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The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2)

by Kelly Murphy
150p. 978-0-54723-867-8.
COPY ISBN
Gr 3—5—Nate Fludd, budding beastologist, is back in an adventure even greater than his first. His Aunt Phil receives a telegram that a basilisk has escaped from the village of Bamako. The natives need her help, and soon Nate is racing on a camel, flying across the Sahara, and warding off crocodiles from a boat. Aunt Phil has two friendly weasels willing to do battle with the basilisk, and Nate's troublemaking pet, Greasle, accompanies him every step of the way. The basilisk is terrifying, with it's deadly venom and scales, and Nate musters all his courage to fight it and continues to wonder who freed the beast and what happened to his parents, who disappeared in Flight of the Phoenix (Houghton, 2009). Children who enjoyed the first book will not be disappointed by the sequel, and those new to the series can easily pick up the story line. The action is nonstop, and the elements of fantasy, mystery, and humor will appeal to a wide audience. Murphy's spot art and occasional full-page drawings carry the action along nicely.—Jane Cronkhite, Santa Clara County Library, CA
Though he's a beastologist in training, Nathaniel Fludd is nervous about accompanying his aunt on her mission to capture a runaway basilisk. Will Nathaniel and his pet gremlin have what it takes to face the creature and its venomous gaze? This sequel to Flight of the Phoenix is tidily crafted.
The Basilisk’s Lair picks up where The Flight of the Phoenix left off. However, readers need not be familiar with the first book in the series to follow the plot of this one. R. L. LaFever’s fast-paced story, with its short chapters and Kelly Murphy’s plentiful illustrations, is ideal for emerging chapter-book readers. The interesting setting and mythological characters will appeal to those who enjoy fantasy and adventure. The characters are well-drawn. Aunt Phil convincingly leads the basilisk search through the remote area of the Sudan. Nate embraces his role as a beastologist-in-training with varying degrees of enthusiasm depending on their circumstances. Greasle, Nate’s pet gremlin, provides comic relief, while the basilisk lives up to its venomous reputation. At book’s end, readers will be left hoping—along with Nate and Aunt Phil—to soon learn more about the mysterious stranger who “has known with uncanny accuracy the exact location of two very hidden beasts.”

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