The Skeleton Coast

This conclusion to the Flooded Earth trilogy finds Will and Annalie along with their friends Essie and Pod continuing the quest to find their father, Spinner. When one of them is abducted by pirates, however, they must stage a daring rescue before making their way to Sundia, a place shut off from outsiders, and fighting one last battle. McConnochie ups the stakes here as the four friends explore new areas, face off against a powerful whale, and confront their greatest enemy yet. Many long-running threads are tied up as Pod gets answers about his missing sister and Spinner's whereabouts are finally revealed. These four kids have faced the worst their world has to offer and come through learning lessons about sticking together, the unbreakable bonds of family, and never giving up hope. The last leg of their journey adds heartwarming reunions to the regular dose of adventure and danger, with themes of starting anew, family, friendship, and courage bringing this epic tale to a satisfying end.--Elizabeth Konkel Copyright 2019 Booklist

Gr 4--7--In the thrilling conclusion to "The Flooded Earth" trilogy, Annalie, Will, Pod, Essie, and Graham are once again looking for Spinner while trying to stay one step ahead of the rogue Admiralty agent bent on destroying them. Beckett is still obsessed with getting Spinner's research, even if it means creating another catastrophic flood and eliminating anyone who stands in his way. When their ship is attacked, Annalie is captured by pirates. During her captivity she meets a young member of the Admiralty who shows her that not everyone in the Admiralty is like Beckett. Pod is able to rescue his younger sister, Blossom, and bring her along with his friends on their journey. However, after all she has been through, trust does not come easily to her. When the group finally reconnects with Spinner in Sundia, they must fight Beckett one final time to protect Spinner's research and save themselves. This is a satisfying conclusion to the high seas adventure quest that began in the first novel. While the world may not go back to the way it was before the flood, the characters find a way to move forward and find comfort in knowing Beckett's actions were condemned by the Admiralty. VERDICT Recommended for collections where the trilogy is popular.--Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

The postdiluvian Flooded Earth trilogy concludes as it began, with high-seas derring-do.Ever since Will and Annalie's father, Spinner, vanished at the onset of The Flooded Earth (2018), they've been searching for him along with their friends Essie and Pod (and of course Graham, their cybernetically enhanced talking parrot. Their dystopian world, flooded not from climate change but due to the hubris of weather-controlling scientists, is ruled by the wicked Admiralty. Spinner was studying the work of the scientists whose research created the Flood, and the Admiralty will stop at nothing to capture himbecause they want to use his research to create weapons. The children must fight not only the Admiralty, but the many dangers that dot their world's coastlines and oceans, beginning with a fight with pirates at the onset of this adventure. Along the way they rescue Pod's young enslaved sister, cross the dangerous Outer Ocean, escape from deadly shadow whales and wild dogs, and repeatedly escape from the wicked Admiralty commander. And perhaps, they discover, not everyone in the Admiralty is wicked; once, "they were a force for good in the world." If only the good members of the Admiralty can be convinced to see the horrors of the refugee camps, perhaps things can change. Race is unspecified, though there is some indication of whiteness among the Admiralty and the wealthy.For all its dystopian setting, this satisfying trilogy closer is full of pluck. (Science fiction. 9-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

This conclusion to the Flooded Earth trilogy finds Will and Annalie—along with their friends Essie and Pod—continuing the quest to find their father, Spinner. When one of them is abducted by pirates, however, they must stage a daring rescue before making their way to Sundia, a place shut off from outsiders, and fighting one last battle. McConnochie ups the stakes here as the four friends explore new areas, face off against a powerful whale, and confront their greatest enemy yet. Many long-running threads are tied up as Pod gets answers about his missing sister and Spinner's whereabouts are finally revealed. These four kids have faced the worst their world has to offer and come through learning lessons about sticking together, the unbreakable bonds of family, and never giving up hope. The last leg of their journey adds heartwarming reunions to the regular dose of adventure and danger, with themes of starting anew, family, friendship, and courage bringing this epic tale to a satisfying end. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 4–7—In the thrilling conclusion to "The Flooded Earth" trilogy, Annalie, Will, Pod, Essie, and Graham are once again looking for Spinner while trying to stay one step ahead of the rogue Admiralty agent bent on destroying them. Beckett is still obsessed with getting Spinner's research, even if it means creating another catastrophic flood and eliminating anyone who stands in his way. When their ship is attacked, Annalie is captured by pirates. During her captivity she meets a young member of the Admiralty who shows her that not everyone in the Admiralty is like Beckett. Pod is able to rescue his younger sister, Blossom, and bring her along with his friends on their journey. However, after all she has been through, trust does not come easily to her. When the group finally reconnects with Spinner in Sundia, they must fight Beckett one final time to protect Spinner's research and save themselves. This is a satisfying conclusion to the high seas adventure quest that began in the first novel. While the world may not go back to the way it was before the flood, the characters find a way to move forward and find comfort in knowing Beckett's actions were condemned by the Admiralty. VERDICT Recommended for collections where the trilogy is popular.—Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ