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Bamboo Kingdom #2
River of Secrets
One kingdom. Three worlds. Explore the secrets of the Bamboo Kingdom in the second installment of this thrilling new series from bestselling Warriors author Erin Hunter, perfect for fans of Wings of Fire and Endling. For three pandas in the Bamboo Kingdom, secrets have changed everything. Rain, Ghost, and Leaf have only just discovered the truth about their families—but they don’t have all the facts. And while they attempt to piece together the puzzle of their pasts, a threat is growing ever stronger in their homeland—a liar masquerading as a leader. Sunset, the so-called Dragon Speaker, has his own agenda, and the discovery of the triplets from an ancient prophecy will only get in his way. While Rain and Leaf struggle to agree on the next right moves, Ghost, struggling to adapt to panda life, falls under Sunset’s spell. Separated, the three panda siblings are left without the information they need to take the traitorous Dragon Speaker down. But if they can find each other—and trust each other—they may be able to rally the pandas of the Bamboo Kingdom to their side.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2022
48 people are currently reading
2147 people want to read
About the author
Erin Hunter
282 books10.8k followersErin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people: Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, Gillian Philip, and Inbali Iserles, as well as editor Victoria Holmes. Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 19, 2022
I did not like how Ghost immediately turned on his heritage and his sibling, Shiver. When he left his siblings, Shiver was the one who stayed loyal to him and came with him on his journey in an unfamiliar place and risks of danger. He was ungrateful to her loyalty which drove her away.(seemingly) With a snow leopard on the cover she is not in the book that much but I empathize with her the most. She's one of the few characters that remain solid, dependable, and has good instincts and common sense. It seems that none of the Prosperhill pandas have that since they are in a brainwashed cult. I found Rain to be a little out of character, being meaner and more cold than before. I did not find leaf and Dasher's journey interesting. Nothing happened in this book that is of any notice, just very boring. Instead of the other pandas being shocked Rain came back their first reaction is one of suspicion and believing Sunset. What? One of your family was just lost and you mourn for her. Then she comes back and you believe Sunset that Rain faked her death and came to kill Sunset? Rain gave no prior indication that she would do that before she went missing. Once again in Erin's book there is the valiant hero who tries to save a group of individuals who really don't deserve saving or helping. Let Sunset have them if they are too stupid to realize that they are being brainwashed. If you're smart enough to figure out something is wrong, the others should try to use their brains too. This book just left me frustrated and I didn't enjoy it. Also, the ending, Pepper has now led Leaf and Dasher to believe that he is the lost triplet. He is lying and Leaf believes him. Now it's going to create a whole bunch of misunderstandings. This book is built on characters having misunderstandings, very flimsy ones, just to build up the confusion and 'tension'. It just annoys me because the characters don't question anything that seems amiss or wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2022
This book picks up the pace and I’m finally connecting to the characters more.
May 14, 2023
Szczerze mówiąc nie wiem do końca, jak powinnam ocenić tę pozycję. Mam wiele pozytywnych odczuć, ale również parę "ale". Zacznijmy jednak od początku.
Jako że jest to drugi tom serii o Bambusowym Królestwie, śledzimy dalsze losy naszych pand - Ulewy, Łodygi i Ducha, którzy zaczynają odnajdywać się w nowej rzeczywistości oraz odkrywać kolejne tajemnice - tych bowiem Bambusowe Królestwo skrywa wiele. Nasi główni bohaterowie muszą zmierzyć się z przeciwnościami - zadania, które ich czekają nie są wcale takie proste! Żeby nie zdradzać bezpośrednio fabuły, zapraszam do odwiedzenia mojego profilu, gdzie przy recenzji pierwszego tomu dowiecie się więcej.
Niejednokrotnie wspominałam już, że książki Erin Hunter są dla mnie świetną zabawą. Zazwyczaj sięgam po nie w idealnym momencie - właśnie wtedy, kiedy potrzebuję odskoczni. Przygody pandek są angażujące, wciągają czytelnika od pierwszych stron. Również w tym przypadku przeczytałam "Rzekę Sekretów" błyskawicznie. No i może właśnie zbyt błyskawicznie, ponieważ czegoś mi w niej brakuje. Liczyłam na to, że rozwinie się więcej wątków - ale kto wie, może pojawią się one w kolejnych częściach? Lektura minęła mi tak szybko, że nie zdążyłam sobie wyrobić konkretnej opinii.
Kolejnym minusem jest dosyć duże podobieństwo do innej serii tej autorki - "Sfory". Być może tylko ja to widzę, ale według mnie wiele łączy obie serie i trochę mi to przeszkadzało - patrząc na to, że niedawno czytałam "Sforę", liczyłam tu na coś nowego. Dla niektórych na pewno będzie to jednak dużą zaletą - jeśli szukacie czegoś w podobnym klimacie, na pewno się nie zawiedziecie!
Nie da się jednak ukryć, że bawiłam się świetnie. Czy tak bardzo przeżywałam losy bohaterów jak w przypadku wspomnianej już wcześniej "Sfory"? Nie. Czy trochę się nudziłam? Momentami, owszem. Jednak patrząc na całość mogę bez wahania stwierdzić, że mi się podobało. Słodkie pandki, które mają tak samo złożone charaktery jak niejeden człowiek oraz ich przygody podbiły moje serce. Miałam ochotę na luźną przygodówkę i właśnie taką dostałam. Seria zapowiada się bardzo dobrze, musimy tylko dać jej czas na rozwinięcie skrzydeł!
Jako że jest to drugi tom serii o Bambusowym Królestwie, śledzimy dalsze losy naszych pand - Ulewy, Łodygi i Ducha, którzy zaczynają odnajdywać się w nowej rzeczywistości oraz odkrywać kolejne tajemnice - tych bowiem Bambusowe Królestwo skrywa wiele. Nasi główni bohaterowie muszą zmierzyć się z przeciwnościami - zadania, które ich czekają nie są wcale takie proste! Żeby nie zdradzać bezpośrednio fabuły, zapraszam do odwiedzenia mojego profilu, gdzie przy recenzji pierwszego tomu dowiecie się więcej.
Niejednokrotnie wspominałam już, że książki Erin Hunter są dla mnie świetną zabawą. Zazwyczaj sięgam po nie w idealnym momencie - właśnie wtedy, kiedy potrzebuję odskoczni. Przygody pandek są angażujące, wciągają czytelnika od pierwszych stron. Również w tym przypadku przeczytałam "Rzekę Sekretów" błyskawicznie. No i może właśnie zbyt błyskawicznie, ponieważ czegoś mi w niej brakuje. Liczyłam na to, że rozwinie się więcej wątków - ale kto wie, może pojawią się one w kolejnych częściach? Lektura minęła mi tak szybko, że nie zdążyłam sobie wyrobić konkretnej opinii.
Kolejnym minusem jest dosyć duże podobieństwo do innej serii tej autorki - "Sfory". Być może tylko ja to widzę, ale według mnie wiele łączy obie serie i trochę mi to przeszkadzało - patrząc na to, że niedawno czytałam "Sforę", liczyłam tu na coś nowego. Dla niektórych na pewno będzie to jednak dużą zaletą - jeśli szukacie czegoś w podobnym klimacie, na pewno się nie zawiedziecie!
Nie da się jednak ukryć, że bawiłam się świetnie. Czy tak bardzo przeżywałam losy bohaterów jak w przypadku wspomnianej już wcześniej "Sfory"? Nie. Czy trochę się nudziłam? Momentami, owszem. Jednak patrząc na całość mogę bez wahania stwierdzić, że mi się podobało. Słodkie pandki, które mają tak samo złożone charaktery jak niejeden człowiek oraz ich przygody podbiły moje serce. Miałam ochotę na luźną przygodówkę i właśnie taką dostałam. Seria zapowiada się bardzo dobrze, musimy tylko dać jej czas na rozwinięcie skrzydeł!
August 30, 2022
River of Secrets is the second installment of the Bamboo Kingdom series, and now that Rain and Leaf are united, they must search for their third panda sibling.
Allow me to agree with other reviewers: This is a downgrade. At one point I gave it five stars, then it dropped to four. Rain's plan of confronting Sunset (with Peony) reminded me too much of another stupid plan. Storm, from Erin Hunter's other series, Survivors: The Gathering Darkness, did the same thing. And it ended with me HATING the ending to an otherwise fantastic book. So when I read Rain's plan, I cringed so hard that my spine contorted into a Lima bean.
And did that plan fail.
Not as hard as Survivors: The Gathering Darkness, but pretty bad. As expected, no one believes them (even Rain's own friend, Pebble!), and Sunset exiles them. Perhaps if Rain didn't bring up how she was a part of a prophecy, it would sound a lot more convincing. But what about the other pandas' stories, you might be asking?
Ghost and Shiver learn life in the Slenderwood place. As time goes on, Shiver decides to leave as she doesn't trust Sunset while Ghost does. Their separation was handled like a third-act breakup, to the point where I expected Shiver to come crawling back and apologize in the next chapter or two (she didn't, thankfully). While doing errands for Sunset, he is convinced that there are a triplet of pandas who are working against him, and they find a cub named Pepper. Pepper says he's a triplet, but it's very clear that he's lying, but the mystery around him kept my attention.
Meanwhile, Leaf climbs up the Dragon Mountain with Dasher and discovers the rest of her panda troop (I don't remember their names). There she follows the Great Dragon's signals, and at the end, meets up with Pepper. The book ends at that point, so we don't see Leaf's reaction.
Pepper is the only reason I'm continuing, because despite the hype I had, the book was a crushing disappointment.
Allow me to agree with other reviewers: This is a downgrade. At one point I gave it five stars, then it dropped to four. Rain's plan of confronting Sunset (with Peony) reminded me too much of another stupid plan. Storm, from Erin Hunter's other series, Survivors: The Gathering Darkness, did the same thing. And it ended with me HATING the ending to an otherwise fantastic book. So when I read Rain's plan, I cringed so hard that my spine contorted into a Lima bean.
And did that plan fail.
Not as hard as Survivors: The Gathering Darkness, but pretty bad. As expected, no one believes them (even Rain's own friend, Pebble!), and Sunset exiles them. Perhaps if Rain didn't bring up how she was a part of a prophecy, it would sound a lot more convincing. But what about the other pandas' stories, you might be asking?
Ghost and Shiver learn life in the Slenderwood place. As time goes on, Shiver decides to leave as she doesn't trust Sunset while Ghost does. Their separation was handled like a third-act breakup, to the point where I expected Shiver to come crawling back and apologize in the next chapter or two (she didn't, thankfully). While doing errands for Sunset, he is convinced that there are a triplet of pandas who are working against him, and they find a cub named Pepper. Pepper says he's a triplet, but it's very clear that he's lying, but the mystery around him kept my attention.
Meanwhile, Leaf climbs up the Dragon Mountain with Dasher and discovers the rest of her panda troop (I don't remember their names). There she follows the Great Dragon's signals, and at the end, meets up with Pepper. The book ends at that point, so we don't see Leaf's reaction.
Pepper is the only reason I'm continuing, because despite the hype I had, the book was a crushing disappointment.
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May 26, 2023| Współpraca reklamowa | @wydawnictwonowabasn
„Rzekę sekretów” czyli drugą część serii „Bambusowe Królestwo” przeczytałam zaraz po zakończeniu pierwszej, przez co nieco ciężko jest mi je rozdzielić. Odnoszę wrażenie, że mamy tu trochę syndrom drugiego tomu – niby dużo się dzieje, ale tak naprawdę jest to głównie ustawienie do wydarzeń w 3 tomie. Jak to moja mama powiedziała kiedyś o „Hobbicie” – idą, idą i dojść nie mogą.
Mimo wszystko nie mogę powiedzieć, że jest to tzw. zapchajdziura. Dostajemy niewiele odpowiedzi, ale pojawia się mnóstwo nowych pytań. Nie raz myślałam „o co tu chodzi?”, „kto za tym stoi?, próbowałam rozgryźć bieg zdarzeń i ukryte motywy mieszkańców Bambusowego Królestwa.
W tym tomie kontynuujemy podążanie za Łodygą, Ulewą i Duchem. Ich życia stają się coraz bardziej skomplikowane i ze sobą powiązane. Jak powiedziałabym, że Łodyga jest moją ulubienicą losy Ulewy szczególnie mnie rozbawiły – kiedy tylko buntuje się przeciwko swojemu przeznaczeniu wpada prosto w jego łapy. Z kolei Duch, którego perspektywa jest najbardziej rozwinięta w tej części, zaczął mnie irytować. Nie będę wam spoilerować dlaczego, ale mogę powiedzieć, że w „Rzece sekretów” jest wiele kryzysów osobowości, a każda panda ma swoje własne sposoby na radzenie sobie z nimi.
Jednym z najciekawszych aspektów jest dla mnie zmaganie się naszych bohaterów z wiarą – jedna panda jest głęboko wierząca, druga troszkę niedowierza, a trzecia wychowała się w innej wierze przez co każda z nich ma inną relację z tajemniczym Smokiem (niejakim bogiem Królestwa) i przeznaczeniem, które od niego otrzymali.
Koniec końców dobrze się bawiłam. Pomimo umiejscowienia na innym kontynencie ta seria momentami przypominała mi „Króla Lwa”, co może być tylko wielkim plusem. Odpowiedzi na nurtujące mnie pytania, będą musiały poczekać na wydanie kolejnych tomów, czego nie mogę już się doczekać. ~ Judyta
„Rzekę sekretów” czyli drugą część serii „Bambusowe Królestwo” przeczytałam zaraz po zakończeniu pierwszej, przez co nieco ciężko jest mi je rozdzielić. Odnoszę wrażenie, że mamy tu trochę syndrom drugiego tomu – niby dużo się dzieje, ale tak naprawdę jest to głównie ustawienie do wydarzeń w 3 tomie. Jak to moja mama powiedziała kiedyś o „Hobbicie” – idą, idą i dojść nie mogą.
Mimo wszystko nie mogę powiedzieć, że jest to tzw. zapchajdziura. Dostajemy niewiele odpowiedzi, ale pojawia się mnóstwo nowych pytań. Nie raz myślałam „o co tu chodzi?”, „kto za tym stoi?, próbowałam rozgryźć bieg zdarzeń i ukryte motywy mieszkańców Bambusowego Królestwa.
W tym tomie kontynuujemy podążanie za Łodygą, Ulewą i Duchem. Ich życia stają się coraz bardziej skomplikowane i ze sobą powiązane. Jak powiedziałabym, że Łodyga jest moją ulubienicą losy Ulewy szczególnie mnie rozbawiły – kiedy tylko buntuje się przeciwko swojemu przeznaczeniu wpada prosto w jego łapy. Z kolei Duch, którego perspektywa jest najbardziej rozwinięta w tej części, zaczął mnie irytować. Nie będę wam spoilerować dlaczego, ale mogę powiedzieć, że w „Rzece sekretów” jest wiele kryzysów osobowości, a każda panda ma swoje własne sposoby na radzenie sobie z nimi.
Jednym z najciekawszych aspektów jest dla mnie zmaganie się naszych bohaterów z wiarą – jedna panda jest głęboko wierząca, druga troszkę niedowierza, a trzecia wychowała się w innej wierze przez co każda z nich ma inną relację z tajemniczym Smokiem (niejakim bogiem Królestwa) i przeznaczeniem, które od niego otrzymali.
Koniec końców dobrze się bawiłam. Pomimo umiejscowienia na innym kontynencie ta seria momentami przypominała mi „Króla Lwa”, co może być tylko wielkim plusem. Odpowiedzi na nurtujące mnie pytania, będą musiały poczekać na wydanie kolejnych tomów, czego nie mogę już się doczekać. ~ Judyta
June 6, 2024
And… I’ve finished yet another of Erin Hunters books. Taking them one at a time as they are translated.
The Bamboo Kingdom are not at all as good as the Warriors series, the Bravelands series or the Survivors series. I don’t know what it is… but it’s just too slow moving for me.
Although, to be fair, some action happened in the second half of this book. I will give it that. But this is book two, so the build up is just a tad bit too long.
At least now we know the main plot and what is going on. Rain and Leaf are indeed siblings. And Ghost is highly likely the third triplet of the siblings. That is supposed to be the Dragon Speaker, and get rid of the usurper Sunset Deepwood.
That plan has not gone so well at all, actually. In this book I feel the most sorry for Ghost, honestly. Since he’s grown up among the snow leopards and been raised by them, he doesn’t belong with either species currently. He always felt wrong among the snow leopards, while it was also his home. Now he has found a home and knows that he is a panda, albeit white, but with his upbring he doesn’t feel at home there either.
Which makes Ghost a perfect target for Sunset to use for his own gains. And it takes almost the entire book before Sunset shows his true colours and Ghost releases what is going on. At that point his snow leopard sister Shiver has abandoned him. She tried to tell him what Sunset was doing, but Ghost didn’t listen since he was so desperate to find a home.
Yeah, things are heating up in this book and it is definitely much more interesting than the first one that was very dull. Is it good though? Not to the level that Hunter’s other series are. I will continue when the next one is released though. Out of pure curiosity I suppose. Maybe the next one will be even better? Who knows?
The Bamboo Kingdom are not at all as good as the Warriors series, the Bravelands series or the Survivors series. I don’t know what it is… but it’s just too slow moving for me.
Although, to be fair, some action happened in the second half of this book. I will give it that. But this is book two, so the build up is just a tad bit too long.
At least now we know the main plot and what is going on. Rain and Leaf are indeed siblings. And Ghost is highly likely the third triplet of the siblings. That is supposed to be the Dragon Speaker, and get rid of the usurper Sunset Deepwood.
That plan has not gone so well at all, actually. In this book I feel the most sorry for Ghost, honestly. Since he’s grown up among the snow leopards and been raised by them, he doesn’t belong with either species currently. He always felt wrong among the snow leopards, while it was also his home. Now he has found a home and knows that he is a panda, albeit white, but with his upbring he doesn’t feel at home there either.
Which makes Ghost a perfect target for Sunset to use for his own gains. And it takes almost the entire book before Sunset shows his true colours and Ghost releases what is going on. At that point his snow leopard sister Shiver has abandoned him. She tried to tell him what Sunset was doing, but Ghost didn’t listen since he was so desperate to find a home.
Yeah, things are heating up in this book and it is definitely much more interesting than the first one that was very dull. Is it good though? Not to the level that Hunter’s other series are. I will continue when the next one is released though. Out of pure curiosity I suppose. Maybe the next one will be even better? Who knows?
August 9, 2022
🎍🪴🐉River of Secrets🐉🪴🎍
Ghost has met Sunset and is filled with hope that he will finally be able to belong. However trouble aspires, nobody trusts a predator and he might have to leave Shiver behind. Leaf is chasing for the truth, hopeful to find what secrets are hidden in the kingdom. Rain is desperate to come home and tell everyone the truth: their leader is a liar pretending to be a Dragon Speaker. The three pandas must come together and when they do they will be able to uncover the secrets.
Throughout all of Erin Hunter's books, the group of authors writing these series seem to always use an uncannily similar formula. This book was a one-hour read and quick. But not much actually happened in it. The characters felt like cardboard cut-outs undergoing the same journey as other characters from other series. The plot twists were too predictable.
An example of how similar it is:
*minor spoilers)
(Skeptical characters who are meant to be connected to Spirit)
Rain (Bamboo Kingdom) Jayfeather(Warriors) Thorn (Bravelands)
(Character our for revenge/doesn't fit in)
Ghost (Bamboo Kingdom) Lionblaze (Warriors) Fearless(Bravelands)
(Character who is very faithful and follows all the signs)
Leaf (Bamboo Kingdom) Hollyleaf (Warriors) Sky (Bravelands)
(Evil liar who is false)
This formula can only work for a little while. The fact that it's crossing into other series is annoying. I am unsure whether I'll continue the series.
⛔PLOT
🆗CHARACTERS
⛔PLOT TWIST
Ghost has met Sunset and is filled with hope that he will finally be able to belong. However trouble aspires, nobody trusts a predator and he might have to leave Shiver behind. Leaf is chasing for the truth, hopeful to find what secrets are hidden in the kingdom. Rain is desperate to come home and tell everyone the truth: their leader is a liar pretending to be a Dragon Speaker. The three pandas must come together and when they do they will be able to uncover the secrets.
Throughout all of Erin Hunter's books, the group of authors writing these series seem to always use an uncannily similar formula. This book was a one-hour read and quick. But not much actually happened in it. The characters felt like cardboard cut-outs undergoing the same journey as other characters from other series. The plot twists were too predictable.
An example of how similar it is:
*minor spoilers)
(Skeptical characters who are meant to be connected to Spirit)
Rain (Bamboo Kingdom) Jayfeather(Warriors) Thorn (Bravelands)
(Character our for revenge/doesn't fit in)
Ghost (Bamboo Kingdom) Lionblaze (Warriors) Fearless(Bravelands)
(Character who is very faithful and follows all the signs)
Leaf (Bamboo Kingdom) Hollyleaf (Warriors) Sky (Bravelands)
(Evil liar who is false)
This formula can only work for a little while. The fact that it's crossing into other series is annoying. I am unsure whether I'll continue the series.
⛔PLOT
🆗CHARACTERS
⛔PLOT TWIST
December 31, 2024
Story: 3 ★★★
The plot of this book is easy to follow, decently entertaining, moves right along at a good pace, and picks up quite naturally from the first book. The second book of this series definitely ramps up from the first one; we learn more about the villain’s plans and about the destinies of the heroes, and the stakes get higher, making the book more endearing than the first. The story of this one is better than the one before it for sure, and it does leave you wanting to read the next book as well. I would say the series’ plot is evolving and growing in a pretty decent manner. It’s fairly predictable, with a little twist here and there, but nothing too wild. Honestly not a lot happens throughout the book, but it’s entertaining enough to be worth a read, and I think the plot of the series is coming along nicely.
Spoiler story review:
Pacing: 4 ★★★★
The pacing in this book wasn’t bad. There were some empty-feeling parts that weren't really necessary, thus slowing the story down a bit, but overall the plot went along at a decent pace. Like with most Erin Hunter books, the second half moved along better than the first.
Characters:3 ★★★
The character department has also improved in this iteration; each protagonist is growing and changing (albeit very slowly). Leaf and Rain set themselves apart a lot more in this book; Leaf is pious, innocent, and hopeful in everything she does, while Rain is far more practical, impatient, and pessimistic… which makes sense, considering what they’ve both been through. Their stories branch off down two different paths, and they approach their problems very differently.
Ghost still remains the most interesting and relatable character, imo; I enjoy his arc filled with struggling to find a place for himself, and his worth. I also liked the new character Pepper; he’s quirky and mysterious, very intriguing. Poor Shiver isn’t around much, but I felt bad for her; she’s growing up and is feeling totally out of place, an interesting shadow of Ghost’s arc.
In summary, the characters of this book are simple but charming, and get more interesting with each installment.
Spoiler character review:
Overall Rating: 3.5 ★★★✰
This book continues the same feeling I had with the first book; nothing special, could be better, but entertaining enough, and makes me want to read the next one. I will say this book was more interesting than the first, so I’m hoping the rest of the series will live up to my expectations a little more.
Spoiler overall review:
The plot of this book is easy to follow, decently entertaining, moves right along at a good pace, and picks up quite naturally from the first book. The second book of this series definitely ramps up from the first one; we learn more about the villain’s plans and about the destinies of the heroes, and the stakes get higher, making the book more endearing than the first. The story of this one is better than the one before it for sure, and it does leave you wanting to read the next book as well. I would say the series’ plot is evolving and growing in a pretty decent manner. It’s fairly predictable, with a little twist here and there, but nothing too wild. Honestly not a lot happens throughout the book, but it’s entertaining enough to be worth a read, and I think the plot of the series is coming along nicely.
Spoiler story review:
Pacing: 4 ★★★★
The pacing in this book wasn’t bad. There were some empty-feeling parts that weren't really necessary, thus slowing the story down a bit, but overall the plot went along at a decent pace. Like with most Erin Hunter books, the second half moved along better than the first.
Characters:3 ★★★
The character department has also improved in this iteration; each protagonist is growing and changing (albeit very slowly). Leaf and Rain set themselves apart a lot more in this book; Leaf is pious, innocent, and hopeful in everything she does, while Rain is far more practical, impatient, and pessimistic… which makes sense, considering what they’ve both been through. Their stories branch off down two different paths, and they approach their problems very differently.
Ghost still remains the most interesting and relatable character, imo; I enjoy his arc filled with struggling to find a place for himself, and his worth. I also liked the new character Pepper; he’s quirky and mysterious, very intriguing. Poor Shiver isn’t around much, but I felt bad for her; she’s growing up and is feeling totally out of place, an interesting shadow of Ghost’s arc.
In summary, the characters of this book are simple but charming, and get more interesting with each installment.
Spoiler character review:
Overall Rating: 3.5 ★★★✰
This book continues the same feeling I had with the first book; nothing special, could be better, but entertaining enough, and makes me want to read the next one. I will say this book was more interesting than the first, so I’m hoping the rest of the series will live up to my expectations a little more.
Spoiler overall review:
March 5, 2024
Rain and Leaf can't agree on their next steps. Leaf thinks they need to follow signs and look for the missing triplet. Rain thinks Leaf is delusional, that they aren't related, and she needs to get back to her home to deal with the deceiver, Sunset. Ghost and his adopted sister Shiver have found a group of pandas. Most of them find Ghost eerie and too odd, but Sunset takes him under his wing and Ghost starts to feel special. Shiver doesn't trust Sunset and thinks he's just using Ghost, but she can't get Ghost to see it. Sunset has the group of pandas in his thrall and is actively hunting triplets now and will do anything to get rid of them. Will the triplets of promise find each other and stay out of harms' way?
This book continues to move everyone one step closer to finding the Dragon and their destiny, but there are a lot of hiccups along the way. The book also serves to show how nasty Sunset is and how greedy for power. I like all the Asian animals that Erin Hunter used as characters in the story from pikas to storks to pandas and snow leopards. I have a whole group of readers eager to get their hands on this book.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are earthquakes that injure some animals, and Sunset kills one panda, threatens to kill others, and wounds another.
Ethnic diversity: The animals come from a variety of Asian settings.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Sunset pretty much has a cult/con thing going on.
This book continues to move everyone one step closer to finding the Dragon and their destiny, but there are a lot of hiccups along the way. The book also serves to show how nasty Sunset is and how greedy for power. I like all the Asian animals that Erin Hunter used as characters in the story from pikas to storks to pandas and snow leopards. I have a whole group of readers eager to get their hands on this book.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are earthquakes that injure some animals, and Sunset kills one panda, threatens to kill others, and wounds another.
Ethnic diversity: The animals come from a variety of Asian settings.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Sunset pretty much has a cult/con thing going on.
September 1, 2022
While the ending was interesting and made me want to jump into the third installment, there wasn't anything all that engaging throughout the narrative.
Leaf is just looking for the "third triplet", Rain is making her way to find Sunset, and Ghost is trying to find his new identity within the panda community with Sunset guiding him.
The only story that was intriguing was Ghost's, where unlike his pov feeling out of place in the first volume, here it takes center stage. It was nice seeing him adapt to his new surroundings and I think readers will find this relatable, especially in regards to Ghost's beliefs, where he debates giving up his God in favor of someone else's.
Also, Sunset as an antagonist is engaging. The Hunters do a good job of showing how subtly evil he can be under his kind exterior.
But overall, I found myself not engaged, to the point where I was skimming through a majority of it just to get to the end. I'm looking forward to the third book, but I'm not sure how much longer I can carry on, especially if this will carry the six book arch every other Erin Hunter series has.
Leaf is just looking for the "third triplet", Rain is making her way to find Sunset, and Ghost is trying to find his new identity within the panda community with Sunset guiding him.
The only story that was intriguing was Ghost's, where unlike his pov feeling out of place in the first volume, here it takes center stage. It was nice seeing him adapt to his new surroundings and I think readers will find this relatable, especially in regards to Ghost's beliefs, where he debates giving up his God in favor of someone else's.
Also, Sunset as an antagonist is engaging. The Hunters do a good job of showing how subtly evil he can be under his kind exterior.
But overall, I found myself not engaged, to the point where I was skimming through a majority of it just to get to the end. I'm looking forward to the third book, but I'm not sure how much longer I can carry on, especially if this will carry the six book arch every other Erin Hunter series has.
May 8, 2023
"Rzeka sekretów" jest świetną kontynuacją "Ocalonych z potopu". Jestem przekonana, że jeżeli komuś przypadł do gustu tom 1., to najnowszy również go nie zawiedzie. To powrót naszych ulubionych bohaterów, podróże wzdłuż rzeki, po lasach i górach, obcowanie ze zwierzętami, a także dużo, dużo, DUŻO... bambusa.
Myślicie, że pandy tylko jedzą, śpią i się turlają? Pewnie, robią te rzeczy przez większość swojego życia, ale nie tylko te! W tej części nie ma nudy. Ciągle się coś dzieje, są zwroty akcji, bohaterowie podejmują trudne wybory. Jedzenie idzie w parze z tradycyjnymi rytuałami, a nad stadem czuwa Smoczy Mówca. Co jednak zrobią pandy, gdy wyjdzie na jaw, że Mówca tak naprawdę żadnego smoka nie słyszy i jest tylko przebrzydłym kłamcą?
"Bambusowe Królestwo" to fantastyczna seria przygodowa, która spodoba się czytelnikom w każdym wieku. Ja jestem dorosła, a bawiłam się bardzo dobrze podczas lektury. Z czystym sumieniem mogę książki polecić młodszym czytelnikom. Bohaterowie są zróżnicowani, każdy znajdzie kogoś, komu będzie kibicować. Moją ulubioną pandką stała się Ulewa.
Jeśli szukasz wartościowej książki, która jednocześnie zapewni dużo rozrywki - polecam.
November 18, 2022
Again, really like all the characters except Rain, especially Shiver the cute snow leopard. And the fact that the story is acknowledging clashing religions unlike the other Erin Hunter series, but it kind of felt like nothing really happened in this book. It was kind of stupid. Plus, Rain proceeded to be even more insufferable than the last book and her irritating attitude makes it near impossible to read her chapters. Also, someone else made a point of how the plot of this book relies on a lot of confusion and misunderstandings, and I'm inclined to agree with them. I wish more would happen in the book, and maybe the supporting characters could be developed to. Why is Sunset afraid to give up power? Why wouldn't he be happy to relinquish the heavy burden to three younger pandas? Maybe they'll explain that in the next book? Would I read it??? Would Rain stop being SO ANNOYING?
Well anyways, hope y'all enjoyed the book more than I did lol.
Well anyways, hope y'all enjoyed the book more than I did lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
A very speedy one-day read for me, a very typical Erin Hunter book. I felt that the inspiration for this second book especially is heavily from their other series in terms of plot devices.
For the first 50% of the book, I was just breezing along the story and waiting to see what was to happen and it was very much feeling like a 3-star read but then Hunter threw some tender emotions my way, and finally, some character growth (Rain! finally girl you was hella stubborn as hell)and the pieces are finally slowly starting to fall into place.
I am now anticipating the 3rd book to see how events unveil themselves and to see more of Shiver, she's my favorite side character I've read in a while, highly pleased that she's not blind, unlike the others.
For the first 50% of the book, I was just breezing along the story and waiting to see what was to happen and it was very much feeling like a 3-star read but then Hunter threw some tender emotions my way, and finally, some character growth (Rain! finally girl you was hella stubborn as hell)and the pieces are finally slowly starting to fall into place.
I am now anticipating the 3rd book to see how events unveil themselves and to see more of Shiver, she's my favorite side character I've read in a while, highly pleased that she's not blind, unlike the others.
October 14, 2024
Y voy con la segunda parte de los “pandas y leopardos” que me sorprendieron tanto en la primera entrega de esta saga. La trama continúa exactamente donde se quedó la anterior, con Fantasma, Hoja y Lluvia separados, pero con un fin conjunto, como trillizos que nacieron.
La lectura tiene mucha velocidad y la trama se va hilando poco a poco, si le tengo que poner un pero, es que me ha parecido más corta que la anterior y me ha dejado con ganas de más, se corta justo en lo mejor, me toca esperar a que el siguiente salga traducido.
Una lectura que aconsejo a todo el mundo que le guste leer sobre aventuras de peludos.
La lectura tiene mucha velocidad y la trama se va hilando poco a poco, si le tengo que poner un pero, es que me ha parecido más corta que la anterior y me ha dejado con ganas de más, se corta justo en lo mejor, me toca esperar a que el siguiente salga traducido.
Una lectura que aconsejo a todo el mundo que le guste leer sobre aventuras de peludos.
June 20, 2022
The similarities to Bravelands is uncanny…
I liked the story, but to blatantly rip off parts of one of her previous plots for a completely different series (and, obviously, with Warriors this happens a lot, but this is now happening ACROSS series) greatly annoys me. The concept of spirituality is the same, the relationship between Sunset and Ghost is vis-à-vis Stinger and Thorn/Fearless, Sunset is false akin to Stinger, etc etc. Meh.
I like the characters and where things are headed, but the rip-off similarities kind of disappointed me.
I liked the story, but to blatantly rip off parts of one of her previous plots for a completely different series (and, obviously, with Warriors this happens a lot, but this is now happening ACROSS series) greatly annoys me. The concept of spirituality is the same, the relationship between Sunset and Ghost is vis-à-vis Stinger and Thorn/Fearless, Sunset is false akin to Stinger, etc etc. Meh.
I like the characters and where things are headed, but the rip-off similarities kind of disappointed me.
January 1, 2023
In River of Secrets the story continues where Creatures of the flood left us.
Sunset have discovers about the triplets cubs but don't know their names yet. He wants to find them and prevent the prophecy that will only get in his way. Ghost is struggling in his new panda life and will fall under Sunset spell doing his bidding but eventually realize that something is not rigth. Rain and Leaf have part ways. Rain will confront Sunset but only to get exiled with her mother. And Leaf is on her way to the Dragon Mountain with Dasher.
I have love this one and cannot wait to the next book.
Sunset have discovers about the triplets cubs but don't know their names yet. He wants to find them and prevent the prophecy that will only get in his way. Ghost is struggling in his new panda life and will fall under Sunset spell doing his bidding but eventually realize that something is not rigth. Rain and Leaf have part ways. Rain will confront Sunset but only to get exiled with her mother. And Leaf is on her way to the Dragon Mountain with Dasher.
I have love this one and cannot wait to the next book.
March 24, 2023
A perfect continuation of the first book River of Secrets focuses more on Rain and Ghost's story. I'm honestly not sure what to say that won't spoil something.. other then that I greatly enjoyed the book.
The new character, Pepper, is an interesting character that adds an extra dose of chaos to an already complicated world. This book is huge for Ghost's character development as he is forced to come to terms with the differences between his old world and his new one. I can not wait to read the third one.
The new character, Pepper, is an interesting character that adds an extra dose of chaos to an already complicated world. This book is huge for Ghost's character development as he is forced to come to terms with the differences between his old world and his new one. I can not wait to read the third one.
September 20, 2024
The story thickens!
Noticing a lot of parallels between this and Bravelands/Seekers. Oh well, at least it's content.
Noticing a lot of parallels between this and Bravelands/Seekers. Oh well, at least it's content.
September 7, 2022
3.5 stars. Read it with my 8-yr-old. She loves the series and wanted to introduce them to me. Maybe it’s the pacing and I’m not reading it all at once, but I found the characters hard to keep track of and follow. Happy she likes them and I want to know what happens in the next book.
January 23, 2024
I read this book last year and I forgot to write a review so I don’t remember much about it. I do know that this is the book where sunset traps rain in the hole at least… I think so. I’m going to have to reread this and then I’ll write another review I do remember that I enjoyed this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
The Bamboo Kingdom series is definitely one of my all time favourite series. I recommend this book to anyone who likes animals… but I’m sure that there is something in this book for everyone. It has stunning detail.
May 22, 2024
Overall not very interesting. I feel like nothing happened throughout this entire book. I am still curious about what's to happen next and I do really love this setting so I'll give the next book a try too.
June 16, 2024
Ten tom jest jeszcze lepszy od poprzedniego! Tutaj akcja rozkręca się na maksa. Główni bohaterowie całkowicie się od siebie różnią, i są w innych sytuacjach. Mają inne problemy, ale wciąż dążą do spotkania się i wypełnienia przeznaczenia. Wciąż są tak blisko, a jednak tak daleko.
July 3, 2022
Had me on the edge of my seat I couldn’t put it down. Finished in one day.
August 7, 2022
It's good. I loved it.
November 28, 2022
Bamboo Kingdom, Book 2: River of Secrets is the sequel to Bamboo Kingdom. Book 1: Creatures of the Flood. It was really good.
June 23, 2023
My son is loving this series as I read it aloud—the characters are fun, some heroic, and some dastardly. Lots of intrigue happening amongst the pandas and monkeys, haha…Who knew?
July 6, 2023
I LOVE IT SO MUCH!
July 12, 2023
Kocham tą serię 💗💗💗
July 30, 2023
I liked this second book better then the first because it was more action-packed and exciting. I am excited to read the 3rd book.
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