MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

A young warrior comes into her own in this story set in the world of the Masters of the Universe.

It’s been four years since the fall of Eternos, when Skeletor attacked the capital city, the king and queen were captured, Prince Adam disappeared, and the remaining warriors went into hiding. Duncan, who was the king’s man-at-arms, seems disillusioned, and others from the company, like pragmatic cadet Locke, feel that staying on Eternia is a lost cause. Dark-skinned Duncan’s daughter, 16-year-old redheaded Teela, clings to the hope that all will one day be restored. When acidic rain falls on the warriors’ camp, many become sick. Teela seeks the aid of an ancient dragon in the Ice Mountains, who gives her a vial of magical healing water, but Teela is no magic user, and it doesn’t work. An unlikely alliance with the wicked sorceress Evil-Lyn could be the help Teela needs, but it may come at a price. Teela is determinedly optimistic and fiercely protective. While she can be obtuse at times, she fits the profile of a young, idealistic warrior. This book will naturally appeal to fans of the Mattel franchise, but readers seeking a strong, well-executed female protagonist should also be satisfied (even if she frequently reminisces about the absent blond-haired Adam). The descriptions of the setting are immersive, the action scenes are exciting, and the tongue-in-cheek dialogue creates a sense of fun.

An engaging adventure with an appealing protagonist.