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The Power of Five #2
Evil Star
It began with Raven’s Gate.
But it’s not over yet.
Once again the enemy is stirring.
After defeating the Old ones at Raven’s Gate, Matt Freeman thought he could get on with his life. But someone has other ideas.
Far away in Peru a second gate is about to open. Only Matt has the power to stop the forces of darknesss breaking through, but now they know all about him. This time they’re going to destroy him first.
But it’s not over yet.
Once again the enemy is stirring.
After defeating the Old ones at Raven’s Gate, Matt Freeman thought he could get on with his life. But someone has other ideas.
Far away in Peru a second gate is about to open. Only Matt has the power to stop the forces of darknesss breaking through, but now they know all about him. This time they’re going to destroy him first.
350 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2006
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
345 books20.9k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 662 reviews
December 28, 2022
Overall Rating : B
I'm glad the books I read so long ago are still entertaining for me. Or perhaps it's just that I love this author so much that I can't hate anything he writes. Oh well, on to book 3!
I'm glad the books I read so long ago are still entertaining for me. Or perhaps it's just that I love this author so much that I can't hate anything he writes. Oh well, on to book 3!
August 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this second instalment. It jad a completely different tone to the first book which I loved, that's not to say that I didn't love the tone of fhe first book, it's just really interesting to see the tone of the story shift with each new setting. This book still had the creepy factor 100% and it was everything I expected and more! This book was quite funny, by no means hilarious, but I lolled quite a few times. The problem I had with the last book being that we didn't get to know Matt as a character was resolved in this book. There was much more character development and I feel like I know Matt as a character much better now. Of course I will be continuing on with the next book soon.
July 3, 2013
Ouch.
I really liked the first in this series. This one lost my interest early on. Maybe it's just me. I always say that when a series of books inexplicably seems to crash for me. Was it the writing? Was it the characterization? Was it simply this one volume?
I can't really say except that this seemed very repetitive. Our young hero whines about being "forced" into the situation. "I didn't ask for this", "Why me?" on and on. "I just want to be able to be normal", "I just want to be left alone". (Of course how many "YAs" not in a battle against ancient evil have whined "I didn't aaassskkk to be born"?) Meanwhile his "adult side-kick" agrees and tells him he's right it's not fair. There is of course the "shadowy group" constantly telling him things like, "but the whole world depends on you!", and "this is your destiny!", This is fate!", etc,etc.
The "plot points", who's on my side, which person belongs to what group? The story filled with chases, escapes and rescues in the end left me yawning. The lessons about the Nazca Lines old news (though I did agree with the comments on the failings of what passes for education today).
While there are differences in the book they don't seem all that different to me and in spite of the step moving our Over riding or background story onward I was just glad to move on and be through with this book.
Sorry if you like this one. I'm happy you like it. To me it was a sort of yawning place holder. To each I guess.
I really liked the first in this series. This one lost my interest early on. Maybe it's just me. I always say that when a series of books inexplicably seems to crash for me. Was it the writing? Was it the characterization? Was it simply this one volume?
I can't really say except that this seemed very repetitive. Our young hero whines about being "forced" into the situation. "I didn't ask for this", "Why me?" on and on. "I just want to be able to be normal", "I just want to be left alone". (Of course how many "YAs" not in a battle against ancient evil have whined "I didn't aaassskkk to be born"?) Meanwhile his "adult side-kick" agrees and tells him he's right it's not fair. There is of course the "shadowy group" constantly telling him things like, "but the whole world depends on you!", and "this is your destiny!", This is fate!", etc,etc.
The "plot points", who's on my side, which person belongs to what group? The story filled with chases, escapes and rescues in the end left me yawning. The lessons about the Nazca Lines old news (though I did agree with the comments on the failings of what passes for education today).
While there are differences in the book they don't seem all that different to me and in spite of the step moving our Over riding or background story onward I was just glad to move on and be through with this book.
Sorry if you like this one. I'm happy you like it. To me it was a sort of yawning place holder. To each I guess.
November 13, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
EVIL STAR is the second book in the Anthony Horowitz series called THE GATEKEEPERS.
In book one, titled RAVEN'S GATE, main character Matt discovers he is one of five specially chosen teens. Their purpose is to save the world. Matt doesn't know the other five and must "close" Raven's Gate on his own. As the second book, EVIL STAR, begins, Matt finds himself in Peru meeting up with Pedro, who turns out to be one of the chosen five.
Matt and Pedro join forces, although it isn't easy since Matt speaks only English and Pedro speaks Spanish. Their unusual connection does allow them to communicate while in a dream state. They learn each others' stories and realize that their paths will someday cross the paths of their remaining team.
Together Matt and Pedro must find and prevent the opening of the second gate. Its history is intertwined with the ancient Incas and the Peruvian culture. As they search the seamier side of Peru, they encounter kidnapping, gun battles, the evil "big headed" Salamanda, high altitude jungle treks, and terrifying helicopter rides. Exactly what is the Evil Star and can they find the next gate in time to close it and save the world from the Old Ones?
Horowitz provides his usual fast-paced, non-stop action in this new series. It is sure to impress his already established fans and create plenty of new ones.
EVIL STAR is the second book in the Anthony Horowitz series called THE GATEKEEPERS.
In book one, titled RAVEN'S GATE, main character Matt discovers he is one of five specially chosen teens. Their purpose is to save the world. Matt doesn't know the other five and must "close" Raven's Gate on his own. As the second book, EVIL STAR, begins, Matt finds himself in Peru meeting up with Pedro, who turns out to be one of the chosen five.
Matt and Pedro join forces, although it isn't easy since Matt speaks only English and Pedro speaks Spanish. Their unusual connection does allow them to communicate while in a dream state. They learn each others' stories and realize that their paths will someday cross the paths of their remaining team.
Together Matt and Pedro must find and prevent the opening of the second gate. Its history is intertwined with the ancient Incas and the Peruvian culture. As they search the seamier side of Peru, they encounter kidnapping, gun battles, the evil "big headed" Salamanda, high altitude jungle treks, and terrifying helicopter rides. Exactly what is the Evil Star and can they find the next gate in time to close it and save the world from the Old Ones?
Horowitz provides his usual fast-paced, non-stop action in this new series. It is sure to impress his already established fans and create plenty of new ones.
February 3, 2018
3.5
Better than first book.
Better than first book.
September 29, 2017
Admittedly, I was pretty torn with this book. It started off rather promisingly, then around halfway through, it seemed to kind of "lose it's way"
Having read "Ravens Gate"I have found myself comparing this book to that. In my opinion," Ravens Gate" was better. Having said that, Horowitz's writing is mostly engaging and fast paced and just like in the first book, there is a rather dark theme, which makes the story all the more intriguing.
There were however, a couple of issues for me. The major one, that bothered me the most, was the villain. Not at all threatening or scary, and really, he comes across as mediocre. He hardly appeared in the book either.
The other issue was how predictable the story was. It certainly wasn't as intriguing or shocking as Ravens Gate. I know I shouldn't be comparing the two, but I cannot help it.
Its definitely worth a read, but overall is weaker than the first in the series.
Having read "Ravens Gate"I have found myself comparing this book to that. In my opinion," Ravens Gate" was better. Having said that, Horowitz's writing is mostly engaging and fast paced and just like in the first book, there is a rather dark theme, which makes the story all the more intriguing.
There were however, a couple of issues for me. The major one, that bothered me the most, was the villain. Not at all threatening or scary, and really, he comes across as mediocre. He hardly appeared in the book either.
The other issue was how predictable the story was. It certainly wasn't as intriguing or shocking as Ravens Gate. I know I shouldn't be comparing the two, but I cannot help it.
Its definitely worth a read, but overall is weaker than the first in the series.
April 17, 2025
I've been meaning to continue this series, especially because I've had it sitting on my bookshelves for several years. I finally listened and while it had its really fascinating and darker moments, it was...okay? Nothing truly special, tbh.
I think I zoned out a few times and didn't feel that urge I sometimes do when I'm really invested in a book to go back and re-read a chapter.
Even though it's been about a year (maybe?) since I've read book one, the upside of this book is that Horowitz made it very easy to catch up on what happened last.
I'm intrigued enough to keep going. It definitely gave me MICHAEL VEY and ALEX RIDER vibes, so that was pretty good. It was full of adventure, travel, and the darker side of humanity (or as dark as you can get in a young adult to middle grade novel.
I think anyone who likes younger adventure and save-the-world storylines in these two age categories will really enjoy the first two books in this series.
Happy reading!
I think I zoned out a few times and didn't feel that urge I sometimes do when I'm really invested in a book to go back and re-read a chapter.
Even though it's been about a year (maybe?) since I've read book one, the upside of this book is that Horowitz made it very easy to catch up on what happened last.
I'm intrigued enough to keep going. It definitely gave me MICHAEL VEY and ALEX RIDER vibes, so that was pretty good. It was full of adventure, travel, and the darker side of humanity (or as dark as you can get in a young adult to middle grade novel.
I think anyone who likes younger adventure and save-the-world storylines in these two age categories will really enjoy the first two books in this series.
Happy reading!
November 15, 2021
#1) Raven's Gate ★★★☆☆
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: blind sc; Peruvian & Indigenous Inca scs.
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June 2, 2019
Man I love these books right now aha
June 25, 2013
The story was awesome. Like the rest of the books in this series, it's full of suspense, and is very entertaining. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat!.
But i have a HUGE complaint about this specific book, that bothers me so much because i think it's silly that this thing happened in a book from a known author.
What i didn't like is that the story takes place most of the time in Peru, and there they are supposed to speak Spanish, so the author writes some sentences and expressions in Spanish.. but they are HORRIBLY written. I speak Spanish, and almost everything that he wrote didn't make sense at all.. it was like if he just took all the expressions he wanted to write in Spanish and used a cheap translator! It was not only misspelled, it was not actual Spanish. It was like if i said, "all right, let's write something in English!" and wrote something like this:
"To my too me it like, if you know your!"
... Does that make sense?... Well, it didn't in Spanish either.
i have no idea why they didn't check out those things if they were using Spanish, how could the editors have overlooked those mistakes. What were they thinking?!, that all the people who reads their books reads only and exclusively in English, and no one would've ever figured out? that's awful.
The only thing that saves this book from giving it 1 star is that i really like the character introduced here: Pedro. I think his ignorance makes him a really likeable character because of the way he reacts to certain situations, that are normal for other people who were not raised in the deplorable situation he was living in. And the setting with the Incas was very interesting.
I recommend this series as a whole, despite my rant with this specific title.
But i have a HUGE complaint about this specific book, that bothers me so much because i think it's silly that this thing happened in a book from a known author.
What i didn't like is that the story takes place most of the time in Peru, and there they are supposed to speak Spanish, so the author writes some sentences and expressions in Spanish.. but they are HORRIBLY written. I speak Spanish, and almost everything that he wrote didn't make sense at all.. it was like if he just took all the expressions he wanted to write in Spanish and used a cheap translator! It was not only misspelled, it was not actual Spanish. It was like if i said, "all right, let's write something in English!" and wrote something like this:
"To my too me it like, if you know your!"
... Does that make sense?... Well, it didn't in Spanish either.
i have no idea why they didn't check out those things if they were using Spanish, how could the editors have overlooked those mistakes. What were they thinking?!, that all the people who reads their books reads only and exclusively in English, and no one would've ever figured out? that's awful.
The only thing that saves this book from giving it 1 star is that i really like the character introduced here: Pedro. I think his ignorance makes him a really likeable character because of the way he reacts to certain situations, that are normal for other people who were not raised in the deplorable situation he was living in. And the setting with the Incas was very interesting.
I recommend this series as a whole, despite my rant with this specific title.
March 7, 2015
Richard and Matt take a trip to Peru, where Richard is kidnapped and Matt meets Pedro. He is another one of the five, a street thief who Matt can share dreams with, and claims to have no obvious powers of his own.
They encounter modern Incan "Indians", misshapen business man Salamanda, corrupt cops, and hints of a traitor within Nexus itself - and find themselves before the gate that is the Nazca Lines unlocked by the "evil star".
One star taken because I felt Peru could have switched places on the map with how Mexico is portrayed (and any non-Western or not European nation, the corrupt police and poor people angle...as if we who speak English don't have those issues) and it was published in 2006, but clearly not having updated from the history of 1985's The Night of the Scorpion, and my annoyance with the term "Indians" throughout.
They encounter modern Incan "Indians", misshapen business man Salamanda, corrupt cops, and hints of a traitor within Nexus itself - and find themselves before the gate that is the Nazca Lines unlocked by the "evil star".
One star taken because I felt Peru could have switched places on the map with how Mexico is portrayed (and any non-Western or not European nation, the corrupt police and poor people angle...as if we who speak English don't have those issues) and it was published in 2006, but clearly not having updated from the history of 1985's The Night of the Scorpion, and my annoyance with the term "Indians" throughout.
March 7, 2017
Superb
February 24, 2025
Oh my god. PEDRO IS A HEAAAAAALLERRRRRRRR I LOVE THAT ABOUT HIM SOOO SOOO MUCHHH IT LITERALLY ENCAPSULATES HIS ENTIRE PERSONALITY PERFECTLY. Oh mannn the old ones are back but for the plot YAYYYY 🏃🏽♀️ running to night rise rnnn also this is so funny my brother is literally reading ravens gate rn 🤣😭. Favourite scene in this book would definitely be when they went to the inca village it was absssolutely beautiful the fact Pedro discovers that these are his people! In my mind I associate each book with different colours based on the imagery. Ravens gate was mostly green considering the big scenes happened on a farm and a forest whereas this wholeee book was orange anddd dusty in my imagination (being in Lima) except the whole Inca arc took me right back to the first book! Can't forget atoc and micos Appreciation I reaaaallly liked these two side characters it broke my heart when micos died THEN HIS BROTHER MOURNED HIM AND DIED AT THE ENDD OF THE BOOOOKK😭😭😭 No-one could have prepared me for fabian being a traitor I really thought it was the American woman in the nexus, oh how I was so wrong.... to end off the part where it says matts childhood has now ended woaahh talk about personality shift can't blame him he went through hell in Peru 🧍🏽♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2020
In the last book, Matt prevented Ravens gate from opening but now there is another gate that is going to open soon. This gate is in Peru. Matt must go and try to save the world again. In Peru he meets another one of the 5 who he joins forces with.
I do really like these books. I had forgotten how much I liked Pedro. I remembered him as more of a sidekick but he really does have his own personality that stands out. There is also more character development in this book especially near the end. The theme is darker overall and less humorous but I think that fit really well with the character development. The story was still thrilling and kept my attention. I preferred Raven’s gate to this book but I couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. This is the only reason I knocked off a star. I feel like the first book was exciting because it was all new and then this book is giving us the rest of the information and setting us up for the next books. I can’t wait to carry on with the rest.
I do really like these books. I had forgotten how much I liked Pedro. I remembered him as more of a sidekick but he really does have his own personality that stands out. There is also more character development in this book especially near the end. The theme is darker overall and less humorous but I think that fit really well with the character development. The story was still thrilling and kept my attention. I preferred Raven’s gate to this book but I couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. This is the only reason I knocked off a star. I feel like the first book was exciting because it was all new and then this book is giving us the rest of the information and setting us up for the next books. I can’t wait to carry on with the rest.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 662 reviews