DUNG ROLLERCOASTER
In the sequel to the action-filled, Doogie and the Rollers, Doogie and his friends’ journey through the thought-to-be mythical Pyramid of Dungalore joined by their former enemies the Dwellers and some new friends, the Tunnelers. Faced by many dangers and difficult situations, Doogie, the Rollers, the Tunnelers and the Dwellers take the reader on a new adventure that’s just as thrilling and as full of twists as their first, but this time with a more ‘close to the heart’ theme.
Quieter characters have their chance in the spotlight, showing they are a strong team full of different personalities and ideas. Containing many surprises and unexpected twists, this sequel carries the same sense of family and adventure that the reader receives from the first novel. New foes making themselves present and extra characters introducing themselves on the way, make this story different to the first novel but just as enjoyable a read. It leaves the story open for further sequels to add to the long, rollercoaster journey.
When Doogie and his friends arrive at the mythical pyramid the General’s army become ill from eating poisoned dung. At the same time Doogie is reunited with his mother, who he believed was long gone. As the adventure into the pyramid progresses, Doogie also learns that his father was murdered by a tribe of vicious scarab beetles. Doogie and his friends just about escape from the pyramid after mounting a daring mission to rescue his mother. They also treat the General’s beetles after retrieving the cure for the poison from the scarabs.
Adding the budding relationship between Doogie and Hoya brings a new layer of emotion into the story. This, along with the exposed daddy-daughter connection between the General and Hoya, makes it an almost perfect heart-warming adventure bedtime story that’s enjoyable for both parents and children.
Both stories leave the audience wanting to know what happens next, as they end on powerful cliff-hangers. Some concepts used in the books may be hard to understand for younger readers, however the overall story and its logic works well which means that a range of young readers can enjoy them.
The books would also be ideal for parents to read to their children at bedtime as it would introduce them to the pleasures of reading and the different kinds of heroes in stories.
Reviewed by Erin Cook
Click the cover to find out more about Doogie and the Rollers, the prequal to Doogie and the Pyramid of Dungalore.
