Lost in Babylon

Gr 5–8—After finding the first Loculus and escaping Brother Dimitros and the other Massarym monks in the first book in the series, The Colossus Rises (HarperCollins, 2013), Jack McKinley and his friends could use a vacation. But they'll get no time off as Marco, the most athletic and headstrong of the Select, has vanished along with the Loculus, one of the keys to restoring the power of Atlantis and saving the lives of the four teens who share the G7W gene. Tracking Marco down will lead the group to their next mission, finding the Loculus hidden in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Their adventure will place them in the middle of an ancient civilization, introduce them to a new friend, and challenge their understanding of the motives and methods of the two secret organizations searching for the Loculi. Johnathan McClain's youthful voice captures Jack's wry sense of humor and moments of vulnerability. He deftly changes voices to distinguish characters, from the burly and terse bodyguard Torquin to the supportive and clever servant Daria in Babylon. Particularly entertaining is his portrayal of Professor Bhegad. McClain gives the leader of the Karai Institute a high-pitched, hyper voice that belies the secrets he's keeping from the Select. With a solid sense of pacing, McClain guides listeners through the many twists in the narrative. Much is left unanswered and a revelation at the end will leave fans anxiously awaiting the next title.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL