Book Review: The Curse of the Royal Ruby by Rodney Johnson (Rinnah Two Feathers #2)

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Confusing mystery and real characters

Cons: Last in the series

The Bottom Line:

Great from the first page

Wish the series went longer

Worth tracking it down

Second and Unfortunately Final Rinnah Two Feathers Mystery

In the second book about Rinnah Two Feathers, a Sioux Indian teen, this mystery series moves from a kid oriented series to a teen oriented series. There is death and a couple very suspenseful scenes. But those in the target audience will love The Curse of the Royal Ruby.

Rinnah Two Feathers is looking forward to her summer vacation. She and her two best friends, Tommy Red Hawk and Meagen Paige, are staying in a cabin in Spearfish Canyon as guests of Meagen's dad. But on the first day, Rinnah is handed a note from a nervous, mysterious woman who says "They're after the rose," before taking off again. Then the woman is found face down in a pond. The note is confusing, but the trio is determined to discover what it means. With every clue they piece together, they discover they're in more danger. Meanwhile, Meagen is having a hard time adjusting to the new woman in her dad's life. This summer is shaping up to be anything but restful.

Now the fact that Rinnah is a Native American is more then just a characteristic, her heritage plays an important part of the story. There are tribal legends at work and a Medicine Man provides some puzzling clues as well. This is a great way to learn a bit about another culture.

Wrapped up in the culture lesson is a wonderful mystery. The three kids are absolutely fantastic characters. They each come with strengths and weaknesses and seem real. And they each contribute something to the story. The other characters are interesting and as developed as they can be for the page time they have.

The mystery rivals many of the adult books I read. I was confused until the very end. The sub-plots are skillfully woven into the story so that they never slow down the main plot.

And the writing is top notch. I felt like I was there with Rinnah. The author pulls off several tense atmospheric scenes that had my heart racing.

Everything came together for a climax so thrilling I was turning the last 50 pages as fast as I could to find out what would happen next.

Unfortunately, the book was published by UglyTown, a small publisher based in Southern California. It's since folded, meaning we won't be getting any more in what was a promising series.

Teens and adults will both enjoy this gripping mystery and glimpse into one Indian tribe's culture. It's well worth tracking down a copy of The Curse of the Royal Ruby.