Color by Steve Hamaker. Tom Elm and his ever-increasing band of allies continue on their quest to find the shattered pieces of the Spark that will save the Dreaming from the growing menace of the evil Nacht. Throughout the adventure, alliances and allegiances are tested. The book does contain occasional art, but this wordy novel lacks some of the action and verve of the original Bone graphic-novel series. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The franchise expansion of Jeff Smith's Bone-verse continues in this second prose novel set after the conclusion of his epic graphic-novel series. De facto quest leader, 12-year-old Tom Elm, proves his leadership mettle in a raid on a giant beehive to secure another piece of the relic known as the Spark, which, once assembled, will help drive back the Nacht, an evil dragon plaguing the Dreaming. Sniegoski continues his able balance of light slapstick humor mostly thanks to a couple of doltish Rat Creatures familiar fantasy elements, and a barest hint of urgency. Smith's spot art ties the fan-friendly package together.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2010 Booklist

(Fantasy/adventure. 9 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 3-6-This book continues the adventures of 12-year-old Tom Elm, his raccoon pal, a former Veni Yan priest, three Bone explorers, and two smelly rat creatures as they attempt to save the world from the wicked dragon, the Nacht. The "Bone" books have a serious fan base, so this in-progress trilogy is bound to attract attention. Unfortunately, it falls short of expectations. While the Nacht, presented as a source of wickedness itself with the power to seep into and claim the minds of innocents, is legitimately creepy, the adventures feel haphazard and unplanned, characters remain largely undeveloped, and the humor feels a bit forced. However, the draw to the world created in the series is strong, and there are plenty of Smith's full-page illustrations to reinforce that connection. For real fans, this book is a solid pick, but the titles should be read in sequence-events in this one won't make sense without reading the first. Libraries without "Bone" fans can skip it.-Heather Talty, formerly at Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, New York City (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.