City of Thirst is the sequel to The Map to Everywhere and as such, it is strongly suggested that the reader read the books in order. The beloved characters from the first book are back with a few additions, such as Arizona’s best babysitter–who, by the way, rocks! This middle grade fantasy is jammed with action and activity, but the authors manage to develop some angst between friends, Fin and Marrill, and explore what exactly it means to want something and if wishes should come true. This is a book that practically reads itself and it should appeal to both female and male readers. It continues to be a fun-filled and mishap-filled fantasy that captures the whimsy that magic should have. Although it doesn’t have a cliff-hanger ending, it is clear that there is more to come in this series.
Review of a Digital Advance Reader Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Little, Brown and Company
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: Animal injured by another animal; sounds of sword fighting; characters recall climactic events from previous book; fantasy creatures attack a character and attempt to carry off; a guard tumbles down stairs, violence inferred; imminent threat of world destruction; character bangs head; character dropped from a great height, minor injuries; characters crash into one another (comical); characters chased by fantasy/magical creatures; fire and fire explosions; fantasy creature dissolved with substance (non-detailed); destruction of a machine; destruction of a city; extended scene involving a character (magical) catching fire, starting to burn/melt, and falling into water and magic used to imprison another; destruction of a character (magical) by magical means (non-detailed).
Sex/Nudity: A nebulous pronoun/relationship reference regarding an incidental fantasy creature.
Mature Subject Matter:
Parent illness, personal crisis, world destruction.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Some characters drink a strong-smelling, amber liquid that one might infer to be alcoholic in nature.
