The Challenger: Contender Book 2

by Taran Matharu

Overview

The stakes are higher than ever in The Challenger, the second book in the Contender YA trilogy by the New York Times bestselling author of the Summoner series, Taran Matharu.

The first battle is over, but the Game is just beginning...

Cade Carter and his friends have survived the qualifying round of the mysterious overlords' twisted games, decimated by the loss of so many of their comrades during the fight. But they have no time to mourn, for the next round of trials is about to begin.

When the group discovers that their next foe will be even more ferocious than the last, Cade leads them on a quest out into their strange new world to find anything that might give them an edge. But what they find in the wilds could prove to be even more dangerous than the impending battle...

Readers will be on the edge of their seats in this thrilling sequel to The Chosen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250791931
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	08/10/2021
Series:	Contender Series , #2
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	94,712
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Taran Matharu is the author of the New York Times-bestselling Summoner Trilogy: The Novice (Book One), The Inquisition (Book Two), The Battlemage (Book Three), The Outcast (the prequel), and The Summoner's Handbook. The series has been compared to the Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings series. Taran Matharu lives in London.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for The Challenger:

"Matharu presents a unique world with fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction elements. ... The action scenes are riveting and in perfect balance with the characterizations, as the diverse group of teens reacts realistically to the violence and horror around them. A complex, well-blended mix of plot and characterization, perfect for fans of fantasy battle royale stories." —School Library Journal

Praise for The Novice:

A New York Times Bestseller

“The appealing characters, fast-paced plot, focus on racial politics, and interesting demon varieties (demonology addendum included) make this an enjoyable read.” —School Library Journal

“Fantasy readers should enjoy this entertaining, comfortably familiar-feeling adventure featuring an earnest soldier-schoolboy and his demonic sidekick.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This plot-focused fantasy adventure will be a satisfying read for a wide age range of readers, especially fans of role-playing games and Christopher Paolini.” —VOYA

“Taran Matharu . . . racked up more than a million reads for his first novel, Summoner, in only four months.” —NBCnews.com

Praise for The Inquisition:

"A fast-paced, familiar tale with strong echoes of Tolkien, Pullman, and Pokémon." —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Battlemage:

A USA Today Bestseller
A New York Times Bestseller

From the Publisher

07/01/2020

Gr 8 Up—In this second installment of the "Contender" series, Cade Carter has survived the qualifying round of Abaddon's twisted games, but he and his friends have little time to rest or grieve. A new trial, a duel, has been set for Cade. With a little over a month to prepare and with the fate of Earth in his hands, Cade and his friends learn more about the mysterious world of Acies and its deadly inhabitants. However, after being captured by slavers, they are taken to New Rome, where they are forced to compete in gladiatorial games. If Cade dies in the Colosseum, he cannot compete in Abaddon's duel and Earth will be destroyed. Matharu presents a unique world with fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction elements. The interesting blend of ancient Roman history, mysterious AI computers, dinosaurs, and demons works because of Matharu's coherent world-building. The climactic ending feels rushed and highlights some uneven pacing; however, the action scenes are riveting and in perfect balance with the characterizations, as the diverse group of teens reacts realistically to the violence and horror around them. VERDICT A complex, well-blended mix of plot and characterization, perfect for fans of fantasy battle royale stories.—Kaetlyn Phillips, Yorkton, Sask.

School Library Journal