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Reviewed by Paul Zietsman for Readers' Favorite
Book one of Axolotl Agency, The Murky Mess, is an exciting and adventurous children's story written by Adrienne Christin and illustrated by Kat Powell. Disaster strikes Fin Lake when there is a murky black substance in its waters. Best friends Aqua, Pearl, Amethyst, and Onyx set out to solve the mystery of the polluted water. They are third-grade axolotls at the Aquatic Academy, students of Miss Opal. In their adventure, they must venture to land, where the dangerous and oftentimes selfish land dwellers stay. Through various trials and tribulations, they are able to enlist the help of a young girl named Rosa, who turns out to be helpful and kind, unlike what the axolotls were taught to believe about land dwellers. The friends save the day and are celebrated by the whole of Fin Lake.
The Murky Mess teems with action, adventure, and colorful characters. Adrienne Christin's axolotl personas are rich in depth, and their dialogue carries the plot into greater realms of authenticity and suspense. Kat Powell's drawings add a golden touch and are extremely expressive. The book has all the elements of an engaging children's read; there's even an axolotl foe to the brave friends, named Topaz, who is forever undermining the friends' optimism. Think of Topaz as Reggie in the Archie comics. At the end of the story, along with a sneak peek of the next book, there is a glossary of bigger words for children to learn as well as a short quiz with answers, courtesy of Miss Opal. Altogether, a brilliantly fun story for children and, yes, even adults like me.
