Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse - Book Review

About the Book

Title: Zoe & Zak and the Yogi's Curse (Zoe & Zak Series, Book #2)

Author: Lars Guignard

Publishers: Fantastic Press

Publication Date: September 9, 2013

Pages: 340

Recommended Age: 8+

Summary: Zoe and Zak are back in India. Again. And this time they're attending Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, which might seem fun except for the fact that the school itself is a little strange. Students ride elephants instead of school buses, snarling monkeys work as security guards, and angry parrots monitor the halls. And even when they manage to get used to the wildlife, the food is absolutely terrible. But living with a bunch of other kids their age can be a lot of fun, too, or at least it seems that way until Zoe's roommate goes missing. Following the directions written on a steamy bathroom mirror, Zoe and Zak fly through the clouds on their magic carpet to learn that the two of them have been chosen yet again. This time they've been asked to lift the Yogi's Curse. It's not going to be easy. Zoe and Zak don't even know what the Yogi's Curse is let alone how to lift it, but like it or not, they soon discover that a whole lot of people are depending on them. Now, if they're going to save the day, Zoe and Zak are going to have to fool the monkey guards, avoid the nasty parrots, and maybe even develop a supernatural ability or two. Because lurking beneath Moonstock is a powerful new enemy. And if Zoe and Zak can't stop him, nobody can.

My Review

Guignard has done it again!  Yogi Curse is another great Zoe and Zak book that is not to be missed!  Be prepared to enter into more fantasy and bizarre action-packed adventures.

Shortly after they returned to India the pair were sent off to a boarding school in Himalayan mountains as their parents have to work.  As with the first book, I feel the cold and wetness of India's monsoon at the very beginning when both of them stepped off the freight train.  The whole boarding house looks mysterious and sad, probably because Zoe is homesick thus she is looking at her new environment from that perspective.  Things started to get weird when they reached the boarding school first with the disappearance of her new room mate Anita. 

Soon they discovered that another mission awaits them, they must lift the Yogi Curse.  What is the Yogi Curse?  What has it got to do with flying elephants and a yogi who was taking a nap under a rhododendron tree?  With a riddle and a map left by their old friend Mr Muk, they must try their best to protect the Elephant Egg of Life that contains a Noble Truth.

What has a mouth but does not speak?

What has a bed but does not sleep?
What always runs but never walk?

Gather me and watch your spots.

And what is a thrilling adventure if there are no villains?  This time they are stronger and fiercer (and creepier if I may say); with shark lookalike Principal, ugly monkey guards & squawking loud parrots guarding the school's hallway, fire-wing birds attacking the pair, YIKES!

While reading this book I constantly have a feeling that Zoe is always lost and needed Zak's advice and leadership.  I would expect her to be more decisive, afterall she is the one with the special birth mark and the special "yogination power" right?  Perhaps its Guignard's intention to let Zoe take a back stand in this book and focus a little more on Zak this time?  Being the more adventurous and daring of the pair Zak has got all the cool gadgets of Stryker and Doormat, he sure saved Zoe a couple of times in this book as her "yogination power" seems to fail to work whenever they are in or near the boarding school.  It is also at the same time Zoe found that she has acquired a new skill that shocked both herself and Zak.  What is this new skill?  I am not letting the cat out of the bag~

Purchase

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The Buzz

"I have a 10 year old son who is an avid reader!! He loves books, (but he's picky too) he loved Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He was so excited to read the 2nd book in this series! When I presented him the first book he was not sure he would like it but changed his mind quickly, then when I heard about the 2nd book being released he almost jumped out of his chair! (no exaggeration) He is anxiously awaiting the 3rd book! I would say that any child who enjoys fantasy/adventure books should read this series! It is a well written page turner! It's a fun story that adults can even enjoy the storyline without getting bored! According to my son, 'every kid should read this series'. " ~ 5-Star review from SavyGreenSaver, Amazon

"I loved this book, even as an adult reading it. I was completely sucked into the plot and was constantly finding myself staying up "just a little longer" to read one more chapter. Different twists and turns in the book have you constantly guessing who is behind what and who Zak and Zoe can trust. I could definitely see myself being involved in this series as a middle schooler considering how much I enjoyed it even now. Another thing I liked about it is if you missed the first book, you could still follow along with this one and not be lost." ~ 5-Star review from Staci, Amazon

"Lars Guignard has done a fabulous job with this series. I loved the `Ghost Leopard' & love this one even more. For late-elementary to middle school age readers, you can't beat this series. It's fun and fast-paced. Even my picky fifth grader enjoyed every page. There are bits of magic thrown in keep the action exciting. Mr. Guignard has a brilliant imagination & readers are blessed that he's chosen to use it for YA fiction. If you've yet to read the first installment in this series, do yourself a favor and read these books back to back. Don't limit it just to kids! Adults will have a blast reading these too!" ~ 5-Star review from Liz Terek, Amazon

About The Author: Lars Guignard

Prior to writing novels, Lars Guignard wrote for film and television. As a teenager he attended boarding school in the Indian Himalayas and his experiences there provided the inspiration for the Zoe and Zak series which now include: Zoe & Zak and the Ghost Leopard, Zoe & Zak and the Yogi’s Curse, and Zoe & Zak and the Tiger Temple.

He lives in the Pacific Northwest where he dodges bears and cougars while hiking & skiing the magnificent Coast Mountain Range.

For news about new releases, please join his email list here: Zoe&ZakAdventures@gmail.com

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** Be sure to look for the upcoming Blog Tour for Book 3 in the Zoe and Zak Series, "Tiger Temple" coming January 15, 2014. **

Disclaimer : We received a pdf copy of the book Zoe & Zak and the Yogi Curse  for the purpose of giving our honest review.