A Hidden Enemy

May 1, 2013
Grades 4-6 When the pack of increasingly feral pet dogs led by his sister clashes with a fiercer pack led by a wolf, Lucky's loyalty trumps his longing for independence, and he returns to help his friends. Later, falling in with his sister's plan by infiltrating the fiercer group, he learns a good deal about how packs of wolves and dogs function in the wild. His growing duplicity makes him miserable, though, and a double cross leaves him vulnerable. In the end, his life is, literally, at the mercy of the wolf. Written in third person from Lucky's point of view, the story reflects his interest in how the pack's rules and pecking order play out, as well as his drive to be on his own. Sensory details bring his experiences into sharper focus and create a greater feeling of reality within the scenes. The abrupt cliff-hanger at the book's end may leave avid fans eager for the third installment of the Survivors series, but many readers will be jarred by the lack of a satisfying conclusion here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2013
Leashed Dog Bella convinces Lucky to spy on the Wild Pack. Despite the Pack's brutal ways, Lucky forms attachments within it, and further questions his loyalty to the Leashed Dogs when he learns Bella has hidden motives. The large number of characters is hard to keep track of, but former Lone Dog Lucky is a sympathetic character and his dilemma adds suspense.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from April 1, 2013
Following a massive earthquake, leashed dogs and strays alike try to find a way to weather a world turned on end by the catastrophe. Without the longpaws, or humans, the dogs must use both their instincts and their deep tradition of storytelling to make sense of their new lives. This sequel to The Empty City (2012) begins just as Lucky has finally extricated himself from his unwanted pack. Unfortunately, an attack by wild dogs and another quake force him to return to help his frightened friends. Lucky finds himself caught between his responsibility toward his old pack and his admiration for the wild pack led by Alpha, their part-wolf leader. Even though his skills are those of a city dog, Lucky is able to quickly become invaluable to the new pack. However, if Alpha discovers his split loyalty, Lucky will suffer swift canine justice, which often ends in death. Disease, famine and other wild animals make survival even more tenuous as the fast-paced story progresses. Well-rounded characters, deep folklore and difficult problems without obvious answers drive the story. These dogs are not just loyal human companions, but warriors, leaders and friends. A cliffhanger ending ensures another volume is on the way. Perfectly crafted. (Adventure. 8-12)

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