The Drowned Vault by N. D. Wilson

The Drowned Vault (Ashtown Burials #2)  by N. D. Wilson.  Random House, 2012, 447 pages.

Reading Level: Young Adult, 12-15

Recommended for: ages 12 and up

Bottom Line: The Ashtown Burials series continues with Cyrus and Antigone Smith making ultimate choices to stand against the world.

Installment two of The Ashtown Burials begins with Cyrus and Antigone Smith aspiring to the rank of Journeyman in the Order of Brendan–Cyrus, as usual, overextending himself.  He has a lot to make up for, having lost the priceless Dragon’s Tooth to his arch-enemy Phoenix in the previous book.  His body could remember the strength that had left him when the tooth had—the strength of an unbreakable bond between his soul and body, true deathlessness.  His mother is no better, and his father is still dead . . . or is he?  Not everybody dies in this world; in fact, Ashtown is facing a major threat from the transmortals—demi-gods, like Gilgemesh, who are chafing in the chains of an agreement made ages ago.  Before Rupert, the Keeper, can get a handle on the situation, the transmortals stage a coup and vote themselves a controlling interest in Ashtown with one of their own as the new Avengel.  Next, Rupert and a handful of the faithful (including Cyrus and Antigone) are on the run, headed for a showdown with Phoenix. They’ll need extra help from transmortals on their own side, such as Arachne the spider girl, and a notorious ancestor of the Smith family who also turns out to be undead.

Christians should love a good fight—or rather, the good fight.  That’s what Cyrus and his siblings represent—Smiths always seemed to be turning their backs on something, and frequently everything. Turning against the current is what the Christian life is all about—“’We face the storm’”–also accepting paradoxes: dying to obtain life, fighting for peace, bringing light from darkness.  Though a little slow getting started the narrative quickly gathers speed—and characters, which it wouldn’t hurt to list as you’re reading.  And read The Dragon’s Tooth first, otherwise you’ll be hopelessly awash.  The Drowned Vault holds up the series well, with the classical references and Christian allegory N.D. Wilson is already famous for—notice especially Daniel Smith acting as his prophetic namesake, with echoes of Babylon.

Cautions: Violence (not graphic)

Overall rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Literary value: 4

Categories: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult, Middle Grades, Christian, Character Values

young adult (YA),  christian, fantasy, mythology, Ashtown Burials, The Drowned Vault, courage, loyalty, N. D. Wilson, reading level: young adult ages 12-15, recommended for: ages 12 and up, reformatted