Why I’m reviewing this book: I’ve read the first two books in the Adventurers Wanted series, Slathbog’s Gold and The Horn of Moran (both of which I hope to review soon). Both are good books with lots of action, magic, and treasure, along with messages about honor, keeping your word, and being honest. Overall, it’s a great series, so I’m excited to read more.
Publisher’s Summary: Two thousand years ago, the dwarf Albrek went looking for new mines in the land of Thraxon in the hopes of becoming rich—and vanished. Now the dwarves must find Albrek’s magical Ring of Searching before the mines run dry, a possibility which threatens the livelihood of the entire dwarf realm. Alexander Taylor joins a familiar company of adventurers on a quest to discover what happened to Albrek, find his mythical tomb, and locate the lost talisman. But finding the ring may be the least of the adventurers’ problems once they cross paths with an ancient, wandering paladin, Bane, who warns of a great evil working in all of the known lands. Following in Albrek’s footsteps, Alex and his friends travel to the haunted Isle of bones, where a mysterious creature lurks in a deserted village, to the cursed city of Neplee, where the dwarves are hunted by the undead hellerash, and through the shadow of an empty oracle’s tower, where a whispered legend is about to come true.
Content advisory: Action gets to be violent a few times, but not in a gory way. Any other questionable content (coarse language, romantic content, or substance abuse) is nonexistent.
Does this book end? Yes, in that the main story is resolved. As an open-ended series, however, there are several hooks at the end for a probably next book.
My thoughts: SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, you should read them first before reading the third book (and this review of it). I’ll do my best not to give too much away, but be aware nonetheless.
As I mentioned above, I enjoyed the first two books in this series, and this third book didn’t disappoint. It follows the same formula of young Alex Taylor travelling from our world to a world straight from just about every fantasy roleplaying game in existence to go on another adventure. Alex has grown tremendously in power and fame as a wizard, and through the course of this book he grows even more in both. At the same time, he does all he can to choose what’s right and what’s best for everyone.
The appeal to this book, and the series as a whole, I feel, is the underlying importance of honor and doing what’s right. Alex has faced many tough decisions through his adventures, and he always tries to choose what’s best, not what’s easiest or what will be the most beneficial to him. Those who don’t make similar choices are shown to be undone by their decisions. The emphasis on honor and honesty is refreshing to see in these books, and it’s done well.
The bottom line: Albrek’s Tomb is another installment in a wonderful, fun to read series with plenty of action and magic, while presenting strong moral messages.
What do you like to see in adveture books? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
