My children begged that I purchase this book after finishing the first in the series (we read the sample chapters off Amazon for our fix while we waited).
The use of historical and mythical characters give them a depth while allowing for a good pace.

I was up all night reading last night, I couldn't put this down! I reread the first book before receiving this one and really noticed a difference in the storytelling; this narrative is much stronger and more engaging than the first. While it does seem that the action is non-stop I feel like back stories are filled in much better than in the first novel and you get a better glimpse into the backgrounds of the characters.

This is a good read through all of the books. The series is a little dark as it makes the point, stringently, that life is finite. Due to these strong references to mortality, it might be best for older kids. However, for the intelligent, strong-minded child who loves to read and finds these ideas challenging rather than distressing, then it's a a good choice.

I loved the action. The characters have a clear line between good and bad. There's enough adventure to please young and old readers alike!

A bit pricey but the quality justifies the cost. Very happy with my purchase.