Title: The Drowned Vault
Author: N.D. Wilson
First published September 1, 2012
464 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780375864407 (ISBN10: 0375864407)
Rating: 4.3
Overview
The thrilling sequel to the Ashtown Burials series will have fans of Percy Jackson and Indiana Jones on the edge of their seats. In The Drowned Vault, N.D. Wilson takes readers on an action-packed adventure filled with lost civilizations, ancient secrets, and buried treasure.
After losing the Dragon’s Tooth to the nefarious Dr. Phoenix, Cyrus and Antigone Smith must go on the run to locate Phoenix and regain the Tooth. But when they discover an evil even more dangerous than Phoenix, they realize that the fate of the world is in their hands.
With the help of legendary warrior Gilgamesh of Uruk, the siblings must race against time to save the world from destruction. Will they be able to uncover the centuries-old secrets and emerge victorious?
Find out in The Drowned Vault.
Editoral Review
The Drowned Vault by N.D. Wilson is a young adult fiction novel first published on September 1, 2012. The author is known for his unique way of blending adventure, fantasy, and history in his writings.
This book, part of the Ashtown Burials series, continues this trend with a captivating plot, complex characters, and an intriguing setting. The story revolves around the adventurous lives of the two main characters, Cyrus and Antigone Smith, who are part of a secret society tasked with protecting ancient artifacts.
Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to unravel the secrets of the Drowned Vault, a place where treasure hunters have lost their lives. Throughout their journey, they face numerous challenges, including mythical creatures, treacherous enemies, and the possibility of betrayal from within.
Wilson’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in the world he creates. His command of language is impressive, and he does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.
The pacing also deserves commendation, as Wilson varies the tempo of the story, allowing readers to breathe in some scenes while picking up the pace in others. The characters are one of the book’s strong points, with Cyrus and Antigone Smith being well fleshed out, dynamic protagonists.
Wilson provides a detailed backstory for both characters, explaining their motivations and driving the plot forward. Supporting characters, on the other hand, are often shrouded in mystery, making them unpredictable and adding to the suspense.
The themes of loyalty, bravery, and the relationship between family and friends are prevalent throughout the book. Wilson also explores the concept of power and how it can be both a blessing and a curse, a topic that is relevant to current events.
Overall, The Drowned Vault is an exciting and well-written novel that will appeal to young adults and older readers alike. It is a sequel to The Dragon’s Tooth, another book in the Ashtown Burials series, which may be a drawback for those who have not read the first book.
However, the story stands on its own and can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
One of the book’s downsides, however, is the lack of diversity in its characters.
The vast majority of the characters are Caucasian, which could be seen as a missed opportunity by the author to introduce more diversity. Despite this limitation, The Drowned Vault is an excellent addition to the Ashtown Burials series and is sure to entertain and captivate readers.
Therefore, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in adventure, mystery, and fantasy literature. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this book an 8, as it provides a fantastic reading experience with a few minor limitations.
