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Lost Road Chronicles #2
Subverter
A year has passed since the Judgment of the Ungulion, and Merelin Lindon is beginning to believe she will never return to the world she loved. But when she begins to suffer from strange visions of a life and a love she left behind, visions that grow darker and harsher with each passing day, she comes to understand that her role in Arah Byen is far from over.But nothing can prepare her for what she will find. Peace should have been returning to the world, but a new enemy has crept from the shadows, plotting the overthrow of all that Merelin holds dear. With everything turned upside-down and nothing as it seems, Merelin must discover whose side she is really on, and who she can trust, before it is too late.But how can she know who to trust, when she isn't even sure she can trust herself?
367 pages, Paperback
First published December 7, 2011
4 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
J. Leigh Bralick
14 books155 followersJ. Leigh Bralick is a fantasy author by day and an RN by night...or vice versa, depending on the day. She originally got her bachelor's in medieval history and MA in political philosophy, but decided on a career change when she realized she didn't want to teach, and no one was going to pay her exorbitant sums of money to use her learning to invent fantasy worlds. (She still holds out hope on that score, however.)
After growing up all around the country as a military brat, she now lives in Dallas, TX with a crazy menagerie of animals and more books than she legitimately has space for. When she isn't writing or working, she enjoys ballet and Krav Maga, hiking, and sharing gory ER stories with her friends.
Find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jleighbralick
After growing up all around the country as a military brat, she now lives in Dallas, TX with a crazy menagerie of animals and more books than she legitimately has space for. When she isn't writing or working, she enjoys ballet and Krav Maga, hiking, and sharing gory ER stories with her friends.
Find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jleighbralick
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 9, 2018
No spoilers in this review.
As with the first book I thoroughly enjoyed Subverter, it took the series in a direction I definitely wasn’t expecting. The book is set about a year after we left off in DaLR and it doesn’t make you feel as though you missed a lot within that time span. You get to see Damian grown into a man, while also going through the “growing pains” with Merelin as struggles to realize not everything revolves around her and her needs/wants while also learning that maybe her rash choices aren’t always the smartest plans. I loved getting more of Shan in this novel as he’s one of my favorite secondary characters, while a number of new characters are also introduced, I really wanted to see more of Eddy. I also enjoyed getting to know the civilized side of Arah Byen, seeing how the people dress, the structure of city life, and a glimpse into the politics. I do wish there was more background information on Khalithe, I’d like to know more details about his story.
Fingers crossed that an extended version of this book will also be released like J Leigh did with DaLR.
As with the first book I thoroughly enjoyed Subverter, it took the series in a direction I definitely wasn’t expecting. The book is set about a year after we left off in DaLR and it doesn’t make you feel as though you missed a lot within that time span. You get to see Damian grown into a man, while also going through the “growing pains” with Merelin as struggles to realize not everything revolves around her and her needs/wants while also learning that maybe her rash choices aren’t always the smartest plans. I loved getting more of Shan in this novel as he’s one of my favorite secondary characters, while a number of new characters are also introduced, I really wanted to see more of Eddy. I also enjoyed getting to know the civilized side of Arah Byen, seeing how the people dress, the structure of city life, and a glimpse into the politics. I do wish there was more background information on Khalithe, I’d like to know more details about his story.
Fingers crossed that an extended version of this book will also be released like J Leigh did with DaLR.
July 31, 2017
love the series
October 27, 2015
4.5 Pretty shocking for me
OK...so, after I finished Down a Lost Road, the first book in this series, I'll admit it - I was hooked...
I fell in love with the world and the characters created by J. Leigh Bralick. I love that this story accounts for the missing time in between the first book and when the action actually starts in this one, without dwelling too long and keeping me waiting for the good stuff to start.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of Ms. Bralick's telling of this story is the consistency of her characters. All too often in a series, a character will go through an "out of character" episode that functions to fit the character to the story - not the story to the characters involved. This is not to say that Merelin is unchanged after her experiences in the first book, as she most certainly is, but her interactions are not out-of-character and her character growth is believable.
I love Merelin as a character; although she is uncertain of who she is and what her purpose really is, she does not let it keep her from taking action.
While there are still some rough spots in the mystery building/story weaving, it did not detract from my fascination with the story, even though in places it did lead to some confusion (especially when dealing with "connecting the dots" between current goings on and what has happened in the past).
OK...so, after I finished Down a Lost Road, the first book in this series, I'll admit it - I was hooked...
I fell in love with the world and the characters created by J. Leigh Bralick. I love that this story accounts for the missing time in between the first book and when the action actually starts in this one, without dwelling too long and keeping me waiting for the good stuff to start.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of Ms. Bralick's telling of this story is the consistency of her characters. All too often in a series, a character will go through an "out of character" episode that functions to fit the character to the story - not the story to the characters involved. This is not to say that Merelin is unchanged after her experiences in the first book, as she most certainly is, but her interactions are not out-of-character and her character growth is believable.
I love Merelin as a character; although she is uncertain of who she is and what her purpose really is, she does not let it keep her from taking action.
While there are still some rough spots in the mystery building/story weaving, it did not detract from my fascination with the story, even though in places it did lead to some confusion (especially when dealing with "connecting the dots" between current goings on and what has happened in the past).
June 9, 2014
I read all three books in just about one sitting, so my comments take the longer-term view.
This book was so different from the first one and I absolutely loved it. It was a bit more political, a bit more intriguing, and definitely laid the groundwork for the last book.
I loved how Merelin was so eager to return to the world and came back and found it completely changed - and herself as the political scapegoat. She thought that everything would be better once she was back there, but she finds out that it's not, and her coming back was even worse.
I kept wondering about Yatol, what he remembered, whose side he was on. It was a nice mystery that was unraveled, but I kind of felt that it was a bit too easy in the end. However, there are more consequences dealt with in Book 3.
This book delved more into the political aspects of this world - with no otherworldly threat on the people, they turned to infighting and political bickering. We also got to spend more time with the characters that we met in Book 1, which was really nice.
I enjoyed this book much more than the first one - and definitely liked that it segued right into Book 3.
This book was so different from the first one and I absolutely loved it. It was a bit more political, a bit more intriguing, and definitely laid the groundwork for the last book.
I loved how Merelin was so eager to return to the world and came back and found it completely changed - and herself as the political scapegoat. She thought that everything would be better once she was back there, but she finds out that it's not, and her coming back was even worse.
I kept wondering about Yatol, what he remembered, whose side he was on. It was a nice mystery that was unraveled, but I kind of felt that it was a bit too easy in the end. However, there are more consequences dealt with in Book 3.
This book delved more into the political aspects of this world - with no otherworldly threat on the people, they turned to infighting and political bickering. We also got to spend more time with the characters that we met in Book 1, which was really nice.
I enjoyed this book much more than the first one - and definitely liked that it segued right into Book 3.
December 30, 2011
Merelin has changed a bit since her days in Arah Byen. But she is back, feistier and more level-headed and still deeply saddened by the loss of her beloved Yatol. This sequel is everything Book 1 promised and more. The action is more intense and the suspense is riveting. If you like Down a Lost Road, you simply love Subverter. You will be once again caught up in this strange world, where old enemies and old friends are not always what they seem, and new friends and new enemies are fascinating and thoroughly believable characters. The dialogue is perfectly balanced with narration, and I always find Merelin's convos with herself to be amusing as well as illuminating! Get these 2 books for yourself and for anyone of any age who loves an honest, exciting fantasy tale with nothing done gratuitously.
March 28, 2012
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Read
I had to find first one to read. As it is not clear without reading the first in the series. even the second book can stand along with its own story, but there are so much more if you read it from the start.
I like the story and its characters, the dialogs and great and make you feel for the characters. The strong Merelin is coming back to the Ungulion to the world she loved, but nothing is there as she expected. There are new stronger enemies comes from the dark, the friends and enemies are not that it seems and Merlin has to be careful.
A lot of action in this book, it is hard to put it down, intense and captivating. Great read for those who love strong female character, magic and fantasy.
I had to find first one to read. As it is not clear without reading the first in the series. even the second book can stand along with its own story, but there are so much more if you read it from the start.
I like the story and its characters, the dialogs and great and make you feel for the characters. The strong Merelin is coming back to the Ungulion to the world she loved, but nothing is there as she expected. There are new stronger enemies comes from the dark, the friends and enemies are not that it seems and Merlin has to be careful.
A lot of action in this book, it is hard to put it down, intense and captivating. Great read for those who love strong female character, magic and fantasy.
July 26, 2012
I was excited for the sequel to come out when I read Down A Lost Road - it was one of those page turners that I couldn't put down. I wasn't disappointed with Subverter! It is such a rich story set in such an interesting setting. J. Leigh Bralick has created interesting characters and I found myself identifying with Merelin quite a bit! Again I found myself having a hard time putting the book down, and at the end I was holding my breath for the next book to come out. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who asks!
January 1, 2012
I loved it. Just superb! It's almost 3 am for me, so I'll do a better review after I get some sleep! I'm just itching for book 3 already....
My kindle fire keeps on screwing up and deleting what I wrote! Anyhoo, love the action in this book. I think I love this series so much because it has some similarities as two of my favorite childhood authors C. S. Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle.
Yatol, you are just so yummy in this one.
My kindle fire keeps on screwing up and deleting what I wrote! Anyhoo, love the action in this book. I think I love this series so much because it has some similarities as two of my favorite childhood authors C. S. Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle.
Yatol, you are just so yummy in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2012
Not having read the first in the series - DOWN A LOST ROAD - I did not know what to expect. This was a mistake I feel. It took a while to catch up & I'm not sure I did fully. Will I go back to read DOWN A LOST ROAD? I think I will, I liked the style of the writing & the story was very interesting.
February 14, 2012
This book was amazing! I loved everything about it! The book was a wonderful addition to the last one, Down a Lost Road. I highly compliment the author for her fantastic writing! Even my friends think its wonderful. certainly a must read, even though it's not very popular.
December 19, 2011
Loved it, brought it on Kindle yesterday morning and Finished it yesterday nite :) cant wait to see if there will be a third book in this series
January 5, 2012
Loved this series. couldn't wait for Subverter to hit the bookshelves. I'm hoping the story continues.
June 20, 2012
This was better than the first book in this series. Great read and cant wait to see what the last book has in store
June 24, 2012
Another great book. Can't wait to read Prism. She is a terrific author. A must read collection.
April 25, 2013
See my comments on book 3 of this series. Overall this book is a great read.
September 5, 2014
Yep, pretty much how I felt about the first book...
Come on and kiss already!!
Come on and kiss already!!
March 21, 2012
Wow. A great sequel! Very intense, and that plot twist at the end was fabulous!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews