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Atlantis #2
Return to Atlantis
From the author of the Pegasus series comes the second book in a spellbinding fantasy series for fans of Rick Riordan and Shannon Messenger, in which Riley’s return home is short-lived and full of unforeseen danger.
Riley thought that her adventure was over when she arrived back home in Colorado. Although she misses her dad, she’s back with her mom and brother and has caught up with her classes at school. Though Maggie, Pea, and her aunt have to hide in their basement apartment during the day, they are making the most of things and settling into their new life.
But things get much more complicated when a gang of thieves plagues Riley’s neighborhood and her family takes in a group of children who don’t know about the Atlanteans living in the basement. To make matters worse, the Atlanteans are becoming gravely ill, and everyone starts to worry that they may not be able to survive so far from the island’s magic.
As tensions escalate, their only option is to return to Atlantis—and face all the enemies they made during their escape, plus a few new ones.
Riley thought that her adventure was over when she arrived back home in Colorado. Although she misses her dad, she’s back with her mom and brother and has caught up with her classes at school. Though Maggie, Pea, and her aunt have to hide in their basement apartment during the day, they are making the most of things and settling into their new life.
But things get much more complicated when a gang of thieves plagues Riley’s neighborhood and her family takes in a group of children who don’t know about the Atlanteans living in the basement. To make matters worse, the Atlanteans are becoming gravely ill, and everyone starts to worry that they may not be able to survive so far from the island’s magic.
As tensions escalate, their only option is to return to Atlantis—and face all the enemies they made during their escape, plus a few new ones.
464 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2023
14 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Kate O'Hearn
45 books943 followersKate O'Hearn was born in Toronto Canada, but raised in the heart of New York City and has lived in many places throughout her life. These days, she calls the south coast of England home. She has 3 brothers, no sisters and is passionate about animals and their causes and has many animal friends. (Pets)
Over the course of her life she has had several careers before finding her real love, writing children's books. Being the only girl in family of boys, she grew up a true tom-boy and always loved books with high adventure. But one of the problems she discovered was a lack of female leads in these adventure books.
When she started to write, Kate decided to address this imbalance and now writes high fantasy adventures with strong, compassionate and adventure loving girl heroes. There are plenty of boys in the story to keep it interesting and challenging, but she believes that a girl hero can be as brave, strong and adventurous as a boy.
She insists that adventures are for everyone!
So come and enjoy a few adventures with her...
Over the course of her life she has had several careers before finding her real love, writing children's books. Being the only girl in family of boys, she grew up a true tom-boy and always loved books with high adventure. But one of the problems she discovered was a lack of female leads in these adventure books.
When she started to write, Kate decided to address this imbalance and now writes high fantasy adventures with strong, compassionate and adventure loving girl heroes. There are plenty of boys in the story to keep it interesting and challenging, but she believes that a girl hero can be as brave, strong and adventurous as a boy.
She insists that adventures are for everyone!
So come and enjoy a few adventures with her...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2024
Some characters were very cute in this book! I loved the dynamics between Riley and Bastain!
May 1, 2025
After a fairly strong first book, I was looking forward to continuing this Atlantis series. I was curious on how things would continue, seeing as how the main characters returned how with some new friends. The book picks up not long after the last one ended and we go from there, first with Riley and Alfie back home to the modern world, then having o eventually return to Atlantis.
And unfortunately, this sequel dropped the ball. for starters, it taes almost till 3/4 of the book to actually get to Atlantis. A huge chunk of the book is first spent on the kids back home and not liking it, then the kids and their Atlantean friends getting sick and having to return to Atlantis. Personally, I wasn't a fan of that, as it basically means that anyone who goes to Atlantis is doomed to remain there forever, whether they like it or not. It feels very limiting.
The book started decently enough, as we watched how Alfie has moved in with Riley, her mom Beverly and brother Danny, and they have their Atlantean friends with them, who are mystified by the modern world; I tend to quite enjoy stories where those who don't know of the modern world (or even planet Earth) get used to modern day life and all that comes with it, so even small details like the Atlanteans enjoying pizza and soap operas was fun. But soon enough things start to go downhill, as the story becomes repetitive as can be.Riley and Alfie not getting used to being back, missing Atlantis, not feeling well, talk about returning to Atlantis, and rinse and repeat, over and over again. It gets to the point of being very bring and tedious to get through, and I found myself annoyed by it. When they finally get to Atlantis, the book does pick up in terms of the story, but by then, it felt like a case of too little tooo late, as it took well past half of the book to get there.
It doesn't help that the first book already had a number of characters, and this one introduces a whole heap more, whether they end up at Atlantis or not. There were way too many characters to keep track of, and not all their stories were engaging, some were not even important enough that it made me wonder why they were even put in the book, Probably just to pad out the story even more. Then there's the double standards, to put it that way, regarding Atlantis. Riley and Alfie, especially Riley, spend a big chunk of the book singing praises about Atlantis and wishing they could go back, even though in this place they experienced lies, manipulation, gaslighting attempts on their life, and Alfie even got literally drugged against his will to be made compliant, on top of the discrimination that those changing go through, which feels like outright racism. But then there are occasions when the kids bring up the things that are wrong with Atlantis, only to go right back to thinking it's the best place ever. It feels like the author wanting to have a cake and eat it too, and it didn't work. Pick a lane and stick to it.
There were more things about the book that annoyed me. For starters, the romance aspect, even if it can be called that. As a non-romance fan, I can handle it if done well, but that's only if it's adults. Teenage romance is bad, and what's even worse, kid romance, which this book has, namely with Riley and Bastian. It's about as lifeless and obnoxious as it gets, pretty much amounting to the kids feeling all fluttery and giddy and all "I like you, tee-hee". Not to mention that it plays to that cliched stereotype that I absolutely despise, the one where guys and girls can't simply be just friends. Then there was the very old fashioned, overly formal way the kids spoke in. It happened a few times in the first book, but then it happened a lot here. Bastian speaking like that is understandable given his time period and upraising, but Riley, Alfie and the others have no excuse, kids nowadays don't talk like that. Finally, the main threat in the near end of the book, the Atlantis portion, happened only because Riley was a complete moron, and I'm no fan of stories moving along based on characters' stupid decisions. And at the end of the day, we're still left with way more questions than answers, just like in the first book.
While the first book had flaws but was quite enjoyable, this second book dropped the ball big-time. It wasn't outright terrible, but it was pretty dang bad. The only reason I don't give it a 1 star rating is because of Gideon and Pea, both characters who are very likable and an absolute delight in their own ways. But unfortunately, a couple of likable characters can't salvage a badly told story. There's only one book remaining in the series, and I doubt that all the unanswered questions can be answered in that one, especially if the author meanders around rather than get to the point, like it happened here. I doubt I'll pick up and read the final book. I hate leaving stories unfinished, but this entry of the trilogy completely made me lose interest in it.
And unfortunately, this sequel dropped the ball. for starters, it taes almost till 3/4 of the book to actually get to Atlantis. A huge chunk of the book is first spent on the kids back home and not liking it, then the kids and their Atlantean friends getting sick and having to return to Atlantis. Personally, I wasn't a fan of that, as it basically means that anyone who goes to Atlantis is doomed to remain there forever, whether they like it or not. It feels very limiting.
The book started decently enough, as we watched how Alfie has moved in with Riley, her mom Beverly and brother Danny, and they have their Atlantean friends with them, who are mystified by the modern world; I tend to quite enjoy stories where those who don't know of the modern world (or even planet Earth) get used to modern day life and all that comes with it, so even small details like the Atlanteans enjoying pizza and soap operas was fun. But soon enough things start to go downhill, as the story becomes repetitive as can be.Riley and Alfie not getting used to being back, missing Atlantis, not feeling well, talk about returning to Atlantis, and rinse and repeat, over and over again. It gets to the point of being very bring and tedious to get through, and I found myself annoyed by it. When they finally get to Atlantis, the book does pick up in terms of the story, but by then, it felt like a case of too little tooo late, as it took well past half of the book to get there.
It doesn't help that the first book already had a number of characters, and this one introduces a whole heap more, whether they end up at Atlantis or not. There were way too many characters to keep track of, and not all their stories were engaging, some were not even important enough that it made me wonder why they were even put in the book, Probably just to pad out the story even more. Then there's the double standards, to put it that way, regarding Atlantis. Riley and Alfie, especially Riley, spend a big chunk of the book singing praises about Atlantis and wishing they could go back, even though in this place they experienced lies, manipulation, gaslighting attempts on their life, and Alfie even got literally drugged against his will to be made compliant, on top of the discrimination that those changing go through, which feels like outright racism. But then there are occasions when the kids bring up the things that are wrong with Atlantis, only to go right back to thinking it's the best place ever. It feels like the author wanting to have a cake and eat it too, and it didn't work. Pick a lane and stick to it.
There were more things about the book that annoyed me. For starters, the romance aspect, even if it can be called that. As a non-romance fan, I can handle it if done well, but that's only if it's adults. Teenage romance is bad, and what's even worse, kid romance, which this book has, namely with Riley and Bastian. It's about as lifeless and obnoxious as it gets, pretty much amounting to the kids feeling all fluttery and giddy and all "I like you, tee-hee". Not to mention that it plays to that cliched stereotype that I absolutely despise, the one where guys and girls can't simply be just friends. Then there was the very old fashioned, overly formal way the kids spoke in. It happened a few times in the first book, but then it happened a lot here. Bastian speaking like that is understandable given his time period and upraising, but Riley, Alfie and the others have no excuse, kids nowadays don't talk like that. Finally, the main threat in the near end of the book, the Atlantis portion, happened only because Riley was a complete moron, and I'm no fan of stories moving along based on characters' stupid decisions. And at the end of the day, we're still left with way more questions than answers, just like in the first book.
While the first book had flaws but was quite enjoyable, this second book dropped the ball big-time. It wasn't outright terrible, but it was pretty dang bad. The only reason I don't give it a 1 star rating is because of Gideon and Pea, both characters who are very likable and an absolute delight in their own ways. But unfortunately, a couple of likable characters can't salvage a badly told story. There's only one book remaining in the series, and I doubt that all the unanswered questions can be answered in that one, especially if the author meanders around rather than get to the point, like it happened here. I doubt I'll pick up and read the final book. I hate leaving stories unfinished, but this entry of the trilogy completely made me lose interest in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2024
Riley, Alfie and Afie’s mom Mary (monkey) return home to the US bringing Bastian and Mrs. Pigglesworth (dog), Pea (Koala) and Maggie (leopard). They move in with Riley’s mom Dr. Beverly and her brother Danny in Denver. But due to their animal characteristics, the Atlanteans have to stay in the basement.
But things don’t go well. Riley and Alfie return to school, but they’re picked on due to they’re unexplained disappearance. Then the headaches begin. And they also take on 5 abandoned children.
Footnote: 1) I’m surprised that with Riley’s dad being a marine biologist that they didn’t live somewhere closer to the ocean instead of Denver. Afterall, her mom being a doctor, she could find a job almost anywhere. 2) They weight on that motorhome must be tremendous.
Fave Scenes: first visit to the lake, Gideon threatening Mike, getting away from the Coast Guard and the baby unicorn.
But things don’t go well. Riley and Alfie return to school, but they’re picked on due to they’re unexplained disappearance. Then the headaches begin. And they also take on 5 abandoned children.
Footnote: 1) I’m surprised that with Riley’s dad being a marine biologist that they didn’t live somewhere closer to the ocean instead of Denver. Afterall, her mom being a doctor, she could find a job almost anywhere. 2) They weight on that motorhome must be tremendous.
Fave Scenes: first visit to the lake, Gideon threatening Mike, getting away from the Coast Guard and the baby unicorn.
August 28, 2023
3.5 stars
book 2 in series
Riley is back in Colorado with her mom and brother after escaping from Atlantis, even though she had to leave her dad behind. But things aren't the same with her best friend anymore and hiding the Atlanteans in their basement gets difficult when they take in some people who need shelter. Not only that but those who had been in Atlantis are starting to get sick and it looks like the only way to save them is to go back.
Give this to your fans of Shannon Messenger and Rick Riordan. Fun and engaging read, especially for a sequel. Can be read without book 1 but better with it to know the characters, setting, etc.
book 2 in series
Riley is back in Colorado with her mom and brother after escaping from Atlantis, even though she had to leave her dad behind. But things aren't the same with her best friend anymore and hiding the Atlanteans in their basement gets difficult when they take in some people who need shelter. Not only that but those who had been in Atlantis are starting to get sick and it looks like the only way to save them is to go back.
Give this to your fans of Shannon Messenger and Rick Riordan. Fun and engaging read, especially for a sequel. Can be read without book 1 but better with it to know the characters, setting, etc.
January 7, 2023
My daughter really like this authors books. Says this one is a good one...so good she stayed up until midnight on a school night to read it.
Want to read
January 10, 2024SM
April 10, 2024
I might have written this review a little bit after I read the book, but I must tell you it was such a creative book with an amazing plot. It has been a while since I have read a Kate O'Hearn book, and I am so excited to get back into her amazing books about Atlantis and more! I would rate this book 5 stars because overall it was a good book (and I wouldn't change the star rating of it), but the plot line went a little run on, and it kept repeating a bunch of situations like when everyone was on the road to Florida, the main character/narrator Riley kept saying the Atlanteans aren't well and they gotta hurry, but I find reasonable, but I don't want to be told over and over again how they gotta explain their situation to everyone that they want help from as something like we went on to explain our amazing adventure to Atlantis and back. But whatever, that was just me ranting, please don't take it to heart it is overall an incredible book, I would recommend to try to have the next book on hand because when it ends, you are left with something along the lines of an empty context.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
Solid four stars. While different from Escape from Atlantis, Return to Atlantis is still super easy to read and a fun story. But that’s it. The characters are still super one-dimensional. Even the new characters we meet with sad backstories have no real thoughts on anything beyond simple things. It makes the story, while fun, seem empty. You can have a story for middle-graders that has development. Trust me, kids aren’t stupid, they can handle it. Poor Alfie, man. He had so much potential and was just forgotten for the entire middle of the book. Not to mention the Riley x Sebastian romance. I saw it coming last book when it was basically TOLD TO US that it would happen, but it still just came out of nowhere from the start of this book. Riley had 0 romantic thoughts on Bastian last book, then we start this one and BAM. Total crush. And poor Bastian is so underdeveloped that he feels like a blank slate.
All that said, the story was super interesting and, of course, we haven’t been to normal land in these books yet, so the setting and the numerous obstacles stopping the group kept me invested. But I am VERY worried about the next book now that we’re back on Atlantis. It’s not a brand new setting anymore, which means this author’s lack of character writing will probably show through. I’m still going to read it, though, so we’ll see what happens.
All that said, the story was super interesting and, of course, we haven’t been to normal land in these books yet, so the setting and the numerous obstacles stopping the group kept me invested. But I am VERY worried about the next book now that we’re back on Atlantis. It’s not a brand new setting anymore, which means this author’s lack of character writing will probably show through. I’m still going to read it, though, so we’ll see what happens.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews