Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Reckoners #2
Publisher: Delacorte Press/Audible Studios
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Source: Audiobook provided by Audible Studios in exchange for an honest review (thanks Audible!!)
Summary from Goodreads:
They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.
Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.
Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.
Review
One of the greatest things about this series is its premise, which is EPIC (no pun intended). After a cataclysmic event, certain humans developed powers, but the powers are corruptive and so they are all evil. The world is now in chaos with humans living in fear of the Epics who are waging turf wars and killing people for play. David has dedicated his life to killing Epics. They all have a weakness and David makes a point of finding out what it is and exploiting it. In the first book, David teamed up with the Reckoners - a secret group with a mission the same as his - and took down Steelheart, who was previously thought invincible. Now they have their sights set on Regalia - a High Epic that can control water, who rules the sunken city that used to be Manhattan. But she isn't playing fair and has rallied other Epics to her side.
I love all of the action that comes with The Reckoners facing off with the Epics. Every Epic show down is an adventure in and of itself and I can't get enough. They are unpredictable and that makes this book so much fun to read. The action did lag a little in the middle, but lots of other developments were happening to fill the pages. First is David's research into Epic weaknesses. He is starting to develop a theory - linking weaknesses with an event in an Epic's past - and is on the verge of a revelation. This puzzle really ignited the nerd in me and I was giddy with each new discovery. Then there is David's complicated relationship with Firefight which is leading him to question his previous assumptions about Epics. I really like Firefight so I am completely on board with the direction Sanderson is taking this. And then there was the mission at hand - taking down Regalia. But her actions had David questioning what she was up to and it was fun trying to figure out her true plan. There was so much going on in this book, I'm not even doing it justice.
I just love David as a character. He can be so awkward, especially when it comes to girls, and he is such a nerd and I just find it so endearing. But by far one of the best things about him is his habit for using terrible metaphors. They are SO BAD it's great. He showed a lot of growth in this installment.
And the ending was just plain AWESOME. I cannot wait for the next book. The twist at the end... I jut can't even.
I shouldn't even have to tell you to read this series because Brandon Sanderson's reputation proceeds himself. But if you do need a little nudge, I am really loving it and highly recommend it.
I shouldn't even have to tell you to read this series because Brandon Sanderson's reputation proceeds himself. But if you do need a little nudge, I am really loving it and highly recommend it.
Audiobook
This audiobook was better than most. Macleod Andrews did such a good job narrating as David and really made his quirky personality come through. And he even acted out some of the action scenes (shortness of breath and that sort of thing). I'm glad I listened to this one.
