The Nine Lives of Chloe King Volume Two: The Stolen

Abstract

The Nine Lives of Chloe King Volume Two: The Stolen, by Celia Thomson, Simon Pulse, 09/04, $6.99, ISBN 0-689-86659-3, 266 pages

The Nine Lives of Chloe King Volume Two: The Stolen, by Celia Thomson, Simon Pulse, 09/04, $6.99, ISBN 0-689-86659-3, 266 pages

In the second book of this series, sixteen-year-old Chloe King has finally discovered the source of her strange new catlike abilities, as well as her true family origins. Like the people who rescued her after the events of the previous book, she is one of the Mai, an ancient race of catpeople. Like them, she's being hunted by the deadly Order of the Tenth Blade, a group sworn to destroy all the Mai. Now, as Chloe struggles to master her powers and cope with the changes in her life, she has to outwit the Order and save her mother, as well as herself. Luckily, she has help: her human friends Paul and Amy, several young Mai named Kim and Alyec, and Brian, a teenage member of the Order conflicted by his loyalties. But will it be enough?

This continues to be an enjoyable series, with some fun action sequences, and memorable character interactions. The new additions to the cast, especially Kim, help to flesh things out, and it's nice to get the information about Chloe's true nature that the first book lacked. While some things are predictable (especially Chloe's apparent role among the Mai), the story remains solid. At this point, I'm looking forward to the third book, The Chosen, to see how things turn out.

This column covers young adult and children's science fiction and fantasy, or othergenre books featuring SF/Fantasy elements. Material for consideration can be sent to Michael M. Jones. 2717 Bobolink Lane, Roanoke, VA 24018.