The Divide Trilogy Bk. 2:
Back to the Divide
by Elizabeth Kay
Back to the Divide
by Elizabeth Kay
BACK TO THE DIVIDE by Elizabeth Kay
Category: Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 6/07
Publisher: Scholastic
Reviewed by: K. Osborn Sullivan
Rating: 4 Stars
After spending the previous summer in a magical world where humans are only a legend, Felix settles in back at home for
a nice, normal life with his parents. During his trip to the magical world the previous year, Felix’s heart condition had been
cured with magic, so he is able to finally engage in the kinds of normal activities he has always dreamed of.
But a quiet life is not in the cards for Felix. One day, he is shocked to find his enemy from the magical world, Snakeweed,
standing on the front porch. The evil Snakeweed had managed to sneak into the human world. He did not find it to his
liking, however, so he sought out Felix to give him the spell to return to his own magical world. As a means to force Felix
into giving up the return spell, Snakeweed puts a spell on Felix’s parents that turns them into marble statues. Felix soon
realizes that he must return to the magical world and enlist his friends’ help once again in order to free his parents.
BACK TO THE DIVIDE is a fine sequel for readers who enjoyed THE DIVIDE, the first book in the trilogy. I must
admit, though, that I was not as entertained by it as I was by the original. Perhaps that is largely because the novelty of the
magical world was wearing off. But what bothered me more was that the book seemed to focus on an awful lot of
traveling. It felt like Felix and his companions moved back and forth across the magical world a dozen times during the
story. I’m sure they didn’t, but it felt that way at times.
Despite these complaints, I was pleased to see that the fun creatures from THE DIVIDE were back in this sequel,
including giant, bird-like, math-obsessed brazzles and evil, shape-shifting sinistroms. Also, in addition to the main quest in
the magical world, there was an interesting sub-plot about how the spell that turned Felix’s parents to marble was
threatening to destroy the entire non-magical world. This added some tension to the story. And, like its predecessor,
BACK TO THE DIVIDE has a great cover that is split in the middle. It does not necessarily contribute to the story, but it
is a unique feature nonetheless, that might add to the experience of the book for some readers.
Overall, for those who enjoyed their first journey across the Divide, I recommend a return trip.
Category: Fantasy
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 6/07
Publisher: Scholastic
Reviewed by: K. Osborn Sullivan
Rating: 4 Stars
After spending the previous summer in a magical world where humans are only a legend, Felix settles in back at home for
a nice, normal life with his parents. During his trip to the magical world the previous year, Felix’s heart condition had been
cured with magic, so he is able to finally engage in the kinds of normal activities he has always dreamed of.
But a quiet life is not in the cards for Felix. One day, he is shocked to find his enemy from the magical world, Snakeweed,
standing on the front porch. The evil Snakeweed had managed to sneak into the human world. He did not find it to his
liking, however, so he sought out Felix to give him the spell to return to his own magical world. As a means to force Felix
into giving up the return spell, Snakeweed puts a spell on Felix’s parents that turns them into marble statues. Felix soon
realizes that he must return to the magical world and enlist his friends’ help once again in order to free his parents.
BACK TO THE DIVIDE is a fine sequel for readers who enjoyed THE DIVIDE, the first book in the trilogy. I must
admit, though, that I was not as entertained by it as I was by the original. Perhaps that is largely because the novelty of the
magical world was wearing off. But what bothered me more was that the book seemed to focus on an awful lot of
traveling. It felt like Felix and his companions moved back and forth across the magical world a dozen times during the
story. I’m sure they didn’t, but it felt that way at times.
Despite these complaints, I was pleased to see that the fun creatures from THE DIVIDE were back in this sequel,
including giant, bird-like, math-obsessed brazzles and evil, shape-shifting sinistroms. Also, in addition to the main quest in
the magical world, there was an interesting sub-plot about how the spell that turned Felix’s parents to marble was
threatening to destroy the entire non-magical world. This added some tension to the story. And, like its predecessor,
BACK TO THE DIVIDE has a great cover that is split in the middle. It does not necessarily contribute to the story, but it
is a unique feature nonetheless, that might add to the experience of the book for some readers.
Overall, for those who enjoyed their first journey across the Divide, I recommend a return trip.