Geeks and the Holy Grail

The Camelot Code #2

by Mari Mancusi

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Even adventures that include a gassy baby dragon! Sophie is now a Camelot Companion, tasked with protecting the spirit of King Arthur throughout the ages, so it's no surprise when she and Stu get sucked in to another Arthurian adventure. This time, the two best friends must get the Holy Grail into King Arthur's hands so he can drink from it and recover from a deadly illness. Simple, right? Not so much. Because Merlin's apprentice, Emrys, has turned the Grail into a flatulent baby dragon, and Merlin is the only person who can change it back. But Merlin happens to be on spring break in modern-day Las Vegas (at the Excalibur, of course). And Sophie's uber-popular future stepsister, Ashley, is along for the ride as well, with her own opinions on how the mission should go. As Morgana closes in, the girls and Stu team up with Emrys and a druid named Nimue to keep the Grail from falling into the wrong hands—a journey that will take them all the way to Fairyland itself and result in the ultimate showdown between good and evil. Don't miss a single moment of the fun in this sequel to The Camelot Code #1: The Once and Future Geek!

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Time Travel, Dragons, Childrens, Science Fiction, Fiction

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Mari Mancusi grew up where the north wind meets the sea (otherwise known as Massachusetts), but has since made her home in the great state of Texas, mostly due to her love of summer. (And tacos.) A former Emmy Award winning TV news producer, today she is the author of more than two-dozen books for kids, teens, and adults, mostly of the sci-fi/fantasy variety. In addition to writing, Mari loves traveling, video games, and cosplaying. She is also Mom to an eight year old Frozen superfan who, when recently asked by her teacher to describe her hero answered: “My Mom!” (Okay, fine, she said Kristin Bell.)

You can find Mari online at www.marimancusi.com. She knows several Samanthas.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Geeks and the Holy Grail by Mari Mancusi

A quest. A mission to save the king. Sophie, Stu and step-sister Ashley use the Camelot Code to travel on an adventure to the past, to Lost Vegas and then to Fairyland. It’s non stop action, peril and magic to get Spikey, the baby dragon to his original shape of the Holy Grail to cure the king.

Book 2 of the Camelot Code series. Can be read as a standalone but don’t miss the first adventure The Once and Future Geek to get the best experience.
Children’s middle grade.

Proving girls can be heroic and adventurous, this novel has a great group of boys and girls fighting for good even while their personal lives are undergoing stressful times. Wonderful nonstop action and twists from the beginning to the very last page.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Disney Book Group - Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read the first installment of the Camelot Code and being a King Arthur fan, I loved every page and every ounce of excitement that I took from The Once and Future Geek. Now, with the sequel Geeks and the Holy Grail, is another twisted adventure that Sophie and Stu must resolve in order to keep protecting the spirit of King Arthur and remain a Camelot companion. This time they are on a quest to get the Holy Grail so King Arthur can drink it and recover from his deathly illness so a matter of life or death is at stake and Stu and Sophie will stop at nothing to get it. From beginning to end, the book will be shockingly good, twistedly excited, and most of all wanting to know what will happen next!

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun YA book. I liked this book for several reasons. Sophie is having her mission as a Camelot Companion. She deals with an unexpected hiccup when her soon to be step sister is brought along on the adventure. I like the mix of modern and medieval times. You can read this as a stand alone, but I think it's better in order.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geeks and the Holy Grail (The Camelot Code #2) by Mari Mancusi, 360 pages. Disney, 2019. $17
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Sophie, 12yo, is way excited for her first official Camelot Code mission! And she gets to work again with her best friend Stu. Not so great – as she is working her magic to transport to Camelot, she accidentally beings along her almost step-sister – super popular Ashley. But how hard can it be to keep the Holy Grail – that’s been turned into a baby dragon?! – out of the hands of Morgana and deliver it to Arthur, who is very sick? Turns out that is much more dangerous and difficult than Sophie imagined. And Ashley may be nicer, smarter, and more helpful than Sophie is willing to admit.

Sophie and Stu exercise their skills as they negotiate their next adventure in Camelot. Those who enjoyed the first book will continue to enjoy the sequel. I wonder how many books we will get to enjoy their adventures. Point those who enjoy Bach’s Ever Afters series to this one.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Susan Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hands down loved the first book in this series. I first picked it up to read to my kids but I found myself enamored with the story. I love how the author took a classic literary character and placed him not only in the modern age but mixed it with modern places and video games. The premise of this is so fun! The second book was just as delightful. The author mixes in dragons (omg!), Las Vegas, and the weird family dynamic of adding in new step siblings and developing a new relationship. This book is very fun and was a true delight to read.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My name is Stu, and Sophie has received her first quest as a a Companion, guardian of King Arthur's spirit throughout history. Of course I'll help, but I can't find the right time to tell her that I must move across the country for my mom's new job. Sophie has bigger things to worry about, since Morgana wants to get her hands on the Holy Grail. Luckily, Morgana doesn't know the magical cup was transformed into a small, red dragon by Merlin's new apprentice. Unfortunately, the apprentice doesn't know how to reverse the change, so we must return to the 21st century and search for Merlin in Las Vegas. Sophie's not crazy about her future stepsister Ashley joining the quest, but we don't have much choice.

This series has shared an entertaining adventure, as it's blended magic with "reality". It was amusing to see Merlin playing video games back in medieval times, and he saved some of his spells on a handheld computer. Getting it recharged became an important conflict in the plot. By the same token, medieval characters traveled to the future, and Las Vegas offered its own share of obstacles. Leaping to different time periods wasn't that unusual, as minor characters made the trip too. It seemed to be a bigger deal in the first book. Ashley was an interesting addition to the team, since she was Sophie's biggest enemy, an her future stepsister. She was the glittery cheerleader, although Sophie discovered some admirable, vulnerable qualities hidden under that image. Merlin might have been a magical genius, but his knowledge of women became an issue needing resolution. It was hard to get help in the Faerie world when the queen hated his guts. Overall, The Camelot Code has shared amusing action/adventure stories, and I recommend you give it a shot. Sophie's role as a Companion should offer many opportunities for future exploits.

[Kathleen Guinnane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie has been waiting for another Camelot Code. She just didn't realize that she was going to receive it the week of her father's wedding or that when she typed it in, her soon to be stepsister, Ashley was going to be sucked into the adventure as well. Merlin is on spring break and when a druid, Nimue, comes into his cave looking for help, his new assistant helps by turning the Holy Grail into a chicken and then a dragon? Merlin must be found and the grail returned to it's true form for King Arthur to live. Sophie, Ashley, and Spike (the dragon/grail) pick up Stu on their way to Los Vegas (where Merlin is vacationing at the Excalibur). Stu has something he needs to tell Sophie, but doesn't want to ruin their adventure. Tension builds and adventure abounds as these friends travel through time and into Fairie to save the world as we know it.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

[I received an electronic review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

I got a kick out of the first book in this series, so I was extra excited to be offered the chance to read an early copy of book 2. There are some great additions in this book that expand the themes of family and friendship. The fantasy elements are terrific - the interactions with Spike are great! And there are a few questions left unanswered. But no fear, there's sure to be a third book in the future. Fun addition to any home or classroom library and a great read for fantasy fans.

[Mandy Stallard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie and Stu are off on another mission in Camelot, but this time, they are joined by Sophie’s soon-to-be stepsister, Ashley. Sophie’s first official mission leads her crew to Vegas with a dragon who is actually the key to their mission’s success. Stu’s mom gives him so news that throws him for a loop and threatens to derail their mission and his friendship with Sophie. Can they save the holy grail and King Arthur, or are they all destined to die?

[Tina Moricz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Camelot Code 2: Geeks and the Holy Grail was one of my favorite reads of 2019. Filled with adventure, humor, and some complicated friendships, Sophie, Stu, and Ashley team up to try to restore the holy grail after an unfortunate magical mishap. They have to restore the grail in order to save King Arthur. The only problem is Merlin is on vacation in Vegas and Morgana is hot on their trail. It is a fantastic quest that your middle grade readers will enjoy.

[Kaelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was actually pretty good. It was not my favorite, but the whole storyline was very creative!!
The adventures and the morals these characters have and learn are really quite good! :)
I hope Mari Mancusi makes a third book in this series!!
You will grow to love Stu, Sophie, Ashley, Merlin, and of course the Holy Grail. lol ;)
A great read for any King Arthur or time traveling book reader!!

[John Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and somewhat madcap followup to the first book. If you haven't read that, please do before reading this, or you'll lose a lot. The travel back and forth between worlds, the adaptation, mostly by Merlin, of current technology in the Arthurian realm, and the way characters from both realms bond when things get scary, all add to this fun and easy read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Merlin's 13-year-old apprentice turning the Holy Grail into a baby dragon and the time traveling kids who go on a quest to turn said dragon back into a cup, which includes: getting Merlin from his spring break in Las Vegas, and a detour to Fairyland. Oh, and the dragon's name is Spike.

I love this book so much.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book with time travel and Arthurian legends, though Arthur himself plays a very minor role in this book. It introduces new characters Nimue and Emrys, and Ashley's character is developed a lot more. Mostly it's just fun but it also has some good messages about friends and family relationships.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, fun, banter-heavy and possessed of stakes much bigger than pepperoni pizza, this second installment ofnthe Camelot Code proves as entertaining as the first. Doesn't pack quite same depth of myth, but is still a solid grounding in several simultaneous overalpping versions.

[Andréa]

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.

[Dhanush Chilakala · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book, and has a good storyline with a connection from the previous book.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time traveling tweens go on a quest to save King Arthur with the Holy Grail

[Lillian Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhhhhhhh that last line is just begging for a third book

[Krys · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Linda Cleven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the conclusion and was very suspenseful

[Laura Mauro · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I got this book for review and would give this book 3.5 stars for review*

I thought this was an enjoyable second book in this series. I really did enjoy the new storyline and the plot of this book was super engaging. I also liked the new characters that we met and the new dragon that was the focus of this novel. I really did enjoy the focus on the new characters that we met in this novel. I did miss the characters that were the focus in book one, but the book was still enjoyable. I really did like how this book went to new "world" and i also did like the relationship dynamics between sophie and Stu! I am hoping we get another adventure in this world soon!

[T.J. Burns]

I received a copy of this book from Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.