Knights Unite (Peter Blue Series)

This fast-paced kids science fantasy thriller is the THIRD STAND-ALONE NOVEL in the Peter Blue series. Riva du Lac is determined to keep her promise to her dad – no detentions in her first term at Spiral Hall. With just three days left, it seems like smooth sailing. But her plans capsize during a sea cleanup when she discovers Shem, a mythical fish-boy. A surprise honour from the school's Spiral Knights forces Riva to choose between following the rules or saving her new friend. Meanwhile, during a nap in assembly, Riva's classmate Peter Blue has a vision of a garbage-spewing sea beast attacking the knights. With floodwaters rising and time running out, Shem’s secret from the past may be the only hope for Peter, Riva and their friends to save the knights – and themselves. Kirkus Reviews “Colless has created a kind of Hogwarts that operates on the magic of environmental awareness." Foreword/Clarion Review Activist children at an environmentalist school face challenges to their developing ideals in the busy adventure novel In Laurel Colless’s splashy mystery novel Knights Unite, precocious children fight to protect the environment from corrupt businesses and the destructive powers they wield. While cleaning the depths of the ocean on a routine assignment, Riva and Roly rescue a mysterious merboy, Shem, from a tangle of discarded nets. Meanwhile, back at their environmentalist school, Peter struggles to balance the diplomatic demands of hosting his old friend Devlin, who just become the CEO of the infamous Albacore fishing company, with his duty to protect the environment. The novel weaves Riva’s and Peter’s stories and tensions together to create an adventure in which young people are challenged to fight for what they believe in without alienating the ones they love. Riva is a standout heroine of exceptional complexity. Though introduced as a stereotypical know-it-all overachiever, bossing her way to the top of the classroom and stepping on everyone’s toes along the way, depth is achieved via her family background. Her father threatens to pull her out of her strange school and place her in a normal one; her freespirited mother, who first taught her to care about the environment, makes her uncomfortable because of the former’s performative outbursts and disregard for social graces. During her adventure, Riva asks herself which of her parents she is more like, and her answer evolves as she explores her confusion in depth. Indeed, the book maintains balance in all of its characterizations; its children often remain confused, and there’s never a sense that the right answers are a deus ex machina away. Instead, each problem has to be solved by remaining stuck on it, often for pages at a time, until the characters have opportunities to find new ways of presenting issues to one other. As a result, every character has plenty of opportunities to act, demonstrating their individual value to the team. Even minor characters, like Riva’s roommate Tipi, have the chance to solve significant hurdles in ways only they could. However, the abundance of conflicts the children face also slows the progress of the book as a whole, even though the brief chapters brim with action. Indeed, for lengthy portions of the novel, Albacore’s pollution and Shem’s mystery are rendered secondary to the mundane aspects of school life. Knights Unite is an exciting adventure novel with a strong environmentalist message. AUSTIN MITCHELL (February 11, 2025)
ASIN: 9526547306
VSKU: BVV.9526547306.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Colless, Laurel
Binding: Paperback
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.