Review: Friends and Enemies
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 1, 2014
In the first thrilling book of the series, Scepter, the evil usurper Argyle destroyed the Scepter of Harmony and used the stones as payment to the mercenaries who had helped him complete his coup d'état. After defeating King Rai, Argyle needed a continuous supply of cinnabar. The substance stoked his powers like coal in a furnace.After their parents were forced into slavery in dark cinnabar mines, siblings Daniel and Aidan are alone in the world. To escape their parents' fate, they fled. During their harrowing journey, they joined forces with sisters Olivia and Lilly.In the sequel, the Emerald of Phaunos, the four teens continue their mission to reassemble the Staff of Harmony. They hope the restored staff, wielded by a person of honor, will bring peace and prosperity back to the beleaguered kingdom.Emerald of Phaunos was a gift from the fairies. The stone was blessed to help the humans with their crops. Its power is harmony and influence over the land, the earth.Brothers Atreyu and Halem discover it's important to finish what is stared. They intend to join Daniel, Aidan, Olivia, and Lilly in their journey only as far as their home. The two boys want to return to Exile and hide from Argyle's minions. The battle is not theirs, they protest. When they get to Exile, they learn that hiding is no longer an option.The Emerald of Phaunos, by Scott Collins, is a well-written and well-crafted young adult fantasy. The teens grow and develop during their quest, and learn many important lessons. For example, determining the differences between monsters and allies does not hinge on the outward appearance.