Meh. It was okay. Once again, it needed a much stronger editing hand, and the protagonist simply had no meaningful growth. It felt like a paint-by-numbers sequel, with the love interest conveniently kept off screen for most of the story. In many ways, it felt a lot like Larry Correia's Monster Hunter series I read a few months ago, with a know-it-all smart-alecking main character, except for whatever reason I'm half convinced that Elliot James is a woman and not a man. It just doesn't read as if a man wrote this stuff.Didn't care for the "hero", the story, the plot twists, but it was an okay read. Preferred the first book, glad I tried the second, won't be looking for the third. I'll keep this simple: if you liked the first, chances are that you'll like this one, too. And if you haven't read the first, do so.Not that this one is formulaic by any means. For one, Sig is absent for most of the book for reasons that make complete sense even if they're a little frustrating. As much as I loved Sig, John being on his own for most of this book worked out very well. If nothing else, it gave me a better baseline for what John is like on his own and how he really is a subtle leader and instigator. Seeing him in action (both on his own and with fluid groups of frenemies) was a joy. James is a better hand at action than I had realized in the first book.And the complex interweaving of cultures and societies was very well done, as well. The story flowed naturally in and out of both personalities and clan loyalties in a way that kept the pace engaging without overwhelming character development. Very well-done.And I'll leave it there. Most of my friends here on GoodReads didn't really like the first book so I'm not sure my pure enjoyment is representative at all. To me, this one had all the strengths of the first, some fewer of the weaknesses, and a non-predictable plot that kept me reading late into the night. I can't wait to pick up the next...
What do You think about Dashing (2014)?
Expected publication: September 23rd 2014 by Orbit (first published September 2nd 2014)
—phani
Loved this one but enjoyed the first more. See review on Amazon.
—Elsa_Fairchild
This was great! Well-written with lots of action and plot twists
—hamrajr619
Great series. I look forward to what may come next
—amber
