This series has really been a pretty big disappointment. I thought it started out okay but it just hasn't grown the way it should. There was definitely too much time between this book and the last and that is part of the problem. This whole book felt rushed. I think she really tried to have Erec do too much. The characters really don't have a chance to develop fully and anytime Erec has a problem there is conveniently some new person, device, etc. that can solve his problems. Having an invisible ghost friend who can pretty much do anything was WAY too convenient and made the whole book hokey. I'm just not buying the amount of tasks she had him completing in such a short amount of time. And there aren't enough real connections being made between characters in the book for me to care much about any of the them, including Erec. I really did like this edition to the Erec Rex series. In my opinion, it is the best so far. It was definitely full of action--you won't be bored reading this one. However, the downfall to that was that there was so much going on, I sometimes had trouble keeping track of everything. As soon as one task was finished, Erec was zooming on to the next thing on his list. I also would have liked to see more character development--there was a lot of Erec dealing with the same problems and doubts throughout the whole book. I did love how Erec's visions of the future always turned out in the way you wouldn't expect. There were some small, unimportant things that irked me, like how Tarvos was a giant bull, but his horns somehow fit in Erec's pockets....I know, it's stupid, but it bothered me. :)I do wish the author would kind of explain more how Upper Earth and the Kingdoms of the Keepers tie in together; like how Baskania is an evil magical guy, but he is also a billionaire owner of megacorporations in Upper Earth. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it if you have read the first four!
What do You think about The Secret Of Ashona (2000)?
I am loving this series. I hate to wait for Erec's next quests!
—isaiah
The book might have a low reading level but I still like them.
—mayaes
