The rigid alternation between time-separated storylines initially feels overstuffed, undermining tension, but once more characters get point-of-view chapters and parallels start paying off, the pace picks up. A thousand years in the future, Eliana chafes under her unwanted destiny and finds her fear of losing herself to her powers (like the Blood Queen) warring with her need to save those close to her. Newly ordained Rielle contends with villainous Corien’s interest in her, the weakening gate that holds the angels at bay, and distrust from those who don’t believe her to be the Sun Queen. Giving readers only brief recaps, this book throws them right into complicated storylines in this large, lovingly detailed fantasy world filled with multiple countries, two different time periods, and hostile angels. In the sequel to Furyborn (2018), Rielle and Eliana struggle across time with their powers and prophesied destinies. I’ll bring back his fucking head”), this will be devoured by fans of the first, despite the fact that it offers few clear answers, right to the surprisingly gentle and wise conclusion. Unrelentingly harsh in tone and language (“Fuck this…I’ll show you who he is. Smith has created a fantastically effective, sinister setting and imbued it with characters that are loyal and decent, even at their most desperate. As in the first, readers will not be sure what is real, what is nightmare, what may be metaphor. When they smash it, they inadvertently create a schism between dimensions-their hometown of Glenbrook becomes a terrifying mirror of Marbury with many variations in between-making escape nearly impossible. Jack, whose abduction and near-rape was the catalyst that brought about his descent into Marbury, his best friend, Conner, and Ben and Griffin, two boys they first encountered in the alternate world, begin by attempting to destroy the lens that clutches Jack in its grip, compelling him to return repeatedly to the horrific world of cannibals, monsters and death.

The menacing, post-apocalyptic world of Marbury is again richly imagined in this stunning sequel to The Marbury Lens (2010).įour boys at the heart of the first novel return for another harrowing journey.

Passenger by andrew smith