Secret Seekers Society and Solomon's Seal by J.L. Hickey

 Get ready for another epic adventure as we follow Hunter, Elly and all of their friends as their journey continues into the world of the supernatural and unknown.

Following directly after the events of the first book, the children start their new lives as future members of the Secret Seekers Society! But first, the children have to go through six years of training, known only as the 'Enlightenment'.

What will the children learn about in their first year? What new friends will they meet?

The story delves deeper into the spiritual realm of the paranormal. Learning about a magical and ancient ring known as Solomon's Seal, (known to grant its wearer the ability to speak to animals and spirits) the children must decide if playing with the spiritual realm, and potentially speaking to their parents one last time is worth the risk of putting their souls in danger.

With rumor's spreading that their parents were "double agents" and working with the evil Aten Corp. the children our desperate for answers. Is the ring real? Does it truly grant its wearer such powers? Or does Solomon's seal hide a deeper evil?

Get ready for the ride of your life, as nothing is ever as it seems inside of the Belmonte Estate. If you thought there were secrets abound in the first book, just wait until the children unravel even more about the Mansion's history, the origin of Professor Calenstine, his relationship with the evil Aten, and the truth about the mysteries of the world.

...Its called the 'enlightenment' for a reason.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I’m happy to say that this book did not disappoint.  I enjoyed it just as much as the first, if not more.

This book picks up where the first left off.  Hunter, Elly and their friends continue their endeavor to become members of the Secret Seeker’s Society.  They must go through 6 years of training known as the “Enlightenment”.  They discover more about the spiritual realm of their worlds and also discover that it may grant them the ability to speak to their dead parents.  But there’s a lot at stake, and the children must make some serious choices in this installment that could impact the rest of their lives and their status as “Seekers” in the future as well.

I really liked that this installment of the series really added so much more depth to the series.  It raised new questions while answering a few of the others that have been raised.  The children are, of course, drawn into a big mystery involving their parents, and it leads to some exciting moments.

I think one of the best things about this series is the world building.  The author just really knows how to set up the paranormal and fantasy elements in a way that really draw you into the story and invest you in the characters.  I can imagine the estate and world in which the children find themselves, and that is so important in books like this.  Great job.

As I said, I think this installment may be even better than the first, which makes me even more excited for the next book in this series.  This is a great book for older children, teens or adults.  4.5 stars.