Heroism isn't easy as a boy battles deadly beasts—inside and out.

Cameron might have saved the world last summer, but as another year rolls by, he hits summer camp with more anxiety than before. The hero's welcome is huge, but the Beast inside of him is sure it's not deserved and he'll only disappoint everyone...especially when evil shows its face again. Shadow-wraiths are threatening them all, and everyone is looking toward him to lead the fight. Everyone but a bully from his past. Faced against monsters from every direction, Cameron has no idea how he'll save anyone this time.

This is an imaginative tale packed with adventure, dangerous situations, and magic. From a secret society to monsters from another realm, Cameron finds himself wrapped up in more than most kids his age could ever dream of handling. The sticky situations pop up, one after the other, keeping the tension, at those moments, high and making it hard to guess what Cameron and his friends will face next. The stakes soar, the danger is deadly, and in order to reach the solution, Cameron is going to have to step beyond what he believes he's capable of...and that is exactly what rolls into one of the main themes, since Cameron's biggest problem is self-doubt.

It's interesting (and probably more realistic) to see a hero, who saved the world and knows it, return to normal life, where no one knows what happened, and have to face the same daily problems as before. His insecurities weren't blown away over night, but rather, have gained an extra edge due to the expectations others now have of him. So, that was a nice twist, especially when a bully from earlier in his childhood adds a constant reminder to Cameron's insecurities. Not that Cameron needs the reminder. His inner-banter constantly holds this insecurity up like a flashing red light, which end up getting more than a little repetitive. There are wise words from his therapist to help cope, but even these feel like they're on repeat. A little less would have been more. The tale, though, is exciting enough to smooth these over and keep the book interesting.

This is the second book in the series but can be read without visiting book one, and that even though the story builds from the previous adventure. The first chapters add a lot of backstory, which slowed the flow (especially for anyone who read book one) but made sure everything was covered to keep plot holes away as the adventure continues. Tossed in file entries from a secret society create a extra level of mystery and fun...although I'm not sure if these were in book one or not. Also, Cameron's friends sink into a bit of elemental magic, which adds a new twist on several ends.

While very message driven, this read holds more than a little excitement and adventure. I received a complimentary copy, am giving this 3.5 stars and rounding up.

What worked:
Cameron is a classic, underdog character as he’s small in stature and has lived with anxiety and bullying since he was about six years old. His lack of confidence constantly negates any positives that might arise. He’s welcomed back to summer camp by well-wishers who call him a hero and savior of the camp. Cameron doesn’t feel like the comments are deserved so the stress, his Beast, builds in his mind. An interesting twist arises when Jamis and Jessie appear at camp. Jamis tormented Cameron when they were young and he resumes his constant negativity toward Cameron. This helps Cameron’s brain predict the worst outcomes and he fears he’ll let everyone down. He might be a formidable warrior if he only had the same confidence in himself that his friends have for him.
The early chapters share plenty of information about what’s already happened in the previous book. Some chapters share reports from a secret organization, the Order of the Stones, that summarize the threats brewing from an alternate universe. Last summer, Cameron rallied the campers to stop Malphas from leading an invading army of demons from Agartha. Readers will also await the return of a helpful imp from Agartha since everyone on Cameron’s team comments about how much they miss him. However, Cameron’s success last summer only puts more pressure on him to do it again. High expectations from his friends result in his mind predicting a precipitous fall.
A big difference from the first book occurs when Cameron and his four friends begin to learn elemental magic. Wielding the magic requires the Caster to remain calm and in control so Cameron obviously struggles. His friends make rapid progress to master their elements and they constantly tell Cameron they believe he can do it too. However, his negative thoughts block his ability to relax and connect with Earth-magic. His power is the key to stopping Malphas and the Agarthans but readers will wonder if Cameron will ever master it. Readers will experience his roller coaster of emotions as Cameron goes through periods of feeling hope but sees them quickly squelched by self-doubt.
What didn’t work as well:
The reminders of Cameron’s anxiety get repetitious as the words and descriptions sound very similar. The recurrent descriptions and coping mechanisms may have readers feeling déjà vu. Also, Cameron wears Malphas’s shrunken fist on a necklace but it’s annoying that he ignores the negative impact it’s having on him.
The final verdict:
This elemental adventure should be well-received by middle-grade readers and Cameron’s severe anxiety is a significant complication. The description of his internal conflict gets redundant but it also helps accentuate the problem. Overall, Cameron is an engaging character and I recommend you give this book a shot.

Mark Cheverton once again delivers a spellbinding Middle Grade Fantasy. The narrative resumes with Cameron's return to Camp Pontchartrain, anticipating a peaceful summer. However, the arrival of malevolent Shadow-wraiths from Agartha disrupts his plans, leading to the abduction of his friend, Jessie. Despite the perception of Cameron as a hero following his previous battle with Malphas, his internal struggles, or the "Beast" as he refers to it, persist. Filled with fear and uncertainty, Cameron embarks on a perilous journey with his friends, facing alligators, shadow-wraiths, and the Swamp of Forgotten Souls. Cheverton skillfully weaves a tale of courage and friendship, compelling readers to join Cameron as he confronts his deepest fears to save his friends, all while under the ominous watch of the malevolent force, Malphas.

Hold onto your hats, kiddos! Mark Cheverton is back with Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths, and it's like jumping into a fantasy rollercoaster with a side of marshmallow fluff. Right from the get-go, you'll be hooked into Cameron's world, where peaceful summer plans turn into an all-out monster mash with Shadow-wraiths straight outta Agartha. I mean, who knew summer camps could be this wild?

So, here's the deal – Cameron's got the weight of the world on his shoulders (literally) as he battles gators, shadows, and his own inner Beast to rescue his pal Jessie. This book is the definition of nail-biting, heart-pounding, and laugh-out-loud fun. Cheverton's storytelling is so electric; you'll forget you're not actually traipsing through the New Orleans swamps with a bunch of fantastical friends. If you're up for an adventure that mixes courage with a touch of the absurd, grab Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths ASAP – your inner adventurer will thank you!