17 year old Vesper Holly wants to return an overdue library book her father borrowed decades ago from an isolated library in North Africa. She cons her long-suffering guardian Brinton Garrett into undertaking the journey with her. Along the way they encounter a bunch of curious characters who warn them against continuing their voyage, but Vesper ignores them all. They are also reunited with their old friends, Smiler & Slider, from The El Dorado Adventure. As they make their way to the walled city of Bel-Saaba, they are kidnapped by a slave trader, held prisoner by a sheikh, and eventually captured by their archenemy Dr. Helvitius, who wants them to test his new flying machine. In the end, they return the book to the library and liberate Bel-Saaba from its evil governor.

When I was little, these books were a particular favorite of mine; now they seem to have lost their luster. As a ten year old child, I loved teenage adventuress Vesper Holly and all of her quests in exotic locations around the globe. Re-reading these as an adult, Vesper just strikes me as an obnoxious busybody who can’t mind her own business & who bullies everyone around her into doing what she wants. Unlike other series I enjoyed as a child, Vesper’s exploits don’t seem to age well, and her adventures just seem pointless and boring.

Two stars for nostalgia, but not much else. ( )

Vesper and Brinnie travel to the French colony of Jedera in northern Africa to return an overdue library book that her father had checked out years ago. In Jedera, they encounter camels, French soldiers, desert tribesmen, and the villainous Dr. Helvitius whose new invention will forever alter the course of warfare. Will Vesper be able to prevent Helvitius from unleashing his diabolical invention on the world? ( )

This series is probably more fun when read in order and when you're about 11. Although the adventure is enjoyable I found the heroine a little too confident and the villain too random. ( )

Vesper Holly drags Brinnie, her guardian, through a series of dangerous Northern African cities, trying to return a long-overdue library book. They escape kidnap, being sold as slaves and liberate a city.

I remember Vesper as a supremely feisty red-head from my childhood, but it turns out she is an intelligent and daring brunette. Ah, well. The adventures are set in the late 1800s and play off historical events but happen in fictional places. I’m not sure I care for having the tales narrated through stodgy Brinnie’s eyes, he reminds me of a not-trying-to-be-so-funny (thankfully) C-3PO. I’ve adored Lloyd Alexander and will devour the rest of these I’m sure. Saving the Taran books for when I can really enjoy them! ( )