Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm by Julie Kagawa is an exhilarating adventure that seamlessly blends fantasy and action, making it a standout addition to the young adult genre. Kagawa’s ability to create a richly imagined world filled with vibrant characters and high-stakes challenges ensures that readers will be captivated from the very first page.

The story follows Shinji Takahashi, a young hero who embarks on a perilous journey to save his home from an impending storm that threatens to unleash chaos. Kagawa expertly crafts a narrative that balances thrilling action with moments of introspection, allowing readers to connect deeply with Shinji’s struggles and aspirations. The stakes are high, and the urgency of his quest keeps the pacing brisk and engaging.

Shinji is a relatable protagonist, grappling with self-doubt and the weight of responsibility as he navigates the challenges ahead. The story has a diverse cast of supporting characters, each bringing their unique perspectives and strengths to the journey. Their interactions add depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of working together in the face of adversity.

Kagawa’s writing is both vivid and accessible, painting a rich picture of the fantastical world Shinji inhabits. The descriptions of the storm and its effects are particularly striking, immersing readers in the intensity of the environment. The author’s ability to balance action-packed sequences with quieter, reflective moments enhances the emotional impact of the story.

While Into the Heart of the Storm excels in its adventurous spirit and character-driven narrative, some readers may find certain plot elements familiar, as the hero’s journey is a well-trodden path in fantasy literature. However, Kagawa’s unique voice and engaging storytelling elevate the narrative, making it feel fresh and exciting.

Shinji’s story continues to entertain with action, adventure, new friendships and guardians. If readers enjoyed the first book, they will not be disappointed but definitely hoping for more books following Shinji, S.E.A. and his adventures across the globe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
Shinji Takahashi needs to learn how to control Quetzl magic. He barely gets started when he takes off on a new adventure to collect information on a civilization that has disappeared. The tension in this story and the relationship between Shinji and Lucy are great.
#ShinjiTakahashiIntotheHeartoftheStorm #NetGalley

Shinji’s story continues to entertain with action, adventure, new friendships and guardians. If readers enjoyed the first book, they will not be disappointed but definitely hoping for more books following Shinji, S.E.A. and his adventures across the globe. Another addition for my middle school library!

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book anywhere as much as I did the first book in the series. In the first, Shinji had a lot to confront and learn. This book dealt with nothing as serious as the first. Instead, this book read like an adventure of the week which did nothing to advance the macro plot of the narrative.

This is the second book in Kagawa's middle grade series. Shinji is still trying to figure out how to use these new powers from a magical guardian and is off on a new adventure that middle grade kids are going to really enjoy.

This is a fun middle grade novel for fans of Percy Jackson and the like. I love what Disney is allowing Julie Kagawa to do here to help expand the lore of what was once a little-known part of Tokyo DisneySea.

Shinji Takahashi is off on another adventure with Lucy and Tinker. The second in the series of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers is just as action packed as the first novel. Once again, Shinji is faced with another guardian that he's accidentally made mad. Lucy and Shinji have to figure out how to save the world from the mythological Storm Boar without being destroyed in the process. Overall, it was a very well written book. The characters are continuing to develop and I can't wait to see what adventures they will have to face next. Julie Kagawa definitely hit this one out of the park.

Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm is the second book in Disney's Middle Grade Adventure series, Society of Explorers and Adventurers. I read the first book, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl, just before its release last year, at the start of 2022. I absolutely adored it.

Unsurprisingly, Kagawa was able to capture my attention right away, as well as my heart, with her fun characters and pulse-pounding action. The vivid imagery can't be beat.

As a side note, if you are unaware, Disney's Society of Explorers and Adventurers, known as S.E.A., is a fictional organization sprinkled about various attractions at Disney Theme Parks. Google it! The organization is said to be comprised of scientists, travelers and researchers, who traverse the globe continuing to explore the world's oceans and exotic lands.

In this novel, Shinji is officially a member of S.E.A., along with his friend, Lucy Hightower and her mechanical mouse, Tinker. They are residing at S.E.A. headquarters, where Shinji is working to understand his new powers and struggling a bit to grow into them. Before he is able to do that though, S.E.A. has another potential adventure on their hands and Shinji and Lucy are included as part of the team. Let's go!

A sunken ship, thought to belong to the long-extinct Natia people, has been discovered in the South Pacific. It's a race against the clock as the members of S.E.A. try to get there before their rival, the evil Hightower Corporation, can find it and plunder the artifacts.

Even though the kids are traveling along with veteran S.E.A. members, like Oliver Ocean and Phoebe Mystic, nothing goes as planned. It's obstacle after obstacle as the team struggles to reach their final oceanic destination. After Shinji accidentally awakens another guardian, a giant mythological storm boar, wild weather released by this boar threatens to ravage the coast of California.

Shinji needs to learn to control his powers and figure out how to appease the storm boar before its too late, but the odds seem to be stacked against him. Stress!!!

Kagawa knows how to deliver an entertaining sequel. Almost everything that could happen on this adventure does. There's an erupting volcano, a nearly sinking ship, breaking into Hightower Headquarters, fighting off robot guards and flying into a storm, to name a few.

The humor Kagawa brings to the story too makes it charming and fun. I love these characters and it was interesting learning more about them, as well as more about the organization. We also meet some new characters and learn more about Hightower. I thought the conclusion to this was heart-warming and it left off in a great spot to continue on with the series. I am really hoping for a third book.

I definitely recommend this series to Readers who enjoy an engaging Middle Grade Adventure. You cannot go wrong with Kagawa's writing. Top shelf, beginning to end.

Additionally, the audiobook is fabulously narrated, so I do recommend that as a format. It was how I read it and I felt like I was there with these characters. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time!

Thank you to the publisher, Disney Hyperion and Disney Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This was a ton of fun. I love Shinji so much. He has all the qualities one would want in a hero. It fills my heart!

Shinji and Lucy are studying at SEA when they get a mission to explore a shipwreck with potential artifacts from a lost civilization. Oliver Ocean is convinced to take Shinji and Lucy with him because Shinji's new magic instructor Phoebe thinks it will help him with his new guardian magic. Things quickly go sideways when Hightower becomes aware of the shipwreck too. Then Shinji accidentally unleashes a trapped guardian that unleashes a hurricane. Shinji and friends must find the guardian's idol and return it to him before LA is destroyed.

A fair continuation of the series. I did not like it as much as the first but still enjoyed the adventure.

I received an electronic ARC from Disney Hyperion through NetGalley.
The adventures continue for Shinji and Lucy. They travel with Oliver to locate a shipwreck that may contain artifacts from a lost people. Early on, they add Phoebe and Roux to the team. Kagawa pulls readers in as part of the journey to the hidden island. They make the voyage on the Seas the Day; fly on Rhett with Scarlett, and venture into the volcano to confront an angry Guardian. From there, the suspense ramps up even more. In the end, they find a way to appease the Storm Boar and prevent a devastating hurricane from striking. They also bond as three friends studying together at SEAS.
The author continues to develop these characters and reveal more insights into their past and reasons for becoming who they are. Middle grade readers will dive in to be part of this new adventure. Looking forward to seeing where the three of them travel next.

Now that Shinji is the guardian he must learn to use the power but he is not having much luck and won’t let anyone help him since he believes that since he is the guardian he must do it alone. When they leave to go on a salvage trip they hope the time away will help Shinji come to terms with his new gift. But things only go from bad to worse when Shinji lets lose the guardian of the font on an island they are exploring; a beast called the storm boar and for good reason too.
I love these books it has some lore and some fantasy to them, but hey magic is magic right? But all of the members of the team make one eclectic bunch and they are all so much fun, I just can wait until their next adventure.

This sequel is another well constructed fantasy story. Julie Kagawa takes readers on an exciting adventure with unique and funny twists. Book one was popular with my students and they are looking forward to the story continuing. My only concern is that the page count for MG is a little high.

Julie Kagawa writes an enjoyable adventure for youth -- a fantasy world with an active voice, and lots to encourage young readers to keep exploring the story. I would gladly add this book to my classroom library.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun read full of excitement and adventure. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I received this book. This has mystery, deep sea adventure and mystery.