Breakers of the code

Conflicting loyalties and a continuing struggle for leadership of the beleaguered water buffalo herd signal an ominous resurgence of death's spirit, the Great Devourer, on the African plain. In this sequel to The Shattered Horn (2023), visionary hyena Breathstealer is pushed to choose between the high principles of the life-nurturing Great Spirit and her own species' ancient loyalty to the Great Devourer, the bringer of death (and therefore food). The unexpected return of young Echo to the buffalo herd rekindles a battle with massive, murderous bully Holler for dominance on the dusty, dry-season grasslands. Meanwhile, the cheetah Stride and his gruff companion, Stonehide the honey badger, have both caught tantalizing glimpses of their dead mates, who are trapped, along with other animal spirits, by the Great Devourer and are therefore unable to ascend to the stars. Though a brief encounter with a chattery colony of meerkats lightens the tone for at least a moment, overall, the atmosphere is one of heavy impending doom. The events tend toward angry disputes and savage clashes (not to mention eerie, unnatural eruptions of stinging scorpions and insects) involving multiple characters nursing bad intents or guilty secrets. Still, the closing affirmation of Starlight, the wise Great Mother elephant, that "miracles are all around us" offers a morsel of hope to carry readers to the next episode. The natural balance between life and death looks decidedly unsteady in this nail-biter. (Animal fantasy. 11-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.