【 POWER CONSPIRACY 】

book #9 in the Path of the Ranger series

Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Middle Grade
Author: Pedro Urvi
Published: April 2021
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 432 (paperback)

I’m impressed that at book number 9 in the series I’m still totally invested in these characters and what might happen to them next. But that being said, this was probably my least favourite of the series so far.

The only negative I have against this book is the racial descriptions the characters offer to each other when they comment (extremely negatively) on the differences between them and the people from neighbouring nations. Now, obviously this is a fantasy novel, but nonetheless, there were some uncomfortable descriptors of how “ugly” (etc.) some races were, and yet it felt like there were clear parallels drawn between the real culture/race that nation was based on. So I admit, that put a bit of sour taste in my mouth from about halfway through.

But that aside, I’m putting some faith in Urvi that that wasn’t intended, as he usually puts out good messages in his books. I felt like Urvi was trying to use Egil in these moments to critique the others when they used terminology like “strange” and “ugly” in derisive ways to suggest that it’s just different to what they’re used to – but it didn’t quite land.

What really took this down to 3 stars for me, was that not a lot truly happens in this book. It’s the most “filler” vibing of the series so far.

While I did love that we got waaay more Egil time than we’ve had for a while, and that all characters (Val included) are involved in this instalment, there was a lot of walking towards the adventure, and not a tonne of the adventure itself.

I did enjoy the split POV of the book – with Gerd, Nilsa, Val and Egil heading up one POV, and Lasgol, Viggo, Ingrid and Astrid the other. The whole narrative very much so tied into previous events, and I feel it sets the stage for some big adventures to come. So while I don’t feel this warrants a particularly high rating, I suspect it’s doing some heavy-lifting to make book 10 come in with a bang.

The other thing has does rub me up the wrong way is the icky-ness of the OTT lovey-dovey relationship between Lasgol and Astrid. I cannot work out if it’s just how the narrator does their scenes, but jesus these guys are so serious about how in love they are for teenagers. I’m lowkey batting for Val and hoping she wins over Lasgol because I can’t stand the pet names Lasgol has for Astrid and vice versa lol.

ANYWAY. I think this does have a few tonal issues for dealing with neighbouring kingdoms and the descriptions of the people, and I hope it doesn’t have a repeat appearance in the remaining books. But it was fun to get out and do some serious exploring of what the other kingdoms in their world have to offer – and I hope we get to go back to them!

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Title: Power Conspiracy
Series: Path of the Ranger
Author: Pedro Urvi
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A conspiracy is in the making. Will the Snow Panthers be able to stop it and find the perpetrators?

Ingrid, Viggo and Lasgol are off to a rescue mission. What is supposed to be a straight forward task soon gets derailed and the friends find themselves in more trouble than they ever wanted.

Nilsa and Gerd travel to the Rangers Camp to help Egil. They will have to embark in a new adventure to try to find the truth behind the dark events surrounding them.

The Panthers will discover a power cons piracy and will have to confront it.

Will they rescue Astrid from the Turquoise Queen? Will the Panthers find out who is behind the conspiracy? Will they save the kingdom?