The Assassin's Curse (Blackthorn Key #3) by Kevin Sands

Because of Christopher and Tom’s heroic efforts to save London, they receive an invitation from King Charles II to attend a party. During the party, Christopher stumbles upon a poisoned guest and is attacked by an assassin. Acting quickly Christopher and Tom save Charles and the king’s sister, Minette. But a clue left by the fleeing assassin uncovers a Templar curse that has plagued the French royal family. Minette is married to King Louis XIV’s brother and Charles fears for her safety. Charles asks Christopher, Tom, and Sally to join Minette’s entourage to Paris so they can stop the assassins.

Sands delivers another death-defying, wild ride through history in his third Blackthorn Key novel. Luckily, fans of the codes and clues found prevalent in Sands’ first book will receive a hearty helping to whet anyone’s sleuthing appetites. Compared to Sands’ previous two books, The Assassin’s Curse is a cleaner, sharper, and better structured story. This is because Sands gives more background on the historical events and locations he bases his mystery on. Sands also breathes new life and relatable personalities into the pivotal characters of King Charles II and King Louis XIV. In these ways, history is brought vividly and solidly to life for readers to savor and enjoy.

The Player King by Avi

Almost all of Lambert Simnel’s orphaned life has been spent slaving away in a filthy tavern. This all changes when Brother Simonds buys Lambert and whisks him off to meet the Earl of Lincoln. Lambert resemblances the missing Prince Edward, true heir to the English throne. Plotting together, the two men believe they can transform Lambert into a convincing prince and use his influence to challenge the new king, Henry VII. Lambert’s intelligence drives him to slip into his new royal role. But Lambert’s newfound power makes him unwittingly bane Simonds from his presence.

In his Author Note, Avi reveals Lambert Simnel was a real person used as a false royal to challenge Henry VII. But the real beauty of Avi’s creativity comes from telling the story from Lambert’s perspective. Very little is known about the young man who played such a unique part in English history. Through Avi’s addictive writing, Lambert Simnel comes vividly to life as readers gain a glimpse of what might have been going through his head as he dramatically rose to a flicking spark of power. How would power feel to someone who has never had it? What lines would someone cross to stay alive while deceiving others? These unique perspectives still prove Avi is a master at giving historical events a fresh, new life through thought provoking narratives.

Edgeland by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

On the island of Edgeland, the main business is funerals. People from all over the world ceremonially float their dead into a nearby ocean hole called the Drain. Many believe the Drain is a gateway to purgatory, the waiting place before moving on to heaven or hell. Alec works for the best funeral home on the island and he acquires a major client. Unfortunately, his payment is accidentally placed on a barge heading for the Drain. Alec and Wren, Alec’s best friend, attempt to retrieve the funds, but they get sucked into the Drain.

Edgeland is a deliciously complex story granting a unique perspective on religion, death, and the afterlife. Death is displayed from the viewpoints of both faith and profit. Alec strongly believes in a comfortable afterlife and uses his faith to promote his funeral services. Hardened by life on the streets, Wren survives on the discarded monetary devotions of believers. However, once in purgatory, both Alec and Wren’s afterlife expectations melt away as they see the dilemma the dead are facing. Together they develop a new belief in fighting for a heaven the dead deserve. A compelling work of master world-building, solid story, and deep character development for ages 12 and up. 

Ghosts of Greenglass House (Greenglass House #2) by Kate Milford

It’s another Christmas Break and Milo is missing Meddy. However, things start to resemble the previous Christmas when Georgie and Clem arrive at Greenglass House to hideout from their theft that went wrong. Meddy soon reappears because she can sense trouble arriving on Greenglass’s doorstep. A day later, that trouble comes in the form of carolers hailing from a local asylum. The caroler’s traditional Christmas visit to Greenglass House goes haywire when two carolers are mysteriously injured, a third caroler is slightly poisoned, and Georgie and Clem’s stolen goods from their caper are taken.

Ghosts of Greenglass House somewhat falters from the cleverness, tightness, and wit established in Milford’s first book. There are still many of the same winning elements Milford uses from her beginning story: memorable characters, intriguing mysteries, clever connections, vivid setting, and unique folktales. But Milford’s climax drags out for too long because of cluttering details that distract from the main dilemma. For example, Milford spends several chapters on Milo figuring out a new avatar and avatar’s background just to solve the mysteries behind the carolers’ intentions. How does this help the story? Also, the climax occurs in less than 24 hours. Milford drags out this short timespan into almost 400 pages. However, Milford’s infectious writing style will still keep readers glued to the end.