Review Detail

This latest addition to the series picks up from the cliffhanger of book 3 and sets up events to continue for a future book 5. This time Tim and his friends are saved by Merpeople, which is a timely setting after the much-anticipated release of the new Little Mermaid movie and interest is high. Tim is tasked by King Neptuna to get his trident back from Prince Ruprecht who stole it and is in the famed city of Atlantis.
Along the way, Tim and his friends face terrible danger they maneuver in quirky and unexpected ways with plenty of IQ boosters for vocabulary and funny illustrations.
Gibbs does lightly approach the topic of an LGBTQ+ love interest with Princess Grace’s evolving deep respect for Tim’s friend and fellow knight Bull, who is really Belinda in disguise. Tim worries over Grace’s feelings throughout the whole book because only he knows Belinda’s secret identity.
Final Verdict: This series continues to be a fun fantastical read with tons of vocabulary and illustrations and snarky scenarios great for reluctant readers. This book is great for ages 7-10.