Starred Review In the year since the shadowwalkers met at the magical rain forest's ziggurat (The Lost Rainforest: Mez's Magic?, 2018), the evil Ant Queen reemerged with her ant minions and plans to decimate Caldera. Now, with only 13 days until the next eclipse, a strong source of magic, the remaining five shadowwalkers ung animals Rumi, Gogi, Mez, Chumba, and Lima convene to strategize how best to eliminate the Ant Queen. What they learn from Rumi's interpretation of the symbols on the ziggurat makes their mission all the more urgent: they are the Ant Queen's targets. If she can control or kill them, her rise to power will be more certain. Not only must they trust one another, but they must trust two animals (Sky and Auriel) that in the first book were perceived as traitors. Here the monkey Gogi's heart and caring nature become the group's moral compass. Several times the group appears doomed, yet, even when they triumph, dangers to the rain forest still lurk. Schrefer's second book in the Lost Rainforest series continues the enthralling fantasy adventures of this eclectic group of animals and hints at where the next threat to the rain forest will come from. Fans of Mez's Magic and Katherine Applegate's Endling The Last? (2018) will eagerly devour this.

The Ant Queen is on the move again, putting all the inhabitants of the rainforest in danger, in this sequel to Mez's Magic (2018).While she and her minions are powerful, those born during the eclipse received magical abilities that enable them to fight the encroaching ant hoard. Gogi, the capuchin, blessed with ability to control fire, travels back to the site of the epic battle to meet with his friends. While his impulsive monkey brain often gets him in trouble, his emotional sensitivity makes him an invaluable ally. Mez the panther is gifted with invisibility and bravery. Lima the bat is an enthusiastic healer. And Rumi the tree frog is hyperintelligent and can control the wind. Now Rumi's calculations warn of another eclipse that will likely have its own effects on the residents of the Caldera. While the team is strong, their bonds will be tested by new friends, old enemies, and surprising twists. The second installment in this fast-paced fantasy is enhanced by the richly detailed rainforest setting. The characters choose to overcome stereotypes and interspecies prejudice, making this not only an entertaining read, but a tale about how to celebrate differences and still find unity. Another knockout in a series that will appeal to nature lovers, animal lovers, and fans of magical adventure. (Fantasy. 8-12)

The Ant Queen is on the move again, putting all the inhabitants of the rainforest in danger, in this sequel to Mez's Magic (2018).While she and her minions are powerful, those born during the eclipse received magical abilities that enable them to fight the encroaching ant hoard. Gogi, the capuchin, blessed with ability to control fire, travels back to the site of the epic battle to meet with his friends. While his impulsive monkey brain often gets him in trouble, his emotional sensitivity makes him an invaluable ally. Mez the panther is gifted with invisibility and bravery. Lima the bat is an enthusiastic healer. And Rumi the tree frog is hyperintelligent and can control the wind. Now Rumi's calculations warn of another eclipse that will likely have its own effects on the residents of the Caldera. While the team is strong, their bonds will be tested by new friends, old enemies, and surprising twists. The second installment in this fast-paced fantasy is enhanced by the richly detailed rainforest setting. The characters choose to overcome stereotypes and interspecies prejudice, making this not only an entertaining read, but a tale about how to celebrate differences and still find unity. Another knockout in a series that will appeal to nature lovers, animal lovers, and fans of magical adventure. (Fantasy. 8-12)