Scott, Cavan. The Machine of Doom. New York : Grosset & Dunlap, 2012.
Plot: Spyro the dragon regularly faces zombies, monsters, and supervillains to protect Skylands. Now, his adventures take him and his friends to face...flying sheep. Based on the popular video game series, the text expands on the magical world of Skylands, a land protected by a group of warriors known as the Skylanders. The seemingly unimportant inspection of a marketplace shattered by soaring ewes launches the heroes to a new challenge. They must stop the evil sorcerer Kaos from stealing the legendary Chattering Key and unleashing an ancient war machine upon Skylands. Yet, the diminutive villain's actions hint at a much bigger plan.
Genre: Fantasy, Video Games
Reading Level: Grades 4-9
Similar Titles: Book of Elements: Magic and Tech, Battle for Skylands
Personal Thoughts: Video game novels typically receive criticism for their lack of originality, trite characters, and mediocre writing. However, I was pleasantly surprised by The Machine of Doom. True, it has some corny moments, such as the reference to one hero's poor singing skills, but it redeems itself with funny metaphors, consistent characterizations, and unexpected plot twists. The book uses popular characters to tell a good story, so it is highly recommended to fans of fantasy and video games.
Side Note: Dragon vs. dragon.
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