Book Reviews

Potion Masters: The Seeking Serum by Frank L. Cole

Synopsis:
Gordy’s grandfather, Mezzarix, who is a powerful, evil elixirist, stole the Vessel, the source of power for all potion masters. He fled to Florida to establish a headquarters, declare his manifesto: No More Prisons. No More Rulers. No More Secrets – and launch his final attack. Gordy, an apprentice elixirist, has been hiding in a safe house with his family and friends, but his mom has become increasingly concerned for their safety. Despite her worries, Gordy and his friends enter the underground network known as the Swigs, a haven for renegade potion masters and black-market potions to secure support in the fight against Mezzarix.

Scourges, the name given to potion masters imprisoned by B.R.E.W but who have recently been freed by Mezzarix, attack the Swigs, and Gordy barely escapes with this life. He has to leave his family behind. He heads to the house of his best friend, Max, where his other friends, Sasha and Adilene, join him in making a plan to help find Mezzarix’s secret location.

As the fight intensifies between B.R.E.W and the Scourges, it falls to Gordy and his friends to find Mezzarix and prevent him from corrupting the Vessel, which would plunge the world back into the Dark Ages. With some help from new friends, Gordy realizes it will take a new way of thinking about magic and the art of brewing potions in order to stop his grandfather, save the world, and unite the potion-making community.

Review:
The Seeking Serum is the final installment in the Potion Masters trilogy. The villain Mezzarix now has the upper hand and Gordy and his friends are in hiding. But the young apprentices form a haphazard plan to find Mezzarix and steal back the powerful Vessel and save humanity.

This 3rd novel is fun and excitement from beginning to end. The danger and suspense has intensified. Gordy and his friends make a great team with enjoyable characters. And I love the unique worldbuilding of potion-making instead of just magic. This series will appeal to middle readers on up. It’s fresh, engaging, a bit dark, and sometimes silly to lighten the mood. This finale was hard to put down.

Adventurers Guild: Night of Dangers by by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos

Synopsis:
After falling victim to a vile betrayal, Zed is cut off from Brock and their friends and unable to warn them about a dangerous enemy on the move. The Adventurers Guild may have defeated the evil that cast the elves from their home, but that doesn’t keep them in the Freestoners’ good graces for long.

An ordinary day at the market comes to a fatal end when a rare Danger infiltrates the city, leaving over a dozen dead. Tensions come to a boil as the city is threatened by upheaval from within and becomes alight with terror. Brock finds himself frustratingly unable to utilize his underground contacts…though the mysterious Lady Grey may not be finished with him yet.

To come together to save their city from a timeless evil looking to settle a score, the young adventurers must learn to trust in each other again and be willing to do whatever it takes to stop the tragedy of the Day of Dangers from happening again.

Review:
Night of Dangers is the 3 and final book in the Adventurers Guild trilogy. As in the previous novels, the narrative switches between Zed and Brock. However, poor Zed is lost in a limbo-like state and can’t communicate with his friends. And Brock has no idea why his friend is acting so different.

This installment is the most exciting yet. Zed searches for a way to communicate to his friends before time runs out for him and the whole city. There are several fun twists along the way that are unpredictable and keep the story moving. The suspense and intrigue builds to a big, satisfying finale. I only wish this was a longer series, as it feel like we’re just scratching the surface of these engaging characters and complex world. This is a great fantasy series that all ages can enjoy.