Title: The Treasure of Mosa Laga
Author: George Landon
Publisher: Axis Horizon LLC
ISBN: 979-8985745702
Pages: 230
Genre: Children’s Adventure Fiction
Reviewed by: Michaela Gordoni
Pacific Book Review
The Treasure of Mosa Laga is a fast-paced children’s adventure fantasy novel about two young boys and their journey to an enticing treasure. Mike and Sam are both wards at the Radiant Dawn Orphanage. They are best friends, but are more like brothers really, and are young geniuses. They’ve built robots, flame pens, and more. Sam has even developed an efficient fuel alternative for gasoline. They get the chance to really put their inventions to use when Mike stumbles across a ciphered parchment in an old antique shop. After Mike deciphers the message, he convinces Sam that they should go to seek the treasure of Mosa Laga, the most special artifact being a magical sun stone, as stated within the parchment. When their evil caretaker, Mrs. Schwartz, tells Sam that he is going to be adopted by a roadkill-eating, ear-biting, hillbilly family in just a few days, Sam agrees to the plan and the boys jump into action. They download a flight program into their robot vacuum/makeshift pilot, Gordon, and set off in an old plane from a local scrapyard that Mike fixed up. Their adventures take them to a strange island occupied by talking marsupials, gigantic lizards, mind-controlled captives, and Mosa Laga himself – a skeleton king. They become stranded on the island and must rely on their skills, creativity, and newfound friendships to evade danger and find the legendary sun stone.
The Treasure of Mosa Laga is fast-paced and well-edited. It contains a balanced amount of storyline and amusing dialogue, making it a great story time read-aloud book for older children and families. The characters are creative and well thought out. I liked that the concept of two parentless super-smart kids finding thrill and adventure while escaping certain despair. I thought the inclusion of the mean headmistress and hillbilly family added a humorous and necessary element to the novel.
This book is a wonderful read and very entertaining, I also think George Landon is a top-notch children’s author. He has written a novel which is sure to capture the interest of even those that find it hard to pay attention when reading. I can easily see The Treasure of Mosa Laga and/or the adventures of Mike and Sam being continued in pursuant books.
