Empire of Ruins by Arthur Slade-ADVISABLE

Slade, Arthur, Empire of Ruins. Wendy Lamb Books, 2011. Pgs. 293. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content:G

When he goes to visit Prisoner 376 at a secret government prison, believed to have gone mad and killed his companions while in Australia. Modo tends to agree with that diagnosis until the prisoner recites an unusual riddle to Modo that could lead him to a powerful weapon only known as the God Face. Being a spy of a secret British government organization, Modo reports the riddle to his master, Mr. Socrates. All clues the man divulges and the prisoner’s riddle lead the organization to the Australian Rainforest. On the night before their departure, Octavia, Modo’s friend and fellow agent, is attacked by a member of the Clockwork Guild, their greatest enemy. Could the prisoner’s clue be the key that the British have been looking for? Can they find it before the Clockwork Guild does?

This book is slow to start, but moves quickly and has a lot of action once it gets going. The characters experience some character growth as they go along, but the most intriguing part of the book is the intriguing mystery and the spy action. Readers who liked the first 2 books in the Hunchback Assignments and like spies, action, mystery, and ancient artifacts and hidden places will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6), MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.