Rating overview
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★1/2
Characters: ★★★★1/2
Appearance: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (4.5)
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I was given this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in The Legend of Carter Gabel series by Jonas Lee. We continue to follow the story of young Carter Gabel, a leaper who has the ability to time travel both back in time and into the future. Jonas has a wonderful ability to tie his stories together, bringing moments from the previous book into this book as either flash backs, memories, or present day (previously a time traveled moment).
Writing: Jonas’ writing style has changed with this second book. The lighthearted nature of his main character has gotten darker, more mature and so has his writing style. There were grammar/editing errors scattered throughout the book, but nothing so substantial that it took you out of the story.
Story: I have to say that this story started off slightly difficult to understand and follow. The writing style felt different somehow, less playful and more mature, than the previous book. The first few chapters brought with them so many new characters with new abilities that it was hard to keep them all straight. However, you quickly get immersed in the world that Jonas has created and learn to adapt to the changes, just as the characters within his story are trying to do. Once the action starts, it is fast paced and intense. The fight scenes are easy to visualize and yet captivating enough that you can’t anticipate what will happen next. Without giving away anything I can say that one of Jonas’ best moments (my favorite scene within this book and maybe both books) was a short, interment (not sexual in nature) moment shared between Carter and Rook. It will pull at your heart and make you feel immense grief and pain. That was the moment when I realized I was invested in reading these stories and finding out what could possibly happen next.
Characters: The characters we met in the first book have grown, developed, and matured. Jonas has a natural ability to see into his characters and make you not only understand them but relate to them on a personal level. The new characters he introduces, in this second book, are each unique in their own way. No two characters are exactly the same, nor are their abilities the same. That is both a blessing and a curse – On one hand you can see how well Jonas is able to develop characters, but on the other hand there are so many new characters it can be difficult, at first, to keep track of who can do what. Which characters leap, which snap, which talk to dead people, and… well, you get the point.
Appearance: I love the cover of this book. Much like the first book with the symbolism of the clock, Jonas uses pocket watches on this book, it gives a sense of time running out. Not only do we feel a sense of urgency, but time within the story also becomes vital. Time can mean life and death, and in Carter Gabel’s case it can mean the difference between either saving hundreds of people or letting them die.