  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2015 An attempt on 13-year-old Cassie Arroyo’s life results in her father’s hospitalization, but not before he warns her that she is the target of a secret organization known as the Hastati, protectors of the mystical Spear of Destiny. After being sent to a monastery to speak with Brother Gregorio, Cassie learns of the spear’s and the Hastati’s histories—in particular that she is powerfully connected to the spear, a fact that puts her in great peril. With her friend Simone and 15-year-old protector Asher, Cassie races around Italy, trying to locate the missing spear while avoiding death or capture. Gonzalez is a bit heavy-handed at foreshadowing, but this is a solid entry in the young teen adventure-suspense genre, along the lines of Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider books (without the tech toys). The well-plotted story contains plenty of action and an interesting setting; the language at the end of the book indicates that we will hear more from Cassie and Asher. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 08/01/2015 Gr 4–8—Cassie Arroyo's life is turned upside down when her father is shot and she finds out that she was the target. When she must leave her ailing father's side—or face an assassin working for a dangerous secret organization called the Hastati—Cassie goes to her father's friend, Brother Gregorio, for protection. Cassie learns from Brother Gregorio that she is the marked descendent of Saint Longinus and only she can control the Holy Lance of Longinus (the Spear of Destiny). Cassie, accompanied by her best friend and Brother Gregorio's nephew Asher, decides to leave the protection of the monastery to find the spear and her father before the Hastati find them. Gonzalez has created an action-packed mystery that utilizes Christian mythology seamlessly. This plot-driven story wastes little time in character development and background, which may turn some readers off, but the pacing will hold most kids' attention as they try to piece out the clues alongside Cassie and her friends. A cliff-hanger ending will keep readers anxiously awaiting the next installment. VERDICT Fans of Jude Watson's Loot (Scholastic, 2014) and Chris Grabenstein's Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Random, 2013) will devour this series opener.—Amanda Augsburger, Moline Public Library, IL - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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