A year after Havoc journeyed to Epiphany, she returns with her half-sister, Daiyu, who accepts the job of managing the Absinthe nightclub, intelligence front for the ‘Council of Mythical Beings’.
At last, they uncover the secret of McAllister’s barn. But who is Incy, the undead but strangely endearing entity who attaches herself to Daiyu?
Meanwhile, on a dig commissioned by the mysterious Tetonova Consortium, Kai Rosslyn, Dyami’s archaeologist descendent, makes a discovery that will allow the past to reach into the present with devastating consequences.
With the help of new friends and lovers, the sisters must stop the consortium from succeeding in their mad plot to alter the status quo between humans and the others hidden in humanity’s midst, a conspiracy that threatens the existence of all.
A gripping page-turner packed with twists and turns; this fantasy thriller questions the very nature of reality……
It would be easy to write pages and still not cover all of my thoughts about this excellent book. It’s an epic, world-building, well-researched novel covering the lives and intent of almost every mythical creature imaginable—and it is unbelievably well executed.
This is the second in a series, written from multiple POV aspects. We are back in the Wild West. Mix that with enthralling love story aspects, vampires, werewolves and enough cryptids and fae to make your head spin and you might wonder if you’ve been slipped a Mickey by some cheeky Hixie. This book shouldn’t work. Heck, the supernatural hints in Book 1 alluding to this story shouldn’t have meshed either—a typical Western story mixed up with a pair of half-sisters way in the future rooting out the magical and mystical—but it did.
And while this book couldn’t be more different in character and plotlines, it follows on beautifully, revolving in current times around the Absinthe nightclub. The world-building is brilliant (see The Eternal Traveller by the same author) and Huber has the imagination, methodology and skill to carry it off. The cast of rich characters is second only to the beautifully articulate language of the writing. Some of the Fae want to live in peace, some have other politics and agendas. A few of them are out for world domination and all-out destruction. Havoc and Daiyu have their work cut out. And they all have their intricate story to tell as we follow them and the girls. Even Wild Cass Devlin and her beloved Joe aren’t forgotten as lovers of Book 1 will find out.
What makes this captivating is the balance between tension and heart. The dialogue is sharp, the conflicts authentic, and the resolution leaves enough mystery to entice readers for more in book 3. Fans of the growing series will be enthralled, and new readers will be inspired to explore Book One. A must-read for anybody who loves fae, cryptids, gripping narrative and emotional depth. And I haven’t even mentioned Incy.
This big, bold, ambitious book represents a quantum leap from its prequel, with events in Epiphany brought up to the present, and the introduction of a whole alternative world of magical lore and mythical beings. The plotting is intricate and the cast of characters huge, but the author rarely loses her focus, and her skilful storytelling bowls you along until the final page. Very impressive! There are plenty of neat ideas - I loved Incy the "nompic", which really needs a place in the dictionary! - and a wealth of imaginative world-building. Perhaps the only less successful aspect of this book is that there are so many characters, and so many POVs, that it doesn't quite pack the emotional punch of Book 1, where Cass's life story is the centrepiece.
All in all, this is a wonderful sequel, and ties in satisfyingly but very unexpectedly with Wild West Epiphany. I look forward to seeing where the author's considerable talent and creativity take her next!
If you have read the first book in this series then you will understand that that there was something supernatural happening on the fringes of that story as Havoc reads her great great grandmother’s journal and I remember thinking when I finished reading that book that I hope this one touches on that more. Oh boy! It does and in a big way too that doesn’t disappoint. Right from the start we fall in the world of mythology, espionage, intrigue and action. We understand Havoc’s job more and her sister, Daiyu as investigators of the paranormal with links to secretive organisations such as MI127, COMB, and the mysterious Absinthe a nightclub and sanctuary where many fae include, vampires, warewolves, witches, fairies, trolls and a strange little skeleton called Incy reside. Havoc and Daiyu are invited to Absinthe where Carmilla the vampire leader offers Daiyu the job to run the nightclub. But running the nightclub does not prove easy when the sisters uncover a devastating plot that will put the lives of all mankind and fae in danger and they must traverse the realms of man, fairy and the unknown Third Parallel to save everyone. But facing an enemy from the past with the addition of evil vampires, human assassins, and the walking dead out to stop them, Havoc and Daiyu have their work cut out for them. My favorite character in this was probably Incy the Nompic skeleton who we find has quite an emotional backstory. It is an exciting and captivating read with an impressive and imaginative array of characters. There is a little bit of espionage and intrigue that will give you sweaty palms while you try to get your head around all the twists and turns and learn who is friend and who is foe. This is a big book 805 pages but don’t let that scare you. With everything that is going on you’ll find yourself losing time as the action keeps you invested and will want to keep turning the pages to see what happens next. It just barely holds everything in and even though there is a satisfying conclusion the end leaves us with the possibility that there might be a third book which I personally sincerely hope there will be.
From Absinthe to Apocalypse: The Unstoppable Sisters Helen Huber’s A Town Called Epiphany 2: Havoc and Daiyu takes everything you thought you knew from Book One and sparks a dazzling fireworks display of fantasy, folklore, and heart-stopping adrenaline. Book Two flings you from the myth-laced Wild West into the contemporary Absinthe nightclub, a front for the secretive Council of Mythical Beings, which becomes ground zero for a war that spans realms and races, where cryptids, fae, vampires, and humans jostle for dominance, survival, or just some peace. Havoc and Daiyu, half-sisters with layered pasts and even more complicated futures, fuel the narrative with a cast of a whirlwind of characters, from charmingly bizarre Matteo to the unsettling yet magnetic Incy. And while the question “Do vampires go to the lavatory?” might raise a chuckle, this kind of irreverent curiosity gives the book its unique charm. Huber’s ability to juggle a massive cast is awe-inspiring. Every subplot dovetails: every mystery untangles into revelation, and every quirky aside leads somewhere meaningful. Caught in thematic undercurrents of identity, power, trust, and transformation, the world-building is intricate and imaginative. Huber’s whip-smart dialogue, rich lore, relentless pacing, and boundless imagination bridge fantasy, romance, thriller, and dystopia. Its genre-bending complexity demands your full attention, but that time investment is rewarded tenfold. If you loved Book One (as I did), a deeper dive into the sequel will thrill you to the marrow, even though this second instalment stands strongly on its own. Wildly original, often hilarious, and deeply immersive, Epiphany2 has left me eagerly awaiting Book Three! Bring it, already!!
I read the first book last year and I quite liked it.
This second one is certainly *more*: easily double the length of Book 1.
So pros:
-Lots of great characters and thorough world building -interesting magic -interesting how the mythic and the world we know combine -interesting take on vampires. I like vampires that are more than bloodsuckers or glittery emo man-children -i love the Nomphic race. Such a cool idea!
Cons:
Now, your mileage will vary. These are cons from *my* perspective - for others, these aren't a big deal.
This book is a *brick*. And I found it had a *lot* of exposition. There was a lot of explaining things and then more explaining. While some stuff needs that, I felt like the plot got bogged down in parts, and the pacing was uneven in places.
There are a lot of characters, and the constant jumping between them in places was sometimes distracting and confusing. I don't think we need to see something from half a dozen character pov's, especially if they are minor ones (like The Bride).
The ending was a bit too extended for my liking.
There was a lot to like here, but I feel like it would have been stronger for either some harsh slashing of the exposition or breaking it over 2 books. Some characters I would have liked to see more of (like Raphael), but they got kind of overwhelmed by the sheer number of other people.
If you liked book 1, this one will definitely give you plenty to read. Arguably, there might be *too* much though lol
I loved Book 1 and ordered Book 2 before I was even a third into the first one, itching for more of Cas Devlin's world.
Full disclaimer: I don't usually read werewolves/vampire type fantasy and took a chance on this because of how much I enjoyed Book 1. I knew Book 2 would take more of a 'full-on fantasy' turn but wanted to give it a try. Readers who enjoy fantasy will not be disappointed by this great writing.
The book is just as well-written as the first, and the world is beuatifully detailed and the characters of Havoc and Daiyu had me almost as hooked as Cass in Book 1. I enjoyed their parts immensely, but once I'd got about halfway through, I did find I was skipping through many of the other sections to get to the next Daiyu or Havoc part. I couldn't quite get invested in all the vampire/zombie/etc sections, which says far more about my reading preferences than it does about the book. I loved the sections that were more grounded in reality, or told from the human's point of view but found their were far too many point of view characters to keep track of and longed for more of the realism from book 1. That said, the writing is fabulous and the author's research and attention to detail is brilliant. I hope she writes some more realistic and/or historical books soon, and if she does another wet in the Wild West, I'm totally in - so while I'm still not a convert to werewolves and vampires, she's introduced me to the Wild West for sure!
Helen Huber has another winner with Book 2 in the A Town Called Epiphany series. Book 2 is much different from the first book with many magical characters and a huge mix of paranormal fantasy, but some of the characters from Book 1 return. Havoc and Daiyu take center stage in this latest intricate work of art when the magical world parallels and overlaps the human one. The paranormal characters are delightful and there are some interesting subplots for many of the characters that dovetail beautifully into the overall story of the good versus evil. Cissy, the nemesis from Book 1, literally comes back to life to continue her evil and jealous ways in an attempt latch onto Joe Devlin and finally win his love. The story is large and long, but it is worthy of your time to enjoy this supernatural saga. The storyline reminds me of a cross between Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter with a bit of Star Wars added for the tug of war between mythical good and evil. The book is a thrill a minute and each page is filled with action and adventure. The author’s storyboard must have been an interesting sight to see for all the weaving of subplots into the overall storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the story being told from the POV of the different characters was most effective to understanding character motivations. I can’t wait to see what Helen Huber brings to the table in Book 3, which I understand is in the works.
I would be the first to admit Vampires are really not my thing. But I loved the first book so much and I wanted to know more about those subtle hints of the supernatural I noticed in that story. I found myself reading about, not only vampires, but all kinds of mythical beings (referred to as MB in the book), fairies, goblins, witches, mages, giants and so on. But this story gives the reader different sorts of pictures of these MBs. You find yourself having complete sympathy with the ones who wish only to be able to live peaceable lives and to mix with humans without threat. Of course, you have your ‘baddies’, which are all set to cause mayhem for both humankind and MBs. However, they reckoned without Havoc Devlin and her sister Daiyu, a rather strange little skeleton called Incy, and all the ‘people’ who love them. Not to mention a powerful wizard who appears to live in a painting (intriguing). Even the deceased Cass and her beloved, Joe, have a part to play. This is a rollicking good story that, although peopled with many very strange characters, once you sort out who is who and what they are and what side they’re on, you just can’t stop reading. And this story has a very satisfying ending on many levels. I really enjoyed it, not the same way as I enjoyed the first book, but in a different way. I hope we get to read more about their adventures.
A Town Called Epiphany: Book Two: Havoc and Daiyu, by Helen Huber.
I enjoyed book one and so was eager to read book two to find out how the series concluded. And wow, what a story!
This intriguing multi-layered plot had me on the edge of my seat from the first pages. Havoc Devlin and her half-sister Daiyu continue their journey to uncover the mystery behind Cass’s memoirs.
Through a secret portal an alternative world of mythical beasts brings forth dangers and the threat of death. Vampires no longer hide in the shadows but mix freely with humans. But not all is well in the realm of the immortals.
This is a supernatural mix of dark fantasy intermingling with modern day and past events. I enjoyed this powerful immersive story. There was a lot to take in and remember with its wonderfully detailed cast of characters, which included a strange wizard who appears to live in a painting.
With suspenseful storytelling and descriptive action sequences throughout. Superbly written, but what brought a smile to my face was Incy the Nompic little skeleton. So endearing! I wonder, will there be a book three?
This book has everything! And I mean EVERYTHING. From every conceivable mythical being, to romance, to espionage, to the overthrowing of government agencies. The story is complex, and very long, so this is not the type of book to start unless you have the time and mental capacity to read it. If you’re looking for an easy reading book to dip into when the mood strikes, this is not the read for you. But if you like a meaty book with a complex story then definitely look no further.
If you’ve read A Town Called Epiphany, this book does follow on from that one in a sense, but it is much different to the first book. I’d even go as far as to say this is a completely different genre.
I found the writing style enjoyable, and the story had a lot of action. But even though I enjoyed the book, I did sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the large cast of characters.
By the end of the book, all loose ends are tied up nicely, and even though there is a satisfying conclusion to every thread, the ending leaves an opening for another sequel.
A Triumph! Throughout my reading of Helen Huber’s astounding feat of creativity, I marveled at the mastery of weaving so many multi-dimensional characters, POV’s, and storylines to a captivating, remarkable end. I so enjoyed Epiphany 1 and didn’t know what to expect with this second installment. And I could not have anticipated such a lavish tale as I found here. A multitude of mystical beings take part in an intricate human/mythological conspiracy that kept me spellbound. The suspense compelled me to fly through the pages, but the world-building, character development, and plot-line detail could not be missed nor the skillfully worded writing of it. I am in awe at the amount of research that went into this book, and I cannot fathom how this author managed to achieve this absolute triumph in complex fantasy writing. Most of all, I enjoyed myself thoroughly reading it, and miss the characters brought to life here. I eagerly anticipate Epiphany 3 to animate them again for me! This book is a triumph in literature. Don’t miss it!
This is a big book crammed with big ideas. Having really enjoyed the first book, I was looking forward to meeting the characters of Havoc and her sister Daiyu again and heading back to Epiphany. But then I met a new cast of wonderful characters in incredible situations, and I followed their stories with my heart in my mouth, hoping that they would all survive this in this fantastical tale. It’s a multi-faceted love story, a fantasy with mythical beasts. It has sci-fi and horror elements and there’s even a tiny skeleton called Incy, who I absolutely adored. And all this is set in America's modern ‘Wild West’. I don’t know how the author managed to keep track of all the storylines, but she did a marvellous job. The ending was satisfying, and perhaps the next book might be on the horizon…?
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, I was looking forward to the sequel. However, I’m not normally a fan of the paranormal, and when I started reading, I wasn’t sure if this was a novel for me. I decided to carry on, and I’m glad that I did, for it was an enjoyable story. Events in the town of Epiphany are brought up to the present, and a new and alternative world of mythical beings is introduced. There are a lot of characters, but they are masterfully handled by this talented author, and the intricate plot keeps a firm grip on the reader’s attention. A well-written tale which will be most popular with readers who love the supernatural.
Havoc returns to Epiphany with a strange offer to manage the Absinthe nightclub, an establishment consisting of mythical beings. She is joined by her half-sister Daiyu and they encounter a host of strange mystical creatures; some who have an evil agenda. Having read the first installment, I did not expect this. A contrast from the first, this was compulsive reading. Such an imagination to create an extensive array of outlandish characters; some frightening and others adoreable. A wonderful blend of mystery, fantasy, romance, and horror. Beautifully written and I look forward to the next installment.
I am a great fan of this series! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, and loved the historical aspect, as well as the little hints about paranormal happenings. WELL. Book 2 takes those little hints and dunks you into full nest of paranormal lore, including vampires, werewolves, and all sorts of Fae creatures. PLUS a well thought out secret agency, AND it all relates back to the historical elements of the first book. I was blown away! It's so well done, and now I can't wait to escape back into this crazy world with the third book!
Having read book 1 of this series I was keen to read book 2. I wasn't disappointed. Helen's amazing creativity and intelligence shines through every single page.
Action packed from the start with some adorable characters who stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
I wouldn't normally read a book about mythical creatures but I read the prequel which I thoroughly enjoyed and there was a whisper of something paranormal in that book which piqued my interest for book 2. There is a large cast of characters filling this well written big book. There is romance, there is gruesome, there is espionage. Without giving anything away, the plot is for the bad, evil element to take over mankind. There are nice characters and there are evil characters, my favourite was a skeleton called Incy. I was on the edge of my seat as the tensions ramped up. Oh I did cry as well. Brilliant read, highly recommend. What a WOW book.