Summary-
Welcome to New Orleans- home of Mardi Gras, jazz music and voodoo. Eighth grader Melanie Belaforte is home for Spring break and itching for excitement. Late one night she discovers a hidden chamber and a secret journal in her deceased Aunt Florence’s bedroom.
The diary contains the writings of a mad woman, along with vague clues to the whereabouts of a ruby necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. The ruby bestows upon the wearer the power to hear other people’s thoughts- even the thoughts of the dead!
And so the hunt begins. Melanie, her best friend Sybil, and a haunting specter unravel clues that take them from crumbling graveyards, to the busy streets of the French Quarter, and then into murky swamps, all to find the prize. But they need to watch out, because a murderous cult is matching them step for step, and they won’t give up, ever.
Review-
Author Dorine White's Cleopatra's Legacy Series just keeps getting better and better. I gave book one, The Emerald Ring, five stars and this second book, The Ruby Pendant should get five plus stars! The Ruby Pendant takes place in New Orleans and focuses on the beautiful French Quarters, Mardi Gras, the old graveyards and tombs, and Voodooism. Such fun and creepy topics that I couldn't stop reading. If you enjoy ghosts, body bags full of bones that move and gators with glowing green eyes that eat the unlucky person who falls into the swamps, then you will enjoy this book as much as I did.
White also discusses financial and racial differences as Melanie, the very wealthy, white protagonist, tries to keep her best friend who is the poor daughter of their black cook. These are such important topics for young kids to be taught about and guided through. To put them into an adventure story is as brilliant as The Emerald Ring when White introduced a Spanish protagonist, her white friend, and an African exchange student. White is the ultimate believer in the world being a big melting pot and I have to agree that life certainly would be boring if we were all alike.
There will be at least three more books in the series and I, for one, am very excited to read the next installment! Will the secret Roman cult collect the jewels and bring about the end of the world? Or will the brave youngsters band together and bring the cult down?? Stay tuned!
Publisher-Createspace
Reviewers Rating: 5 STARS!!!
Reviewed by~Cindi
Thank you to the Author for the donation of this book to the Read for your Future book program in exchange for a honest review!!
