Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gross-out humor and adventure in lively Deadweather sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Picking up where Deadweather and Sunrise left off, NEW LANDS: THE CHRONICLES OF EGG, BOOK 2 finds 13-year-old Egbert ("Egg") Masterson and his newfound, hook-handed friend Guts in search of the treasure whose existence came to light in the first book. Egg is still madly in love with Millicent; Millicent's father has already murdered Egg's family and made a few attempts on Egg's life as well; Millicent is deeply conflicted. In the course of their adventures, they meet friendly and not-so-friendly locals, including a beautiful guide. The fearsome pirate Burn Healy also returns, taking a strange interest in Egg's welfare.
Is It Any Good?
Besides the frequent laughs, there's a spirit of globetrotting adventure in the Chronicles of Egg books -- along with a large gross-out factor. Author Geoff Rodkey's early writing credits include both Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and Beavis and Butt-Head, and there's a certain family resemblance in this series. While not as replete as Deadweather and Sunrise with disgusting fluids and body parts, New Lands has many references to vomit, pee, farts, and dung and enthusiastic use of swear words in an imaginary language, all of which (along with the swashbuckling) will appeal to many boys of a certain age.
It also offers further development of some intriguing characters, a raft of plot twists, and a cliffhanger ending that sets up the next volume. A big plus is Egg's narrative voice as he tries to make sense of forces beyond his control, from first love to the fact that people are trying to kill him.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about pirate tales. Why do you think stories about pirates have been popular for so long? How does New Lands compare with others you know?
What ethical issues does Egg have to deal with? Do you think he makes the right choices?
Do you see any similarity between the oppressive colonialism in this fictional world and what's happened in history?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Pirates
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date : May 2, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 17
- Number of pages : 336
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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