The Inquisitor's Mark (Eighth Day Series #2)

by Dianne K. Salerni

Overview

The middle grade fantasy adventure continues in a sequel that “does not disappoint . . . an exciting blend of Arthurian legend and organized crime” (Kirkus).

After an all-out battle in Mexico, Jax, Riley, and Evangeline have gone into hiding. There are still rogue Transitioners and evil Kin lords out to gain control over the Eighth Day. And that means they’re on the hunt for Riley, a descendant of King Arthur, and Evangeline, a powerful wizard with bloodlines to Merlin.

So Jax is immediately suspicious when a mysterious stranger named Finn Ambrose claims to be his long-lost uncle. And those suspicions turn out to be well founded when Jax’s best friend Billy is kidnapped.

When Jax sneaks off to New York City to rescue Billy, he discovers a surprising truth: Finn is his uncle, and Jax hales from the Dulac clan—a long line of notoriously dangerous Transitioners who want Riley dead and Evangeline as their prisoner. And family or not, the Dulacs will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062272201
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/22/2023
Series:	Eighth Day Series , #2
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	357
Lexile:	720L (what's this?)
File size:	635 KB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Dianne K. Salerni attended the University of Delaware, where she earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education, and then went on to earn a master's in language arts education at the University of Pennsylvania. She was an elementary school teacher for over twenty years and has also written several books, including We Hear the Dead and The Caged Graves. The Inquisitor's Mark is the second book in the Eighth Day series. Although Dianne knows there's not really such a thing as a secret Eighth Day, discovering one would explain all the food that disappears in her house. Until then, she'll continue to blame her husband, Bob, her two teenage daughters, Gabrielle and Gina, and her dog, Sorcia. Dianne lives in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2014
Gr 4–7—This volume picks up right after the events of book one. Just weeks after saving the seven-day world from destruction at the hands of the evil King Wylit, Jax Aubrey discovers he might not be the orphan he thinks he is. When his best friend is kidnapped, Jax learns that he may have a mysterious long-lost Uncle and possibly the family he craves. Unfortunately, Uncle Finn happens to be the Inquisitor for the ruthless, criminally minded Dulacs, the family that had Jax's guardian Riley's entire family assassinated. During a search for Jax's liege-lady, Evangeline's sister Riley is trapped in the eighth day and Jax uses the time to rush to New York to save his friend and find out more about his family. Sure enough, Jax is related-his Uncle and Jax's deceased father look eerily alike, and Jax even has a near-identical cousin, Dorian. But is Dorian a friend or just another pawn in the seeming endless political intrigue of the Dulacs? Jax will need to find out soon or he could lose Riley, Evangeline, and much more. Salerni does a good job of portraying Jax's desperate need to fit in and find a family. Readers learn more about the Eighth Day, the Transitioners, the magical Kin, and their connection to Arthurian legend. The narrative is split between Jax and Dorian and there could have been a little more distinction between the two voices at times. The concept and the characters, however, are strong enough to carry the weight of a few minor flaws and The Inquisitor's Mark should continue to entertain its audience who will now eagerly await book three.—Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

School Library Journal

Combining modern intrigue and ancient magic, this second volume in what continues to be an inspired series does not disappoint. Jax is an endearing mix of heroic and awkward as he struggles with his new identity. An exciting blend of Arthurian legend and organized crime.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Blending Arthurian legend with action-packed adventure, the second in the Eighth Day series answers some questions but leaves plenty dangling for the next book.” — ALA Booklist

“The concept and the characters are strong, and should continue to entertain its audience who will now eagerly await book three.” — School Library Journal

“Ancient magic pairs nicely with modern intrigue. Complicated alliances and ruthless villains keep the pages turning. A promising start to a new trilogy.” — Kirkus Reviews (on The Eighth Day)

“[A] fast-paced, magical adventure. An unparalleled mix of evil villains, humor, and background that set this up for a likeable trilogy to be recommended for fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Absolutely necessary for middle grades.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (on The Eighth Day)

“Fascinating…Melds Arthurian legend into present day. Fast paced and exciting.” — School Library Journal (on The Eighth Day)

From the Publisher

Blending Arthurian legend with action-packed adventure, the second in the Eighth Day series answers some questions but leaves plenty dangling for the next book.

ALA Booklist

[A] fast-paced, magical adventure. An unparalleled mix of evil villains, humor, and background that set this up for a likeable trilogy to be recommended for fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Absolutely necessary for middle grades.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (on The Eighth Day)

The concept and the characters are strong, and should continue to entertain its audience who will now eagerly await book three.

ALA Booklist (on The Eighth Day)

2014-10-01
As a Transitioner, 13-year-old Jax Aubrey is one of an elite group of people who enjoy an eighth day of the week. While some Transitioners use the eighth day as a playground, others, such as Jax and his friends, understand the gravity of their responsibility. Transitioners must maintain the Eighth-Day Spell, which protects the world from the dangerous Kin. Jax, as the only vassal of the Emrys family, understands this charge more than most. When one of the most deadly Transitioner families claims that he is part of their clan, Jax is torn between his loyalty to friends and ties to family. Combining both modern intrigue and ancient magic, this second volume in what continues to be an inspired series does not disappoint. Salerni expertly handles the charge of expanding the Eighth Day universe as well as deepening her characters. Jax is an endearing mix of heroic and awkward as he struggles with his new identity. Supporting characters offer comic relief, romantic angst and delusions of grandeur. Readers will want to read this series in order, as the summary of the first installment is sparse and confusing. An exciting blend of Arthurian legend and organized crime. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews