Review: Excellent follow-up book, stronger than the first
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 19, 2014
This book picks up pretty much right where the first book left off and fairly quickly clarifies the uncertain situation that existed at the end of book one. It becomes apparent where loyalties really lie, though not clear whether or not it will matter. The initial dire situation resolves itself, but just when they think they've made it through ok new complications are introduced that make the situation much worse. Sorting out those new wrinkles occupies the rest of the book.Quinn hasn't changed much from the first book, but given that not much more than a day has passed that's to be expected. Her youthful bravado and tendency toward acting in a rash and impetuous manner in order to assert her independence complicates things more than once and frequently makes a bad situation worse. It's easy to sympathize with her frustration and constantly being handled by the others in her life who insist on making decisions that affect her without consulting her, but it's also clear that she lacks the knowledge and ability to truly be able to make the best decisions in the highly complicated situations that she finds herself in. It's not a matter of her lacking the intelligence or courage to deal with them, she simply hasn't the experience and training yet to recognize what the best course of action is. Such will come with time, however, and we do see her make great strides in the right direction by the end of the book when she finally nears truly coming into her own. She will be a force to be reckoned with once she is fully prepared to face the coming trials I think.Arik has changed some from the first book, and mostly in positive ways. He's more settled, less prone to rash behavior and begins to exhibit a keen insight into things that is able, at least at times, to cut through all of the layers of confusion and subterfuge and see to the heart of the matters at hand. His powers of self-control are severely put to the test by both the situation that exists between him and Quinn for most of the book and by the things that are happening in their world. That he comes through all of the tests with mostly flying colors is a testament to his strength of character.The relationship issues, both internal and external, that Quinn and Arik have to struggle with occupies most of the book, but the greater story still continues and matures as well. "The game is afoot" is a phrase that comes to mind here. It's impossible to separate things out, however, for it becomes increasingly apparent that everything that has happened is inextricably entwined like a tapestry, and like a tapestry pulling on any one thread will have effects on the others. The main problem is that there are key threads in the weave that remain hidden from the main players, threads that are threatening to break and unravel the whole thing. While a little bit of progress is made here in at least identifying that the hidden threads exist, too much remains unrevealed for there to be any certainty about the eventual outcome. Too many variables remain in play and likely will right up until the end.Overall I found this book to be a strong follow-up to the first book, Colour Wielders, and would recommend it to any who liked that first book. Reading these in order is fairly essential I think, for as I noted above this one starts more or less where the previous book left off and the events of the first book are mostly not summarized here to bring the reader up to speed. Because of this, anyone who hasn't read the first book is likely to be lost if they try to jump straight into this one. 4.5 stars (rounded up) to an excellent book that heightened my appreciation for the author's ability to weave a complicated tale with a very deft touch. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book to see where the story goes from here.