THE GHOST WARRIORS

In this middle-grade adventure sequel, a teen hero once again faces challenges as a war between two Paleolithic tribes threatens to resume.

Thirteen-year-old Tiogaof the Allegewi tribe is on a spirit quest. He attempts to connect with his ancestors’ spirits and his animal guardian, the eagle, while sitting beneath the Angel’s Arch formation above the Allegewi River. After the ritual, he’ll be considered a man and will continue life alongside Hanna, his girlfriend; and Kopi, his best friend and a shaman-in-training. But as Tioga sits patiently in his circle during a blizzard, an interloper stealthily approaches. Back at the tribe’s village, Hanna’s father, Chief Tundra, has fallen ill. When he dies, a new chief, Dudley, wants to move the village to a spot he believes to be more advantageous—the plateau below the Emperor’s Skull. Yet the land beneath the forbidding rock formation is sacred to the Dracul, a savage band of cannibals. Meanwhile, Tioga has been attacked by a mountain lion. He is miraculously taken in by the Gangas Witch, an older member of the Dracul who’s renounced their ways. She heals the teen and teaches him some natural concoctions to become a more cunning opponent. This is fortuitous because Shingas, the Mononga Devil, is again on the move. The two charismatic rivals, representing peace and oppression, are destined for a final confrontation. Like the series opener, Tippins’ bold, well-paced sequel combines history, drama, and action into a compelling brew. Tioga continues his transformation into a once-in-a-generation warrior when the Gangas Witch removes his deformed hand and replaces it with a strap-on mountain lion paw. Familial bonds are emphasized when Ötzi, Tioga’s grandfather, discusses “soul growth” with Candowsa, the boy’s mother. Ötzi wonders: “How would the forest look if we only had sunny days? There would be no forest—just a desert. Storms are to be expected and even welcomed.” Magic in the ancient world is portrayed as both carefully wrought illusions and sudden visions, like those Kopi experiences. The great threat of the Dracul looms in the background for most of the narrative, then emerges for an epic finale that sets up the next installment.

A lively, bracing tale that will kindle readers’ interest in the Paleolithic world.