Review by Ian Keogh

Knights of Tykotech City introduced Juniper Mae, or Juni, an inventor in the intimidatingly futuristic environment. Juni, though, accidentally discovered the wider world beyond the city where nature thrives and technology is secondary for the Tama people. She learned all about the Guardian Knights, and now living in the forest, she and her friend Alpi are training to join them.

Sarah Soh was entirely responsible for the first book, but with Secrets of the Guardian Knights she collaborates with Tim Fraser on the writing. The ecological agenda was always important, but is here delivered in the upfront statement of a new city President vowing to demolish the forest and mine the Earth for minerals needed to ensure no further power cuts.

The charm of the series is apparent in the sample spread, showing a world younger readers can lose themselves in exploring the village, and pointing out how Juni’s inventions have made life a little easier for the Tana. Soh supplies detail throughout, always placing something of interest to look for while also ensuring the story’s easy to follow for young readers. The holographic effect seen on the cover is constantly eye-catching, and when a new location is introduced it’s also fully detailed.

Also shown on the cover is new character Bug-Bot, initially the cause of much fear as the Tana don’t understand it as reprogrammable as Juni does, but as a defeated evil foe. It’s well used, first as as a threat, then sympathetically and only able to communicate visually.

There’s a threat well dealt with, while the final pages are used to set up Juni’s next adventure. It’s all very satisfying and another illustrative treat for youngsters.