A new book and this time we are meeting a Hydra and visit Greece! WHOO!

It is time for a new Mary-Kate book and I was so hyped. And well, I can tell you, I read this book in one go. It was just THAT good. Too much fun to stop reading.

In this one Mary-Kate’s mom has a new archaeological site to check out and this time we are going to Greece! One of the islands in Greece. I was 100% onboard. I still want to visit Greece one day. Plus, of course, I knew there would be a new mystery and a new mythical monster to meet! The whole mystery was so much fun because there were so many clues, so many culprits. Is it really the boss of the sardine-factory? Is the Hydra really destroying things? What is going on with the sea? Why are we finding blue beads? Plus, all the mythology around the Hydra + visiting the island was just so much fun, I really want to visit that library in real life! And see those mosaics not just in illustrations, but also in real. I just love mosaics! Believe me, you will never be bored with this book, there were so many fun twists and turns and clues clues and clues.

Of course, just as last time we see that Mary-Kate’s mental health is still not going well, she still has a lot of anxiety about things, loves that things match, has a collection of lucky things, and there are many other things. I felt for her because it definitely isn’t easy for her, but I also loved that despite everything she kept going, showed bravery and tried new things. Even if it was scary. Even if it meant using one of her lucky items. Even if it meant going way out of her comfort-zone. Like how despite it being scary she went down that mountain. Or went to the cave with the Hydra. I love that. I love that despite this overwhelming anxiety, this overwhelming need to have everything perfectly matched, she doesn’t let it stop her entirely.

And we also meet a new friend. Say hello to Nikos! Nikos is the grandson of the current Custodian of the Hydra (yes, there is a Custodian) and he is eager to help out not just the hydra, but also the sea. I love that he did guided tours and donated the money to a fund to save and help out the sea. And I loved LOVED how he was there for Mary-Kate. Not many boys his age would do what he did, but he was there for Mary-Kate. He didn’t laugh at her, he didn’t make fun of her anxiety, no he tried to help in many ways and I was just so happy with him. I loved seeing Mary-Kate and Nikos together, discovering clues, going through the island, find the Hydra, and more. Oh, and we cannot forget the adorable Zeus! The seagull. Yes. Really. There is an adorable seagull.

I love Mary-Kate’s mom. She is taking her daughter along with her, but also trusts her enough to let her do her own thing. Plus, she listens to her daughter. Her fears. Her anxiety. But also her stories and all she experiences.

The latter part of the book, when all the clues come together, all the hypothesises click, the Hydra location is found, and more things happen, was just amazing. I loved every bit of it and I love finally seeing the Hydra. I don’t think it is a spoiler. I knew from the start of the book we would see a Hydra. And I wish I could have been there in real with Mary-Kate and Nikos and see the Hydra for real. Oh man. I would love that!

And OMG that last chapter! So many revelations! So many things that are just clicking together and then the biggest one of all, what Mary-Kate wrote on that postcard! OMG! Now I definitely NEED the next book!

I just LOVE the illustrations in this one, they are fun, make the book even more exciting, and I love the style.

All in all, this was a wonderful new addition to the series and I cannot wait to see what is next for Mary-Kate and who she will meet next!