The Sphinx's Secret

The Supernormal Sleuthing Service #2

by Gwenda Bond, Chistopher Rowe

It’s only been a few weeks since Stephen started living at the New Harmonia—a hotel that caters to a supernormal clientele, including bigfeet, vampires, dragons, and talking gargoyles—and he still has a lot to learn. His latest discovery? The lions in front of the New York Public Library are actually sphinxes, guarding a secret treasure trove of magical objects.

When a mysterious wizard steals a powerful wand from the collection and casts a spell on the entire supernormal world, Stephen and his friends must find a way to reverse the magic before it becomes permanent.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens, Time Travel, Children S Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2018

About the author

Gwenda Bond is the New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the first official Stranger Things novel, Suspicious Minds, the Lois Lane YA series, and the romantic comedies Not Your Average Hot Guy, The Date from Hell, and Mr. & Mrs. Witch. She has a number of forthcoming projects, including a magical art heist book, The Frame-Up. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in Publishers Weekly, Locus Magazine, Salon, the Los Angeles Times, and many other publications.

She co-founded and chairs the nonprofit Lexington Writer’s Room, and lives in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband, author Christopher Rowe, and a veritable zoo of adorable doggos and queenly cats. Visit her online at www.gwendabond.com or join her newsletter at www.gwendabond.substack.com.

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as solid as the first book, as I would think punishment for trying to brainwash an entire society should be a little bit higher than what happened, but this is still a delightful and rich world full of people who have my heart, and I wish the series would continue for ages.

[Marygrace Wrabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and fun children’s book.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

In an attempt to get away from extra craziness at the hotel where they all live, Ivan, Stephen, and Sophia visit the NYC library where Ivan's friends guard the entrance. Of course, those with magic can see that the lions of the library are actually sphinxes, and they guard a secret part of the building where magical items are guarded by their riddles. When a forgettable sorcerer solves the riddle, turns one of the sphinxes to stone, and claims a super powerful wand he is using to make himself King of the world within a few days, the kids smell something rotten. But can they prove that Edmund cheated his way to the throne and save Hakor from a life as stone, especially with Edmund's powerful magic making everyone love him?

This was a fun fantasy mystery but not quite as fun as the first book in the series. I like the way Ivan, Stephen, and Sophia work together. Hand this to kids who like fantasy adventures and sleuthing and kids saving the day.

No content issues.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a fun paranormal that would make a great read aloud book for a family this would be a great one. Read the first one in the series first even though if you accidently pick this one up without reading the other one I think the story would hold together well you would just miss some of the history. The characters in these books are really wonderful even the elevator gets to have its say in what goes on. There is a dragon that lives in the basement, there are gargoyles, sphinxes, monkeys, a vampire, a mermaid, and many other interesting characters. There is even a dormouse. You have got to love a book with all those characters running around and they are not even the main characters. I love these books and I am really looking forward to the next installment.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stephen, Sophia and Ivan witness a cocky wizard taking a powerful artifact from the museum, they must race against the clock to stop him from forcing the Supernormal world to bow at his whim, all while dodging parents that are beginning to fall under his spell! Bond brings fans another vivid and enjoyably heartwarming adventure that will please all ages with its spellbinding world and great characters. Will Stephen and his friends be able to pass the tests that keep them from saving their world?

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I think is the most disappointing. Plot is excellent, amusing vignettes. fascinating characters....and plodding dialogue and stilted writing. This might have benefited from someone with a bull horn calling "Flow, flow, make the words flow" Barring that, having someone or several folks read this out loud and say "wow, this is wooden". Perhaps, they could find someone who could do the writing after they put the plots together. It could use a re-write and then it might go from meh to great.

[Raven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww this one was cute.

This time it wasn't a straight up bad guy, but a bag guy that was just a little misguided. I also like that the kids were give tests outside of their comfort zones and that they managed to exceed even if it wasn't necessarily their skill set.

I loved that one of Stephen's skills was being a good friend, being able to explain to people why he's good and why they should help him.

It was chalk filled with all sorts of valuable lessons and cute moments. I loved all the moments with Stephen and his mom, I live for those, give me more of those.

[Pam Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cheater solves the riddle of the Sphinx/Lion in front of the New York Public Library and the result is the Lion becoming permanently stone. It's up to Stephen, Ivan and Sophia to find out how the cheating was done. To do so, they travel back to ancient Egypt when the riddles were first created by each Sphinx. Nice blending of humans with the supernormals. For those not ready for the more complicated tales of Rick Riordan.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen, Sofia and Ivan return in their second adventure in the supernormal world. Edmund the enchanter has gotten a hold of a wand from the cabinet of wonders and he is causing trouble. Stephen and his friends set out to save the supernormal world. It's quite the adventure with time travel, sphinxes and learning that kindness can make a big difference in how things turn out.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice sequel to the first book; would love to see this as a longer series for tweens. This time Stephen meets a sphinx and has to save her (and the whole supernormal world!) from the evil plans of Edmund the Enchanter, a wizard who is up to no good. Plus, there is literally a barrel of monkeys on the loose....Very silly and fun book!

[Orangetails · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, man, I like being back in this world again. The story felt a little silly, but it was well-done. The addition of the sphinxes was excellent. Friendships were tested, and the plot did get more serious towards the end. Overall, I'm a happy camper.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed book 2 of Supernormal sleuthing! The focus is still on Stephan and his friends but it felt like this story had a little more action, pace and tension. Read it over just a day or two. A fun middle grade series.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second adventure brings the three kids to the New York Public Library and to ancient Egypt as they work to prevent a sorcerer from becoming the king of the Supernormal world.
Plenty of action to hold middle grade readers.

[Lena Barsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much fun as the first SUPERNORMAL SLEUTHING SERVICE book by Bond & Rowe. I love the emphasis on both "friendship as strength" and "lots of different talents are equally important." I hope that Bond & Rowe keep writing books in this series!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ended very finally. I hope that doesn't mean that the series is over!

[Diana Gagliardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked this one better? But can we please get past "the power of friendship" as the deus ex machina? I mean, I am a MLP fan so I know that friendship is magic, but still... :P

Enjoy!

[Lutoms Lutomski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a loud to my kiddo.... we want another! Love the mystical world and adventure and the unyielding friendship