Title: Adam Tideborne and the Lotus Tree
Author: Joshua Stevens-Shachar
Series: Adam Tideborne (Book 2)
Author: Joshua Stevens-Shachar
Publisher: self-published
ISBN: 979-8336333145
The Sqounk team (named for a small rodent-like animal after they fought over leadership and failed to win a contest because they fought over leadership) has learned that they’re better together. Each has at least one talent that the others don’t. Together they’re unstoppable. While protagonist Adam Tideborne often takes the lead in working together, he willingly gives voice to his friends, Kaya, Amelia, and Iosefka. These three working in unison, with superior and well-rounded skills, prove capable of conquering creatures, monsters, and antagonists seeking power. Soon Elysium’s warriors, disciples, and leaders recognize these heroes keep their new home on Elysium a protected haven.
Before long, the Sqounks are assigned to train new warriors in the camp with a following that admires everything about them. Adam tells the first years, “Find how you fight best,” and “become the strongest version of yourself.”
Training will be needed. Adam realizes this ability to recognize your strengths and work as a team will mean survival of the fittest when leaders discover that Ascensionists, who believe the portal to Elysium opened after a world ending event on Earth, are working to create an Elysium ending event to open a portal to heaven.
Searching for Ascensionists becomes the primary focus of Adam, Kaya, and Iosefka while Amelia works on finding the secrets to Reality Magic so that the warriors can defeat the Ascensionists with the strongest magic. It is also the most dangerous magic because it weakens those who use it.
The team fails to recognize that Brady, lone Ascensionist in the camp who was blinded and chained when he was caught during the Endless War, has been plotting revenge since his capture. He creates a soup using a black lotus that makes everyone in the camp erase Adam from memory. The potion also erases Brady’s past from camper’s memories and replaces those memories with Brady as a hero.
With his teammates believing Adam is a homeless transient, possibly an Ascensionist, Adam must figure out how to rebuild the trust and camaraderie among a team that became his family.
Characters are sympathetic and action is fully realized in this sequel to Adam Tideborne and the Greatsword of War, the second book in this young adult fantasy series. While the plot continues to focus on protecting Elysium, Adam’s friendships weave into the action in ways that readers will come away with insights in loyalty. New friendships also become relevant as Adam and his team tend to accept people for their different values and skills. While this is book 2 in a series, it can be read as a stand-alone and, while I’m trying not to spoil this ending, this book promises a third in the series.
Reviewed by Ann Angel
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