Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials

Cameron Battle #2

by Jamar J. Perry

Fans of Rick Riordan will lose themselves in the exciting world of Chidani--where the last descendant must fight to save the world!

After his first adventure as the Descendant, Cameron can't sit through seventh grade classes. Especially when his mother is still trapped in Chidani and his father is still missing. But he encounters a particularly nasty bully in his new school, and it doesn't take long for Cameron and his trusty friends Zion and Aliyah to realize that the troubles of Chidani won't stay away for long.

With the Book to guide them, Cameron and his crew end up transported to Chidani sooner than anticipated--and the gods and goddesses they encounter don't intend to make Cameron's journey easy. Can he finally outwit and outlast the villainous god set on destroying their worlds?

Inspired by West African and Igbo history and mythology, this middle-grade fantasy celebrates the triumphs and challenges of a boy finding his path to greatness.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult, Queer, Childrens, LGBT

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 2023

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

After his adventures in Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdom, Cameron goes against his grandmother's wishes and returns to Chidani to try to save his mother with Aliyah and his best friend and crush, Zion. While he doesn't achieve everything he hopes, he does wrap up his search in a satisfactory way. This feels like the end of the series, but I could be wrong. The first book in this series is popular in my library, so I'll definitely be buying this second volume, and it was good to see the LGBTQIA+ representation more clearly, with Cameron and Zion finally embracing the true nature of their relationship.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials wraps up what was started in book one. This concluding novel picks up about a few months after the events of book one.

Now, I did not enjoy this book as much as book one, but it had a satisfying ending. I think what was missed in this book was a lot of the heart that book one had. I do enjoy that the relationship between Cameron and Zion was fleshed out a little more, but the story kind of forced it. Now that is not me saying it is a bad thing, I just wished it felt more fluid. I love seeing LGBTQ+ representation in middle grade though. I know this book is titled "Escape Trials," but that part of the book was a meager 10 pages or so. Seemed like a missed opportunity. I know what your thinking, "It's just a title," but it really felt like an after thought, the Escape Trials.

Jamar J. Perry is just starting out as an author, and I think the Cameron Battle series shows a lot of promise. I am really looking forward to seeing Jamar J. Perry continue his journey as a published author.

[Cheyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ CW: bullying, fantasy violence

Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials by Jamar J. Perry is book two in the Cameron Battle duology. This was an okay middle grade series. I've definitely read better, but I did really appreciate reading about a little gay, black boy with magic, and Igbo mythology.

We pick up with Cameron, Aliyah, and Zion after the events of book one, while they are at school. All Cameron can think about is getting back to Chidani to save his mom and dad. When Cameron starts getting bullied by his classmate Vince, he realizes that the classmate has been possessed by mmo, and he and his friends get pulled into a portal and thrust back in Chidani.

When Vince fell into Chidani, he was taken by the goddess Ala, and Cameron ends up having to let her take Zion too. The only way to save both Vince and Zion is to complete the Escape Trials: one a game of wit, and one a game of love. Cameron has to face some hard truths about the fate of his mother and face his feelings for Zion.

I did enjoy this one more than book one, but I felt that the escape trials were a pretty small part, which felt weird since that's the name of the book. Most of the book was Cameron trying to figure out his summoning magic with the Book, and trying to figure out how to get his mom's soul back from Amina. I felt like Cameron didn't have enough growth throughout the book, and I didn't love that he was bent on killing Amina. Some of the other elements just felt a bit rushed since it was a short book, and I felt the world-building would have been better served if it were a trilogy instead.

This was still a fun story with great representation. I love seeing Black Boy Magic and that Cameron and Zion got to have a happy ending.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! This is the type of book I would have like to read when I was a child: fast paced and compelling, entertaining and thought provoking.
An excellent story that can be appreciated by children and adults.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Caitie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am biased, but this is the perfect ending to one of the best middle grade fantasy duologies!

[Lovely Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and Jamar for providing me with a copy of Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials for review.

This is an amazing book. It is a Middle Grade book with a queer black MC and amazing West African mythology. LOVE. This book is a great MG book, it has everything that I am looking for in a fast paced fantasy. What is not fast paced is the love story, which is inline with basically every MG series ever so hopefully there is more to come.

I really really enjoyed the first book in this series, my review of that was:

"Tweenie Queer book! I love what this book brings to the table and what future books in the series can offer. Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by @jamarjperry

I was very excited by this book being compared to the Percy Jackson books with a queer black boy as the MC. It is not immediately obvious from this book that the MC is queer but there are the foundations of a queer romance. I enjoyed the world creation and look forward to exploring the world of Chidani and the queer romance in future books."

My thoughts remain the same, there is a future for these books to depict queer black teens in such a meaningful way. I love Cameron and Zion. I need to see this romance blossom. There is also so much more room to explore the Mythology and the world of Chidani which educates and informs children as well as entertains.

Having read the first book almost a year ago I really needed a recap on what was what and who was who before diving into this.

TL;DR If you like the Percy Jackson universe but want some black queer rep then this will be right up your alley.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dived right into this after finishing the 1st book. I think I enjoyed the 1st book more, but I still had a great time with this. This just didn’t have as much warmth & heart as the 1st I guess. Cameron was also a little mean & bratty at times in here, & while I get that, I didn’t necessarily like that. I still loved Chidani so much, & LOVED all the knew places, people, & beings we got to see in this one. Everything is always so vividly described in such amazing imaginative detail that I eat it up! The ending was satisfying, yet bittersweet to me. It wrapped up like it was the end & going to stay a duology as well, but not sure. Loved the writing, the characters, & the mythology/folklore so much. BEAUTIFUL cover by Raymond Sebastien too.💜

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers who have been eagerly awaiting the sequel to Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms can relax now as they find out how their hero fares in his second visit to the land of Chidani. Cameron and his friends Zion and Aliyah return to complete their quest and save Queen Ramala and her kingdom. There is plenty of action - riding gryphons, fighting ghosts, mastering trials of reasoning and bravery, exploring under the sea - these kids do not sit still for long (unless they are grabbing a meal).

The West African and Igbo history and mythology that form the basis for Chidani and vibrant and rich. Everything from gods and goddesses, mermaids, the gryphons, healing sprites, and magical weapons work their way into the story. And it is not all about physical courage - there are matters of the heart, too. Cameron has been working out the nature of his love for his best friend Zion throughout both books and that relationship is explored in quieter moments between battles. He must also decide how to react when a bully from their new middle school is swept into Chidani with them.

For those looking for a middle grade series with a Black protagonist and African traditions as part of the book's setting and characters, this is a story to pick up or recommend to others. The conclusion of the book could be the end of the series - it draws everything together. But as the chosen Descendant, Cameron and his besties could have more adventures in the future. Who knows?

[Victoria Vivente · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials, Jamar J. Perry plunges readers back into the rich, mythic world of Chidani with even higher stakes and deeper challenges. Cameron, the Descendant, struggles to focus on seventh grade while his mother remains trapped and his father is missing. But Chidani’s troubles won’t stay away, forcing Cameron and his loyal friends Zion and Aliyah to return far sooner than expected, only to face trials set by the gods themselves.

Perry expertly balances the relatable pressures of middle school with epic, West African and Igbo mythology-inspired fantasy. The action is relentless, the magical trials are inventive, and the emotional core, Cameron’s determination to save his family and protect two worlds, is powerfully compelling. The friendships feel authentic, and the exploration of heritage, destiny, and courage is woven seamlessly into the thrilling plot.

A fantastic, fast-paced sequel that expands the mythology and raises the stakes, perfect for fans of quests where the greatest magic is the hero’s own unwavering heart.

[Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid. Still not my favorite but the writing /story felt more clear than the first one. I think the narration does this book a little bit of a disservice. It’s not bad by any means. But a more enthusiastic narrator would really jazz it up I think. That said, these things cost so it is what it is.

I noticed that MC was extra handsy at weird times through out the book. Started realizing why. I wish that was integrated a bit better. That part of the plot line didn’t flow very well.

I LOVED the scene with the mermaid king. That’s all I’ll say. But it was quite lovely. And all the food and the house shoe at the end 🥰🥰

I’m also glad they are now in middle school. The elementary age didn’t fit. This new middle schooler doesn’t quite either. I just mentally place them in 7/8th grade to make it make more sense.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent. Marvelous. Captivating! This sequel continues Cameron’s story and his tender relationship and valuing of family (his mother in particular) is especially endearing. Cameron has a big heart and is utterly capable in the trials set before him. We did this as a read-aloud. Cameron Battle is the kid everyone dreams of befriending, a brave yet kind soul, one this world has in spades if we can only let ourselves see!! And embrace. Highly recommend.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as the first book but not terrible either. I loved seeing Cameron embrace his feelings more towards Zion. That representation was nice to witness.
This entry just didn’t possess the same fire as book 1.
Passing this along to a student when the school year starts though because representation matters 🖤✨

[Zelda Z. Knight]

Need to check out the first.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

My only problem was that I never forgot I was reading a book. With good books I tend to forget that.

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first one but wasn't as much of a fan of this one.

[Corey Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing seemingly end to the series

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much emotion and anger, but I did like the ending

[STU JAXON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book better than the first one of you like fighting and action

[Caoilo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ), Bloomsbury Children's Books for an e-ARC for review.


Cameron and his friends have only been home in the US about two months but Cameron already knows that they need to return to Chidani soon. But a lot of things stand in Cameron's way least of all his grandmother. Destiny has other plans and Cameron is out of time and choices. He, Zion and Aliyah are transported to Chidani without warning.

They come up against new foes and old. The team soon find out that all Gods are the same. While the trio find them selves in new places the situation is usually the same, win or someone dies.

There were the usual themes present, love, family, connection, right and wrong, good and evil. Though at least in this book we may have seen some gray areas when it came to good and evil.

Unfortunately this book did not hit the same way the first one did. Expressions were over used, there were some parts that were predictable and situations seemed to be repeated. Part of the story also feel contradictory. And while the book is named Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials, the trials themselves only last a few short chapters. There was so much in this book, there could have been a third installment. Though over all I'm glad there wasn't.

Aliyah was all but a third wheel and all the main action seemed surround the two boys. Again she felt like the token girl.

I hate to say it but I did notice an undercurrent of sexism. There were a few things that annoyed me. The most noticeable is when Cameron is thinking about his time with his father. He remembers how his dad would make him breakfast on a Saturday if his mother wanted a lay in. as if it were her job.
Though the book was supposed to cause Cameron pain as some sort of spider-sense, warning Cameron of danger ect, as a disabled person who suffers with chronic pain I found this an ableist trope. Not to mention there was a magic potion that could heal everything.

While in the book Cameron and Zion's relationship is not frowned upon by those in Chidani it certainly would be in real life Nigeria. Which as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, just like the writer, I find this conflicting . Would it be great if the community was excepted, yes. But it isn't, so there is no way Cam and Zion would be aloud to share a bed. Horrific things have been done to gay people in Nigeria.

I think the book could have focused on the slavery suffered by the Igbo people but I feel the whole thing just got lost. There seemed too much to be going on in the book at once. Can Cam save Vince, can Cam save Zion, can Cam save Chidani, can he find the ring, save his parents, and Earth, can he kill the baddies.

To be honest by the end I didn't really care about the story. Part of that was due to the falseness of the characters. They were always on the brink of an argument and quickly became friends again, but then do the exact same thing that started the argument in the first place. It annoyed me no end that the characters repeated information over and over. They seemed to have the same conversation repeatedly, with nothing new to add or gain. Almost like Perry had forgotten that a character already said it. Again it didn't help that Cam, Zion and A did not speak like American teenagers, more like English professors. If they did sound more authentic then the Gods would have sounded different from them but all the characters had the same speech pattern.

While the last few chapters were emotion I definitely understand why it is for a much younger audience than me. I have so much more to say but I will leave it with this.

As I said about the last one:

If you are looking for book with a friendship like Harry Potter, baddies reminiscent of Lord of the Rings, a quest like both, POC characters and set in a hidden place like Wakanda this is for you 100%.
Do expect tears at the end.

[Brittany Boggess · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids and I loved the first book. This one was enjoyable just didn’t catch my attention like the first one.