Traitor's Chase

November 1, 2012

Gr 4-7-This series entry can serve as a fine stand-alone as Gibbs offers enough backstory for readers to determine who Greg Rich is and how he traveled back in time to Paris in the 1600s to join up with the Three Musketeers. This time around, Greg is determined to undermine the sinister and immortal Michel Dinicoeur, who holds the key to Greg's ability to time travel and Dinocoeur's immortality: the Devil's Stone. The fast-paced, well-researched novel draws readers in immediately and once there, they may find it hard to leave. There is plenty of action, intrigue, and even a hint of romance as Greg navigates the ins and outs of medieval life and continues his ruse as a teen from Artagnan. Strong female characters in the form of Catherine and Milady de Winter provide a nice balance to the otherwise male-dominated tale. Catherine in particular stands out as a young woman before her time, with her strong interest in battle and her streak of independence, and Milady is wonderful as a wolf in sheep's clothing. Greg's position as that of someone who is responsible for preventing history-changing events further adds to the excitement, and readers are left with a cliff-hanger of an ending that assures a return visit of the Musketeers. Fans of this series will be well served in reading Alexandre Dumas's original. A great addition to any collection.Mary Beth Rassulo, Ridgefield Library, CT

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
Time traveler Greg-as-D'Artagnan is still stuck in 1615; he and the young Musketeers follow evil Bastille-escapee Michel Dinicoeur to Spain to stop him from calamitously changing history. Meanwhile, they're unsure whom to trust along the way. This accessible, rollicking escapade requires some familiarity with the first installment but not with the original [cf2]Three Musketeers[cf1].

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)