Death Drop

Series: Orca Currents
Publication Date: 30 Jun. 2021
Format: Paperback / softback

ISBN 9781459828230

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    On his way to baseball practice, Zeke lines up for Vancouver’s newest thrill ride: Death Drop, an elevator that falls faster than gravity. The theme of the ride is based on the story of Persephone, who tumbled into the underworld. Zeke tumbles into a frightening situation himself after he discovers a little girl who is lost. He takes her to the Death Drop manager’s office. But later, when he tries to find out what happened with her, the ride’s staff say they never saw her! 

    To find the missing girl, Zeke must navigate a devilish plot that includes Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s famous painting Proserpine, a fiery drop into flames, and an angry coach.

    Information

    Book Type: Junior High
    Age Group: 10 Years +
    Traffic Lights: Green/Amber
    Class Novel: No
    Good Reads Rating: 5/5
    Literary Rating: 5/5

    Review

    Zeke Sheldon, stellar baseball pitcher, just wants to try out the cool new theme park ride, the Death Drop, before baseball practice. But when a little blonde girl comes up to him for help finding her aunt, Zeke just can’t say no. Taking ‘Blondie’ to the ride’s assistant manager, Smythe, Zeke earns him a free ride on the Death Drop. Quite pleased with himself, Zeke gets ready to ride the Death Drop, running into class nerd Dieter along the way. 

    The two boys admire the famous ‘Persephone’ painting before taking the plunge and experiencing the thrilling Drop itself. At the bottom of the ride, Zeke sees his Coach in the field across the road waiting for him, but decides he needs to check that the little girl has been safely looked after first—something about Smythe seemed a little off to him…

    Before long, Zeke and Dieter find themselves mired in a dangerous mystery—no one on the ride seems to even remember seeing the little girl! Navigating through twists, turns, and shocking reveals, the two boys eventually discover the true plot at the centre of Death Drop: Smythe and Death Drop’s creator, Sherry Moore, have planned to steal the beautiful ‘Persephone’ painting and sell it, using the little blonde girl—Sherry’s own niece, Gracie Moore—to smuggle it out! 

    Fortunately, Zeke and Dieter save the day (and the painting), and still have time to make it to baseball practice!

    A thrilling, engaging mystery, with just a hint of horror via the ‘underworld’ style setting of the Death Drop ride. The Greek Mythology theme sets a nice backdrop for the story, and it’s very enjoyable to see Zeke overcome his initial judgement of Dieter and come to appreciate him as a new friend. The limited setting—confined strictly to the ride itself—gives the book a refreshing ‘bottle episode’ feel.

    Themes

    Greek Mythology, Persephone, Hades, pomegranates, theme park rides, baseball, doing the right thing, mystery, thriller, theft

    Content Notes

    1. The Death Drop ride is themed around the Ancient Greek myth of Persephone and Hades and features a variety of motifs related to this story, as well as a brief explanation of the story itself (p. 2-3). The ride also heavily features demons in its set decoration and employee costumes. Additionally, the painting of Persephone featured within the ride is said to be cursed, although nothing ever comes of this statement. 2. Smythe is stated to have a crush on Sherry, but this doesn’t go anywhere and there’s nothing further related to this.

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