This was even better than the first book.

Joshua is brought back to Nostos to save Apollo from Artemis who has been taken over by Hekate. It's an adventure for sure!

This book will appeal to middle grade fantasy lovers.

*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited. ( )

Joshua and his friend, Charlie, are having a great time sledding when an unexpected visitor shows up. She's from the “other realm” and tells Joshua that Leandro sent her, and that he must come back with her to save Apollo. Although they aren’t sure what to do, Joshua and Charlie end up being transported back to the Lightning Road. It’s been awhile since they were last there and now they have a new task at hand. Artemis has their good friend, Apollo, locked in a cell. When they try to break him out things take a turn for the worse. Now Charlie and Joshua have no idea who to trust and how to get back home. There are dangers everywhere and people are not free to go about their lives. Artemis is ruling and she's dead set on getting powers from the oracle, who she believes is Joshua. Will he prove to be the oracle? Is there a way to save the slaves and humans trapped in this realm? How will Joshua know who to trust and what to do? This book is filled with action and adventure, so you'll be turning those pages.

I was excited to read Joshua and the Arrow Realm after reading the first book in the series, Joshua and the Lightning Road a couple years ago. I like that this was a continuation of an exciting story, but that it could also be enjoyed on its own. Charlie is a fun character. I loved his French phrases and nicknames for others. Joshua is growing up and it was nice to see him feeling more confident, even if he doesn't always realize it. I like the new characters that were introduced, and I hope to meet up with some of them again in the next book. The other realm has a lot of interesting parts to it, and seeing the way the gods and goddesses act is fascinating. This is a great book for kids in 4th grade and up who love mythology and stories with lots of action. I read this in one day, so it's full of page turning adventures- but there are sad parts too. I know there will be more for Joshua to do, and I look forward to the next book in the series. ( )

Joshua and the Arrow Realm is a slight improvement over the first book in the series, Joshua and the Lightning Road. Both books suffer from an overwhelming pace of information not generally expected in a novel for middle grades; the books could use a little more balance between action and development of plot. Being a book for middle grade readers, most adults will find the plot twists unsurprising and groan at the inability of Joshua to see things that seem laid out clearly before him. However, I do think that for young male readers the book will resonate, and it does a good job of exemplifying friendship and chosen brotherhood between boys that is not reliant entirely on physical skill or dominance over others. Joshua sounds like an average boy, which should make it easy for boys to put themselves in his place as they read, and he does attempt to make decisions that benefit the people he cares about. While it was nice to see a female character - Ash, the Wild Child - exhibiting positive traits and skill to help the protagonists, there is still little female representation in the book. Readers will likely compare the book to the Percy Jackson series, which is unfortunate as this series may come off as attempting to benefit from Riordan's success, but again the intended audience is likely going to care less than an adult reader. ( )

This exhilarating novel written by Donna Galanti is about a boy who must restore the power of the twelve Olympian heirs. Apollo wants to overthrow the evil Lord Zeus with the help of his sister, Artemis, Poseidon, King of the Seas, Leandro, Charlie and Joshua, the Oracle. The plot is full of twists and turns, broken trust and unlikely allies. Concluding in a cliffhanger with lots of potential for a superb next book. However, elaboration is needed on some characters such as Leandro. For example their past journeys. ( )

This really is a great teen fantasy book, I have read though it quite rapidly.

Apparently, Thor and other gods in same myth is actually true, and Joshua have been called to help solve more problems in the Realm. ( )