I loved this book! Well written, and easy to follow. I enjoyed Simon and friends in this exciting journey!

Overall, I would say this is a solid sequel to Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den. I really loved seeing more of Ariana and Jam, as well as, being introduced to new Animalgams. I'm liking how family dynamics are ever present throughout the novel. It's interesting to see the different characters struggle with finding a family in those they share blood with and then realizing they have family to those they don't share blood with. The Reptile Kingdom was fascinating, but I cannot wait for the next installment to see the next kingdom.

I knocked off a star due to angsty Simon and Winter - who both don't seem to take the mature route when upset. Reminds me of angsty Harry Potter.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first in the series. Simon sometimes makes poor choices and is very stubborn, but he is also very loyal to his friends and family, and of course he is still grieving the loss of important people in his life from the first book.

In this adventure Simon and his friends travel across the country to follow a clue his mother left on a postcard. Along the way their lives are in mortal danger (again and again) and they meet Animalgams who live much differently than he is accustomed to at school.

Hand this to your adventure seekers, especially those who love a little fantasy (or maybe your fantasy lovers who love a little adventure).

A lot has happened to Simon Thorn in the last few weeks. He discovered he was an animalgam, a shapeshifter, that he has a twin named Nolan, who is also the Beast King’s Heir, his uncle got killed by his grandfather, his grandmother is a murderous Alpha, and his mom has been kidnapped by his grandfather. Now, his grandfather is trying to piece the Beast King’s scepter together to take over the animalgam kingdoms. Can Simon save his mom? Will he learn to master his powers in time to save the world?

Action-packed, this book is impossible to put down. The characters are well-developed and draw the reader into Simon’s World. The plot is complex, well-written, and full of adventure. Fans of Rick Riordan, Spirit Animals series, fantasy, mystery, and adventure will enjoy find this book impossible to put down.

Simon Thorn has his second adventure in this book which is sure to please fans of Percy Jackson.

This was the coolest book. Edge of your seat! Great read in one setting!

I love finding a strong male protagonist in a Middle Grade series! Aimee Carter has followed through in her promise to give us more Simon Thorn adventures in the second in this series, Simon Thorn and the Viper's Pit. Simon Thorn is a boy who struggles with his identity, his emotions and the sense of belonging. Simon has just discovered he has the ability to shift from a person into an animal. He is an Animalgam and this new found knowledge opens up a whole new civilization--the Animal Kingdom. Simon has the ability to transform into a golden eagle entitling him to become heir to the Bird Kingdom. Simon also discovers he has family and a twin brother who can shape shift into any animal he envisions, making him the Beast King. This is a family secret, but a darker secret is Simon also can shift into any animal in the kingdom making two Beast Kings in the family.
Simon is struggling with the death of his Uncle and the kidnapping of his Mom; he is not adjusting well to living underneath the NY Zoo at the L.A.I.R. (Academy for training of Animals) with his new found Uncle and brother. Upon sneaking out of the underground, Simon discovers a hidden postcard from his Mom and knows he must go after her despite his Uncles threats of grounding. Simon calls upon his friends from the last book and we are reunited with Ariana, Jam and Winter once again. Their characters are true to form for Middle Schoolers and each bring a special talent with them on the adventure.
As the four leave NY, we meet new Animalgams who increase the excitement and add multiple plot turns. Simon, along with his readers, continues to learn new personality traits he possesses. It is this ability to relate to his audience which makes reading Simon Thorn thoroughly entertaining. He doesn't know what is going to happen, so it makes it difficult for the readers to do so as well. Forever is the present fear of being caught and, for a young 12 year old, the persistent question of what will happen to me when I am caught is foremost in his mind.
Simon must deal with the loss of his Mom and the secret he carries into our third installment and I can't help but tweet---when will this be Aimee Carter?
In the Classroom:
Most classrooms in the Middle School have a requirement of books to read; this is one to recommend and be guaranteed you won't be wrong. This is a series to entice young readers offering adventure and fantasy. I love series hooking its reader to read more and preorder books before they are even being sold .