Ocean Chase (Dungeon Runners 3)

OCEAN CHASE is a thrilling new installment in the DUNGEON RUNNERS series. In this book, Kit and crew are heading into their second real Dungeon Runners competition - this time under water. That is all well and good, but Kit cannot swim and must wear floaties, plus he is still not quite used to Featherblade, the sword he won in the previous books. Luckily, with Sandy and Thorn by his side, they will forge their way through any challenge.

What I loved: This is such an engaging and imaginative chapter book series. It is perfect for fans of Minecraft and fantasy action/adventure games. The challenges are dangerous and deadly with creatures to defeat - as well as puzzles to solve and bullies to fend off. Triple Trouble is once again trying to play fair but coming up against other teams who cheat and are sometimes cruel. These challenges are relatable to young readers who likely experience their own social challenges and feel like things in life are less than fair.

The characters are great with the main crew having their own personalities and talents that make them charming to read about. Illustrations throughout really bring them to life, as well as the scenes mentioned. These really add to the story nicely, helping young readers imagine each scene and the characters as well as breaking up the text for readers gaining confidence with reading independently.

In terms of the text itself, it's perfect for independent readers. The font is large and easy to follow with many easily pronounced words along with those that are more challenging, allowing young readers to gain confidence while stretching their abilities. The story is perfect for this age range with characters that are fun to follow across the stories, and a whole challenge and ranking to add plenty of action/adventure along the way.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, Kit is very negative and frequently unhappy about everything. He seemed to have a bit of a lesson in past books as he spoils the fun for his friends, but the book is once again filled with his negative dialogue. Even with nice new armor, he is upset about the color, concerned about appearance, and disappointed by the friends who care so much for him. They end up spending a bit of time getting him to come around, but it's not a fantastic pattern, and I hope the story will break away from this in future books. There is also some booger humor, which kids will love, but it is a bit prevalent (their sponsor is a troll booger glue company).

Final verdict: OCEAN CHASE is a thrilling fantasy chapter book that is perfect for independent readers who love contests, magic, and exciting new worlds!

What worked:
This book continues the adventure of Kit, Sandy, and Thorn, as their team, called Triple Trouble, competes in the Dungeon Runners tournament. The short chapters will appeal to reluctant and emerging readers, helping the plot move quickly. Black-and-white illustrations help create mental images of the characters and setting as the story progresses through an underwater cavern. Various creatures and other dangers await the competitors, with a giant Narghoul, a huge, undead, sword-wielding monster, waiting at the end. To add drama, Kit’s nemesis and school bully is on another team, and Kit’s convinced Rook Blackheart and the Roost Raiders have been cheating in the past two competitions.
Kit is the main character, but he’s an unlikely warrior and hero. He now possesses a formidable weapon called Featherblade, but it tends to have a mind of its own. It’s just as apt to send Kit flying away as it is to help him during combat. Kit has a fear of water; he can’t swim, which is an issue when competing at the bottom of the ocean. He’s forced to wear inflatable buoys on his arms, and that doesn’t make him look any more heroic. Not to mention, one of Thorn’s healing potions turns Kit’s skin orange. However, Kit’s strategic mind comes in handy, and he displays bravery to protect others. He has a strong sense of sportsmanship, which is a rare attribute among the Dungeon Runners. Young readers will find his character charming and a very likable underdog.

What didn’t work as well:
Because of the story’s fast pace, it doesn’t go into any detail, and challenges are rapidly solved. More capable readers will find the book is finished when it feels like it should be just ramping up. The character development is happening throughout the series, so readers will need to begin with the first book to understand the characters.

The final verdict:
Readers don’t need to start from the first book in the series, but choosing to read all three episodes won’t take long. Kit and his friends are entertaining characters, and I recommend you try the series for yourself.