STRANGERS IN ATLANTIS

A spy, a princess, and a pirate in search of adventure find more than they bargained for when they are kidnapped by a band of pirates and forced to accompany them on a dangerous quest in this sequel to The Lost Prince (2015).

As a former spy for a pirate captain, Dean Seaborne is no stranger to the life of duplicity. So, when Skinner, a ruthless pirate, forces the trio of white adventurers to infiltrate a legendary fortress disguised as circus performers, Dean and his friends comply—but only until they can figure out a way to double-cross the pirates, warn the citizens, and gain freedom for another companion left behind as collateral. However, they find that the fortress is not what it seems. It is actually an outpost for the legendary city of Atlantis. Once below, they find that a race war among various “species” of Atlanteans is only barely subdued. All it will take is the arrival of the fair-skinned humans and the threat of betrayal from within to topple the hidden city. While racial tension as it plays out among various colors of mer-people might offer some valuable talking points, the flat secondary characters, unoriginal portrayal of Atlantis, and predictable plot twists rob the story of energy.

A mixed continuation of a series that began with promise; here’s hoping it picks back up with Volume 3.