★ “The second installment in this fast-paced fantasy is enhanced by the richly detailed rainforest setting... a tale about how to celebrate differences and still find unity. Another knockout in a series that will appeal to nature lovers, animal lovers, and fans of magical adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★“Schrefer’s second book in the Lost Rainforest series continues the enthralling fantasy adventures of this eclectic group of animals and hints at where the next threat to the rain forest will come from. Fans of Mez’s Magic and Katherine Applegate’s Endling #1: The Last (2018) will eagerly devour Gogi’s Gambit.” — Booklist (starred review)
PRAISE FOR MEZ’S MAGIC: “Unlike anything I’ve read. Eliot Schrefer has mined the richness and depths of his setting to find a deeper magic, immersing us in a world that is at once complex, dangerous, beautiful, and ultimately demanding of our protection. A thrilling start to an exceptional new series.” — Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series
★ “While the story is pure fast-paced fantasy, the underlying issues are real. Ignorance among the species, racism, and intolerance of differences are rampant. An author’s note highlights the beauty and importance of the rainforest. Magic with depth in this new series stunner.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Just right for middle grade readers who want an engrossing fantasy adventure.” — School Library Journal
“With a memorable, quick-bantering cast, this kickoff to the Lost Rainforest series, a playful departure from Schrefer’s ape novels, brings fresh perspective to the magical animal subgenre. And, despite the fantasy setup, readers will come away learning quite a bit about this ecosystem and its inhabitants.” — Publishers Weekly
“Mez’s Magic is packed with as many jokes as fast-paced fight scenes. And Schrefer has created a stock of memorable characters—including Gogi, a monkey with self-esteem issues; Rumi, a delightfully urbane tree frog; and a manic, pixie-dream bat named Lima.” — New York Times Book Review
★ 2018-09-30
The Ant Queen is on the move again, putting all the inhabitants of the rainforest in danger, in this sequel to Mez's Magic (2018).
While she and her minions are powerful, those born during the eclipse received magical abilities that enable them to fight the encroaching ant hoard. Gogi, the capuchin, blessed with ability to control fire, travels back to the site of the epic battle to meet with his friends. While his impulsive monkey brain often gets him in trouble, his emotional sensitivity makes him an invaluable ally. Mez the panther is gifted with invisibility and bravery. Lima the bat is an enthusiastic healer. And Rumi the tree frog is hyperintelligent and can control the wind. Now Rumi's calculations warn of another eclipse that will likely have its own effects on the residents of the Caldera. While the team is strong, their bonds will be tested by new friends, old enemies, and surprising twists. The second installment in this fast-paced fantasy is enhanced by the richly detailed rainforest setting. The characters choose to overcome stereotypes and interspecies prejudice, making this not only an entertaining read, but a tale about how to celebrate differences and still find unity.
Another knockout in a series that will appeal to nature lovers, animal lovers, and fans of magical adventure. (Fantasy. 8-12)
