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School of Roots and Vines #2

Sophie Briggs and the Crystal Contraption

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The second semester has begun for the Life Elemental, Sophie Briggs and her friends at the famous School of Roots and Vines. Things are changing and it may not be for the best.

Even Sophie is changing, though she doesn’t see her new abilities, yet.

Just what is going on?

A new girl comes to the school and it’s not too long before the fabled tree of Thicket Hall is turning against Sophie and her friends and no longer trusts them.

Someone new has stepped up, but who?

Something’s not right and Sophie and her friends are going to have to figure out what’s going on or it just might be the end of the school and the old oak tree – permanently.

Is the new girl behind this? Is she the new Marcus?

Can Sophie figure out what’s going on and get her friends to work together to stop it in time?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2022

181 people are currently reading
50 people want to read

About the author

Martha Carr

561 books766 followers
Okay, I'm a late bloomer who's a big DC comics fan and spent my childhood summers on the Jersey shore but I was born under a wandering star and have lived in different parts of America ever since. That's enough about me. Need to feel inspired today? Looking for something to make you root for an ordinary hero? I'm all about that in everything I write.

I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.

There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.

Thank you for checking out my stories!

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5 stars
150 (61%)
4 stars
63 (25%)
3 stars
27 (11%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Katy.
1,494 reviews10 followers
October 28, 2024
Well!

Book Two lived up to its promise, as Sophie Briggs does best what is important to her, and tries to keep Thicket Hall safe, while causing her friends much consternation, as she befriends Marcus, the Death Magic Student who had caused so many problems the previous Semester.

As usual, Sophie gets much right, & a few things very wrong, which causes cracks in her much loved circle of friends, as well as causing Thicket Hall to withdraw from her, but Sophie is just as stubborn as she is loving, and she's determined to make everything right, for Thicket Hall, and for every single one of her friends, old and new!

I did enjoy this - even the actual school stuff - even if NONE of it is familiar, with me being from the UK, and this set in the USA - plus it being 46 years since I left my own Senior school!

But I thoroughly enjoyed the friendships, the emotions, and the characters, as they grappled with all those teen emotions, plus working out how to vocalise their mixed feelings.

It brought back a few bittersweet memories, as the characters examined their motivations which, of course, is a universal thing that never changes, no matter what time in history, nor how old we get, if we're lucky!

Now that I've finished book two, I'll be going straight on to Book Three: 'Sophie Briggs and the Lightening Weapon', so I can find out what's happening at Thicket Hall when the next Semester starts.

Then, once I've read that, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think of it!
Profile Image for Alex Shrugged.
2,753 reviews30 followers
January 5, 2025
Despite the sexy cover, this is a fairly tame young teen romance. I enjoyed it for what it was.

In this story, the focus is once more on the Tree of Thicket Hall that Sophie can talk to. It carries a magical power that someone is trying to tap into... someone with ill intent. A new girl has transferred to the School of Roots and Vines and has similar powers to Sophie. She seems to get closer to the Tree than Sophie does and this creates some tension. Also Sophie seems to have a new love interest.

I almost gave this book 2 stars. The plot was so similar to the previous book in the series that it seemed like a rewrite, but once I read the next book in the series I began to see how this book was transitional, introducing certain characters and elements to the story line that will be needed later.

Other than some chaste kissing, I didn't see anything particularly immodest about this young teen romance.

The ending seemed to follow along the same path as the previous novel in the series. There seems to be a pattern evolving.

I'm not sure if I would read this book again unless it was part of an other all reading of the series.
570 reviews
October 18, 2022
3 Words: Cute, easy and most importantly, FUN!

This is a more lighthearted and gentle read then any other of LMBPN’s offerings. Even the battle scenes are gentle. Best of all, absolutely NONE of that has any impact on the fantabulous writing and story telling that we come to expect from what I very affectionately like to call the Mike and Martha Show. They both have incredible strengths in their writing, but together they are so much more and truly outshine every other collaborative effort either has supported with other writers.

This isn’t a stand-alone book, but I always read new series “episodes” with an eye to how it would read for someone finding this book in isolation and as an introduction to the larger series. I think I can faithfully say that this can be read with very little list of you’re thinking of picking it up for the first time. And if this is your first visit to the Mike and Martha Show, take a seat, get comfortable and ENJOY!
Profile Image for Julie.
933 reviews
October 25, 2022
Good changes

Sophie and her friends are all back in school and once again there are some strange things going on. Sophie has to figure out what's going on and at the same time figure out some things that are changing with her and her friends. Very enjoyable series, I like all the characters, good and bad and really like the storylines. The books are never dull and I am looking forward to more in the series.
302 reviews1 follower
October 14, 2022
Redemption for Marcus

Marcus hit rock bottom at the end of the last book. But he has a plan to get on a better path. A plan that will cause some upheval and a little chaos.

Connor still has his get rich scheme.

A fair amount of action, a reasonable amount of social interaction, and an acceptable amount of teen angst.

Eagerly awaiting the next book!
677 reviews
June 24, 2023
Superb series, constantly exciting and entertaining!!!!!

Congratulations to Martha Carr and Michael Anderle for this amazing series. It’s extremely hard to find such intexresting and exciting authors who not only write intelligently but also provide top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories. I’m really looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Patricia Goodson.
81 reviews6 followers
October 27, 2022
Great Adventure

Problems come up. Marcus has changed and grows closer to him when her boyfriend dumps her. More problems with the magic tree.
Profile Image for Jeff.
1,637 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2022
Awesome story

I have enjoyed this wonderful heartfelt fun adventure of Sophie and the students of The school of Roots and Vines.
1 review
November 24, 2022
Easy Read

Steady story line that kept my attention. I read number one and I'm on to number three. Can't wait to read more!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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