The Familiars #2: Secrets of the Crown
The Prophesied Three&#x2014;cat Aldwyn, blue jay Skylar, and tree frog Gilbert&#x2014;embark upon another bland but cozy heroic quest in this sequel. Paksahara, the treacherous rabbit familiar intent on overthrowing humans, has used the Shifting Fortress to take away human magic. Humanity&#x2019;s only hope is to send the familiars after the Crown of the Snow Leopard, with which they can reclaim the Fortress. It&#x2019;s a ridiculously contrived sequel, but there is an interesting revealed element: how humans stole rule of Vastia from animals in the first place. The familiars don&#x2019;t reflect upon this long enough to doubt that theirs is the rightful path, but readers might. Grades 4-6. --Krista Hutley