Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

The Silver Chains is the second book in the Mastermind Academy series written by L.J. Clarkson. Travelling from Terra to her new magic school on Agartha, Isabelle Tresdon is excited about learning how to correctly and skillfully use her new-found magic. During the journey, Boldrick Cavendar (feline extraordinaire) teaches Isabelle the art of air-surfing behind a Mesura piloted by Esme Williams, before the magical aircraft is hit by enemy firepower and crashes into the ocean. Boldrick’s secret past catches up with him when he calls for help, revealing himself to be a former intelligence officer who is serving a two-hundred-year sentence (in the form of a cat) as punishment after jeopardizing Agartha’s safety in 1947 and trying to deflect the blame from himself when caught. After arriving at Mastermind Academy and being placed in the same class as a very spiteful bully, Isabelle is told (via a magical message) to break Lemuria and Gyan out of prison without notifying authorities; failure to comply would result in the death of Isabelle’s family. In the meantime, Boldrick tries to make right his sins of the past by averting an invasion of Agartha by a corrupt Terran military. With her every move being monitored by spies who are working for the blackmailers, and with Boldrick unable to help, Isabelle feels helpless and alone while trying to figure out a way to save her family before time runs out.

Initially, I had to read as much information as possible about the first book in the series before being able to follow the second. Once I had some basic knowledge of the terminology and the back story of the series, I was easily able to immerse myself into Isabelle’s world as she struggled with broken bones, panic attacks, and the trauma of her first day at Mastermind Academy. Watching as a bully berated and abused her, and feeling Isabelle’s helplessness in not knowing who to trust in order to try to save her family, was heartbreaking. I definitely advise readers of the Mastermind Academy series to read the books in numerical order so they do not end up lost. That aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the trials and tribulations of young Isabelle Tresdon as she fights her fears and utilizes her every skill to save those she cares about. Well written, The Silver Chains is filled with fun, adventure and humor, as well as darker issues related to bullying and helplessness. I recommend this book to all readers over the age of twelve who love books filled with challenges in a world of magic.