Mark Cerasini. The Revelation and The Showdown (47 R.O.N.I.N. series)
Simon Spotlight $6.99  ISBN 978-1-4169-3607-7  125 pg.
Reviewed by Keegan, Age 14

The black-clad ninja looked around, as if making sure they were alone on the platform. Across the way on the downtown track he spotted a darkened figure hiding in the corner. Then, without uttering a sound, the ninja attacked.

Two brothers who live with their father have their lives turned upside down when a mysterious ninja attacks. When they arrive back home they learn they are part of a secret organization called R.O.N.I.N., an organization that protects the world from danger. And when they learn a girl whose father has disappeared is part of it too, they team up to find out who the ninjas are and why they are attacking them.

The Revelation is the first book in a new series with ideas from Dylan and Cole Sprouse, twin brothers who star in movies and a TV series and have decided to write books for kids. The second book is called The Showdown. The Sprouse brothers have based the main characters in the series on themselves. The book has everything that a good action movie has: ninjas, explosions, and secret organizations; but it almost has too many cool things for a book of that length. The novel might not be as interesting for older ‘teen’ readers, as the action scenes are more like a superhero cartoon.

Book two is more focused on the story, and has less of the cool things younger kids like. In that book the twins travel to Japan where they attempt to foil an evil, criminal mastermind’s plot to take over the world. Despite the fact that the series is geared more towards preteens, I still would like to read book three.

The novels have a colored comic overview of the book in the middle and comic style, black and white pictures spread throughout the book that have to do with what’s going on in the story on that page.

I would recommend this book to kids 8 to 12 because it’s easy to read and is more directed to kids that age. There are some fight scenes, but none of them are very violent.

I give 47 R.O.N.I.N.  four stars.