Volcrian's Hunt (The Cat's Eye Chronicles #3) by T.L. Shreffler

5 Stars

This book felt more like a complete novel like the first book did (book 2 did not feel like a complete story to me, but more of a bridge between book 1 and book 3).  Sora, Burn, Laina and Crash are stranded on the island.  They think it is one of the Lost Isles, but not the main one where they need to be.  They go exploring with the Dracians and find a cave.  Jacques is sent flying back to the mainland to find help for the others and Sora and crew go into the cave hoping it might connect to the larger island underground.  It becomes obvious (more maybe more obvious) that Laina’s heritage lies with the harpies as her response to the Crystal Caves is quite euphoric. 

Of course the group runs into quite the set of trials and tribulations as they traverse the caves and tunnels further and further.  Eventually they make it to the main island and have their first encounters with the mystical Harpies.  I can’t say I am impressed with any of them yet.  Maybe as we get to know Caprion more he will grow on me.  Between reading about Sora’s adventures we start to read about her mother, Lori’s travels.  In book 2 Sora had sent her horse home with a note that her mother gets, but then sets out on her own mission to try to help Sora.  This was actually more enjoyable than I thought it would be.  I often dislike side stories as they usually aren’t as interesting as the main story, but the author did a good job of making Lori’s story enjoyable as well.  And since Lori had Sora so young, Lori isn’t that much older than me making both the main character and her mother relatable. 

The reader also got a peek into Volcrian's mind throughout the story.  It was interesting to see his spiral downward.  He would at times wonder about his own change, but smothered this in his hate for Crash. 

Laina has always rubbed me the wrong way.  From my first encounter with her when Sora is trying to get her out of jail to the end of this book I’ve never liked her.  Sora always felt bad for her and kept repeating that Laina is only 13 years old.  We all know 13 is a hard age, but Laina never seemed to appreciate anything the others tried to do for her.