BILLY BUCKHORN AND THE RISE OF THE NIGHT SEERS

In this sequel to Billy Buckhorn and the Book of Spells (2023), our hero faces and must defeat more supernatural forces.

Billy, a Cherokee 16-year-old, is still discovering his powers, which include leaving his physical body to enter the spirit realm, hearing the thoughts of animals, and growing at an astounding pace. Following in the tradition of his beloved Grandpa Wesley, a medicine man, Billy is learning how to control his abilities in order to help his people. Chigger is still trying to figure out his place relative to his magical best friend, which makes him an easy target for manipulation by a Night Seer conjurer on a quest for power and revenge. All of this takes place against the backdrop of the tribal council’s discussion of the cosmic clock (“less than six months remained on the dial!”) and the impending Native American Armageddon. With the help of his family and friends, Billy sets out to deflect the bad deeds of the Night Seers and help prevent a war with the Underworld. Robinson, who is of Cherokee and Choctaw descent, once again delivers a novel that’s filled with interesting Cherokee myths, folklore, and traditions. Unfortunately, the prose is trite and clunky at times and the dialogue isn’t sufficiently differentiated between the characters, who need more development to feel like fully fleshed individuals.

Rich in cultural details but lacking in worldbuilding.