Review: A Great Continuation
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 16, 2013
I enjoyed the Fourth Awakening and was excited to learn that the story was continuing. I found the serialization format worth a shot as well. Chronicles II is a great read.I like some others, found Chronicles I, unsatisfying. It was an appetizer more than an entree. A very good egg roll, but not filling. Chronicles II is an entree portion of the "Awakening" story. A fresh, meal sized fillet, seasoned with fresh spices and cooked with care to perfection, then served pipping hot.We follow Penelope, Ian, and their Indian friend to Cincinnati, Ohio. The story moves, you want to know what is happening, and at the end you are both satisfied and wanting Chronicles III. As there are only 60 or so pages of story of the 90 total, I don't want to give too much away, but it is a well written episode.Several reviewers seem put off by the serial concept. And yes, the author makes more selling by the chapter (although Chronicles II is 12 chapters long). The serial format kept Charles Dickens out of Debtor's Prison, so Pennington is in good company. For that matter, a certain British spy appeared in magazines 50 years ago, before "Shaken not stirred." was a household phrase. There are some disadvantages to the form. It is hard to squeeze sub plots, blind alleys, and back story into 60 pages. Each of the Chronicles books has been less than a week of "story" time. The format has advantages especially in an online, instant feedback world. The readers comments can affect the story in near real time. Chronicles II is twice as long as I. The shortness of Chronicles I was noted by several reviews. Chronicles II also adds that the entire Chronicles saga will be available as a single book at some point in the future.Maybe someone could start an email campaign to bring Penelope Spence to your home town?I will be waiting on Chronicles III and IV.