Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl

by Julie Kagawa

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Science, magic and fast-paced adventure collide in Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl, the first book in a new series based on the lore of Disney’s legendary Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Shinji’s journey from an ordinary kid to the keeper of magic takes him and his new partner, Lucy, on a perilous journey around the world to escape the evil corporation following them.

One of the most beloved stories from The Walt Disney Parks is now a romping middle grade adventure series! High-tech wizardry, old world legends and a little bit of Disney magic all shine through in Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl, the first book in the Society of Explorers and Adventurers series from renowned best-selling author, Julie Kagawa.


"One cannot fight destiny, boy. Even if one did not ask for it. The idol calls for you, and you must answer its call..."

Shinji Takahashi is just an ordinary kid. An ordinary homeschooled smart-alecky kid being raised by his globe-trotting aunt Yui. But when a magical guardian decides to use him as a conduit to awaken its power, Shinji’s life takes a turn for the anything-but-ordinary. Captured by the menacing Hightower Corporation, which is bent on using the guardian’s magic for its own nefarious purposes, Shinji must team up with a brilliant young tech whiz named Lucy and her robot mouse, Tinker, in order to escape.

Together the two turn to the venerable Society of Explorers and Adventurers and its ragtag cast of spelunkers, hackers, mapmakers, pilots, and mythology experts (among other things) to return the guardian to its rightful home and release Shinji from its magic—which seems to be draining his life force. Time is ticking, the Hightower Corporation is in hot pursuit, and success or failure might depend on one small thing—Shinji finally coming around to the belief that he is anything but ordinary.

Based on the Society of Explorers and Adventurers lore that exist across the Walt Disney Parks, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl is the first book in an all-new action-adventure series that brings S.E.A. into the twenty-first century through a blend of science and magic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368068192
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	04/26/2022
Series:	The Society of Explorers and Adventurers
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	164,944
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Julie Kagawa is the New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Fey, Blood of Eden, Talon, and Shadow of the Fox series. She was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full time. Julie now lives in North Carolina with her husband, two obnoxious cats, and a pair of Australian Shepherds that have more Instagram followers than she does. You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter @JKagawa or check out her website at juliekagawa.com.

Editorial Reviews

03/07/2022

In Kagawa’s (the Iron Fey series) fantasy, based on a fictional society created by Walt Disney Imagineering, sardonic Shinji Takahashi, of Japanese descent, lives with his aunt Yui in Miami following his parents’ death, and each year accompanies her on “treasure hunts” around the world to source wares for her store. Since the 13-year-old would prefer to be playing a quest-oriented video game, he’s sent on an IRL quest during this year’s trip down the Zambezi River, and soon comes across a new-to-him part of a market, and a valuable figurine—the Coatl—that “calls for” him. When a group attempts to steal the statue, Shinji inadvertently absorbs it, becoming its guardian—and gaining a new tattoo and potentially fatal curse. Kidnapped and taken to N.Y.C.’s Hightower Corporation, a company interested in acquiring magical artifacts, he meets fellow 13-year-old Lucy Smith, a white-cued tech prodigy who helps him escape. The two then make their way to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, whose mission is to “preserve the past and the wonders of ancient cultures” while working to “restore and return” artifacts they previously stole, and then to Mexico City, where Shinji must return the idol before the curse takes its toll. Employing classic heist tropes, this high-speed adventure with well-plotted twists sets up the series while considering exploration’s colonial implications. Ages 8–12. Agent: Laurie McLean, Fuse Literary. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"As thrilling and fast-moving as a rollercoaster ride! Shinji’s story will captivate even the most reluctant reader. I loved every second of this book!"—Jen Calonita, New York Times best-selling author of the A Twisted Tale series

"Don’t miss out as Shinji Takahashi goes on the adventure of a lifetime as he tries to solve the riddle of an ancient curse! It’s a non-stop thrill ride that will leave you breathless and wanting to join the Society of Explorers and Adventurers!"—James Ponti, New York Times best-selling author of the City Spies series

"Employing classic heist tropes, this high-speed adventure with well-plotted twists sets up the series while considering exploration’s colonial implications."—Publishers Weekly

In the hands of veteran [Julie] Kagawa, this memorable middle-grade adventure series starter shines brightly.—Booklist

This fast-paced fantastical adventure is full of dragons, snakes, dangerous trials, friendships, and mythological obstacles...This exciting book will keep fans of adventure-filled fantasy stories turning the pages to see what happens next.—School Library Connection

This intriguing venture builds to a compelling climax...An action-packed fantasy containing a surprising twist.—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 05/01/2022

Gr 3–7—Shinji is no stranger to adventure. He has traveled the world with his Aunt Yui for as long as he can remember. While shopping in a market he finds a figurine of a Coatl, a feathered serpent creature from Mesoamerican lore. After purchasing this figure, he quickly discovers he got more than he bargained for. He is chased and captured by the Hightower Corporation who are trying to take the figurine so they can control its magic. It is then he discovers that this figure comes with a curse: the mark of the Coatl, which has now changed from a figurine to a tattoo on his arm. With the help of some new friends, he must return the idol to its temple home in Mexico in order to remove the curse before it is too late. This first in the series is a thrilling adventure with elements of magic and folklore, in the same vein as Rick Riordan's works. The fast-paced action and short chapters make this a great choice for reluctant readers. A surprising twist will have kids eagerly awaiting the sequels. VERDICT The perfect mixture of Indiana Jones meets Percy Jackson that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.—Kristin Williamson

School Library Journal

2022-01-11
An old curse and untapped magic lead a boy on a worldwide quest to save his aunt.

Ever since 13-year-old Shinji Takahashi’s parents died, he and his Aunt Yui have lived a life that includes months of travels, hunting for unique items for her shop in Miami. While floating down the Zambezi River, Shinji comes upon a mysterious shop with a small figurine of a Coatl, or mythical feathered serpent, that seems to be calling to him. But after he buys it, Shinji is kidnapped and held captive by the Hightower Corporation in New York City. Aunt Yui is nowhere to be seen—and the Coatl figurine has transformed itself into a tattoo on Shinji’s arm. A Hightower villain informs him that it brings with it a deadly curse. Meanwhile, young prodigy Lucy, who has been working for the corporation, appears in Shinji’s room in the middle of the night: After overhearing Hightower’s evil plans for him, she decides to help him break out. Lucy suggests reaching out to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Hightower’s archrivals, for help returning the Coatl to its original temple and finding Shinji’s aunt. This intriguing venture builds to a compelling climax. One question that remains unanswered is why Japanese American Shinji, who has no Mesoamerican heritage, is chosen by the Coatl to be its rescuer; perhaps this will be resolved in the next entry in this new series.

An action-packed fantasy containing a surprising twist. (Fantasy. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews