BOBBY ETHER AND THE TEMPLE OF ETERNITY continues the adventures of Bobby Ether, a boy with incredible talents, a family with secrets, and a penchant for landing in trouble.  This episode finds him in Guatemala, searching for his friends and continuing to fight against the evil Core.

Bobby Ether might have just escaped the dangerous Academy, but he’s not enjoying his relaxation time.  His past adventures have changed him and he’s no longer able to just chill out with his parents, especially when he knows that some of his friends didn’t get so lucky.  When Chief, the wise teacher and Jinx, Bobby’s younger cousin, offer to train him, Bobby jumps at the chance.  Bobby, Jinx, Chief and all their friends have deep, mystical talents that make them very different from normal, and exactly the type of people that the Core (the book’s villainous group) are looking for.  When Chief gets a lead on where Bobby’s friends from the Academy might be, the trio takes off for Guatemala, which coincidentally is where Bobby’s grandfather is searching for his extremely powerful wife.  In short order Jinx and Bobby find themselves back in the grips of the very people they were so happy to escape, but this time, they might have a bit of an advantage.

Boyer’s story, while perhaps lacking in deeper morals and meaning, is a fun, light read.  Bobby is a typical boy and the cast of characters that surround him are likewise easy to understand.  There is not any strong character development or growth, but at the same time the story does not necessarily require any to get from point A to point B.  The trouble Bobby and his friends land in (fighting giants, rescuing students, climbing cliffs, etcetera) are all engaging to read about, though admittedly there is no suspense built up.  Boyer’s characters never seem to realize how much danger they’re really in, and because they’re not especially afraid, the reader isn’t either.  Whether this was a choice or just a happenstance is not clear.

What is arguably the best part about BOBBY ETHER AND THE TEMPLE OF ETERNITY also has the least screen-time.  All of the students introduced appear to have unique gifts.  It is heavily implied that Bobby’s personal arsenal goes above and beyond the normal abilities for these gifted youngsters, but this does not appear to be developed.  It is possible that Boyer is waiting to bring this detail into later books, but an increased focus on why Bobby is special definitely would have made BOBBY ETHER AND THE TEMPLE OF ETERNITY more engaging.

BOBBY ETHER AND THE TEMPLE OF ETERNITY is a fun, if superficial, read.  It provides a quick look into the cultures of Guatemala, and takes readers on a short adventure that is wrapped up with minimal loose ends.

~IndieReader.