I'm interested in seeing what these different authors do with the story -- so far pretty good, given the parameters of the series. ( )

awesome ( )

This is the 3rd book in the Spirit Animals series, which is a multiplatform fantasy series for middle school readers. I recommend reading the books in order because it is difficult to read as a stand alone. The plot and the character development continue with each book. The main characters are back, Conor, Abeke, Meilin and Rollan each have a spirit animal bond. The story takes place on Erdas, which is a land of balance. The Conquerors are trying to destroy the balance. The Greencloaks reunite with their Spirit Animals. The mission is to find the next talisman. This book focuses on Meilin and her home of Zhong, which is reminiscent of China. Over the course of the story, readers will visit a huge bamboo maze, a swamp teeming with enraged crocodiles, and a lake surrounded by high cliffs.

Readers who enjoy fantasy adventure books, will probably continue to like the story. There are elements of true friendship and teamwork. The story encourages you to trust your friends and that good will conquer evil. There is a lot of action, but the violence is not graphic and it will probably not scare younger readers. It is a good choice for leisure reading in the upper elementary and middle school grades. The ending will leave you wanting to read the 4th book. I think this book might also introduce younger readers to Garth Nix. It is formulaic, but that is to be expected in a series like this. It is good for emerging readers and gives a sense of familiarity in a story. ( )

Blood Ties is the third book in the middle grade, multi-platform Spirit Animal series. Much like The 39 Clues and the Infinity Ring series from Scholastic, each book has a different author. Garth Nix and Sean Williams are the brains behind Blood Ties, and personally, I think this was the best book in the series yet. As much as I love Maggie Stiefvater, who wrote Book 2: Hunted, I still think Nix and Williams wrote a more compelling story.

The third book has more action and more twists and turns than the previous two. Meilin is the focus of the story, and she chooses to go off on her own with Jhi (her panda spirt animal) to help her father defend her home of Zhong (this has been a constant source of guilt throughout the series). The mission to obtain the next talisman, poison, exposure, the lethal and distrusting rhino-riding tribe, animals driven mad after being bonded with Bile, and of course, the war. There's lots going on, and given the length, this is a fast-paced and exciting book for young readers. The book ends with two shocking twists, including a character death.

I really like Meilin's character. She has the tough exterior of a warrior, but deep down is a girl who is afraid of things we're all afraid of, like losing the ones we love. Moreover, she is just as much of a survivor as other YA heroines like Katniss, Tris, and Hermione, and she has strong moral values for one so young. Regardless of what you think of Meilin, the Green Cloaks are all unique, so readers will be able to identify with and relate to at least one of the main characters.

Spirit Animals Book 3: Blood Ties has restored my faith in this series to continue to perform well in the market. With several more books in the works already, I'm thrilled that book three ended with a bang to help young and easily distracted readers coming back for more.

The series will appeal to both genders and reads very "middle grade"--this is not a YA book. Although there is a lot of action, the violence is limited and it is not a frightening story. This is a great choice for home, school and public libraries alike!

4 Stars ( )

Synopsis (May contain some light spoilers for earlier books in the series): Meilen has run away from the Greencloaks to search for her father in her homeland of Zhong. Conor, Abeke, and Rollan quickly follow - they hope to recover their friend and get the Slate Elephant talisman from Dinesh, the Great Elephant. But Zhong has been conquered, so the kids must fight through armies of enemies to find what they seek. The Devourer is gaining power, and he will stop at nothing to take over all of Erdas with his nature-defiling bile.

My thoughts: Another great installment of the series. And they just keep getting better and better! (Not, of course, because the authors are changing, but because the plot and characters are developing as the series progresses.) Like in the earlier books, Blood Ties shows the power friendship - of working with your team rather than trying to fight evil alone. It encourages trust - of your partners, your friends, and the power of Good to conquer Evil. Most of all, the story is fun. It's a delight to watch as the kids' distinct characters develop, and how each character adds to the dynamics of the team. The world-building is also a lot of fun - it has both a familiar and a novel taste. For instance, Zhong is the Erdas-equivalent of Asia. The comparison is undeniable, and yet Zhong's culture and scenery are also delightfully unique. And, of course, this book is filled with adventures, intrigue, and battles - which any lover of middle grade fantasy / adventure books craves. I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series, Fire and Ice, in July.

This review was originally published on my blog Resistance is Futile ( )