I think that Anthony Horowitz is a really talented writer. He just nails boy-wish fulfillment. Wait, that sounds vaguely obscene--what I mean is that he knows how to write characters who are leading lives boys wish they could live. Well, you know, except for the parts where people are vigilantly trying to kill the main character.Anyway, I was expecting to really love this book since A) Anthony Horowitz wrote it, and B) it involves Peru, a place my husband lived for two years; two of my children have done month long service project there; and I have seen approximately a bajillion photos of the country.True story: When my husband and I were dating, I noticed that he always kept a tiny knife/shovel looking thing with an Inca face on the other end in his pocket with his spare change. I asked him what it was. "It's a tumi (pronounced To-me)," he said.I rolled my eyes at him and said. "Right. So I'm supposed to ask, 'What's a tumi?' and then you're going to say,'I don't know--what's it to you?'"(That's the problem with being a writer. You think about words.)My husband assured me that, no, the little figure really was called a tumi. I didn't believe him for years. This was before the internet, so he had no way to prove it to me. Now any time I see or hear about a tumi, it makes me chuckle and strangers are left to wonder if I'm safe to be around me. After all, tumis do look like they were used in some sort of ritual sacrifice.But I digress.Anyway, I was fully expecting to love this book, and maybe that was the problem. Maybe my expectations were too great. Or maybe it was because this was the second book in the series and I didn't read the first one, but I only sort of liked this novel. It had an awesome (if not a bit gruesome) opening, but once Matt got to Peru I felt like the story lost steam. I never understood who the old ones were or what they were going to do once they invaded earth. Also, I didn't love Matt the way I love Alex Rider. Alex figures out creative ways to get out of his predicaments. Matt always had someone or something (his powers) to get him out of trouble. (Lots of other people coming to his rescue.)And I know the crazy aunt talking to the television would have made sense to me if I'd read the first book, but I didn't, and I was waiting for an explanation about that during the whole novel. It never came. The book ended and I was like, "Hey, what about the game show host that can magically talk to people from the television? Who was he? How did he do it? Why does he want Matt dead?"So now I have to live in silent frustration until I can get a copy of the first book and actually have time to read it. (If I look surly, you'll know why.)That said, I will probably eventually read every book Anthony Horowitz writes. If you're looking for an author boys will like, he's a good one.
I'm giving the book 3.5 stars. I seriously had to think about that rating, as I'm slightly torn. Some background: I REALLY liked the first book Raven's Gate. It was electrifying, unbelievably fast paced and just an overall nail biting thrill ride. And although this adventurous sequel has pretty much everything I liked about the first, it also had a few problems. Some glaring problems that bothered me quite as bit. Well, let's get the positives out the way first. Horowitz's writing is engaging and lightning fast, as per usual. I really like how action oriented his books are, and this is no exception. The fact that Evil Star is set in Peru helps 'up the ante', and gives the book an exotic and adventurous vibe to it which I really enjoyed. And just like Raven's Gate, Horowitz brings a dark edge to the table that makes what would've been a light-hearted children's tale a truly epic adventure. But despite all the positives, I had trouble ignoring some issues. The villain, for starters. He just isn't that good. Simple as. He only appears in the book a few times, and even then he isn't all that threatening. To me, he was a gimmick that could've been given more depth. Of course, the Old Ones are more villainous, but to say they are the main villains isn't a good enough excuse to under-develop characters. Mrs. Deverill from Raven's Gate was quite frightening for the role she played in the first book. But this guy... isn't. Another problem I had was the pacing. Wait, whaaa?! You just talked about how fast paced it was! Well, it is for the most part. During the action sequences is where the book really shines. But inbetween, Horowitz throws in a few History lessons about Peru. And to be honest, this was pretty boring! It kinda dragged the book down for a while until our characters were thrown back into grand peril. Almost to the point where I was nodding off a few times! This may not be a problem for most people, but I just hate it when a story just stops dead so that the writer makes sure that we, the reader, understand absolutely EVERYTHING(!) Really not needed, honestly. And it was a little predictable. Definitely not as shocking or mysterious as Raven's Gate. You may be saying how unfair it is for me to keep comparing this book to its predecessor, but c'mon. That's inevitable, unfortunately! And disappointingly, this just isn't as good. Is it horrifically bad? No! But would I skip over this book if I choose to re-read this series? Possibly... But don't let that stop you from enjoying Evil Star. It's a decent book on its own. But definitely weak in comparison.
What do You think about Evil Star (2006)?
Evil Star Matt one of the five gatekeepers he thinks his troubles are over with when he closed the 1st Raven’s gate, but now he has come to learn that the second gate is about to open. He still doesn't have control over his powers yet. For example one day at school a kid in school was bullying him and Matt almost killed him because he couldn’t control his powers. The main setting in this book is in Peru where the second gate is located. While he is searching for the gate his friend who is traveling with him gets kidnapped and taken to a lost Inca village, but later in the book he learns that the people who tried to kidnap them were on their side. After the kidnapping he meets a Peruvian boy who happens to be one of the five gatekeepers. It is very awkward between the two of them at first because they can’t speak the same language they can only talk to each other in dreams. Matt decides to go to Cuzco where the Inca’s who kidnapped them meet him and save him from the Salmada who is trying to stop him from opening the gate. Will Matt ever find the gate? If Matt finds the gate will he even be able to stop it from opening? My favorite quote from this book is this quote “We have no money. We have no possessions. Maybe that is why we value the things we do have ... loyalty and friendship.” I highly recommend “Evil Star” by Anthony Horowitz to 6th and 7th graders who like a good action and compelling book. I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone who reads this book will enjoy it to!
—Evan Slominski
This is the second book in the Ravens Gate series and after making sure that the first gate stayed closed, Matt soon finds out that there is another gate somewhere in Peru. As Matt than travels to Peru to find what will keep the second gate closed... an ancient diary! But as soon as his flight lands, he is jumped by people who want the gate to open so they can rule the world. Somehow, Matt escaped and when he was running away, he than found the second person with special powers like him. The quest to keep the gate closed and find the three others continues throughout this book. Will Matt be able to keep the gate closed to make sure the old ones never come back? Find out by reading Evil Star. Overall I didn't really like this book as much as the first one because there wasn't as much action as the first but i think that its leading up to the next book in the series.
—Nicholas Dunn
This is the sequel to Raven's Gate and book two of the Gatekeepers. In this book Matt is forced to go to a school where he clearly doesnt belong, but soon finds out he is wanted dead by forces unknown to him. During the story Matt saves an entire school from a bus accident, he meets another gatekeeper who doesn't speak English, and there is another final climax moment where he meets up with Richard again. I learned throughout this book that even if you are made fun of, you can still make a difference.
—Johannes P
