying moments, and plenty of excitement. However, this book did not appeal to me quite as much as the first book in the series. I feel like this book was mostly just the set up for a grand conclusion. It was still an enjoyable read, but since I enjoyed the first book so much, and the other books I have read from the author, I felt a little let down. None of this will stop me from reading the next book, and looking forward to it.
The Magician’s Key is a good follow up to The Peddler's Road, but was not as compelling in the story or action. It was still a solid read, and I am glad I read it. However, like many second books in trilogies it felt more like a bridge between books than a full story in itself. I sill plan on reading the third book, and trust this author not to disappoint with the conclusion.
October 22, 2016
Very fun continuation of the series, more magic, shenanigans, and a character with a disability that is the hero of the story! Not feeling middle grade at the moment but will be continuing as soon as I do!
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September 30, 2017I received a copy of this book from Random House Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2017
This is my favorite series by Cody so far. The characters are colorful and more complicated than you might expect from a fantasy/adventure. There's a genuine tension created and a very thorough world, as well. Loved it. Looking forward to more.
May 3, 2017
I thought this book was really good. I liked how there were two stories going on at once about both of the siblings. They were in different worlds, and one was trying to get to the other. Max is a really good sister, and I was surprised what Carter did at the end, I would have never abandoned my friends. I know the piper fixed his leg, but really?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews