Review of Sebastian Darke, Prince of Explorers by Philip Caveney

I reviewed this book for the May issue of School Library Journal. For the rest of the May reviews, please check the School Library Journal website.

CAVENEY, Philip. Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers. Bk. 3. illus. by Johnny Duddle. 416p. Delacorte. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-385-73469-1. LC number unavailable.

Gr 6–8—In their third adventure, elfling Sebastian and his companions, the tiny but mighty warrior Cornelius and talking buffalope, Max, lead an expedition through the jungle to find the legendary lost city of Mendip. Losing their two hired men to various dangers but picking up four more travelers from a primitive village along the way, the explorers find Mendip, where they encounter orphaned children, a boatful of treasure, and hordes of hungry zombies. As usual, Sebastian attracts much female attention, rather inexplicably as he displays very little personality or dash in this installment, although to his credit he remains true to his faraway love, Jenna. There is plenty of bloodshed, with both friends and enemies dying like flies; the interlude at the village is puzzling; and the zombies add shopworn thrills. The ever-vocal, ever-hungry Max provides comic relief, and Sebastian Darke's fans will likely enjoy the action, but this is the most disappointing entry of the series so far.—Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library