Oh, boy!  In Matt Archer: Monster Hunter, Matt discovers he is born to hunt monsters with the aid of a knife which seems to give him special powers.  Now Matt finds so much more about this knife – and most of it in the most dangerous locations you can imagine.

Monsters are being found all over the world – they are making off with the young and vulnerable, and leaving able-bodied men disfigured and dying outside the homes they were trying to defend.  The monster hunting unit is doing its best, but have to call up Matt, with his special affinity to his knife, even though he is only fifteen.

There is action all the way in Ms Highley’s amazing adventure.  The only relief is when Matt is at home, and then he is squirming to keep his friends from knowing the truth, and his mother from knowing anything at all.  I sometimes wonder at the precise definition of violence allowable for teen and YA readers – I’m sure there is too much here for older MG, but then it isn’t much more than Jack Templar (also a monster hunter, but different monsters, different setting and a different set of legends).  Maybe it is the contemporary setting and US Army inside information that makes the difference.  It seems very real, judging from what we see of army activity in films and in documentaries about Afghanistan, where much of this book is set.

It is terrifically well written, and the tension just builds and builds.  As hinted by the book blast last month, there is plenty more to come.  This is an outstanding series, and I’m looking forward to the next one – when I’ve recovered!

Matt Archer: Blade’s Edge (Matt Archer #2) by Kendra C. Highley

I can’t remember how I came by this book, but I suspect I got it at Smashwords, possibly during a promotion.

P.S. I’d like to thank Ms Highley for the tip-off about Balkh, which came at just the right time for the book I was writing at Camp NaNo!

Book Review | Matt Archer: Blade’s Edge | Kendra C Highley
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5 thoughts on “Book Review | Matt Archer: Blade’s Edge | Kendra C Highley

  • 9 August, 2014 at 7:23 pm
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    This sounds very interesting but I agree with you, the subject matter may be a little too violent for middle graders…although some of the video games I cringe at, they seem to enjoy. Not a modern development of which I’m supportive. Color me old fogie.

  • 10 August, 2014 at 8:23 pm
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    There’s a very interesting discussion in the Goodreads Great Middle Grade Reads group discussing violence – whether real world and real people or not makes all the difference. And whether the young protagonist is saving the world, of course.

  • 11 August, 2014 at 10:42 pm
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    Hi, I found your review through the Kid Lit Blog Hop. This book sounds like an interesting read but probably not something I could read with my 8 year old. He reads middle grade books but he’s definitely on the younger side.

    • 12 August, 2014 at 10:15 am
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      No Jennifer – I’d leave your 8 year old for at least four years before he tackles this one. You could try him on Frankie Dupont and the Mystery of Enderby Manor, though – my review of that is at the end of this month 🙂

  • 16 August, 2014 at 11:37 pm
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    Sounds like a very captivating read. I think with the violence parents just have to know their kids. It may be too much for some middle graders and fine for others. I’ve been reading a monster hunter books these days. I’ll have to add this one to the list. Thanks so much for sharing!

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