Kate and Tom are now full-fledged conductors of the steam-powered, animal-saving Great Secret Intercontinental Railway, but when Kate takes the Silver Arrow out on an unsanctioned mission to find Uncle Herbert she discovers a mysterious train called the Golden Swift with an agenda of its own. - (Baker & Taylor)

To find her Uncle Herbert, Kate breaks the rules and takes the Silver Arrow out on an unsanctioned mission where she encounters a mysterious train, which sets her straight on a collision course with the enigmatic masters of the Great Secret Intercontinental Railway itself. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)

In this thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling Silver Arrow series, Kate and Tom must confront the limits of what even magic can do—all while trying to bring balance back to the world.

A lot has changed for Kate in a year. She and Tom are now full-fledged conductors of the steam-powered, animal-saving Great Secret Intercontinental Railway. Life is good!

Or good-ish, anyway. Her uncle Herbert has gone missing, and the worsening climate means that there are more and more animals that need help all the time. How many times does Kate have to save the world before it stays saved? 

And her real life isn’t exactly perfect either. She flunked her audition for the junior high musical and got stuck in the chorus, while her archenemy Jag got a lead.

So, out of desperation, Kate breaks the rules and takes the Silver Arrow out on an unsanctioned mission, to find Uncle Herbert and bring back balance to the world. But she quickly discovers she’s not the only one on the Great Secret Intercontinental Railway. There’s a mysterious train called the Golden Swift out there too, with an agenda of its own. Is it an ally? A rival? An enemy? A bit of all three? 

The question will turn Kate’s world upside down, take her from the Scottish Highlands to the Australian outback to the bottom of the Bering Sea, and lead her straight on a collision course with the mysterious masters of the Great Secret Intercontinental Railway itself. Because when you're a human being fighting to save nature, are you the hero or are you the villain? There are no simple answers. - (Grand Central Pub)

Lev Grossman is the author of five novels including The Silver Arrow, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Magicians trilogy, which has been published in thirty countries. A TV adaptation of the trilogy is now in its fifth season as the top-rated show on Syfy. Grossman is also an award-winning journalist who spent fifteen years as the book critic and lead technology writer at Time magazine, where he published more than twenty cover stories. In addition, he has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired, the Believer, the Village Voice, NPR, Salon, Slate, and Buzzfeed, among many others. He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.
- (Grand Central Pub)

Booklist Reviews

Kate still thrills at her responsibility as conductor of the Silver Arrow, ferrying threatened animals to safer habitats via her enchanted train. But regular-world distractions are competing for her attention: more schoolwork, a never-ending onslaught of natural disasters, and, alarmingly, a missing relative. Uncle Herbert vanished months ago, along with the timetables Kate relies on to make her magical trips. She heads out to find him but promptly runs into more mysteries, including another train conductor with nebulous—but possibly nefarious—intentions. This Silver Arrow (2020) sequel retains the magic of the first installment but goes deeper, revealing more of the secretive train world while raising the moral stakes. The story doesn't shy away from people's increasingly complicated place in the natural world, but Grossman doesn't let humans off the hook, insisting that Kate and company continue to do their best, make mistakes, and try again. It's both encouragement for young readers navigating this fraught, fascinating world and a vital reminder that every day is a new chance for humans to change. Grades 4-7. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Children with magical talking steam trains are thrilled by their clever new plan to rescue endangered animals. Eleven-year-old Kate absolutely adores her secret job—helping animals in need by using the magical locomotive that was a gift from her billionaire wizard uncle. Kate loves riding the Silver Arrow with Uncle Herbert; her brother, Tom; and the talking animals they escort to safe places. But now Uncle Herbert is missing, 9-year-old Tom seems more interested in hapkido than their supernatural train, and Kate's struggling socially and academically thanks to her eco-anxiety. No matter how many animals she helps, no matter how many adults proclaim that climate change is a critical issue, the environment keeps getting worse. One night Kate discovers another train driving on the magical railroad: The Golden Swift is conducted by her classmate Jag, who thinks rescuing stranded creatures isn't sufficiently radical. When Kate joins him, she feels more inspired and more righteous than ever before. This time, she's actually making the world better! Kate's unhappy discoveries of unintended consequences and the moral complexities of her activism are softened by humor. The snarky banter of the talking locomotive is an understated delight, as is the train constructed with, among others, candy and ice cream cars, an invisible car, and a dojo car. Kate and Tom are White; Jag is described as having dark skin and black hair and possibly being Indian. Charming illustrations enhance the text. Gentle, encouraging, witty fantasy that may soothe readers suffering from climate anxiety. (Fantasy. 8-10) Copyright Kirkus 2022 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 3–6—In this follow-up to Grossman's The Silver Arrow, Kate, who is white, waits impatiently for her uncle to deliver her train schedule, allowing her to resume her animal rescue activities. When Uncle Herbert doesn't show up, she takes the Silver Arrow out to look for him. Along the way, she runs into another train and conductor on the Great Secret Intercontinental Railway. When she discovers that the conductor of the Golden Swift has gone rogue and is implementing his own plans for the environment, Kate must choose between continuing her search for her uncle or helping the Golden Swift's conductor with his plan. On top of everything else, Kate struggles with school and her relationship with her brother. Magical trains, talking animals, and environmental change all take center stage in this story full of friendship and moral dilemmas. Kate discovers that sometimes good intentions just aren't enough. Grossman's writing style and vocabulary make this tale kid-friendly and easy to read. The riveting action will keep young readers turning pages, eager to find out what happens next. Bishop's black-and-white illustrations highlight the characters, settings, and plot in a wonderful way. VERDICT A must-purchase for libraries where The Silver Arrow is popular or stories of magic and natural wonder are desired.—Heidi Grange