Sometimes the space away from the first book in the series means that whatever I enjoyed in the first book does not make it to the second. I struggled not only to connect with the characters but also to make sense of the plot. That disengagement also increased m disinterest in continuing my read of the series with the conclusion to the trilogy. Sometimes you have to admit that the window of opportunity has passed. This, this series ended up as a DNF for me.
I love Mbalia’s narrative voice. Each book I have read from him (five now with the Tristan Strong trilogy and the first book in this series) has been so fun to read. Mbalia has created a fantastic character in Jax and has continued his character development in this second installment, not letting him “backslide” between books to end up teaching the same lessons in the way that so many other middle grade authors unfortunately do. I especially
enjoyed Mbalia’s focus on friendship in this book and the lesson Jax learns about how to actually be a good friend. I will definitely continue to read anything Mbalia writes.
As I read, I became more and more bummed that I had skipped January’s Illumicrate book, aka this one, realizing that the marketing and synopsis gave off a far different vibe than the book I read. I really enjoyed my read of this book. Tao put together the right mix of pacing to give off an epic vibe with time passing at various points while not feeling jumpy and abrupt. I also appreciated how Tao developed the protagonist’s character and avoided
stereotypes that leaned into either common extreme for that sort of character. Tao also did not hold back from portraying the harsh reality of someone in the protagonists position, drawing in the reader at the same time to engage and sympathize with the protagonists. I will definitely continue to read from this author.
Just like with book one, I continue to admire Thomas’ take on middle grade fantasy, especially her take on the chosen one trope. In book two, not only does Nic’s world continue to expand by way of attempting to settle into the new world she discovered in book one but she also has to reckon with the possibility that people she loves (but has just met) might be lying to her and that something may be systematically wrong with this new
world. Thomas does not shy away from building and confronting family relationships, testing the waters so to speak. I also really love the twist she added in the last few pages. I cannot wait to pick up the next installment.
I really tried with this one but ultimately, it did not work for me. I found myself intrigued as the story started but as the narrative continued, I became less and less connected to the characters. I do not think that this is the fault of the book; likely, this was more the fault of the circumstance in which I read the book. Butler crafted something incredibly unique and ground-breaking in her work. I highly appreciate that. Unfortunately, I am not the reader for this book.
Even as I read the book, I had a hard time figuring out what I thought about it. Zoboi created a unique main character who faced difficult circumstances yet she also made choices in the narrative that baffled me and that she ultimately left unresolved. I did not dislike the book or find myself turned off by the aforementioned choices but at the same time, found myself confused as to what Zoboi was trying to do with these oddities in the narrative. Unfortunately, this means that I will not keep this book in my personal collection.
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