Rise of the Jumbies

Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. From the mermaid on the cover holding a girl captive, I knew I was going to love it, and I did! Rise of the Jumbies is the second book in what will be an amazing series, and I can’t wait to go back and read the first book, The Jumbies. Even if you don’t know that book, you’ll love this adventure.

Set on a tropical island in the Caribbean, this book has a lot of words I had to look up: soucouyant, lagahoo, and melongene (eggplant!), and also lots of unfamiliar names. However, I liked how the characters talked in different languages. Mama L’eau especially and each character were well described, so you got to know their personalities.

The chapters are short, and the drama really keeps you moving along. I also liked how the author wrote the words under the water in italics since they aren’t spoken out loud, although you’d miss them if you were only reading out loud. I could very easily see all of the story in my mind because of the great descriptions. The mermaid songs rhymed and added to the book’s appeal as I like to sing.

If you like mermaids, kids solving problems, and magic, you will love this book!