💫💫💫 BOOK REVIEW - ALEX WISE VS. THE COSMIC SHIFT by Terry J. Benton-Walker 💫💫💫

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children’s, for the eARC!

If you’re a Percy Jackson fan looking for more diverse characters and nonstop action, you’ll love Alex Wise vs. The Cosmic Shift! This sequel is packed with high-stakes adventure as Alex battles the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But what I really enjoyed was seeing Alex struggle with family, friendship, and self-doubt—it gave the story a lot of heart.

This one’s perfect for middle-grade readers who want exciting adventures with characters they can truly relate to. Alex isn’t a perfect hero, but that’s what makes him so inspiring—he’s figuring things out just like any kid. The mix of humour, emotional depth, and a fast-paced plot will definitely keep younger readers hooked!

This book is perfect for middle grade readers who love Percy Jackson or any of the Rick Riordan Presents series, but who want more diverse characters regarding race, gender, and sexuality. The action is non-stop and the world is fascinating, but there are some surprisingly realistic moments in the book, too. I will definitely be recommending this one to our patrons.

This is such a great alternative to another familiar series( no need to say the name ). I would rather read this series and suggest this series than the other.. Alex and his friends are at it again trying to stop the Horsemen from completing their plan. Though we are on this great adventure in the story the main character Alex is what draws me so close to the story. He is a kid that isn’t perfect but he is always growing and trying to make the best of the situation. He gives young readers a great hero to read about. Terry j Benton-walker does such a great job of drawling his readers in and giving us characters to love …or grow to love after a while. I look forward to what he will write next always.

5 stars

This is a great series with a fantastic protagonist, and this second book is a worthy addition to Alex's ever-growing experiences and readers' bookshelves.

While Alex's adventurous and heroic nature keep the plot moving swiftly, it's his personal growth that makes him (and this series overall)) stand out. He's an intriguing balance of confidence and ability and self-doubt and uncertainty. Despite his highly unusual characteristics, these cornerstones paint him as a deeply relatable character, especially to young readers.

I enjoy this author and this character, and I look forward to wherever they both take us next.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Alex Wise vs. the Cosmic Shift picks up where the last adventure left off, and once again, Terry J. Benton-Walker delivers an epic, fast-paced apocalyptic adventure.
Alex is fresh from defeating the First Horseman, but he still has a lot on his plate, with three to go. I enjoyed seeing his growth as he tackled new challenges, as well as personal issues with his family and other loved ones, including reckoning with the fallout from a betrayal by someone he trusted. His uncertainty in the midst of it all is relatable, but he perseveres and continues to evolve over the course of the narrative.
The titular Cosmic Shift raises the stakes quite a bit, especially with frequent reminders of the time counting down. This made for an effective building of tension, culminating in a satisfying climax, resolution, and open ending setting up the next book.
This was a satisfying read, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for an apocalyptic Middle Grade fantasy-adventure. .
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Alex Wise vs. the Cosmic Shift picks up where the last adventure left off, and once again, Terry J. Benton-Walker delivers an epic, fast-paced apocalyptic adventure.
Alex is fresh from defeating the First Horseman, but he still has a lot on his plate, with three to go. I enjoyed seeing his growth as he tackled new challenges, as well as personal issues with his family and other loved ones, including reckoning with the fallout from a betrayal by someone he trusted. His uncertainty in the midst of it all is relatable, but he perseveres and continues to evolve over the course of the narrative.
The titular Cosmic Shift raises the stakes quite a bit, especially with frequent reminders of the time counting down. This made for an effective building of tension, culminating in a satisfying climax, resolution, and open ending setting up the next book.
This was a satisfying read, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for an apocalyptic Middle Grade fantasy-adventure. .

I love every Benton-Walker as written and this one is no exception. He has a way of putting a diverse perspective into terms that are just understandable, as a Black woman raising Black children, his work speaks to me in ways not many other authors do. It is refreshing to see the representation on the page.

My 11 year old daughter read this with me and loved it!

Thank you Random House Children’s and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. One of the things I love most about Terry Benton-Walker is that each book in a series becomes more intriguing, slightly darker, and consumes you even more! Alex, Loren, and Liam have defeated one of the horseman in doing so they were able to get Mags back. But things can never be easy, there’s still 3 horseman left and they were betrayed by someone close, someone Alex looked up too. They have an apocalypse to stop, but now their parents are standing in their way. Alex is also struggling with the weight on his shoulders, his sister not talking to him, and the complications of his stepbrother. Once they receive word that the Horsemen have relocated to Vegas, they sneak out to get away from their parents and head to Vegas to end this once and for all. But when they face complication after complication they may just to be ready to handle what’s coming. Can Alex withstand the pressure and end the apocalypse? Can he keep all his loved ones safe? When he’s been betrayed and betrayed can he trust anyone? I loved that this one gets a step darker than the first one! Alex, Liam, and Loren know their responsibility but the wait of it is starting to drag them down. Alex is especially feeling pressure but also doesn’t feel like he has anyone he can talk to. Plus he is really struggling with trust and his feelings for Liam. Which are complicated because of his lack of trust. Exciting from the first page that will have readers flipping the pages to find out what happens! But be prepared the ending will leave you wanting more! You still have funny parts, I love Alex’s humor! This book brings in more emotional depth and weight that is incredibly realistic! Alex Wise should be on everyone’s reading lists!

HE'S Back!!!! In book 2 alex and friends continue their quest to save the world from the 4 horsemen. Along the way. Alex and friends learn more about themselves and those around them. This an amazing middle grade story, about loving and trusting yourself and those close to you, and about going above and beyond what is excepting of you to find your true self.

Thank you to the publishers & TJ for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Terry does it again in another thrilling installment to the Alex Wise series. Alex is back with his friends still continuing the mission to stop the Horsemen from completing their plans for the Apocalypse. Fresh off of a major betrayal and still very much insecure about being the child savior of the universe, we see Alex doubting himself more than ever. His relationships seem fragile. He’s not sure where he belongs in this grand plan for the universe and he doesn’t feel like the “superhero” everyone makes him out to be. He’s just a kid with huge responsibilities on his shoulders.

I’ll say it a million times but I always get inspired reading these books. Inspired to see people in different ways as well as inspired to believe in myself and others. Alex is a hero every child can look up to. He is flawed in a way we all are but he’s eager to learn and grow. We get lessons of listening to others and allowing yourself time and grace to heal. We also have to remember that everyone here is a child and needs even more time for these things.

The major plot twist at the end had me shook yet again like the last book. I’m over here eager for book 3 before 2 is even released. The TJ Verse has no limits and I’m here for every single thing that is created. Love you TJ and thank you again!!

Terry J Benton Walker did it again! The adventures of Alex and his friends continue in the 2nd book of the Alex Wise series. The Apocalypse has hit LA and it's time to continue fighting to bring the world back from the brink of extinction. Alex and his crew team up with new allies to fight the horseman and stop destruction. With action on every page, we watch Alex and his friends not only deal with supernatural forces trying to destroy the world, but also with normal teenage emotions. Both parents and children alike will enjoy this book.

TJ Benton Walker did it again! Alex Wise vs the Cosmic Shift is the perfect sequel that doesn't suffer from second book syndrome. Thank you net galley for the opportunity to reach and leave an honest review.

After saving the world from the apocalypse, Alex Wise and friends are still in the muck of things as they battle the Horsemen of Apocalypse to stop them from their next mission: invoking the Cosmic Shift. In this story we dive further into Alex's internal feelings and thoughts as he struggles with his relationships with his family and friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the way TJ wrote emotions and weaved lessons into the narrative.