Journey Across the Hidden Islands by Sarah Beth Durst - ADVISABLE

Durst, Sarah Beth.  Journey Across the Hidden Islands.  338 pages.  Clarion Books, 2017.  $16.99.  

Content: G

Twin princesses, Seika and Ji-Lin must make a journey across the Hidden Islands to ask the Dragon to keep their islands cloaked from other people.  Seika will one day be the empress and Ji-Lin is her protector along with her flying lion, Alejan.  The girls are only twelve-years-old and they encounter earthquakes, explorers from the mainland, and a sick young boy who they help save.  The trip doesn’t go anything as planned and at first, they can’t find the dragon.  But they use their intelligence and their bravery to overcome all obstacles for a conclusion that is unexpected, but perfect.

Both sisters are very relatable characters.  They are young, unsure of themselves.  They don’t want to disappoint their father.  They want to prove that they are capable of great things.  The sisters learn to trust each other and themselves.  The author, Durst, creates a wonderful fantasy world that has an Chinese feel, but it is also entirely its own.  The plot moves quickly and is a perfect pick for any girl who wants to go on an adventure. 

EL-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.