Oracles of Delphi Keep

Not terribly thrilled as a Druid and an Arch Druid at that, that the bad guys are evil Druid magic users. Surely there are ample bad guys in British Folklore to base a bad guy on besides Druids were religious leaders and healers? Not to mention the whole Carthage/Phoenician debacle? I would have liked it except the errors kept throwing out of the story and kids are badly educated enough in places like Kansas and Texas without adding to it.

Narrated by Susan Duerden. Orphans Ian and Theo discover a hidden prophecy that involves them inextricably. The story holds promise especially as the prophecy and Theo's powers of sight predict Hitler's reign of terror and so how will the fantasy tie the two together? But when Ian and friends enter Morocco through the cave portal, the story bogs down for me. The prophecy's story stalled and there were too many hair-breadth chases by the hellhounds and exhortations by our heroes to "run for your lives!" Narrator Duerden kept the story interesting for me to begin with, enough for me to think this would be a suitable response to "if you've read Harry Potter, you might enjoy..." But in the end, I lost interest.

Ian and Theo are orphans in Dover in the 1930s. Ian wants to be an explorer when he grows up and spends all his free time exploring the tunnels in the nearby cliffs with his best friend/almost-sister, Theo. When they find a new tunnel and a small silver box near their orphanage, it's the start of the adventure of their lives.
I love this book and can't wait to read the sequels. It's the best middle-grade fantasy series since the Percy Jackson series.

This is the beginning of a really, really interesting story, in my opinion. However, if you're planning to pick it up, precede with caution. While this is a great children's story, it is unfinished and will never be complete. The last book in the series will not be published according to the author. So while I love the book and believe it to be a great read for children, I wouldn't recommend beginning to read it now since you'll only feel unsettled once you reach the ending of the third book.

Theo, her adopted brother Ian and their friends must stop Demogorgon before he can detroy the world.
For the first book in atreasure hunting adventure series, The Oracles of Delphi keep is not bad. Who doesn't enjoy tales of children crawling through tunnels to find treasure? For a new twist, it looks to Greek mythology and a vision of the Nazi march through Europe rather than magic. It's interesting, but not really that new. However, as a twist on an old favorite, it is not bad. The characters are engaging and the settings exciting. It really picks up in the second half, once the fight really begins.
Unfortunately, it does not make the reader really want to read the next book. It has more of a "well, I'll read it if it's there, but I show more won't seek it out" feeling at the end. While, well written, it did come across a bit like an American throwing in Brishisms rather than actual English people speaking.
It is a perfectly servicable adventure, though, and would probably be enjoyed most in a middle school library or a public library's tween section. show less

Have had this one on the 'to read' list for far too long. I love the Abby Cooper Psychic Eye books. The psychic thing features in this tale - but it's very different from her other books. It's YA and told from the point of view of two scrappy orphans who reside at Delphi Keep. It's the first book in a series. Very enjoyable. I look forward to reading the rest in the series.

Having read the authors mystery series, when I ordered this book I thought I was buying something completely different.

It's not just for kids, but for anyone who loves an action packed, fast paced, adventure. from the first page to the last. Very fast read.

I would have preferred a more defined ending. To me, it was like the end was just the end of a chapter with a major issue left unresolved. I realize there are more installments, I just wish the ending of the book was different.