DRAGON CAPTIVES

Twelve-year-old twins Thisbe and Fifer’s magical abilities are far greater than their brother Alex’s. But in the 10 years since the great battle that cost him the use of his arm, Alex, leader of Artimé, has become fearful and overprotective.

When Hux the dragon arrives asking for new magical wings and help in freeing his siblings from the evil Revenir, Alex senses a trap. But the twins, hoping to prove themselves worthy and desperate for an adventure, decide to travel with the dragon to his distant homeland. They bring their only slightly more experienced friend Seth along for the ride. Although they survive the perilous journey, a clash with a magically enhanced bamboo wall, and prison, the young, white trio ultimately finds their lack of magical ability is their undoing. Thankfully, friends from Artimé arrive with much-needed help. Even though there’s a great deal of explanation provided in the exposition, readers unfamiliar with the popular Unwanteds series will have a difficult time playing catch-up. The twins are understandably anxious to spread their wings, but their antics grow quickly tiresome. The predictable plot, flat characters, and unimaginative spells fail to capture the magic of the previous volumes.

An unfortunate revival.