Guardian of Secrets - Where More Library Jumping Abounds!

TITLE: Guardian of Secrets (Library Jumpers #2)
AUTHOR: Brenda Drake
PUBLISHER: Entangled Teen
PUBLISHING DATE: February 7, 2017

FROM GOODREADS: Being a Sentinel isn’t all fairytales and secret gardens.

Sure, jumping through books into the world’s most beautiful libraries to protect humans from mystical creatures is awesome. No one knows that better than Gia Kearns, but she could do without the part where people are always trying to kill her. Oh, and the fact that Pop and her had to move away from her friends and life as she knew it.

And if that isn’t enough, her boyfriend, Arik, is acting strangely. Like, maybe she should be calling him “ex,” since he’s so into another girl. But she doesn’t have time to be mad or even jealous, because someone has to save the world from the upcoming apocalypse, and it looks like that’s going to be Gia.

Maybe. If she survives.

MY THOUGHTS: I read the first book in the Library Jumpers series last year and really enjoyed it. I mean face it, most bookworms love books featuring libraries and books. And the concept where one can jump into different worlds and dimensions through books shelved in mysterious libraries is pretty darn interesting. Therefore, I was thrilled when Entangled Teen provided me with an ARC of "Guardian of Secrets."

Gia and many other Sentinels have moved to Branford so they can hide out from the individuals who are chasing them. There, they try to go on with life as normal while continuing to train and look for the hidden Chiaves - relics that when pieced together will allow the enemy to unleash the ultimate terror on the world. Gia continues to try to fit in now that she has learned she is a Sentinel and as the book progresses, uncovers some family history which is vital to the way things will play out in the future.

There is a lot going on in the book and I'll admit, there are times I felt rather lost. However, I honestly don't believe the fault falls on Drake, but rather that I was extremely preoccupied with other things while reading "Guardian of Secrets" and this book deserves and requires the reader's full attention. Like many YA novels, there is a love triangle and Gia is struggling with her feelings for her boyfriend, Arik and Bastien, a nobleman and wizard who she has previously been destined to marry. Although not a favorite trope of mine, the way Drake wove it into the tale and managed to keep from making Gia an indecisive annoying teen allowed me to enjoy the interaction between Arik, Gia and Bastien. Also, Drake brought some more witch elements into the tale which really piqued my interest.

"Guardian of Secrets" is a strong second installment in this series. The ending paved the way for a possible ultimate showdown in Book 3 and I will anxiously be awaiting it's release. If you enjoyed the first book, you must read this one as well as it does a great job of delving deeper into the Sentinel world and introduces some truly unique new characters.

I received an ARC from Entangled Teen and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 3 PAWS