Peter’s father is a scientist about to embark on an exhibition to Antarctica to discover new forms of life. He is convinced a skinless dog is waiting under the fog that will lead to much greater advances. But time is of the essence, as global warming severely threatens his work. Peter, a high schooler, has bigger plans and convinces his new friends Basil and Masha to accompany his father and him on the trip. Basil and Masha are excited to go on this great adventure, but there is no way anyone could have predicted just what they will find in a few short months.

This science fiction novel for young adults has it all: youthful heroes, epic journeys, and, of course, giant ants! The story moves quickly, and young readers will absolutely enjoy the idea of three high-school-aged protagonists going on serious expeditions with grown scientists and professors. The characters are interesting, and the descriptions throughout paint a vivid picture. The illustrations are simple but cute. They convey the emotion of the characters nicely and break up the text well. The captions are helpful, too, and may aid a beginning reader in better understanding the story.

In terms of characterization, Peter, Basil, and Masha are not just along for the ride. They play a central role in all of the discoveries throughout the novel. They also help out in very dangerous moments. Taken lightly, this could be a good read for a young adult interested in science and adventure. The book also sets the stage for the next book in the series, where readers will undoubtedly see what shenanigans the friends get into next.

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