Atlantis Quest

3.5 stars

Atlantis Quest is book two of the Atlantis Rising series by Gloria Craw and I’m glad I came across these books. This book picks up shortly after book one wrapped up and quickly pulled me back into Alison’s story again. I admit, I had to go back to book one to refresh my memory of what had happened in the first book but once I did that and then dove into this book, everything started coming back to me.

Now that Alison knows a bit about who she is and where she comes from, she is more open to those around her; including the clan. Now that Sebastian is taken care of and no longer after her, Alison is in a bit of a rhythm but all of that changes when she is asked to join Spencer and Katherine (Ian’s parents) for dinner where she finds out Nikki Dawning, the girl who almost got her killed, is missing. Not only that, they think Alison is the one who can help find her.

The story really picks up when Alison heads to Colorado to spy on the Truss clan. The plan is that she will stay with a guy names Theron whose family has a place near where the Truss will be and since Alison doesn’t give off a vibration, she is the most logical person to go see what is going on.

I have to say, I really like Theron. I was worried about a potential love triangle here and while that doesn’t normally bother me, I was concerned here because I really like Ian. Thankfully it wasn’t something that I worried about for long. Alison definitely has feelings for Ian and I see where her thoughts are coming from but her relationship with Theron definitely feels more brotherly. One of my favorite parts of their relationship was that back and forth banter. In addition to that, Theron knows things about Alison. As they begin to get comfortable with each other and open up, they both find they are able to talk to one another about things they haven’t felt comfortable talking to others about. These two have formed a great friendship and I love how Theron has helped Alison face one of her biggest fears, opening herself up to Ian even though it might now all work out in the end.

Alison definitely grows in this book. She is on her own with the Truss most of the time…with the exception of the time she spent with Phoebe and she definitely holds her own. While she is definitely in danger when she is at the resort on her own, she uses her brain. When she is in danger, she thinks about what to do versus just reacting. I appreciate that she wasn’t just reacting all the time. I also like that she finally called Spencer and Katherine out on all the secrets they have been keeping from her.

I also liked how Craw tied Sebastian into the current story and the fact that we finally got to find out about Maxwell and what the overall plan was. As the story wraps up, we find out what happens with the Truss clan and ultimately, Nikki. I don’t know if another book is in the works for this series but I think this book definitely leaves things open for another since I still have questions about Alison’s place within the clans as well as what happens amongst them all.

If you are looking for something a bit different definitely consider this series. It was something I just happened across and I’m glad for it. It has solid characters and an interesting story and while I wasn’t really sure what to expect at first, I found myself pulled into this story and unable to put it down.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

So with this book I am seeing Allison more as a heroine. She is stronger, less waffly and more decisive. She does try to hurt my Ian but he doesn’t let her miss negativity guss deter him. You go boo..Our characters pick up where one left off. There is some peace in allison and Ian’s world for a little bit. They settle into school and family and Allison learns more to fight and about herself and who she is. Ian is there for her as always and he is just as sweet and charming.

Suddenly the world is put into danger once again. The truss are appointing a new leader and this may cause strife and war. Also Ian’s parents want help from allison in finding Nikki her betrayer and enemy. They hold secrets from Allison that she finds out about through the snarky and bitter Theron. Theron wears you down. When you first meet him you are like meh but he does drive Allison batty so he can’t be to bad and than he just wears on you. He changes because of Allison. He goes from bitter to snarky. He is still dangerous but he is a danger to his enemies. Allison helps him move on and find peace. He begins to feel lighter and less burdened.

Lillian makes some decisions about her life that will have you sad but the game between her and Ian will still have you smile. I think losing her would be a sad development in the story if it happens.

Ian is as flirty, sweet fun and kind as ever. His protective and fierce side is out more and Allison does hurt him. Poor guy. I think in the end when Allison finally makes up her mind Ian should keep her dangling longer.

So here Allison and Ian are off to find Nikki and stop the Truss from putting in a tyrant. Allison’s skills are stronger and she is more determined. With Theron there as a listener and type of guide she learns more about her powers, her mom and her family. She sees what other clans are like and gains allies as well. I didn’t like her using others but in the end that worked out well. We are privy to some wow moments with Jacob and Matt. And I mean wow moments. It will have your jaw drop.

The book is becoming more character and emotional driven. We are getting more depth in the characters and seeing them fleshed out more. The emotions are becoming broader and the focus is more on Allison’s clan and family history and not the history of the children of Atlantis. She begins to believe more in herself and her abilities and sees Ian as more. The letter from Nikki in the end wow just seriously what a cliffy.

A well paced book full of danger, intrigue, revelations and the beginnings of a love bond. the story of a girl finding her past, seeing what family means and becoming a stronger person with the help of those around her and especially Ian who is there for her no matter what.

Once again I am impressed with Gloria Craw! We continue to follow Alison in her quest to learn more about being a dewing yet trying to get the most of her time left with her family before she has to leave so they won’t discover her secret once she stops aging.

We get to continue loving Ian and, for me at least, hoping for a soul match pairing. Unfortunately, Alison is so negative about her ability to find a match that she may let a good thing get away. Theron, Alison’s cousin, makes his first appearance in Atlantis Quest and I love him. He is snarky and sarcastic and at times, downright rude, but that is just fine because he can match Alison comment for comment and their banter sometimes made me actually laugh but mostly I smiled every time they spoke to one another. I love how he gets Alison. She needed someone that she didn’t have to explain why she feels the way she does and doesn’t have to feel bad for her humanity. I am excited at what his abilities are going to be. I can’t wait to see how Alison will infiltrate the Tress and become a chief. I think between her and Phoebe, there is a change coming!

Atlantis Quest is the second novel in author Gloria Craw's paranormal young adult (YA) series, Atlantis Rising, and it takes place some time after the events of the series starter. Seventeen-year-old Alison McKye may have gotten rid of her people's number one enemy, Sebastian Truss, but there doesn't seem to be much rest for the weary. She's soon asked to go on an undercover mission to find out where Nikki Dawning, Alison's nemesis at Fillmore High and the dewing who turned out to be working for the enemy, may be held captive. This truly becomes more of Alison's story and her coming to grips with the gifts she's been given. She's basically on her own, unable to really get much help from Ian Thane, who's been by her side from the beginning, but she may have found an ally in the form of a computer hacker, Theron Falco. She's tasked to get close to Phoebe Truss, but as the days pass, Alison begins to think she's being used in ways she never agreed to and she learns things are being kept from her--about her family and her legacy.

Alison went through her fair share of training in the first book and continues trying to hone her fighting skills and her otherworldly abilities in this sequel. She'll need them since she's basically left to her own devices for most of the time here, no thanks to Ian's parents, who I feel were using Alison more than they were admitting to. My opinion of them shifted, because even though I wouldn't necessarily label them as manipulative, they did take advantage of Alison and preyed upon her kindness and, I think, her closeness to Ian. We also learn more about Alison's parents thanks to a new character--Theron Falco, who is a computer genius and an artist that ends up playing babysitter to Alison as she tries to find out where Nikki Dawning is. Theron and Alison are distant cousins, and while things got off to a rocky start, they become close during their time together in the cabin. I did wonder if there was some sort of underlying romantic angle to them, because the whole cousin thing isn't really an issue, I think, to dewings, so you never know.

I liked that this was more focused on Alison and her evolution to becoming a more independent dewing coming into her own. Her hesitance with regards to pursuing a relationship with Ian was frustrating at times and you can't help but love Ian for being so darn patient with her when it's clear that she reciprocates his feelings. I have a theory when it comes to the likenessing issue between the two of them and it has to do with something Theron pointed out offhandedly and with the reaction that Ian and Alison get when their palms touch. Yes, I admit it: I want these two to likeness, but maybe it's good that it's slow going because they are both seventeen...and maybe Gloria Craw is saving it for the last book in the trilogy. Maybe. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. The book does end in another cliffhanger, one that I suspected was going to happen after reading the first book. It's going to be a bit of wait, though, until we get the series ender--March 2017--but I have a feeling it just may be worth the wait. Atlantis Quest gets 4.5 stars. ♥