"As thrilling as a rollercoaster ride, this fantastical world of spies, spirits, ancient prophecies and hidden cities tests Josh to his limits..." The Booktrust, 2009 by "sci-fi author M.G. Harris, creator of the best-selling Joshua Files." Radio Times Magazine, 5th September
Previously in Invisible City Josh Garcia found the Ix Codex, a lost book of the ancient Maya containing the key to surviving a cosmic catastrophe. It looked as though he'd saved the day, but there were still a few unsolved mysteries.
What really happened to his father? Who stole the ancient artefact, the Bracelet of Itzamna - and why? Who is behind the mysterious sect that is determined to block the plans of Josh's new Maya friends?
Back home in Oxford he can't tell his mother or his friends about his adventures and his discovery of the codex. Now certain that his father's death was no accident, Josh starts to wonder if he can really trust his closest allies.
Then a series of mysterious postcards arrive from Mexico, each one part of a cryptic puzzle leading him back there. When his mother goes on retreat over Christmas, leaving him to stay with a friend from school, Josh makes a break for it and heads for Mexico with his long-lost cousin Benicio.
But when he finds out a shocking secret, the trail leads back to the Maya ruins, and to a small town in old Mexico, where someone has been waiting a long time for Josh.
It's time to return to where his adventure began, and confront the shocking truth about his own and his father's past - a truth that changes everything he knew about the world and plunge his life into turmoil.
The second book in the best-selling Joshua Files series by M.G. Harris, which has been translated into 17 languages.
Ice Shock is the second in a five-part action-adventure series for readers who love sci-fi thrills firmly grounded in a contemporary setting. This series launched an author who later went on to work with Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson. "Puppet-master Gerry Anderson conceived the story for Gemini Force One, but wasn't able to complete it due to the onset of Alzheimer's. The series of novels will now be written by sci-fi author MG Harris, creator of the best-selling Joshua Files." Radio Times Magazine, 5th September 2013.
Praise for Ice Shock:
- "One of the rare sequels that improve upon the original. Touches of science fiction and fantasy add flavor to the action and adventure, as do Borgesian allusions and a charming tale of two long-dead lovers. A good bet for the thrill-seeking middle school crowd." 5 June 2011, Kirkus Reviews,
- "An even more accomplished rollercoaster of a ride. No wonder Harris' Invisible City was the no. 1 debut of 2008. It wouldn't surprise us at Lovereading4kids if this second novel becomes one of the top titles of the year." Lovereading4kids
- "It's the Mexican and Mayan flavourings that give Harris's adventure yarn that bit of extra bite as she weaves a satisfyingly twisty plot..." James Lovegrove, Financial Times
Praise for The Joshua Files series:
- "A splendid adventure story of UFOs, ancient Mayan documents and a lost city. The hero is eminently likeable...a splendid only-you-can-save-the-World denouement." Louisa Young, 23 March 2008, Mail on Sunday
- "Indiana Jones would have stiff competition in young Joshua Garcia . . . will have the reader begging for the rest of the series. Highly Recommended." Library Media Connection, September 2010, starred review
