THE RISE OF THE BLACK WOLF

The war between good and evil is entangled in the war between Max Sumner’s estranged parents in this sequel to The Revenge of the Shadow King (2006). Max and his friends, the Grey Griffins, are off to spend Christmas at Sumner Castle, Max’s billionaire father’s home in Scotland. Before they even arrive at the castle, the Griffins are embroiled once again in the faerie war when their plane is attacked by Kobolds. Though Max’s father doesn’t have any time to spend with the children when they finally arrive, they have plenty to fill their days: searching for a mysterious witching well, fighting loathsome Bog Beasts and questing for the Spear of Ragnarok. When Max’s father is kidnapped by minions of the evil “Morgan LaFey,” Max’s loyalty is torn between the forces of light and his need to rescue his father. This amalgam of Norse mythology, Arthurian legends, the Dracula story and others is chaotic and somewhat incoherent—but the fast-paced adventure and slightly gross-out magic will keep some readers enthralled. (Fantasy. 9-12)