Jake Atlas and the hunt for the Feathered God by Rob Lloyd Jones

Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406377712
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Themes: Action, Adventure, Twins, Mystery, Aztec - history. Hunted by international police and hiding from the evil People of the Snake, treasure hunters and tomb raiders Jake Atlas and his family are in danger. During this enforced stay in an English stately home twins Jake and Pan hone their martial art skills, train in using new developed technology, learn ancient languages and bicker, argue and question their parents' motives. Why aren't they searching for the second emerald tablet? When their friend and tech whiz Sami is poisoned, they are forced by the People of the Snake to undertake a dangerous mission to discover the tablet in exchange for a cure.
Their destination is a legendary Aztec tomb dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl, hidden in the Honduran rainforest. The Atlas family must face traitors, bandits, big cats, tarantulas and crocodiles and learn to rely on other's abilities to help them. Their arguments and squabbles lead them into deeper trouble as they face monsoon rains and arduous conditions on their lengthy trek in the jungle. They barely survive ancient Aztec snares, climb a cliff built from skulls, leap over a huge waterfall, escape from a trap made out of swinging blades as the momentum builds to a crescendo.
Rob Lloyd Jones channels Indiana Jones, Lara Croft Tomb Raider and Alex Rider in this fast-paced action adventure. Each of the main characters are relatable, Jake's gung-ho attitude means he's quick to jump into dangerous situations while his sister Pan is a thinker, skilled in linguistics and a student of history. A family of tomb raiders and treasure hunters is unique in this fiction genre and adds a different and realistic perspective. The author's historically accurate facts are fascinating and eye-opening - the Aztec's religious practices of human sacrifices and worship of Quetzalcoatl. Filled with exciting new technology - nano-drones, smart-goggles and satellite trackers and Biosteel reinforced jungle suits, "Jake Atlas and the Hunt for the Feathered God" will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Rhyllis Bignell