Clear your schedule, because once you start this book you will not want to put it down. In the second installment in this series, Stroud delivers and does not disappoint. Initially, the plot starts out quite similar to the first book but just when the reader wonders if this will be a retread, then things start to get crazy and there is no turning back.

The pacing is sizzling and the dialogue continues to sparkle with witty banter, abundant sarcasm, and some dry humor. In the first book, the reader became acquainted with a lot of Albert’s past, but Scarlett was a mystery with only a few hints. In this installment, Scarlett’s history is told through a series of flashbacks. There is satisfying character development for both: Albert gaining in self-confidence while retaining a gentle nature and Scarlett coming to terms with retaining her fierceness. The duo are an effective team and good foils for each other.

This book checks all the boxes for adventure, characters, and just pure enjoyment.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: Religious exclamations 12; mild obscenities 15; derogatory names 4; anatomical terms 2.

Note: British use of “bloody” not tallied.

Violence/Gore: Character thinks/plans a robbery and where to dump bodies; verbal threats; threats at gunpoint/sword-point/etc.; ambush with intent to rob/kill resulting in shoot-out and deaths; character overhears general reports about violence and communities in the surrounding areas; extended robbery scene involving the incapacitating/fighting guards with weapons (guns, knives) (mostly knocked unconscious) and pursuit; character recalls how long it has been since they shot someone; character uses powers to kill a dangerous, attacking animal; character flashback in which she slapped younger brother, they hid from creatures intent on killing/eating them, frightening scene, death of family, etc.; bar fight in which many are killed, some details; report that stones were thrown at an old man and his young granddaughter; discussion of outlaws described in pamphlets and the horrible deaths they suffered; description of an old city where the corpses of the dead are still in the houses; abduction of individuals with a fight following involving the killing of some people and injuries, characters knocked unconscious (minimal descriptions); characters intend to feed two characters to some savage animals; flashback to when a young character was attacked by a mob and the character fights back, some description of injuries; characters see bodies from a long ago catastrophe; extended scene of flight and flight with creatures who intend to kill and eat characters, shooting, struggling, biting, scratching, destruction of property, death of multiple creatures with mention of blood; verbal description of how someone might die, with a few brief somewhat graphic details; flashback to the mistreatment of young children; character incapacitated (few details) and captured; characters sentenced to hanging and a lot of discussion about it and description to the lead up; character briefly describes how someone died at their hand and then the character is beaten against a wall; extended scene of destruction involving fire, fighting to escape, individuals knocked unconscious/catching fire/shot, there are several deaths (non-detailed descriptions); scene in which two characters fight using powers and there is massive destruction of property, injuries, and at least one death; extended intense scene in which a creature attacks, kills, and eats many (sounds of eating in the dark are heard), shooting at characters and creature, swords used, deaths.

Sex/Nudity: Someone says that two people are boyfriend/girlfriend (they are not).

Mature Subject Matter:

Death, crime (robbery/theft), murder, discrimination, slavery, oppression/mistreatment of individuals that are considered deviant, kidnapping, gambling.

Alcohol/Drugs:

A scene in a bar; reference to bar/saloon; reference to a character who drinks too much and started drinking at a young age; young character is drunk (age unclear); character smokes a pipe.