SPECTYR, the second book in Philippa Ballantine's Book of
the Order series, has Deacons Sorcha Faris and Merrick
Chambers chasing down rumors of geists and such rather
than actually fighting the demons from which their Order
protects humans. But the new Abbot doesn't like them, so
they have to trick their way onto an assignment to get out
of Vermillion, the Imperial capital. Their job is to
escort an ambassador back to the desert land of Chioma,
home to the princess whom the Emperor plans to wed. For
Sorcha and Merrick though, there's another mission. Raed,
the Young Pretender and Sorcha's love interest, is in
trouble. The Emperor's sister thinks she's given life to a
goddess, but instead it's a geistlord, who is bound and
determined to kill the Young Pretender once and for all.
You'll have to read the book to see how this adventure
plays out, but there are some surprises and lots of action.
While much of this book seems similar to Geist,
Ballantine
is a strong enough writer to pull it off. There are,
however, a few plot twists that don't have the
foreshadowing necessary to make them work well, but other
than that, this is a terrific read that will keep one
turning pages as fast as possible. Ballantine sends one of
the Deacons back in time which gives readers a chance to
understand the Order prior to that of Sorcha and Merrick.
Ballantine's characters ring true for the most part, and
she handles their growth and transformations with aplomb.
She also has a terrific talent for dialogue that rarely
sounds stilted.
The runes aren't used as much in this book as in Geist,
but she still places emphasis on why a sensitive like
Merrick and an active like Sorcha must work together to
succeed. Merrick doesn't have the ability to fight as well
on his own, and Sorcha can't "see" without Merrick's
gifts. For fans of fast-paced fantasy in well-developed
worlds, Ballantine's series is a must read. I'm looking
forward to the third book, Wrayth, and I've heard there
will be a fourth title as well.
Though one of the most powerful Deacons, Sorcha Faris has
a tarnished reputation to overcome, which is why she jumps
at the chance to investigate a string of murders in the
exotic city of Orithal. But it is there that her lover,
the shapeshifting rival to the throne, is targeted by a
cruel and vengeful goddess, unwittingly unleashed by the
Emperor’s sister.
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