Deeper: Tunnels Series, Book 2 (by Brian Williams, Roderick Gordon)

The Tunnels series grows even more exciting in this installment, though it does have some notable weaknesses and caveats. Like the first book, DEEPER is badly in need of editing: There's far too much pointless wandering around. The characters continue to be cyphers, and most of them aren't particularly likable. And the authors have considerably ratcheted up both the quantity and gruesomeness of the violence, including having major child characters both kill and be killed, both normally taboo in books for children.

But the excitement and suspense are undeniable, and many young readers will be enthralled. It maintains a high level of suspense throughout: Its tone is unrelentingly bleak and horrifying, and it continues the gritty sensory description that was a strength of the first book. And once again, it ends with a tense cliffhanger. The authors still have much to learn, but it's good fun for those who like their fantasy grim, dark, and violent.