A young explorer and his teammates head into the eye of the storm on their latest mission. Since being anointed guardian of a mythical Mesoamerican feathered serpent in Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl (2022), Shinji has become increasingly frustrated over not being able to utilize his magic. A momentary distraction comes when the Society of Explorers and Adventurers picks up a call: A shipwreck has been discovered containing invaluable artifacts from the legendary Natia people of Polynesia. Thirteen-year-old Shinji and his friend Lucy accompany the team, hoping to preserve the find before agents from the nefarious Hightower Corporation can plunder the site. New crew member Phoebe Mystic coaches Shinji in using powers, and master pickpocket Roux stows away on the submarine. Onboard, Shinji experiences visions of a tremendous boar, a Polynesian deity connected to hurricanes, who appears amid storm clouds and lightning. The team eventually finds an island formerly inhabited by the Natia people. While they explore the deserted village, Shinji, prompted by his visions, unleashes the Storm Boar, and a destructive hurricane heads for land. The only remedy is to break into Hightower to recover a stolen idol that will appease the boar. Kagawa explores friendship, classism, and collaborating with others as the diverse crew members learn to pull together. Readers may have lingering questions about Shinji’s Storm Boar visions, but this tightly written, action-packed narrative pleases. A satisfying adventure. (Fantasy. 9-12)- Kirkus (Feb 15, 2023)
Gr 3-6–Now that Shinji has the mark of the Coatl on his arm, he is supposed to possess magic powers, but those powers appear to have ceased. Despite Oliver Ocean’s best training and simulation efforts, Shinji can’t harness his powers at will. Word of the Natia people’s existence has come to S.E.A.’s attention and they are anxious to find evidence in the form of a sunken ship in the South Pacific before the enemy Hightower does. Shinji requests that he joins Oliver on this expedition, as does Lucy and her trusty little rat Tinker. Aboard the ship Seas the Day, they set off on a whirlwind adventure of time warps, volcanoes, angry boars, and deadly hurricanes. Working together, the S.E.A. team must solve an ancient mystery, one that could have deadly consequences for everyone. Will Shinji be able to harness the powers within? VERDICT A perfect follow-up to Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl, this sequel offers equal parts wit and adventure.- SLJ (Mar 1, 2023)
