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Wing & Claw #2
Cavern of Secrets
In the second installment of the spellbinding Wing & Claw series, Newbery Medal—winning author Linda Sue Park takes a young apothecary hero to new heights of danger, exciting adventure, and intriguing botanical magic.
Raffa Santana has spent all winter hiding in the harsh wilderness of the Sudden Mountains, and now it’s time to return home. Home, where his parents will help him fight back against the vile Chancellor who has captured and altered the wild creatures of the Forest of Wonders. Home, where Raffa’s beloved companion, Echo the bat, will recover from his mysterious sickness.
To get there, Raffa must make a treacherous journey across Obsidia. Along the way, he will discover a luminous plant that might be the key to saving the creatures stuck in the Chancellor’s grasp… if only Raffa can unlock the plant’s secrets and deliver the cure to the captive animals.
Cavern of Secrets masterfully explores one boy’s responsibility to his friends, family, and the wider world.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2017
41 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Linda Sue Park
72 books1,189 followersLinda Sue Park is a Korean American author of children's fiction. Park published her first novel, Seesaw Girl, in 1999. To date, she has written six children’s novels and five picture books for younger readers. Park’s work achieved prominence when she received the prestigious 2002 Newbery Medal for her novel A Single Shard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 26, 2021
Book one in the Wing & Claw trilogy, Forest of Wonders, ended with twelve-year-old Raffa Santana and his thirteen-year-old cousin Garith in serious trouble. They had just fled the big city of Gilden with Kuma, a girl their age who is friends with a massive, ferocious bear named Roo. As Cavern of Secrets begins, Raffa and company have been hiding from Gilden's government officials in the Sudden Mountains all winter. Roo isn't the only animal with them: Raffa has his bat, Echo, and a raccoon named Twig. These special animals are the reason why Raffa and Garith, young apothecaries in training, are considered enemies of the state. After discovering a unique medicinal red vine in Forest of Wonders, Raffa discovered that using it to save an animal's life has an extraordinary side effect: it enables the animal to communicate in human language. Echo and Twig both have this ability, but Garith's father, Ansel, is part of a secret project at Gilden to use the vine for darker purposes. Ansel was willing to destroy Roo to perfect the formula, but now the bear is free and Raffa and his friends are fugitives. Where do they go from here?
"How could healing ever be seen as anything but an act for good?"
—Cavern of Secrets, P. 120
To save Raffa and Kuma from the horrible "screaming owl" at the end of book one, Garith rendered himself deaf; permanently so, unless Raffa can devise the first apothecarial mixture ever to reverse total hearing loss. Is such a breakthrough even possible? These past winter months of snow and extreme temperatures have threatened the lives of our young heroes, but spring is coming, and the inevitable can no longer be postponed: Raffa and his friends have to go home. The nefarious Chancellor Leeds and Senior Jayney are almost certain to have guards waiting there, but Raffa needs to see his parents before deciding what to do next. He doesn't relish the thought of telling them about his uncle Ansel's evil deeds, but Raffa can't fix the world's problems by himself.
Raffa doesn't yet realize the violent lengths Chancellor Leeds will go to if it means hiding her secret project from public scrutiny. There is no welcoming embrace for Raffa at home in the Pother Settlement, only grief and uncertainty as to whether Mohan and Salima, his parents, are alive. Garith parted ways with Raffa and Kuma earlier to go back to Gilden, so Raffa has at least has one ally in the city. Can Raffa sneak into Gilden without being arrested by armed guards? Echo the bat is a winsome, hardworking scout who has saved Raffa's life more than once, but even he is becoming a source of worry. His eyes are changing from purple back to their natural black, an indicator the red vine medicine is wearing off. Will Echo eventually lose his ability to communicate, and abandon Raffa? Losing his last friend is too awful to think about, but for the time being, Echo can still help him get back into Gilden, where Raffa has a few contacts who remain loyal despite heavy pressure to turn him in. Once inside the city, Raffa will have a difficult choice: should he prioritize sabotaging the animal testing at the compound, where Ansel is training them to be used as weapons against ordinary citizens? Or should he first seek his missing parents, who are unaware of Ansel's duplicity? Raffa can't afford a single blunder, or even his human and animal allies may be unable to rescue him.
"Truth loves the light...It never stays buried forever."
—Cavern of Secrets, P. 153
Overall, this book is about as good as Forest of Wonders. I might rate it two and a half stars, but no higher; there's something missing that I can't positively identify, which prevents the story from pulling me in. Linda Sue Park has previously proven herself a terrific storyteller, but I don't feel strongly about the Wing & Claw trilogy so far, and I have doubts the conclusion, Beast of Stone, will change that. Still, there are narrative elements in play that could reverse my opinion. Cavern of Secrets is a decent novel with superb artwork by Jim Madsen, and I guarantee I'll be back to finish the trilogy.
"How could healing ever be seen as anything but an act for good?"
—Cavern of Secrets, P. 120
To save Raffa and Kuma from the horrible "screaming owl" at the end of book one, Garith rendered himself deaf; permanently so, unless Raffa can devise the first apothecarial mixture ever to reverse total hearing loss. Is such a breakthrough even possible? These past winter months of snow and extreme temperatures have threatened the lives of our young heroes, but spring is coming, and the inevitable can no longer be postponed: Raffa and his friends have to go home. The nefarious Chancellor Leeds and Senior Jayney are almost certain to have guards waiting there, but Raffa needs to see his parents before deciding what to do next. He doesn't relish the thought of telling them about his uncle Ansel's evil deeds, but Raffa can't fix the world's problems by himself.
Raffa doesn't yet realize the violent lengths Chancellor Leeds will go to if it means hiding her secret project from public scrutiny. There is no welcoming embrace for Raffa at home in the Pother Settlement, only grief and uncertainty as to whether Mohan and Salima, his parents, are alive. Garith parted ways with Raffa and Kuma earlier to go back to Gilden, so Raffa has at least has one ally in the city. Can Raffa sneak into Gilden without being arrested by armed guards? Echo the bat is a winsome, hardworking scout who has saved Raffa's life more than once, but even he is becoming a source of worry. His eyes are changing from purple back to their natural black, an indicator the red vine medicine is wearing off. Will Echo eventually lose his ability to communicate, and abandon Raffa? Losing his last friend is too awful to think about, but for the time being, Echo can still help him get back into Gilden, where Raffa has a few contacts who remain loyal despite heavy pressure to turn him in. Once inside the city, Raffa will have a difficult choice: should he prioritize sabotaging the animal testing at the compound, where Ansel is training them to be used as weapons against ordinary citizens? Or should he first seek his missing parents, who are unaware of Ansel's duplicity? Raffa can't afford a single blunder, or even his human and animal allies may be unable to rescue him.
"Truth loves the light...It never stays buried forever."
—Cavern of Secrets, P. 153
Overall, this book is about as good as Forest of Wonders. I might rate it two and a half stars, but no higher; there's something missing that I can't positively identify, which prevents the story from pulling me in. Linda Sue Park has previously proven herself a terrific storyteller, but I don't feel strongly about the Wing & Claw trilogy so far, and I have doubts the conclusion, Beast of Stone, will change that. Still, there are narrative elements in play that could reverse my opinion. Cavern of Secrets is a decent novel with superb artwork by Jim Madsen, and I guarantee I'll be back to finish the trilogy.
December 16, 2024
This middle-grade book is great! It’s engaging, entertaining, and walks through some excellent topics in an age-appropriate manner. Main themes:
1) Exploring how to interact with a person who recently became deaf
2) Learning about leadership and power
3) Navigating morality / ethics in a developing field
4) Being good stewards of wild animals (without animal/nature spiritualization)
_
Other Notable Topics:
1) Political corruption and deception linked to threats and extortion
2) The concept of being addicted to botanicals is introduced (this is done very well and isn’t weird or graphic)
NOTE: To prevent spoilers, I will call the person who recently became deaf “Z”.
_
The story picks up months after the end of book 1, which is well done since it skips their difficult winter.
Z is bitter about how loss of hearing causes problems for self and others. There are great sections throughout the book showing ways that do and don’t work in interacting with Z. People’s responses to Z’s new disability vary widely: pity vs empathy, respecting vs ignoring Z’s wishes (or making assumptions), experimenting with new ways to communicate vs acting as if Z lost all intelligence and ability, etc.
Wild animals are being captured and weaponized to harm people. As a result, there’s a lot of focus on saving/rescuing the animals. This all makes sense in the storyline, and the desire to save the animals is based on ethics (ethical treatment of animals) + the ultimate desire to protect people. Quote from the book: “Be kind to animals. Kinder to people.”
_
Notable Quotes:
“Was this what being a leader was like? Clearly he wasn’t very good at it. How did you get better? Was it just a matter of trying? Maybe it’s like apothecary, trying different combinations. Only, instead of botanicals, combinations of words and how I say things and what I do.”
“No one likes feeling helpless… or useless.”
“In that moment, Raffa truly grasped for the first time his father’s cautions against depending on instinct. It was only through experience and study and learning that he would be able to reliably interpret those mysterious moments of intuition. ‘I need to learn to use it like a tool,’ he thought, ‘not a crutch for leaning on.’”
“His trust was a gift without price.”
“Truth loves the light […] It never stays buried forever.”
“Fear on top of anger - a bad combination.”
_
Content:
Some violence between animals (e.g. foxes attacking sheep). Not graphic.
An episode of vomiting (used as a distraction) with some description (partially comical).
Fear of parents having died.
Prejudice against a group of people.
Fear of torture, or loved ones being tortured. (No actual torture occurs and fears are not graphic).
No profanity, romance, or magic.
_
My review of Book 3:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
1) Exploring how to interact with a person who recently became deaf
2) Learning about leadership and power
3) Navigating morality / ethics in a developing field
4) Being good stewards of wild animals (without animal/nature spiritualization)
_
Other Notable Topics:
1) Political corruption and deception linked to threats and extortion
2) The concept of being addicted to botanicals is introduced (this is done very well and isn’t weird or graphic)
NOTE: To prevent spoilers, I will call the person who recently became deaf “Z”.
_
The story picks up months after the end of book 1, which is well done since it skips their difficult winter.
Z is bitter about how loss of hearing causes problems for self and others. There are great sections throughout the book showing ways that do and don’t work in interacting with Z. People’s responses to Z’s new disability vary widely: pity vs empathy, respecting vs ignoring Z’s wishes (or making assumptions), experimenting with new ways to communicate vs acting as if Z lost all intelligence and ability, etc.
Wild animals are being captured and weaponized to harm people. As a result, there’s a lot of focus on saving/rescuing the animals. This all makes sense in the storyline, and the desire to save the animals is based on ethics (ethical treatment of animals) + the ultimate desire to protect people. Quote from the book: “Be kind to animals. Kinder to people.”
_
Notable Quotes:
“Was this what being a leader was like? Clearly he wasn’t very good at it. How did you get better? Was it just a matter of trying? Maybe it’s like apothecary, trying different combinations. Only, instead of botanicals, combinations of words and how I say things and what I do.”
“No one likes feeling helpless… or useless.”
“In that moment, Raffa truly grasped for the first time his father’s cautions against depending on instinct. It was only through experience and study and learning that he would be able to reliably interpret those mysterious moments of intuition. ‘I need to learn to use it like a tool,’ he thought, ‘not a crutch for leaning on.’”
“His trust was a gift without price.”
“Truth loves the light […] It never stays buried forever.”
“Fear on top of anger - a bad combination.”
_
Content:
Some violence between animals (e.g. foxes attacking sheep). Not graphic.
An episode of vomiting (used as a distraction) with some description (partially comical).
Fear of parents having died.
Prejudice against a group of people.
Fear of torture, or loved ones being tortured. (No actual torture occurs and fears are not graphic).
No profanity, romance, or magic.
_
My review of Book 3:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 23, 2017
This is a very solid sequel. I must confess I was a little annoyed at the ending of "Forest of Wonders". Sure, I said to myself. These kids are going to survive the winter in the mountains, with no shelter but a cave and no food but what they manage to gather. Right.
Well, the kids do survive, but we find out it's been difficult. They are thin and hungry, and Echo the bat is gravely ill. What's more, Garith is suffering because of the sacrifice he made in the first book, and there's constant tension between him and Raffa. He is the first of the children to head home.
Kuma and Raffa follow, first trying to find healing for Echo and a safe shelter for Roo the bear and Twig the raccoon. What they discover will alter Raffa's understanding of apothecary work, the vine that's given Echo and a few other animals the power of speech, and his own talents.
There are more, and even more dangerous, secrets. When the children return to Kuma's village on the way to the city of Gilden, the settlement is attacked. It seems the people who are altering animals are training them specifically to attack "Afters", the late-coming immmigrants. Why? And can Raffa stop their evil plan?
Park brings up serious issues in the course of her story. I loved the developing relationship between Raffa and his cousin Garith. The bigger boy is now deaf because of the sacrifice he has made in the previous book. Brave and intelligent, Garith trains himself to be a skillful lip reader and thus spies on the "baddies". There's also the issue of prejudice against newcomers, drug addiction, and human pride. All of these are shown in what the characters do and learn. It's not at all heavy-handed. I did find the slang in the book a little jarring (things like "kiddler" for child; "chummer" for friend, and so on). But it was less so than in the first volume. I actually liked this book better. Anyone who enjoyed the first volume will surely love this. What's more, given Raffa's situation at the end, young readers will be eager for the sequel. A solid middle grade fantasy. I'd recommend it to fans of Anne Ursu and Sage Blackwood, as well as to everyone who enjoyed the first book.
Well, the kids do survive, but we find out it's been difficult. They are thin and hungry, and Echo the bat is gravely ill. What's more, Garith is suffering because of the sacrifice he made in the first book, and there's constant tension between him and Raffa. He is the first of the children to head home.
Kuma and Raffa follow, first trying to find healing for Echo and a safe shelter for Roo the bear and Twig the raccoon. What they discover will alter Raffa's understanding of apothecary work, the vine that's given Echo and a few other animals the power of speech, and his own talents.
There are more, and even more dangerous, secrets. When the children return to Kuma's village on the way to the city of Gilden, the settlement is attacked. It seems the people who are altering animals are training them specifically to attack "Afters", the late-coming immmigrants. Why? And can Raffa stop their evil plan?
Park brings up serious issues in the course of her story. I loved the developing relationship between Raffa and his cousin Garith. The bigger boy is now deaf because of the sacrifice he has made in the previous book. Brave and intelligent, Garith trains himself to be a skillful lip reader and thus spies on the "baddies". There's also the issue of prejudice against newcomers, drug addiction, and human pride. All of these are shown in what the characters do and learn. It's not at all heavy-handed. I did find the slang in the book a little jarring (things like "kiddler" for child; "chummer" for friend, and so on). But it was less so than in the first volume. I actually liked this book better. Anyone who enjoyed the first volume will surely love this. What's more, given Raffa's situation at the end, young readers will be eager for the sequel. A solid middle grade fantasy. I'd recommend it to fans of Anne Ursu and Sage Blackwood, as well as to everyone who enjoyed the first book.
November 14, 2021
A solid sequel to Forest of Wonders picking up right at the end of book one where the kids are heading into a winter spent in the mountains against all odds they do survive. The author is realistic in telling the events the kids went through and the results of being hidden in a cave over winter without preparing for it. There are more and even more dangerous secrets and missions in this second book. Raffia faces the possible loss of his family when he discovers his family home burnt to the ground; he also struggles with the circumstances of echo, possibly losing his remarkable ability to talk to him. Wing & Claw series is a solid middle-grade story that keeps readers on the edge of their toes and eager for the next volume in this fantastic story about animals and humans interacting and possibly saving or destroying their world.
July 16, 2017
I enjoyed the book as a whole but Raffa's internal struggles and frequent selfish outbursts and actions got a little tiresome (enough to affect my enjoyment somewhat). He is the most perfect flawed character I've come across in recent memory and while there is nothing wrong with it because it's realistic, I couldn't help feeling like it was too much at times.
I'm still going to read the next one despite my dislike of cliffhangers (especially when the main character hits a dead end) because the rest of the cast was great and I want to see what the Chancellor is up to.
I'm still going to read the next one despite my dislike of cliffhangers (especially when the main character hits a dead end) because the rest of the cast was great and I want to see what the Chancellor is up to.
April 6, 2017
The first book in this series was pretty good but the second is just stupid.
March 27, 2017
Intermediate, fantasy, dystopian, intermediate
May 5, 2017
My name is Raffa, and animals are being trained to attack Afters living in the slums. My uncle is the one who discovered how to create mixtures using the red vines, and he believes he's doing something good. I don't know if he realizes his creation is being used to attack humans. I've created a mixture to counteract the effects on animals, but I don't know how to get it into them. The Chancellor has guards searching for me everywhere. I've discovered my parents' home burned to the ground, and don't know if they're alive or dead. Trixin doesn't want to get involved, but her brother Jimble and his friends have proven to be a tremendous help. He's willing to do whatever I need of him, but Trixin will kill me if he gets into serious trouble. The animals must be cured and freed tonight, or it may be too late.
You should read the first book in the series to fully understand the red vine, and Raffa's history with the problem. I've enjoyed how Raffa and Kuma have worked together, although Raffa spent the second half of the book alone. Characters helped him, but he was mostly independent. An entertaining aspect of the story is his relationship with a bat named Echo. The red vine enables Echo to speak in very short phrases, and he mostly acts as Raffa's lookout. He's very innocent and communicates literally. This creates some miscommunication, since Raffa isn't always able to foresee things from the bat's viewpoint. The plot doesn't have a great deal of action, although it has its moments. The most engaging part of the book is found in the conflict. Most readers will probably have an issue with experiments being performed on innocent animals, and Raffa even has second thoughts about the effects on his friend Echo. The series continues in the sequel Beast of Stone.
You should read the first book in the series to fully understand the red vine, and Raffa's history with the problem. I've enjoyed how Raffa and Kuma have worked together, although Raffa spent the second half of the book alone. Characters helped him, but he was mostly independent. An entertaining aspect of the story is his relationship with a bat named Echo. The red vine enables Echo to speak in very short phrases, and he mostly acts as Raffa's lookout. He's very innocent and communicates literally. This creates some miscommunication, since Raffa isn't always able to foresee things from the bat's viewpoint. The plot doesn't have a great deal of action, although it has its moments. The most engaging part of the book is found in the conflict. Most readers will probably have an issue with experiments being performed on innocent animals, and Raffa even has second thoughts about the effects on his friend Echo. The series continues in the sequel Beast of Stone.
June 27, 2017
I'm fond of, and impressed by the complexity in this series. It's got talking animals which I know kids will love. I like the focus on herbal apothecary and the idea that plants can have almost magical properties. Raffa and his friends decide to return home from where they have been hiding all winter. For Raffa, this is a very dangerous endeavour. It's a good thing he has lots of friends and animals to help him. I'm not crazy about cliffhanger endings like the one here, but I know it will make readers want to come back for more.
May 9, 2017
I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this as much as the first book in the series but it became more and more suspenseful as the story continued. Who doesn't love a tiny, talking bat?
The storyline is similar to this year's Newbery winner, The Girl Who drank the Moon. I am looking forward to the third book in the series.
The storyline is similar to this year's Newbery winner, The Girl Who drank the Moon. I am looking forward to the third book in the series.
January 13, 2025
Having enjoyed the first book of the Wing & Claw series, I immediately jumped to the second one. How did the book fare?
Overall, this was an adequate book, but didn't quite measure up to the first. it picks up some time after the first one ended, with Raffa and his friends hiding in the snowy mountains, eventually having to move away in the hopes of staying one step ahead of the evil Chancellor and stopping her plans. However, a lot of time is spent going from one place to another, so that does slow the book down a bit, as does the fact that the characters keep getting separated. The apothecary aspect also takes a backseat in this second book, which is a bummer, as it was easily the most interesting aspect of the first book, even more than intelligent talking animals.
Still, the story continues being good, especially with moments like meeting Kuma's family, the animal attack that happens in this book, and the expanded role given to Trixin's younger brother, Jimble. Honestly, Jimble becoming a new friend and assistant to Raffa and all their bonding moments were my favorite part of the book. Plus we see Raffa still makes mistakes, as expected, but also shows a lot of moments of maturity, we continue to see him develop, and he, with Echo by his side, is still a very likable main character that I'm happy to follow through his ups and downs.
In the end, this second book wasn't as good as the first, but it was still good enough for me to want to continue and see how it all ends.
Overall, this was an adequate book, but didn't quite measure up to the first. it picks up some time after the first one ended, with Raffa and his friends hiding in the snowy mountains, eventually having to move away in the hopes of staying one step ahead of the evil Chancellor and stopping her plans. However, a lot of time is spent going from one place to another, so that does slow the book down a bit, as does the fact that the characters keep getting separated. The apothecary aspect also takes a backseat in this second book, which is a bummer, as it was easily the most interesting aspect of the first book, even more than intelligent talking animals.
Still, the story continues being good, especially with moments like meeting Kuma's family, the animal attack that happens in this book, and the expanded role given to Trixin's younger brother, Jimble. Honestly, Jimble becoming a new friend and assistant to Raffa and all their bonding moments were my favorite part of the book. Plus we see Raffa still makes mistakes, as expected, but also shows a lot of moments of maturity, we continue to see him develop, and he, with Echo by his side, is still a very likable main character that I'm happy to follow through his ups and downs.
In the end, this second book wasn't as good as the first, but it was still good enough for me to want to continue and see how it all ends.
July 11, 2017
Raffa, Kuma, and Garith have escaped Gilden with their animal companions in CAVERN OF SECRETS. Raffa has Echo the Bat and Kuma has Roo the Bear and Twig the Raccoon. These animals were dosed with a concoction in the first book that gave them the ability to talk. Raffa, Kuma, and Garith hope to find a cure to help the animals return to normal.
For now, they must find a way to save the other animals who are still being given the concoction and being forced to do the bidding of the Chancellor. Once they find a safe place for Roo and Twig to hide, the three realize how much they've missed their family. For this reason, the mission is put temporarily on hold, but seeing their family is easier said than done, especially when you're wanted.
I loved that Echo remained with Raffa throughout the whole book. He was by far the cutest and my favorite character. He was very handy when Raffa needed him as well. The idea of talking animals made the book even more entertaining, especially when Echo was involved. I wished there was more of Roo and Twig, but I'm sure they'll com back in the next one.
Final Verdict: I recommend this one to fans of middle grade fiction/fantasy and/or talking animals. I wish the younger me would've had the chance to read it because she loved the idea of talking animals. This one ends on a cliffhanger which has me eager to find out what happens in the third installment.
For now, they must find a way to save the other animals who are still being given the concoction and being forced to do the bidding of the Chancellor. Once they find a safe place for Roo and Twig to hide, the three realize how much they've missed their family. For this reason, the mission is put temporarily on hold, but seeing their family is easier said than done, especially when you're wanted.
I loved that Echo remained with Raffa throughout the whole book. He was by far the cutest and my favorite character. He was very handy when Raffa needed him as well. The idea of talking animals made the book even more entertaining, especially when Echo was involved. I wished there was more of Roo and Twig, but I'm sure they'll com back in the next one.
Final Verdict: I recommend this one to fans of middle grade fiction/fantasy and/or talking animals. I wish the younger me would've had the chance to read it because she loved the idea of talking animals. This one ends on a cliffhanger which has me eager to find out what happens in the third installment.
November 4, 2018
A really good follow up to the first book, but I fear this trilogy will be like many and the middle story will be the weakest. I'm always a bit vexed with a middle story that ends on a giant cliffhanger. We're already invested, you don't have to taunt us! Like The Hobbit trilogy, you run the risk of setting up this giant block in the story only to have it resolve in the first ten minutes of the next installment, leaving readers to wonder why it wasn't just included in the last section to give it a satisfactory conclusion. Also I was a bit disappointed that we don't spend a lot of time with the three characters we had come to know so well in the last book; the main protagonist spends most of this book on his own. Still, I'm sure they'll be back in the third book and I'm very much looking forward to reading the final conclusion.
October 1, 2021
In the book two cushions go exploring the woods and they find a bat that was injured so rafa the main character healed it with his potions that he made and it turns out the bat can talk. The boys end up going on a big adventure that goes on for three books and they find something that they did not expect and the person who did it made them very disappointed. I will give this book a 4 out of 5 stars because it has some parts that are just boring but it is an interesting series. This book is made by the beloved Arthur Linda Sue park. The theme of this book is never leave your friends behind.
June 11, 2017
The second book in the series was even better than the first!
Now that winter is over, the three make their way back, but first they have to find a safe place for Roo. Along the way, Raffa learns a few things about himself, those around him, and what it will take to save the animals that are still in the compound.
Now that winter is over, the three make their way back, but first they have to find a safe place for Roo. Along the way, Raffa learns a few things about himself, those around him, and what it will take to save the animals that are still in the compound.
July 11, 2017
In this story Raffa used his talent of apothecary and his friendship with Echo the bat to try to ruin the evil Chancellor's plans. The Chancellor is trying to use animals against the people in her town. By giving them a special drink they will follow her orders. To save the animals Raffa must use his powers to stop the Chancellor.
May 8, 2018
3.5 stars! Linda Sue Park's continuing story of Raffa Santana, a gifted young apothecary, who has discovered the herbal combination to heal animals and make them speak. This second book for young adults in the Wing and Claw series is an enjoyable read but it is definitely the second of a trilogy ending in a cliffhanger.
August 12, 2020
Fantasy adventure I couldn't put down. This fantasy adventure continues in the 2nd of the series. Suspense increases masterfully. Creative, thoughtful, imaginative and compelling, especially as Raffa continues to grow in his understanding of himself and his role with others given his special talent.
June 5, 2024
Still engaging and good, but Raffa starts to take on a "woe is me"/everything is my fault type of attitude. Also, as the series goes on more and more characters are introduced and it starts to get confusing. While I understand the reason for "old language" some of the terms are confusing like Mannum (sounds a bit too much like Madame!) and Missum
May 14, 2017
I liken the more indepth look into the chancellor's plans with her altered animal army and the horrifying results Raffa sees first hand. I liken also Raffa's bravery despite in my opinion a hint of fear-nervous yet he is willing to push due to his deep down courage and hope.
June 26, 2018
Great writing- timely topic - The leaders of Obsidia are hoping to silently eliminate different segments of the population because they have been deemed of less worth - and heroic, if unusual, main characters.
February 1, 2019
I just couldn´t get into it. It was boring. Not much happened. The first time I found it beautiful, magical but this second time I don´t know, I just couldn´t enjoy it as the first one, not sure why. Hopefully, the last book gets its charm back for me.
January 20, 2021
Just as captivating as the first installment of Wing & Claw; my daughter and I love the apothecary details, the action and adventure, and of course the character of Echo the Bat. We plan to start the final book as soon as possible! Highly recommended for fans of fantasy and adventure.
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October 31, 2021Very good. The reveals are timely and the world building is well done. Characters are all fully developed and show growth, though not all at the same rate or toward the same goals. I highly recommend this series.
July 14, 2017
While this book was good, I didn't love it as much as the first book. The ending was quite the depressing cliffhanger.
August 3, 2018
Fun fantasy with a cliff hanger ending. Talking animals, villainous adults with all the power and street urchins. Brave and loving parents in the background.
March 31, 2019
I didn't like it as much as the first book but it wasn't bad. I really enjoyed it tbh. I can't wait to read the last book in the trilogy!
July 16, 2019
Disappointing. Does not live up to the first. Villains and plot have become one dimensional and moral is heavy handed, even lazy.
August 31, 2019
Sadly, this book didn't have the same magic for me as the first. I think that this would be great for those kids who love animals though.
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