Wing & Claw #2: Cavern of Secrets audiobook

This is a very solid sequel. I must confess I was a little annoyed at the ending of "Forest of Wonders". Sure, I said to myself. These kids are going to survive the winter in the mountains, with no shelter but a cave and no food but what they manage to gather. Right.Well, the kids do survive, but we find out it's been difficult. They are thin and hungry, and Echo the bat is gravely ill. What's more, Garith is suffering because of the sacrifice he made in the first book, and there's constant tension between him and Raffa. He is the first of the children to head home.Kuma and Raffa follow, first trying to find healing for Echo and a safe shelter for Roo the bear and Twig the raccoon. What they discover will alter Raffa's understanding of apothecary work, the vine that's given Echo and a few other animals the power of speech, and his own talents.There are more, and even more dangerous, secrets. When the children return to Kuma's village on the way to the city of Gilden, the settlement is attacked. It seems the people who are altering animals are training them specifically to attack "Afters", the late-coming immmigrants. Why? And can Raffa stop their evil plan?Park brings up serious issues in the course of her story. I loved the developing relationship between Raffa and his cousin Garith. The bigger boy is now deaf because of the sacrifice he has made in the previous book. Brave and intelligent, Garith trains himself to be a skillful lip reader and thus spies on the "baddies". There's also the issue of prejudice against newcomers, drug addiction, and human pride. All of these are shown in what the characters do and learn. It's not at all heavy-handed. I did find the slang in the book a little jarring (things like "kiddler" for child; "chummer" for friend, and so on). But it was less so than in the first volume. I actually liked this book better. Anyone who enjoyed the first volume will surely love this. What's more, given Raffa's situation at the end, young readers will be eager for the sequel. A solid middle grade fantasy. I'd recommend it to fans of Anne Ursu and Sage Blackwood, as well as to everyone who enjoyed the first book.

A solid sequel to Forest of Wonders picking up right at the end of book one where the kids are heading into a winter spent in the mountains against all odds they do survive. The author is realistic in telling the events the kids went through and the results of being hidden in a cave over winter without preparing for it. There are more and even more dangerous secrets and missions in this second book. Raffia faces the possible loss of his family when he discovers his family home burnt to the ground; he also struggles with the circumstances of echo, possibly losing his remarkable ability to talk to him. Wing & Claw series is a solid middle-grade story that keeps readers on the edge of their toes and eager for the next volume in this fantastic story about animals and humans interacting and possibly saving or destroying their world.

Intermediate, fantasy, dystopian, intermediate

My name is Raffa, and animals are being trained to attack Afters living in the slums. My uncle is the one who discovered how to create mixtures using the red vines, and he believes he's doing something good. I don't know if he realizes his creation is being used to attack humans. I've created a mixture to counteract the effects on animals, but I don't know how to get it into them. The Chancellor has guards searching for me everywhere. I've discovered my parents' home burned to the ground, and don't know if they're alive or dead. Trixin doesn't want to get involved, but her brother Jimble and his friends have proven to be a tremendous help. He's willing to do whatever I need of him, but Trixin will kill me if he gets into serious trouble. The animals must be cured and freed tonight, or it may be too late.You should read the first book in the series to fully understand the red vine, and Raffa's history with the problem. I've enjoyed how Raffa and Kuma have worked together, although Raffa spent the second half of the book alone. Characters helped him, but he was mostly independent. An entertaining aspect of the story is his relationship with a bat named Echo. The red vine enables Echo to speak in very short phrases, and he mostly acts as Raffa's lookout. He's very innocent and communicates literally. This creates some miscommunication, since Raffa isn't always able to foresee things from the bat's viewpoint. The plot doesn't have a great deal of action, although it has its moments. The most engaging part of the book is found in the conflict. Most readers will probably have an issue with experiments being performed on innocent animals, and Raffa even has second thoughts about the effects on his friend Echo. The series continues in the sequel Beast of Stone.

Raffa, Kuma, and Garith have escaped Gilden with their animal companions in CAVERN OF SECRETS. Raffa has Echo the Bat and Kuma has Roo the Bear and Twig the Raccoon. These animals were dosed with a concoction in the first book that gave them the ability to talk. Raffa, Kuma, and Garith hope to find a cure to help the animals return to normal.For now, they must find a way to save the other animals who are still being given the concoction and being forced to do the bidding of the Chancellor. Once they find a safe place for Roo and Twig to hide, the three realize how much they've missed their family. For this reason, the mission is put temporarily on hold, but seeing their family is easier said than done, especially when you're wanted.I loved that Echo remained with Raffa throughout the whole book. He was by far the cutest and my favorite character. He was very handy when Raffa needed him as well. The idea of talking animals made the book even more entertaining, especially when Echo was involved. I wished there was more of Roo and Twig, but I'm sure they'll com back in the next one.Final Verdict: I recommend this one to fans of middle grade fiction/fantasy and/or talking animals. I wish the younger me would've had the chance to read it because she loved the idea of talking animals. This one ends on a cliffhanger which has me eager to find out what happens in the third installment.

In the book two cushions go exploring the woods and they find a bat that was injured so rafa the main character healed it with his potions that he made and it turns out the bat can talk. The boys end up going on a big adventure that goes on for three books and they find something that they did not expect and the person who did it made them very disappointed. I will give this book a 4 out of 5 stars because it has some parts that are just boring but it is an interesting series. This book is made by the beloved Arthur Linda Sue park. The theme of this book is never leave your friends behind.

In this story Raffa used his talent of apothecary and his friendship with Echo the bat to try to ruin the evil Chancellor's plans. The Chancellor is trying to use animals against the people in her town. By giving them a special drink they will follow her orders. To save the animals Raffa must use his powers to stop the Chancellor.

The second book in the series was even better than the first!Now that winter is over, the three make their way back, but first they have to find a safe place for Roo. Along the way, Raffa learns a few things about himself, those around him, and what it will take to save the animals that are still in the compound.

Fantasy adventure I couldn't put down. This fantasy adventure continues in the 2nd of the series. Suspense increases masterfully. Creative, thoughtful, imaginative and compelling, especially as Raffa continues to grow in his understanding of himself and his role with others given his special talent.

Great writing- timely topic - The leaders of Obsidia are hoping to silently eliminate different segments of the population because they have been deemed of less worth - and heroic, if unusual, main characters.

Winter's passed and Raffa is back. Little more can be said. It's the middle book, so it does middle book things. Looking forward to the finish in Bk3.

A creative, suspenseful sequel to the first book of the wing and claw series, Linda sue park creates a treacherous, exciting and thrilling adventure. This series is fascinating and fun.

Oh my gosh this book was so good! I canNOT wait until I get Beast of Stone! I NEED to know what happens next!

We love it so far Looking forward to finding out the end. We love Echo, and it's great to hear about all the mixtures Rafia makes. It has been an entertaining adventure reading this with my right year old. Thanks to the author of the devotion invested to write this trilogy.