Saving his family was only beginning. Now, Duff must save the world—past and present....
Duff Roman might have managed to save the orphanage where he grew up, but his trials are far from over.
A familiar enemy returns with a new threat, and the very ground on which they battle is becoming increasingly unstable. The time particles, Relics, and Seers that fuel the economy of Kalecca are disappearing at an alarming rate.
As if trying to save the world isn’t hard enough, Duff’s efforts are complicated by the arrival of Willow, a Seer who only increases the tension—both with those who stand against him and within Duff himself.
With the world crumbling around him, Duff needs help. Teaming up with a long-hidden group of scientists working to save them all, he must fight against enemies who have banded together and decide where his loyalties lie.
One wrong move and everything he loves will disintegrate.
In spite of a busy life wrapped around a military husband, two young children, a dog, bunnies, and a day job, Claudia Blood manages to pen cozy, urban, and science fantasies.
This is book two of the Relic Trilogy series and Duff and the Z-Crew are back in the jungle searching for relics to try and make ends meet, without their seer, after one of their team members, Malcolm, turned out to be a spy for Ravenne. Duff Roman made enough money from their jobs to help fund the orphanage he had aged out of, to cover their running costs for about a year. He didn’t have much choice of what to do after he aged out and had to leave, so joining Z’s crew was it, but he later finds out that Z is connected with the death of his parents and hasn’t quite got over how to act with Z after that mind blowing truth. Without their crazy seer, the crew are finding it more and more difficult to actually locate any relics. Relics are getting scarce as other crews and especially Ravenne are also looking for any remaining ones. Each has a certain power which sends the seers even crazier and many don’t last very long. Ravenne is after them for the machinery she has put together with her scientists, in her efforts to get her dead daughter back! She believes a Seer took her daughter the day she died and she wants to find out what actually happened by using time particles to gain a gateway to the past! Ravenne will use her company to do whatever she can to get to her goal.
The Z-Crew has another new member, Gabriel, and Z isn’t quite sure what to think about him yet, but he knows unusual stuff and was helpful in sorting out Rin, when she got injured by a deadly plant, as much of the stuff growing and living in the jungle is! When they had tried to find a healer for Rin, Z spotted Malcolm, who wasn’t dead like they hoped he was. There was also a secret message for Z, from the scientists hidden away in a secret enclave, and he was to meet with them asap. The scientists are trying to save the planet and grow items in the jungle that can actually be eaten by the humans. Duff doesn’t know why Matilda joined the company and started to work with Ravenne, but Ravenne has her jumping through hoops as her assistant. She is being sent on strange missions to recover items, never knowing what she was going for, but only that it was dangerous. Ravenne doesn’t like failure, but she also doesn’t like to get close to anyone! Ravenne needs more power for her machines, in her attempts to save her daughter before she died centuries ago! The relics have potential time energy, which have time particles and this is what the machines can use in a way similar to electricity. The group of scientists hiding out in the jungle are hiding their location from Ravenne, knowing that she will either capture them to work on her device, killing them if they refuse or don’t succeed, or killing them to avoid any competition for relics.
The race is now on to see who will manage to get to the last big stash of relics, which unfortunately for one group, is located in the middle of a demon stronghold! The safety of the remaining children in the orphanage, under Simon as the eldest child left there after Matilda had to leave, are an easy target to ensure her compliance. The scientist sin the jungle want to save the planet, but what Ravenne started many years ago and is trying to achieve now, will set off a cataclysmic time event, leading to a burst which will likely destroy the planet and everyone and thing on it! Duff, Z and his crew still have one of Ravenne’s assassins to deal, right with on their tail, but also with an army of demons under one leader with links to both Z and Ravenne. Not as if the planet they all live on, isn’t dangerous enough on its own, with killer plants and deadly beasts of every size and shape. Only those experienced in living in the jungle and the dangers it holds, are likely to survive and even they can fall victim to an accident. The demons are drawn to groups of six or larger, so teams are usually as small as possible. A great extension of the first story, of the inequality of the company and families who rule the safety of the outposts, and the few choices available to anyone aging out unless they are particularly skilled in a wanted area. Ravenne’s overwhelming and single-minded desire to save her daughter from death, could bring about the destruction of the planet she resides on, but this seems not to even be a concern for her. If relics continue to be drained at the speed they are, a time event will occur anyway, whether Ravenne achieves her goal, or the scientists get what they need to save everyone! It should be an extremely interesting next book, after how this one ended. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Claudia's immersive storytelling continues in this second book of the Relic Trilogy! Return to the jungle with the Z-Crew as their hunt for relics becomes a quest to preserve life as they know it. The crew is joined by a plethora of friends, new and old. New crewmember Gabriel quickly became my favorite with his perfect braids and casual, unexpected efficiency!
The crew is tasked with figuring out the source of the time particles are and how to keep them from dying out completely. Not only do they have to go to even more dangerous territory in the jungle, but they also have to contend with their old enemy Ravenne and a new Seer joining the crew in a surprising way. Unfortunately, the Seer seems to have captured Ravenne's attention.
Told through the perspectives of five different characters, Claudia continues to show off her ability to make smooth transitions and give the reader a well-rounded perspective! You definitely need to read book 1 before jumping into this one - and I recommend you do! I'm eager to read the conclusion in Time Rift.
Almost no time has passed between the ending of book one and the beginning of book two. Duff has been with Z-Crew for a few months now. Matilda has been working directly with Ravenne for a few weeks. Z-Crew and Ravenne have been finding fewer and fewer relics. Z-Crew needs a big win in order to survive, but without a Seer, it’s near impossible to find Relics. For Ravenne, time is running out to find the Seer who saved Ravenne’s daughter and send her back to that fateful moment years and years ago.
Horizon Found was a strong middle book in this Relic Trilogy by Claudia Blood. Since motivations and characters had already been established in Book One, this book’s plot appeared more focused. Duff had more of a plan, or at least a place to stay, though even that’s in jeopardy. Both Books One and Two take place on an inhospitable planet, where survival is rough and not everyone can make it…
Though they didn’t end on the best of terms in the first book, Duff and Z will need each other to survive and to save the children of the orphanage. I really enjoyed learning more about Z’s backstory and origins. Since the book changes POV, I also was able to learn more about Matilda and her abilities. I really liked reading more about Matilda and seeing her interact with Ravenne. The more we see Ravenne, the more I wondered whether this conflicted bad character would have a chance to redeem herself in the end and whether she would take such an opportunity. Is she inherently bad? We know that her life’s purpose to save her daughter, even if it’s at the expense of an entire planet’s population.
After becoming familiar with the main characters I was rooting for them to not just succeed and survive, but also to fall in love. I was very on-board with the romantic sub-plots and can’t wait to see how they develop further in the last book of the trilogy.
I noticed more and more that there were certain plot conveniences. In book one I was too enthralled with the characters and the plot to let such details slow me down but it seemed that frequently when a character mentioned something, it would happen. For example, Duff mentioned a planet-dwelling creature for the first time, and then moments later it would appear and move along or dramatize the plot. The world-building sometimes seemed to happen as it’s needed.
I enjoyed the slower buildup of tension throughout this book (and from the first book). The climax was quite satisfying and full of excitement but the end of the book felt like it lacked a proper denouement and ended mid-action. I can’t wait to see what happens in book three!
The character development and world-building in this Trilogy is excellent. This story line is fast-paced, action-packed, holding the full attention of the reader as the story unfolds. Duff Roman was able to save the orphanage and the children, but now he has even bigger hurdles to manage. Grab your copy and see whether Duff can do what he needs to do to save the world before it collapses. Will he garner help from the scientists? Can they find a solution before it is too late for everyone?
Addicting fast paced, adventure book. Claudia Blood does it again. Clean , leaves you semi sated but wanting the next in series. Great plot and characters, favorite likely Z or Duffy.
Biggest theme I think is wanting something so bad your blind to impact it has on both yourself and others. Another learning to let people in and trust again.
Betrayal, teamwork, seer, relic, time travel, demons, scientists, enhanced , quest, good vs evil, blurred lines, orphans, save love ones,.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The adventure continues in this story. Grabs you from the beginning and keeps you until the end. Hard to put down. The continuing saga has many twists and turns along this adventure. Great characters to follow along with in the story. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this book but then I really enjoyed reading the previous book. The characters felt like the same characters and I enjoyed the storyline in this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Horizon Found by Claudia Blood is an amazing Sci-Fi fantasy. The story is interesting, entertaining, and more. Horizon Found is the second book in Relic Saga.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Duff’s trials are definitely not over. From saving his family at the orphanage, he has to save the world. There’s danger all around and will Duff be capable of this huge task. Totally enjoyable.
These books keep you flipping the pages!! I'm never sure what's going to happen next or what the characters will do. Each character is so well-developed. Some are slowly showing themselves to us, while others are finding out who they are as they trek through the jungle on their journeys.
The writing is excellent, as always. Highly recommend!