The Caves of Wonder

The Caves of Wonder is a sequel to The Silk Road (www.cmreviews.ca/node/2895) in which best friends Dee and Lucy found themselves in the Kingdom of Sericea, their original purpose being to find Dee’s missing parents. This goal was sidetracked when, on befriending the young Emperor, Yidi, they learn of the corrupt and cruel influence his evil stepmother is having upon the country that must be stopped.

The sequel resumes with Dee and Lucy still in Sericea. With Yidi and friend Mai, they are making an arduous journey across the country to reach the ‘Caves of Wonder’. Desperately sought by evil Queen Xixi, they are travelling in convoy with hidden identities. At their destination, it is essential they free an unjustly imprisoned warrior, the only person with the ability to defeat the Queen and end her vicious reign. The journey is fraught with a variety of threats from numerous sources, both human and other worldly. But there is also tension and friction within their small group, resulting from their desire to pursue their individual skills. Nevertheless, at crucial times, they put personal issues aside, rising selflessly and bravely to the challenge of the larger cause.

This story has all the compelling features of the earlier volume including, fantasy, tense adventures that pit good against evil, resilient child heroes and near impossible tasks to be completed against all odds. There is also a wealth of supernatural beings, some benevolent like their new, delightful, dragon friend Try-el and others more menacing, such as Cyrus the Cobra and the vicious Ravenors, all determined to annihilate them.

The main characters, always resourceful and persons in their own rights, have grown and matured. Readers see the biggest change in Yidi who, once a spoiled brat, is now often seen in the role of peacemaker and leader. Threats of revolution against his future rule provide him anxiety but also awareness of what he must aspire to as Emperor.

The Caves of Wonder is a well-written, fast paced, adventure fantasy, jam-packed with excitement and even more enticing than the previous volume. Children will be captivated by it; however, reading The Silk Road is recommended in order to get full appreciation of the plot. But don’t expect closure yet as Queen Xixi still reigns supreme, and many other stories need to be resolved. Readers will await the third volume!