This is the second in the Zoe & Zak series, which I have as a box set of the first three books, having read the third one first Zoe and Zak and the Tiger Temple, and the first one a few weeks ago, Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard. Click the titles to read those reviews.
The Blurb
Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they’re attending Moonstock Himalayan Academy for Boys and Girls, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school itself is a little strange.
Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible.
But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe’s roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they’ve been asked to lift the Yogi’s Curse.
It’s not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don’t even know what the Yogi’s Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them.
Now, if they’re going to save the day, Zoe and Zak are going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can’t stop him, nobody can.
If you liked Book One in the Zoe & Zak series, Ghost Leopard, you’ll love The Yogi’s Curse. Join Zoe and Zak on their new adventure today!
My Review
The blurb gives a pretty good overview of the book, with a real flavour of life in this somewhat strange school, which doesn’t seem to be living up to the brochure. Having found herself with some strange powers, Zoe starts to find more about herself, and the development of the trust between herself and Zak is really well done. The story works well having this almost mirror to see the development of both partners. I found Zoe’s narrative got a little too self-centred during the later part of the book. It slowed the action down considerably, and I wondered whether it could have been shown in different ways rather than her eternal meanderings through her worries. But the story is excellent, the sense of place superb, and the vivid description of the mountains and the fog helps the otherworldliness of their situation. I really love the inventiveness of the author in using different, and totally weird, methods of communication from the spirit world.
It’s a good story; not as strong as the first or the third, in my opinion, but still a great read.
I remember the first book–it was good, if a little weird at times!
Yes, I think it was probably weirder than the third, which I read first.
Thinking about what we were discussing on GMGR about MG angst, maybe Zoe’s rambling worries are helpful to readers her age, and the author was right to dwell on them 😉
Sounds like a wonderfully imaginative book and you gave it a good review, Jemima!