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Matt thought his troubles were over when he closed Raven's Gate . . . but in fact they were just beginning. His fate -- and the fate of the world -- is tied to four other kids across the globe. The second is a street kid in Peru. He and Matt have never met; they don't even speak the same language. But destiny is going to throw them together as the evil threat of the Old Ones grows . . . and another Gate suddenly comes into play. Another masterful thriller from supernaturally suspenseful Anthony Horowitz.
About the Author
Anthony Horowitz is the author of one previous book for teens: The Devil and His Boy, which received glowing reviews all around. He is also the author of several plays and television screenplays in his native England.
Kathleen Karr - Children's Literature
British writer Anthony Horowitz is currently riding high between his "Alex Rider" adventure series and book one of "The Gatekeepers." Book two of the fantasy series should keep him on that best-selling plateau. Fourteen-year-old reluctant superhero Matt Freeman has not been adjusting well to his new life in York with his journalist/protector/friend, Richard Cole. Richard is never around, and his posh school offers no friends for this former slum kid. When his mad Aunt Gwenda comes gunning for him, Matt's best option is to accept the secret organization Nexus's offer of a trip to Peru to find a book that might give clues to the next scheduled "gate opening." Peru is another nightmare, but it does introduce Matt to one of his fellow "five"—the Lima street urchin, Pedro—and teaches him how to use his unusual dreams. But hold on, there is also a marvelous arch villain, ancient Incas, and the Nazco lines. Somehow Horowitz manages to hold it all together, make it believable, and keep the pages turning. The only possible complaint after the last page has been turned is, why isn't Book Three already written? 2006, Scholastic, Ages 10 up.
VOYA
In the first book of the Gatekeepers series, Raven's Gate (Scholastic, 2005/VOYA October 2005), fourteen-year-old Matt Freeman learned that he was one of five young people who must save the world from a dark force. In this second installment, Matt ends up in Peru and meets the second of the five, Pedro, with whom he has a deep mental connection, even though the two do not speak the same language. Horowitz ratchets up the suspense and brings in an evil genius, a lost diary, the last of the Incas, and the mysterious Nazca lines. Matt and Pedro find themselves racing to stop the opening of another gate, this one in the middle of the Nazcan desert of Peru. Matt's character grows in this book as he begins to accept who he is and what his destiny may bring and as he learns to control his powers. He finds-and loses-some friends and is betrayed by others. He is prepared to find the other three gatekeepers (he knows from his dreams that there are two more boys and a girl, and that all five are the same age) and stop the Old Ones from destroying the world. It is a suspenseful and action-packed tale of modern young people facing an ancient evil. Readers will gobble it up and wait impatiently for the next volume.
School Library Journal
Gr 5-8-Though this is the second installment in this series, new readers will catch on quickly. Fresh from his victory over Raven's Gate, Matt is once again called upon by the mysterious Nexus. As one of the five kids foretold by prophecy to fight back the Old Ones, the 14-year-old is needed in South America. From the very beginning, his enemies seem to always be one step ahead of him. But these shadowy opponents don't count on Matt's unexpected allies: the second of the five, and an ancient tribe of Inca warriors. While the story and characters are not particularly original, and more experienced readers will not be glued to their seats, the plot turns and emotional relationships will more than satisfy thrill seekers, especially those already into Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series (Philomel). A must-have for reluctant, middle-grade boys.-Morgan Johnson-Doyle, Sierra High School, Colorado Springs, CO Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Matt Freeman, hero of Raven's Gate (2005), returns for another supercharged adventure tale from a master of the trade. In this sequel, Matt leaves England, meets Pedro, the second of the gatekeepers, and attempts to prevent an evil ancient god from reaching earth through a gate in the Peruvian desert. Sustained suspense beginning in the prologue and doesn't let up, providing for a compulsive read. Danger abounds for the two boys. Dead bodies line the paths they travel. Plenty of gore-gently described-place this in the Indiana Jones genre of adventure tale. Lots of cool details sustain interest; among them are the boys' mystical mental powers, golden treasure hidden in the walls of Cusco and a visit to the lost city of the Incas. As in some plot-driven stories, stereotypes provide an easy shortcut. Horowitz, however, does reverse some roles-in this case, the Incans are the good guys. The climax, littered with dead heroes and villains alike, guarantees a suspenseful start for the next installment. Bring on gatekeeper number three-soon. (Fiction. YA)
ISBN: 9780439680080
ISBN-10: 0439680085
Series: Gatekeepers (Paperback)
Audience:
Children
For Ages: 8 - 12 years old
For Grades: 3 - 7
Format:
Paperback
Language:
English
Number Of Pages: 318
Published: 1st May 2007
Dimensions (cm): 19.761 x 13.056
x 2.159
Weight (kg): 0.213
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