Champion's Quest: The Questmaster's Trap by Frank L. Cole

Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine are finally summoned by Questmaster Hob to prepare for their next Champion’s Quest. With Vanessa declining the invitation, the remaining Wild Crows meet Hob, but his behavior seems off. Once Lucas rolls the Die of Destiny, Hob changes into the warty pig-like Questmaster, Mystery Waddlewort. Mystery has tricked the children by taking control over their game. Under his terms, if they are not successful, the Wild Crows will be banished from Champion’s Quest. However, before their game begins, the real Hob and Bogie address Mystery’s trap and summon Sierra, a fourth player to take Vanessa’s place. The four children are then thrust into the Lower Etchlands again but Mystery’s trickery has sown seeds of doubt and distrust among them. Only when the Wild Crows truly band together do they have a chance to save the Lower Etchlands and thwart Mystery’s hold over them.

Cole has done it again with another thrilling read in his second installment of Champion’s Quest. Cole keeps readers on their toes by throwing away the role-playing-game rule book as Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine are tricked into losing control over their destinies. Of course, this ramps up Lucas’s panic attacks and anxiety levels because his expectations for another rigorous adventure have turned into a living nightmare. Everyone’s emotions are on edge as their powers and circumstances are randomly changing without their consent. Who or what can they trust? This is true with how Lucas, Miles, and Jasmine treat Sierra. Mystery’s influence keeps the three from accepting and trusting her. So Sierra works hard to prove herself in whatever challenge comes their way. But is it enough? The Wild Crows must fight together their inner and outer demons to give themselves any kind of a chance.