I had to do a little backtracking here to remember (it was a couple of hundred books ago). Kazi and Jase have good news to share when they return to Tor's Watch. The Ballengers will no longer be considered outlaws and Tor's Watch will now be a kingdom.
But...as they approach, a vicious attack separates them, and Kazi believes Jase to be dead. The new villain is introduced, one that no one would have suspected. The surviving Ballengers are in hiding, two young Ballengers are hostages, there are missing papers that are the object of both sides, a surprising ally...and plenty of suspense and action. I sped through this one quickly.
I've enjoyed everything I've read by Mary E. Pearson, and I am a little disappointed that this series is only two books. I wonder where Pearson will go next--but I hope for more books in this same world that began with The Remnant Chronicles.
Read in April. Blog review scheduled for 7/24/19.
NetGalley/Macmillan's Children Publishing
YA/Fantasy. Aug. 6, 2019. Print length: 496 pages.
Sean Brennan goes to pick up something for a household repair and is killed in a car accident. Georgie Brennan is devastated by Sean's death, grieving for her husband and for her young son Sam's loss of a father.Georgie's overbearing parents pressure her to move in with them, but she knows this is not a good idea. Her father is up for confirmation as the next secretary of state. Her mother's interests lie in her husband's status and in impressing others. Georgie, a respected physicist, doesn't quite fit into their world.
After Georgie finds a notebook of Sean's, she realizes that Sean had been keeping a lot of secrets. The more she questions, the more unsure she becomes. She finds herself unable to trust even those closest to her--with good reason.
Read in April. Review scheduled for July 24.
NetGalley/Thomas Nelson
Political Intrigue/Suspense. Aug. 13, 2019. Print length: 352 pages
Re: Vow of Thieves: It is tricky I think for an author to know how much background to a previous book needs to be in its sequel. I've occasionally had to use Wikipedia to help me remember! But some writers manage to work it into the text.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tricky thing to catch up with just information to make the reader comfortable and not confused. And yes, sometimes I need help with details, too. As you mention, some authors manage to catch you up seamlessly without it seeming like an information dump, others don't manage quite as well. :)
DeleteHow many stars would you give State of Lies?
ReplyDeleteA 3/5. :) I didn't mind reading it, but it wasn't a stand out.
DeleteThere seems to be a lot of those books around. :)
DeleteIt's always helpful to provide some little info or flashbacks especially when the next installment is to release a year or more later. I'm not good in remembering details so my take is to read them when the series is completed, ha. But cliffhangers is another matter. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAnd "State of Lies" sounds intriguing. :)
State of Lies sounds intriguing, especially wiht such political parents -- and a husband who lies (apparently).
ReplyDeleteI like the cover of Vow of Thieves. There are some series books I have struggled with jumping into after a lot of time has passed since I read the earlier books. It's nice when an author can catch me up--although I know that can be difficult to pull off naturally sometimes.
ReplyDeleteState of Lies sounds intriguing and twisty.