Crestfallen takes you immediately from book one, Spellcrest Academy, and straight into the action of book two. As usual, Michael's natural talent of writing his characters with wit and personality will draw you into Maeve's life as if you're right in the story with her. All of her friends from book one is also in book two albeit some new characters added to create more intrigue and danger.
For me personally, Maeve has quickly become one of my favorite book characters. It took me awhile to get used to her snarky personality in Spellcrest Academy but the author cleverly writes the reasons why Maeve is the way she is. She doesn't necessarily apologize for her quick tongue and abrasive behaviors, but neither is she cruel or mean. She's just stuck trying to make the best of her life for her and her brother, Finley. In Crestfallen, Maeve has been deceived by her brother and is once again on her own. We do however, get a bit more insight into her best friend, Ben, who we don't quite know yet if he has some romantic feelings for Maeve. At least that's the vibe I got from him, lol.
Crestfallen is a very fast-paced read, much more so than Spellcrest Academy. There is basically non stop movement in every page and every action leads to another quite seamlessly - get it, seam, seamstress? :) I don't want to give away any spoilers, but Maeve was dead set on leaving the magical college and basically licking her wounds after the first book's battle and ending. Having felt deceived and betrayed by her crush and the school, Maeve tries to get on with her life, although she wasn't quite sure what that would be in the beginning of the story. No sooner had she started to settle in with Ben and his girlfriend, something happens in their apartment and she is instantly drawn back to Spellcrest Academy. From then on, you are also instantly drawn into her world and all the mishaps, misunderstandings, and mistrusts along the way. I truly felt for Maeve but was also rooting for her every step of the way.
I highly recommend reading book one, Spellcrest Academy to get a real feel of Maeve, her friends, enemies, and all the things that happened to her in book two, Crestfallen. Since book two takes place right after book one, you jump right into the story with Maeve, kind of like a soap opera where a cliffhanger always makes you want to get to the next episode! Yes, there is still a cliffhanger for Crestfallen, but that's what makes this series so fun - you don't want everything revealed all at once, do you?
Thank you again, Mike for this thrill ride of a series!