The Neptune Challenge
by Polly Holyoke
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (May 19, 2015)
Genre: YA/Middle Grade
352 pages
Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Summary

Genetically engineered to survive in the ocean, Nere and her friends are recovering from their long, treacherous journey to refuge and settling in at Safety Harbor. Despite its name, plenty of dangers still lurk just outside the colony’s boundaries. When two among them are kidnapped, the remaining Neptune kids and their loyal dolphins must set out on a mission even more perilous than their first: infiltrate the kidnapper’s fortress to save their friends and steal away a vital scientific secret that may save the world and its oceans. Fighting terrifying mutated creatures and teens, will the Neptune kids find a way to save their friends, themselves, and their underwater world? The stakes couldn’t be higher in this thrilling sequel to the award-winning The Neptune Project.

About the Author

The Neptune Challenge is a story filled with intriguing sci-fi elements and a fast paced adventure! Nere and her friends, genetically altered to survive the seas, have survived the journey to Safety Harbor and now live comfortably with her friends and others from the project within it’s cave-like underwater structure. But it doesn’t last long! Soon two of her friends are kidnapped by the enemy. Nere does what she can to ensure that she and her comrades are on the rescue mission to save her friends. But there’s so much more at stake. The world beyond the sea is destroyed by global warming. The ground scorched, the land inhabitable. Perhaps the sea plankton can do some good in helping to restore the world. The only problem is that the plankton resides in the kidnappers undersea base. To get to it, Nere will have to be caught in order discover where it’s being kept. Little does she know that Dai, her friend and crush from The Neptune Project would be amidst enemy hands, and even worse, that he happens to be one of them. Will Nere be able to rescue her friends, save the plankton, and return to Safety Harbor?

There is so much to love about this book. One thing in particular is that this book is definitely an enjoyable read no matter the age. Sure there’s a slight love story, but it’s mild and cute. The adventure is definitely the forerunner in this novel. Polly Holyoke has created such a magical world and such a wonderful story line filled with lovable characters that has you turning the pages until you realize you’ve finished the book.

I simply loved all the “mutants” in this. The mutant sharks, the mutant octopus, and several others. Children’s DNA is basically coded with sea animals to give them the ability to live in the water. Nere and her friends from The Neptune Project were genetically coded with dolphin and whale DNA. But the children from the high-tech undersea enemy base are coded with sharks, octopus, and other scary sea monsters. My favorite villain in this is definitely Wasp. I’m not entirely sure what sea monster she was altered after, but she is definitely poisonous and evil! And my goodness I just really liked her even though she was bad. She’s just a very well written villain! I also love the fact that Nere and a few others can communicate with dolphins and whales. Just how amazing would that be!

Nere and Dai were wonderful too! Nere is always there to help her friends when they are in need and to do what it takes to make sure everyone survives. Dai is a complicated character that has his on demons to deal with. Not only is it hard for him to deal with who he is, but also who his father is, and ultimately, the person he wants to be.

The Neptune Project and The Neptune Challenge are, in my opinion, a great read for anyone. It’s a fast paced read, filled with adventure, mystery, slight love story, and such an amazing, creative world. Definitely be sure to check it out! It can definitely be a book you can read and enjoy with your kids!

If you are interested in reading this book be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of this post!

Also don’t forget to check out the first book in the series, The Neptune Project. 

Purchase Links:

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | indiebound

Polly Holyoke

Polly Holyoke is a former teacher and loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving and hiking in the desert. She lives in Plano, TX with three rescue dogs, two spoiled cats and a nice husband who tolerates piles of books all over their house. Her debut middle-grade novel,The Neptune Project, was published by Disney/Hyperion and was selected to the 2014-15 Texas Bluebonnet Master List along with state reading lists in Maryland and Ohio. It was also named one of Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of 2014. Her second children’s book, The Neptune Challenge, was released May, 2015.

Blog Tour Schedule

Aug 24 – Books and Broomsticks – Guest Post

Aug 25 – Because This is My Life, Y’all – Promo Post

Aug 26 – Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books – Promo Post

Aug 27 – Texas Book-aholic – review

Aug 28 – TexasBookLover – Guest Post

Aug 29 – All For the Love of the Word – promo post

Aug 30 – Bookishjessp – promo

Aug 31 – Feather Pens, Tartan Dreams – Promo Post + Author Q&A

Sept 1 – A Novel Reality – review

Sept 2 – Book Crazy Gals – Guest Post + promo

Sept 3 – The Crazy Bookseller – review

Sept 4 – Secret Asian Girl – review

Sept 5 – My Book Fix – review

Sept 6 – The Page Unbound – review

Sept 7 – Hall Ways – Author Q&A

Giveaway Details: Polly Holyoke is hosting a giveaway for one signed copy of The Neptune Challenge and one dolphin necklace. The giveaway is opened internationally.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js