Quick Take:
This book starts with a bang and keeps up a relatively darker tone throughout. There are plenty of action-packed scenes, as well as a well of serious inner-musings from the protagonist. All-told it's a great followup and excellent set-up for the series's next books.
Book Description (partial, from Goodreads):
Review:Jane True has become proficient in basic magics, confident in herself and her abilities, and happily rooted in Rockabill. Her life is still divided between her supernatural brethren and her human friends and family, but it’s a division she maintains with very little trouble.
Everything changes, however, when Anyan brings Jane news that will force her to confront her dichotomized existence – supernatural females are being murdered, or have simply disappeared.
Jane and Anyan must embark on a desperate search to find out who is abducting these women, and how Jane can be protected from them. Aiding them is Jane’s former flame, Ryu. But can his stated motivations be trusted? And who are the mysterious figures dogging Jane’s and Anyan’s footsteps if not minions of Jarl?
This book was quite a ride. It follows some weeks after book 2, Tracking the Tempest, and shakes up Jane's world quite thoroughly. With a new setting--"the Borderlands"--came some fresh perspective on the JT world, and arguably an adjustment in direction and tone for the series.
So many important developments occur, but unsurprisingly it was the characters that drew me in the most. Previous characters are all present, along with several new faces. I was in absolute stitches with the playful moments, and touched my the more solemn interactions.
The book is most certainly darker in tone as compared to its two predecessors. Jane is faced with several traumatizing events, and is forced to process and reconcile her emotions whilst also taking drastic action on them. There's a lot of opportunity to see Jane grow both emotionally and metaphysically, and it was both powerful and empowering to observe.
The romantic element, though vastly different in nature than it has been before (featuring more tease, for one thing), was quite bittersweet--with an emphasis on both the bitter and the sweet. ^_^ Some of the issues I had with book two persisted in the early parts of this book, but after looking past those what remained was quite engaging.
The set-up for future books was incredibly solid; it's quite clear that Peeler has an overarching plan for how Jane's story will progress. Eye of the Tempest can't come out soon enough. ^_^
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
FUGWAT THE SPRIGGAN!! Best Character name everrrrrr. LOL There were so many LOL moments in this book for me even though it was super dark. Glad you're enjoying the series :) And Anyan.... *swoon*
ReplyDeleteOh wow, you picked some great books there ! I really enjoyed A wrinkle in Time, even though I read it fairly recently (not in my childhood).
ReplyDelete-Dee, hopping from e-Volving Books