What do you think?
Rate this book
Mapwalker #2
Map of Plagues
A city threatened by an ancient plague.
A love across borders.
A desperate choice that could break their worlds apart forever.
When a fragment of a deadly map is recovered from a medieval plague pit in London, the Mapwalker team must cross over into the Borderlands once more.
In a race against time, they must find the remaining pieces of the map in a journey across long-lost cities before the Shadow Cartographers wield it against Earthside in a devastating attack.
Can Sienna resist the call of the Shadow as she struggles to save her home? Will Finn take a risk on love across borders or leave the Earthsiders to their fate?
Map of Plagues is book 2 of the Mapwalker fantasy series.
A love across borders.
A desperate choice that could break their worlds apart forever.
When a fragment of a deadly map is recovered from a medieval plague pit in London, the Mapwalker team must cross over into the Borderlands once more.
In a race against time, they must find the remaining pieces of the map in a journey across long-lost cities before the Shadow Cartographers wield it against Earthside in a devastating attack.
Can Sienna resist the call of the Shadow as she struggles to save her home? Will Finn take a risk on love across borders or leave the Earthsiders to their fate?
Map of Plagues is book 2 of the Mapwalker fantasy series.
212 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2019
43 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Penn
56 books2,233 followersI'm the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, crime, dark fantasy, horror, short stories, and travel memoir.
Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...
The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."
The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.
The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...
A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.
You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/
I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page
I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.
Reading order: https://jfpennbooks.com/pages/reading...
The fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, a kick-ass protagonist and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft."
The Brooke & Daniel Crime Thriller Series features British detective Jamie Brooke alongside museum researcher Blake Daniel, as they solve dark crimes around London.
The Mapwalker fantasy adventure trilogy is set between Bath, England and the Borderlands in a split world fantasy where Sienna and the Mapwalker team travel through maps to adventure ...
A Thousand Fiendish Angels is a collection of 3 short stories bound together by a book of human skin. Inspired by Dante's Inferno.
You can buy books directly from me https://jfpennbooks.com/
I have a blog and podcast at http://www.BooksAndTravel.page
I'm passionate about writing and I love reading. My favorite authors include James Rollins, Jonathan Maberry, John Connolly, Daniel Silva, and I also read a lot of travel books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 31, 2019
“We are a plague on the Earth.”
David Attenborough.
It was the beginning of the end for Earthside. “It seemed impossible that this bright world existed above and yet below lay only terror and darkness.” Imagine The Library of Alexandria still alive and intact, and other wonders destroyed by humanity! The magical abilities of the characters are quite unusual, especially the water one! The story is richly told with strong overtones of fantasy. The point of view jumps between characters gives us multiple perspectives on the drama. A mighty clash between the Borderlands and present day Earthside. Colourful, imaginative and powerful. Gritty in extremis. I loved this second premise. I hope to read the next installment soon!
I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
David Attenborough.
It was the beginning of the end for Earthside. “It seemed impossible that this bright world existed above and yet below lay only terror and darkness.” Imagine The Library of Alexandria still alive and intact, and other wonders destroyed by humanity! The magical abilities of the characters are quite unusual, especially the water one! The story is richly told with strong overtones of fantasy. The point of view jumps between characters gives us multiple perspectives on the drama. A mighty clash between the Borderlands and present day Earthside. Colourful, imaginative and powerful. Gritty in extremis. I loved this second premise. I hope to read the next installment soon!
I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
July 20, 2019
Mapwalkers book #2
Ms. Penn’s stories are a blend of psychology and the supernatural written in a fast-paced style. No doubts in my mind, she is in her elements writing dark fantasy thrillers. “Map of Plagues” chronicles further the journeys started in “Map of Shadows”, although you could easily fit right in if you start with book#2, it would be preferable to read book #1 first.
Leave all your believes behind and let yourself be transported along with the Mapwalker team across the Borderlands in a race against time to find the missing pieces of a map before the Shadow Cartographers get a hold of them and use their power against Earthside.
I am not a huge fan of fantasy and I usually stay away from reading them but what pushes me to read books written by this author is the richness of her words. Each movement is vividly painted, dark and full of lively descriptions. The author definitely has some wicked creative skills. Did I like this story, not really, too weird and way over the top for my enjoyment. Having said this, you may want to be pulled into a world filled with blood, gore, human sacrifice and creepy characters “Map of Plagues” provides all the elements to do so. Be careful, the world Ms. Penn has created weaves a spell that will hold you captive till you turn the last page….whether you love the story or not.
For myself I stay on the fence with this one.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Ms. Penn’s stories are a blend of psychology and the supernatural written in a fast-paced style. No doubts in my mind, she is in her elements writing dark fantasy thrillers. “Map of Plagues” chronicles further the journeys started in “Map of Shadows”, although you could easily fit right in if you start with book#2, it would be preferable to read book #1 first.
Leave all your believes behind and let yourself be transported along with the Mapwalker team across the Borderlands in a race against time to find the missing pieces of a map before the Shadow Cartographers get a hold of them and use their power against Earthside.
I am not a huge fan of fantasy and I usually stay away from reading them but what pushes me to read books written by this author is the richness of her words. Each movement is vividly painted, dark and full of lively descriptions. The author definitely has some wicked creative skills. Did I like this story, not really, too weird and way over the top for my enjoyment. Having said this, you may want to be pulled into a world filled with blood, gore, human sacrifice and creepy characters “Map of Plagues” provides all the elements to do so. Be careful, the world Ms. Penn has created weaves a spell that will hold you captive till you turn the last page….whether you love the story or not.
For myself I stay on the fence with this one.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
July 17, 2019
Everyone has their own agenda and things they want from their magic and the world.
This time we travel deeper into the Borderlands with a lot of magic, mystery, adventure, wonder and danger. I especially liked the Library of Alexandria, the city beneath the water and the city in the air.
The way the maps keep themselves alive with the Illuminated Cartographer… Dark Fantasy at its best!
Mila was once again the character that I understood best. Sienna stays a little standoffish IMO, though her magic and how it draws her is quite vivid. I like Jari, despite everything, and find myself wondering about her past… Perry is still my favourite character.
This grimdark tale might not be for everyone, but if you like history, magic and maps, you will enjoy this book.
Star rating:
Editing: 4 stars
Premise: 5 stars
Wonder: 4 stars
Trigger warnings: slavery, rape, forced pregnancies, genocide, blood sacrifice (including children), thoughts of self-harm/suicide, murder and other atrocities that might be a trigger for some.
Overall: 4 stars
Total = 4 stars
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
This time we travel deeper into the Borderlands with a lot of magic, mystery, adventure, wonder and danger. I especially liked the Library of Alexandria, the city beneath the water and the city in the air.
The way the maps keep themselves alive with the Illuminated Cartographer… Dark Fantasy at its best!
Mila was once again the character that I understood best. Sienna stays a little standoffish IMO, though her magic and how it draws her is quite vivid. I like Jari, despite everything, and find myself wondering about her past… Perry is still my favourite character.
This grimdark tale might not be for everyone, but if you like history, magic and maps, you will enjoy this book.
Star rating:
Editing: 4 stars
Premise: 5 stars
Wonder: 4 stars
Trigger warnings: slavery, rape, forced pregnancies, genocide, blood sacrifice (including children), thoughts of self-harm/suicide, murder and other atrocities that might be a trigger for some.
Overall: 4 stars
Total = 4 stars
*I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
July 11, 2019
Map of Plagues chronicles the further journeys of Sienna, Mila, and Perry into the Borderlands in search of the parts of a map long ago separated for safety. This episode in the Mapwalker series is action packed and filled with different layers of intrigue. Joanna Penn has outdone herself this time by building a world that takes hold of its reader and weaves a spell that keeps you reading until that final word of the final sentence. If you enjoy fantasy/action then maybe you should give this series a try, I'm betting you will find it addicting. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book and chose to provide this review.
August 7, 2019
I was given an advance copy, by J.F. Penn for my honest review.
'Map of Plagues' falls in genre's that I don't typically read. I've always believed that good authors books always find their way into readers hands. It's J.F. Penn writing that has made me a fan, I really like her Arkane Series a lot and figured that her Mapwalkers series would be equally good.
Just like with Stephen King, Penn has the gift, to give her readers a heart pounding hellacious read, scare the crap out of you, yet your glued to every word, you don't want it to end and they leave you begging for more please.
She expertly researches, it has a theme, that could be ripped right out of the headlines, like all the history she mixes into it, especially present day Bath, puts you right into the pages, over loaded with action, with an extra helping of twist and turns and best of all good conquers evil.
"Map of Plaques" really isn't a standalone novel, for best reading results you'll want to read "Map of Shadows" first. While I don't want to give too much away. The authors created a World where you have an Earthside, whose borders continuously shift and change, it has portals that takes you into the Borderlands and made up of what gets cast out from Earthside. You also have areas that end up being lost forever. Interestingly the Earthside is present day, you have all the tech, while the Borderlands are medieval, and one can't take anything from one side to the other.
The stories told really through Sienna a Mapwalker who is a blood cartographer, who has the magic ability to create maps using her blood, then has the ability too jump into them and anyone who touches her also jumps into maps. Then you have two other Mapwalkers who are part of her team. Mila who has water magic, she can become transparent in water, has the ability to use it as a weapon and Perry who has fire magic, he can use it as a weapon.
With "Map of Plaques" the team is on a quest to find pieces of a map, that's from the medieval plaque days, bring them back to Earthside, to protect them from it falling into the Shadow Cartographers who want to bring them down and create an undivided world.
They also have two Borderlanders on their team, first Finn who also is the son of the Warlord of Aleppo, he's made a deal to obtain the maps for his father with the guarantee that he let him have his niece to save her and you also have a warrior women named Jari, whose an emissary for the Warlord. Basically to make sure that Finn keeps his word and ultimately that the map will end up in warlord's hands.
Many of the characters in the "Map of Shadows", return in "Map of Plaques", several interesting things happen in this one, you learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and with how each time the Mapwalkers use their powers, they weaken, also a little bit of Shadow enters their blood and they fight urges not to return to Earthside.
Just like the Westerns that I started reading back in my teens. The one element I love the best of that genre is the good verse evil theme. In a nutshell Penn, has pulled it off with this one, with good conquering evil and man what a wordsmith.
'Map of Plagues' falls in genre's that I don't typically read. I've always believed that good authors books always find their way into readers hands. It's J.F. Penn writing that has made me a fan, I really like her Arkane Series a lot and figured that her Mapwalkers series would be equally good.
Just like with Stephen King, Penn has the gift, to give her readers a heart pounding hellacious read, scare the crap out of you, yet your glued to every word, you don't want it to end and they leave you begging for more please.
She expertly researches, it has a theme, that could be ripped right out of the headlines, like all the history she mixes into it, especially present day Bath, puts you right into the pages, over loaded with action, with an extra helping of twist and turns and best of all good conquers evil.
"Map of Plaques" really isn't a standalone novel, for best reading results you'll want to read "Map of Shadows" first. While I don't want to give too much away. The authors created a World where you have an Earthside, whose borders continuously shift and change, it has portals that takes you into the Borderlands and made up of what gets cast out from Earthside. You also have areas that end up being lost forever. Interestingly the Earthside is present day, you have all the tech, while the Borderlands are medieval, and one can't take anything from one side to the other.
The stories told really through Sienna a Mapwalker who is a blood cartographer, who has the magic ability to create maps using her blood, then has the ability too jump into them and anyone who touches her also jumps into maps. Then you have two other Mapwalkers who are part of her team. Mila who has water magic, she can become transparent in water, has the ability to use it as a weapon and Perry who has fire magic, he can use it as a weapon.
With "Map of Plaques" the team is on a quest to find pieces of a map, that's from the medieval plaque days, bring them back to Earthside, to protect them from it falling into the Shadow Cartographers who want to bring them down and create an undivided world.
They also have two Borderlanders on their team, first Finn who also is the son of the Warlord of Aleppo, he's made a deal to obtain the maps for his father with the guarantee that he let him have his niece to save her and you also have a warrior women named Jari, whose an emissary for the Warlord. Basically to make sure that Finn keeps his word and ultimately that the map will end up in warlord's hands.
Many of the characters in the "Map of Shadows", return in "Map of Plaques", several interesting things happen in this one, you learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and with how each time the Mapwalkers use their powers, they weaken, also a little bit of Shadow enters their blood and they fight urges not to return to Earthside.
Just like the Westerns that I started reading back in my teens. The one element I love the best of that genre is the good verse evil theme. In a nutshell Penn, has pulled it off with this one, with good conquering evil and man what a wordsmith.
July 4, 2019
Wow. This one gave me the shivers more than once. We join Sienna in another adventure that takes her and her friends Mila and Perry back to the Borderlands to find the remaining pieces of a map which could bring about the end of the Earthlands if it falls into the wrong hands. The group will be joined by Finn and a warrior woman, Jari.
As Sienna and the others travel to the different locations where the map pieces are hidden, they will face danger and near-death experiences. Each will use their magic and the resources of the group to stay alive and on-track to complete their mission. Unfortunately, not everyone's mission is the same.
Before they are done old enemies, ex-friends, and betrayal will change everything.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
As Sienna and the others travel to the different locations where the map pieces are hidden, they will face danger and near-death experiences. Each will use their magic and the resources of the group to stay alive and on-track to complete their mission. Unfortunately, not everyone's mission is the same.
Before they are done old enemies, ex-friends, and betrayal will change everything.
I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
July 7, 2019
A fast-paced story in typical Penn style - dark, full of descriptions mainly from her imagination, woven around places she has visited. It's a page turner as the reader is led to want to see if our protagonist, Sienna, escapes and not only once. There's also a beautiful meeting of two Waterwalkers and shades of a buried Atlantis. Mila uses her water skills and Perry his fire as they accompany Sienna in their quest to find the pieces of a map to prevent the plague from reaching their Earthside.
I was given an advanced copy of this story and my review is voluntary.
I was given an advanced copy of this story and my review is voluntary.
May 9, 2020
Map of Plagues is another must-read novel by master fantasy world creator J.F. Penn. It is the second book in her Mapwalker Series that builds upon her fast-paced, exciting first book of the series, Map of Shadows. Some reviewers suggest that Ms. Penn’s books should be read in order for maximum impact. I find, as the author herself suggests, that her books are all stand-alone and may be read in any order with full enjoyment.
I found it impossible to stop reading Map of Plagues from the opening scene in a medieval London plague pit to the final scene in Bath, England so I read the entire book in one sitting. The author is a gifted, highly imaginative storyteller. Her writing is vivid and riveting as she creates the fantasy worlds of present-day Earthside with its changing borders and entry portals from the dark, medieval land of the Borderlands, led by the Shadow Lords.
Few Eathsider residents of Bath are even aware of the Borderlands, their evil rulers, their Shadow Cartographers, and the many abused, hopeless, wretched immigrants who were castoffs from Earthside and other nations. Most Earthsiders are also unaware that the Ministry, the Mapwalkers, and the Librarian protect them from the almost daily attempts of the Borderlanders to breech Earthside’s borders.
The plague doctor, wearing the hooked beak mask of an Ibis, the Egyptian bird of the dead, waits near London’s Traitor’s Gate for his four Feral Borderlander men to rise from the murky Thames River and join him. Skirting the edge of the light, staying in shadows, they walk until they reach a bolted, padlocked door. Standing in front of the door and with a spark of flame from the plague doctor’s fingers the bolts and padlock drop off.
They enter a wide cavern that had once been a Cistercian Abbey and in 1349, during the Black Death, it had become a plague cemetery. Ignoring a mass grave on the large chamber’s dirt floor, the men break through a stone wall leading to a smaller, inner chamber where medieval knights are entombed. To fight the plague, these knights of a secret order had rounded up the plague-stricken victims of Europe and transported them all to an island of a now unknown location.
In the middle of the inner chamber is a sarcophagus topped with the effigy of the knight who sleeps beneath. Two men remove the lid from the stone sarcophagus. Shaking with excitement, the plague doctor reaches in to remove a box from the knight’s skeletal hand. Reaching in the box, he removes a tattered piece of parchment revealing an ancient map, the edges rough where it had been ripped into quarters to safely hide the complete map in unknown other places. It was only one fragment, but it was the beginning of the end for Earthside.
In rooms under a church in Bath, England, the Ministry’s alarms and cameras had captured the Borderlanders’ breach of the knight’s tomb and the loss of the map segment.
It is now up to a small team of Mapwalkers to find the missing three map segments before the Shadow Cartographers complete the map and find the mysterious island with its deadly inhabitants. It is imperative that three of the Mapwalkers act to prevent the total destruction of Earthside.
Sienna is a blood cartographer in the footsteps of her grandfather and lives in present-day Bath, England. With her gift of magic, Sienna cuts her hand to draw a map on the ground with her dripping blood of any place on earth. Leaping into the blood map she is transported to that place. If others hold her hands they are transported with her.
Sienna’s fellow Mapwalkers and friends are Mila and Perry. Mila’s magic gift is becoming water which she uses to travel within rivers or oceans. She is also able to wield water as a weapon. Perry’s magic is releasing fire from his hands as a weapon. The Mapwalkers cautiously enlist the aid of Finn, the son of a Borderland War Lord and Jari, a Borderland warrior woman. The Mapwalkers do not fully trust the seeming allegiance of Finn and Jari, but their help is essential in finding the missing map segments.
Each time the Mapwalkers use their magic powers the shadow enters their minds and bodies. The shadow becomes increasingly powerful with each use of their magic and the Mapwalkers find it increasingly difficult to resist shadow’s allure to join and forever leave Earthside for the Borderland.
Three times, Sienna leads her companions to strange lands. Drawing maps with her blood from self-cuts, Sienna steps into the maps while holding hands with the others to continue their quest for the missing three map segments. Each time, Sienna must fight the ever-stronger desire to succumb to the call of the shadow and leave her home in Earthside forever.
I have read many of Joanna Penn’s books and found myself transported to exciting, fascinating new worlds rich in vivid, descriptive prose as in the Mapwalker Series. This is my unbiased, honest review of a free book received from the author. I enthusiastically anticipate reading and enjoying another great book in the series, Map of the Impossible, now in edit for an August 1st, 2020 release.
I found it impossible to stop reading Map of Plagues from the opening scene in a medieval London plague pit to the final scene in Bath, England so I read the entire book in one sitting. The author is a gifted, highly imaginative storyteller. Her writing is vivid and riveting as she creates the fantasy worlds of present-day Earthside with its changing borders and entry portals from the dark, medieval land of the Borderlands, led by the Shadow Lords.
Few Eathsider residents of Bath are even aware of the Borderlands, their evil rulers, their Shadow Cartographers, and the many abused, hopeless, wretched immigrants who were castoffs from Earthside and other nations. Most Earthsiders are also unaware that the Ministry, the Mapwalkers, and the Librarian protect them from the almost daily attempts of the Borderlanders to breech Earthside’s borders.
The plague doctor, wearing the hooked beak mask of an Ibis, the Egyptian bird of the dead, waits near London’s Traitor’s Gate for his four Feral Borderlander men to rise from the murky Thames River and join him. Skirting the edge of the light, staying in shadows, they walk until they reach a bolted, padlocked door. Standing in front of the door and with a spark of flame from the plague doctor’s fingers the bolts and padlock drop off.
They enter a wide cavern that had once been a Cistercian Abbey and in 1349, during the Black Death, it had become a plague cemetery. Ignoring a mass grave on the large chamber’s dirt floor, the men break through a stone wall leading to a smaller, inner chamber where medieval knights are entombed. To fight the plague, these knights of a secret order had rounded up the plague-stricken victims of Europe and transported them all to an island of a now unknown location.
In the middle of the inner chamber is a sarcophagus topped with the effigy of the knight who sleeps beneath. Two men remove the lid from the stone sarcophagus. Shaking with excitement, the plague doctor reaches in to remove a box from the knight’s skeletal hand. Reaching in the box, he removes a tattered piece of parchment revealing an ancient map, the edges rough where it had been ripped into quarters to safely hide the complete map in unknown other places. It was only one fragment, but it was the beginning of the end for Earthside.
In rooms under a church in Bath, England, the Ministry’s alarms and cameras had captured the Borderlanders’ breach of the knight’s tomb and the loss of the map segment.
It is now up to a small team of Mapwalkers to find the missing three map segments before the Shadow Cartographers complete the map and find the mysterious island with its deadly inhabitants. It is imperative that three of the Mapwalkers act to prevent the total destruction of Earthside.
Sienna is a blood cartographer in the footsteps of her grandfather and lives in present-day Bath, England. With her gift of magic, Sienna cuts her hand to draw a map on the ground with her dripping blood of any place on earth. Leaping into the blood map she is transported to that place. If others hold her hands they are transported with her.
Sienna’s fellow Mapwalkers and friends are Mila and Perry. Mila’s magic gift is becoming water which she uses to travel within rivers or oceans. She is also able to wield water as a weapon. Perry’s magic is releasing fire from his hands as a weapon. The Mapwalkers cautiously enlist the aid of Finn, the son of a Borderland War Lord and Jari, a Borderland warrior woman. The Mapwalkers do not fully trust the seeming allegiance of Finn and Jari, but their help is essential in finding the missing map segments.
Each time the Mapwalkers use their magic powers the shadow enters their minds and bodies. The shadow becomes increasingly powerful with each use of their magic and the Mapwalkers find it increasingly difficult to resist shadow’s allure to join and forever leave Earthside for the Borderland.
Three times, Sienna leads her companions to strange lands. Drawing maps with her blood from self-cuts, Sienna steps into the maps while holding hands with the others to continue their quest for the missing three map segments. Each time, Sienna must fight the ever-stronger desire to succumb to the call of the shadow and leave her home in Earthside forever.
I have read many of Joanna Penn’s books and found myself transported to exciting, fascinating new worlds rich in vivid, descriptive prose as in the Mapwalker Series. This is my unbiased, honest review of a free book received from the author. I enthusiastically anticipate reading and enjoying another great book in the series, Map of the Impossible, now in edit for an August 1st, 2020 release.
January 17, 2021
I’ve read a couple of Ms. Penn’s Arkane series books and enjoyed them. When she offered free copies of books 1 and 2 in this series, to prepare for a review of the third book, I was happy to accept them. I like the concept of Mapwalkers, and the Borderlands.
This book begins with a plot by Borderlanders to infect the huge numbers of homeless refugees in their midst with a medieval plague and release them Earthside, killing off everyone else, so they could take back the world. They needed to find the magic Map of Plagues, so they broke into an ancient plague burial site wherein a knight’s coffin was opened to find it. However, the map had been torn into quarters for safekeeping, so only one piece was found. The breach was noted by the Ministry of Maps, who then send fellow Mapwalkers Sienna (blood), Mila (water) and Perry (fire) on a mission to find the other pieces of the map to prevent the shadow forces from getting them. The group meet up with Finn, the estranged and rebel son of the criminal Overlord, and Jari, a warrior with a tenuous connection to Finn. Unbeknownst to the group, Finn must get the map pieces to save the life of his niece, and the Overlord has ordered Jari to get the pieces, regardless. The team must make three different sorties in the shadow world to locate the map pieces, each with its own set of struggles. Each time the Mapwalkers use their magic, they lose a portion of their power, which void is filled by the shadow force and they experience an increasing pull to stay in the shadow world. The story is fast-paced with vivid descriptions and interpersonal dynamics that pulled me in and kept me engrossed, to the point of losing sleep. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I bought a copy to support this great author.
This book begins with a plot by Borderlanders to infect the huge numbers of homeless refugees in their midst with a medieval plague and release them Earthside, killing off everyone else, so they could take back the world. They needed to find the magic Map of Plagues, so they broke into an ancient plague burial site wherein a knight’s coffin was opened to find it. However, the map had been torn into quarters for safekeeping, so only one piece was found. The breach was noted by the Ministry of Maps, who then send fellow Mapwalkers Sienna (blood), Mila (water) and Perry (fire) on a mission to find the other pieces of the map to prevent the shadow forces from getting them. The group meet up with Finn, the estranged and rebel son of the criminal Overlord, and Jari, a warrior with a tenuous connection to Finn. Unbeknownst to the group, Finn must get the map pieces to save the life of his niece, and the Overlord has ordered Jari to get the pieces, regardless. The team must make three different sorties in the shadow world to locate the map pieces, each with its own set of struggles. Each time the Mapwalkers use their magic, they lose a portion of their power, which void is filled by the shadow force and they experience an increasing pull to stay in the shadow world. The story is fast-paced with vivid descriptions and interpersonal dynamics that pulled me in and kept me engrossed, to the point of losing sleep. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. I bought a copy to support this great author.
August 20, 2025
I really liked JF Penn’s first book in this series, The Map of Shadows. It was fantasy that I could get my teeth into. I was waiting for the sequel to come out hoping that the ‘difficult second’ book in series didn’t make this a flop. Happily I can say now that it was worth the wait, in fact I enjoyed this more than it’s predecessor.
This time there’s a threat of the the borderlands launching the plague of plagues, infecting refugees and sending the plague across into our world. Sienna has to assemble a crack team to go and stop them achieving a devastating outcome.
Somehow, probably because most of the character building in the first book, this story comes alive very fast and we’re map walking with Sienna to the borderlands soon into the book.
As I say this book, for me, had a better story line and flowed better than the last one, There was far more adventure detailed within its pages. Some of it meeting species that they hadn’t come across before. There’s tension and intrigue liberally sprinkled through the plots. I felt extremely immersed in the shadowlands getting more of a feel for the various lands it encompasses.
The end is good and fulfilling and leaves me baying for the next book. An extraordinary series I’m really now buying into.
This time there’s a threat of the the borderlands launching the plague of plagues, infecting refugees and sending the plague across into our world. Sienna has to assemble a crack team to go and stop them achieving a devastating outcome.
Somehow, probably because most of the character building in the first book, this story comes alive very fast and we’re map walking with Sienna to the borderlands soon into the book.
As I say this book, for me, had a better story line and flowed better than the last one, There was far more adventure detailed within its pages. Some of it meeting species that they hadn’t come across before. There’s tension and intrigue liberally sprinkled through the plots. I felt extremely immersed in the shadowlands getting more of a feel for the various lands it encompasses.
The end is good and fulfilling and leaves me baying for the next book. An extraordinary series I’m really now buying into.
May 25, 2020
The Mapwalkers must travel to the Shadow World. to stop a horrendous plague.
It’s difficult to explain the premise of this series — a myriad of compelling parts must meld together to build thrilling suspense. Penn can do this like no other author. The Shadow World is a constant threat to our world, unbeknownst to our people. The Mapwalkers control the threat through their connection to magical maps. The fantasy world that springs from Penn’s imagination is broad and has terrors in many horrible guises, including a plague controlled by Shadow World despots. If you like fantasy worlds full of evil and the heroes who work to defeat them, this is DEFINITELY the series for you! I love it.
It’s difficult to explain the premise of this series — a myriad of compelling parts must meld together to build thrilling suspense. Penn can do this like no other author. The Shadow World is a constant threat to our world, unbeknownst to our people. The Mapwalkers control the threat through their connection to magical maps. The fantasy world that springs from Penn’s imagination is broad and has terrors in many horrible guises, including a plague controlled by Shadow World despots. If you like fantasy worlds full of evil and the heroes who work to defeat them, this is DEFINITELY the series for you! I love it.
March 8, 2021
Book two of the map walker series. It was nice to bring Sienna, Miller, Bridget, and Finn together again. Once again the map walker team must get together in the borderlands in search of ancient pieces of a map that once held the plague. This one was even more action packed and nail biting than the first one, Map of Shadows. I nearly cried when Bridget sacrificed so much in order to close the borders and save those she loves to keep them from destruction. It broke my heart too to see Xander leave in such a painful manner, just when you think he's realized who his real friends are. Loved this book so much, I immediately started book 3 and almost done!
April 15, 2020
These well written characters are compelling, and complex. Each one has his, or her own motives for their actions that are sometimes surprising, and at others seem down right self centered, but always unpredictable. I loved the adventure, exciting action, magic, and magical creatures. I think this read was sometimes suspenseful with plenty of extraordinary twists in the plot that kept me turning the pages, and reading until the early morning. Fantastic, I can't wait for the next book!
I am voluntarily leaving an honest and non-incentivized review of this book.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest and non-incentivized review of this book.
May 17, 2020
A wonderful sequel to Map of Shadows. Here we have the Mapwalker team take on more than they can handle - they travel through fantastic imagery and places - the eagle's nest (Aetofolia, reminded me right away of Pandora in Avatar - the author mentions this also in her notes at the end of the book). The story also gives us a new Librarian - but enough said, read this beautiful fantasy story for yourself and discover amazing places.
June 22, 2020
The second book in the Mapwalkers series is even better than the first. At the usual JF Penn rapid pace another end of the world scenario unfolds and our heroes cross over to search for the solution.
On the other side they whisk us from location to location, incident to incident in a breathtaking route back home with us safe again.
The third book “Map of the Impossible“ is out soon and I cannot wait to read it.
On the other side they whisk us from location to location, incident to incident in a breathtaking route back home with us safe again.
The third book “Map of the Impossible“ is out soon and I cannot wait to read it.
March 22, 2021
Map of Plagues (Mapwalkers #2), my thirteenth read from author J.F. Penn. Captivating, with well-developed characters coupled with an outstanding story-line with its intricately woven twists and turns, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Penn, as always, does a good job with her character development. I'll be reading more by this author and in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 16, 2021
I liked this better than the first one. The plot was more twisting, and though it still suffers from repetitive writing (is there a requirement to use “Titian hair” and “meaty hands” at least three times in each book?), I found it a lot more engaging this time around.
After the first book, I only continued because I already had the whole trilogy, so continuing was free. Now I’ll certainly read the third one to see how it ends.
After the first book, I only continued because I already had the whole trilogy, so continuing was free. Now I’ll certainly read the third one to see how it ends.
June 11, 2020
This is a truly imaginative series. Some of the characters can walk through maps to other worlds and some can use blood to draw maps when they have none. Some can bring their drawings to life and some can use water as a weapon. The characters are flawed and conflicted. The villians are especially dark. And the conflict between love and duty is beautifully portrayed.
February 17, 2021
It was fun and quick. I listened to it on Chirp and the narrator's voice was good- easy to listen to though you could tell the different takes when the voice changed in volume and speed. It reminded me of the Stars of Fortune series though I liked this one better.
July 8, 2020
Worth the time. Wondering where she'll take this in the next book.
October 20, 2020
Great Mapwalker series read!
I love going to the Borderlands with Sienna and her friends. These trips are always full of adventure and mysteries.
I love going to the Borderlands with Sienna and her friends. These trips are always full of adventure and mysteries.
January 7, 2021
I like the book and story. And I'd like to recommend it to other readers. No spoilers.
March 20, 2020
I love these books. The Author is great at so many things. I am excited to read the next book in the series.
August 2, 2019
Although I had pre-ordered this book, there was a problem with my account and I downloaded a sample before continuing with the purchase. The sample grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let me go. Whatever it took, I had to read more, and I did until my eyes crossed last night. Today I finished, and like a shadow, it is still under my skin.
This is not a flight of fancy to be taken lightly. "...as below, so above" is an inscription found on a metal box in the sarcophagus of an ancient warrior, and it is as terrifying to Jari, a female warrior with mighty powers, as it should be to us. In the work-a-day world in London, Bath, and who knows where else, there is a darkness below the surface, a shadow world with unspeakable ugliness and a festering plan of unleashing a plague on the Earthbound. We may use a smartphone app to find our way through this world, in the Earthbound of Penn's enormous imagination, but there are Shadow Cartographers below searching for portals in cities and people, to enter this world and destroy it for their domination. In the Borderlands between the two are the wretched, the forgotten and set aside by the Earthbound because we've forgotten to care about them or the lessons of cities we have pushed off the edges of this world we think matters so much more than theirs, even if we're broken and miserable.
It is up to Sienna and a small group of people to live both above and below to use their rare powers to travel the blood map made of skin, find the torn pieces of map marking the portals, and close them before the Shadow Cartographers find them and put it to their evil use. Sienna's power is map diving. With a leap of faith and bravery, she can dive into a map and have it rise and become a world as solid as any other, providing purchase for the feet of those she takes with her on their hunt for clues. But each time any one of the small group uses their special powers, the shadow enters their bodies and minds, becomes a part of them, and hungers for more. It is dangerous. Not all are strong can resist.
But part of me wonders if it is necessary to accept the shadows to do what must be done to save us all from destruction. Do we need to acknowledge the shadows within to survive the crushing pain of loss? Do we need it before we can accept startling betrayal and survive? Can we love without shadows?
With the promises given when an object that was shrugged off as simply missing is found near the end of the book, so too comes the promise of another book in this series. That is very good news.
This is not a flight of fancy to be taken lightly. "...as below, so above" is an inscription found on a metal box in the sarcophagus of an ancient warrior, and it is as terrifying to Jari, a female warrior with mighty powers, as it should be to us. In the work-a-day world in London, Bath, and who knows where else, there is a darkness below the surface, a shadow world with unspeakable ugliness and a festering plan of unleashing a plague on the Earthbound. We may use a smartphone app to find our way through this world, in the Earthbound of Penn's enormous imagination, but there are Shadow Cartographers below searching for portals in cities and people, to enter this world and destroy it for their domination. In the Borderlands between the two are the wretched, the forgotten and set aside by the Earthbound because we've forgotten to care about them or the lessons of cities we have pushed off the edges of this world we think matters so much more than theirs, even if we're broken and miserable.
It is up to Sienna and a small group of people to live both above and below to use their rare powers to travel the blood map made of skin, find the torn pieces of map marking the portals, and close them before the Shadow Cartographers find them and put it to their evil use. Sienna's power is map diving. With a leap of faith and bravery, she can dive into a map and have it rise and become a world as solid as any other, providing purchase for the feet of those she takes with her on their hunt for clues. But each time any one of the small group uses their special powers, the shadow enters their bodies and minds, becomes a part of them, and hungers for more. It is dangerous. Not all are strong can resist.
But part of me wonders if it is necessary to accept the shadows to do what must be done to save us all from destruction. Do we need to acknowledge the shadows within to survive the crushing pain of loss? Do we need it before we can accept startling betrayal and survive? Can we love without shadows?
With the promises given when an object that was shrugged off as simply missing is found near the end of the book, so too comes the promise of another book in this series. That is very good news.
November 15, 2021
I read this book right after I read the first one Map of Shadows. I enjoyed this one just as much, if not more, than the first one. Like Map of Shadows, I read this one in two days. I was glad I got these back to back as I was not ready to let go of this world and the characters.
The mapwalker team is back and this time it is to stop a plague coming back to earth side. The author introduces the readers to a few new characters that are just as interesting as our team. One sucks the power and life out of a person (which reminds me of the wraith on Stargate Atlantis), one who helps Mila understand her power, and one who is a solder in Finn’s father’s army.
I was happy Mila was dived into more as she is my favorite character in this trilogy. Her water magic intrigues me and was glad to learn more about it as she was. Each character got more developed. I was expecting this and was glad I was not disappointed. The toll of the drug addict affect is showing but with the plague being released at stack, they held up well. In this book Bridget get’s a bigger rule and has me intrigued on her character development.
We are back in the borderlands and this time we are going through finding clues for what they are looking for. I loved how both the earth side and the borderlands are once again blending together and I can visually see the runes and locations. I am a history buff and this book was up my alley.
I recommend this book to anyone who loved or enjoyed the first book as much as I have.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
You can find this review on my website:
https://www.charliadamswriter.com
The mapwalker team is back and this time it is to stop a plague coming back to earth side. The author introduces the readers to a few new characters that are just as interesting as our team. One sucks the power and life out of a person (which reminds me of the wraith on Stargate Atlantis), one who helps Mila understand her power, and one who is a solder in Finn’s father’s army.
I was happy Mila was dived into more as she is my favorite character in this trilogy. Her water magic intrigues me and was glad to learn more about it as she was. Each character got more developed. I was expecting this and was glad I was not disappointed. The toll of the drug addict affect is showing but with the plague being released at stack, they held up well. In this book Bridget get’s a bigger rule and has me intrigued on her character development.
We are back in the borderlands and this time we are going through finding clues for what they are looking for. I loved how both the earth side and the borderlands are once again blending together and I can visually see the runes and locations. I am a history buff and this book was up my alley.
I recommend this book to anyone who loved or enjoyed the first book as much as I have.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
You can find this review on my website:
https://www.charliadamswriter.com
August 6, 2019
This is the second book in this series, and although not essential, reading book one definitely gives extra context and background to the story and characters.
The basic premise is that there is a group of magical beings who can travel via maps, to the borderlands, just beyond the boundaries of what 'normal' people can perceive and where shadow magic rules. The inhabitants of the borderlands want to cross back to earth and reclaim it.
This is a very dark story, and the conditions in the borderlands are very primitive and violent with death, torture, forced breeding and slavery all being prominent.
So normally this type of dark fantasy isn't what I read, but I have been a fan of Ms. Penn's for years now, and love her 'Arkane' paranormal thriller series and so know that her writing is brilliant.
She has a real way with words, bringing even the most unlikely scenarios to life with startling clarity and superb descriptions. She is also able to create thrilling, immersive plots which carry you along like a tsunami. This is why I am reading this series, not for the story, which is rather too dark and 'high' fantasy, but for the amazing use of language which draws me into her books, and doesn't let me go until I've finished it.
I received an advance copy of this book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
The basic premise is that there is a group of magical beings who can travel via maps, to the borderlands, just beyond the boundaries of what 'normal' people can perceive and where shadow magic rules. The inhabitants of the borderlands want to cross back to earth and reclaim it.
This is a very dark story, and the conditions in the borderlands are very primitive and violent with death, torture, forced breeding and slavery all being prominent.
So normally this type of dark fantasy isn't what I read, but I have been a fan of Ms. Penn's for years now, and love her 'Arkane' paranormal thriller series and so know that her writing is brilliant.
She has a real way with words, bringing even the most unlikely scenarios to life with startling clarity and superb descriptions. She is also able to create thrilling, immersive plots which carry you along like a tsunami. This is why I am reading this series, not for the story, which is rather too dark and 'high' fantasy, but for the amazing use of language which draws me into her books, and doesn't let me go until I've finished it.
I received an advance copy of this book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.
August 6, 2019
I love books by this author. The Map books are especially out of this world good! There are two different sides to the world. Earthside is where things appear to be fine and very few people know about magic and help to protect their world. Then there's the Borderlands. Not somewhere I would want to be. Shadow magic comes from the Borderlands and if you're not careful you'll be caught up in it and become a shadow. Cities from antiquity that have disappeared from Earth seem to end up in the Borderlands and time is very different there. Sienna is the main character and she has blood magic that allows her to mapwalk. With just a little blood, she can go into the right type of map and arrive there. The thing is, it's intertwined with shadow magic and makes you want to stay and always use your magic. This is very dangerous. The basic plot is to find the other pieces of the Map of Plagues and figure out what is going on. Sienna has friends and aquaintances with her that are very helpful, yet sometimes she wonders what they are really up to and who she can trust. They travel to some marvelous places. Of course, there are dark dangerous places too. This is an awesome fantasy with lots of action. You'll be drawn into the book and not want to put it down! I highly recommend it.
July 22, 2019
Take yourself on a fantastically imaginative adventure by reading the second book in the Mapwalker series.
I enjoyed the first 'Map of Shadows' and was a little worried that the second might not live up to my expectations ... luckily, however, I was not disappointed at all. Just a bit disappointed that I can't go on and read the third in the series.
I was again easily immersed into the Mapwalkers' world, and fell in love with the main characters - in particular, Sienna. There's just something about her that makes her jump from the page and demand my attention. I genuinely cared for her and her various plights.
My imagination was stretched a little, with some of the Mapwalker-specific themes and ideas, but I appreciate the fact that more will be revealed (and therefore understood more) as the series continues.
The plot is carefully crafted and flows seamlessly. I particularly loved the historical information Penn adds (to all her stories) and 'plays' with to enhance her story.
If you are looking for a book full of action, suspense, historical content, sexual tension, well-developed characters, and a world that is unlike any you've probably ever come across - this is the one to read!
I was given an ARC by the author - thank you!
I enjoyed the first 'Map of Shadows' and was a little worried that the second might not live up to my expectations ... luckily, however, I was not disappointed at all. Just a bit disappointed that I can't go on and read the third in the series.
I was again easily immersed into the Mapwalkers' world, and fell in love with the main characters - in particular, Sienna. There's just something about her that makes her jump from the page and demand my attention. I genuinely cared for her and her various plights.
My imagination was stretched a little, with some of the Mapwalker-specific themes and ideas, but I appreciate the fact that more will be revealed (and therefore understood more) as the series continues.
The plot is carefully crafted and flows seamlessly. I particularly loved the historical information Penn adds (to all her stories) and 'plays' with to enhance her story.
If you are looking for a book full of action, suspense, historical content, sexual tension, well-developed characters, and a world that is unlike any you've probably ever come across - this is the one to read!
I was given an ARC by the author - thank you!
September 17, 2019
I really liked JF Penn’s first book in this series, The Map of Shadows. It was fantasy that I could get my teeth into. I was waiting for the sequel to come out hoping that the ‘difficult second’ book in series didn’t make this a flop. Happily I can say now that it was worth the wait, in fact I enjoyed this more than it’s predecessor.
This time there’s a threat of the the borderlands launching the plague of plagues, infecting refugees and sending the plague across into our world. Sienna has to assemble a crack team to go and stop them achieving a devastating outcome.
Somehow, probably because most of the character building in the first book, this story comes alive very fast and we’re map walking with Sienna to the borderlands soon into the book.
As I say this book, for me, had a better story line and flowed better than the last one, There was far more adventure detailed within its pages. Some of it meeting species that they hadn’t come across before. There’s tension and intrigue liberally sprinkled through the plots. I felt extremely immersed in the shadowlands getting more of a feel for the various lands it encompasses.
The end is good and fulfilling and leaves me baying for the next book. An extraordinary series I’m really now buying into.
This time there’s a threat of the the borderlands launching the plague of plagues, infecting refugees and sending the plague across into our world. Sienna has to assemble a crack team to go and stop them achieving a devastating outcome.
Somehow, probably because most of the character building in the first book, this story comes alive very fast and we’re map walking with Sienna to the borderlands soon into the book.
As I say this book, for me, had a better story line and flowed better than the last one, There was far more adventure detailed within its pages. Some of it meeting species that they hadn’t come across before. There’s tension and intrigue liberally sprinkled through the plots. I felt extremely immersed in the shadowlands getting more of a feel for the various lands it encompasses.
The end is good and fulfilling and leaves me baying for the next book. An extraordinary series I’m really now buying into.
August 1, 2019
Map OF Plagues. J.F. Penn
Sienna is a blood cartographer. As was her grandfather. She yields tremendous power which she must learn to control. She leaves in Bath, England . Part of Bath remains in the present time. The other side is the shadows. The people who live there are called borderlanders. The live a life of incredible hardship, misery, cruelty. Present residents of Bath are oblivious to the shadows, the rulers of the borderlanders are not. They have resided in both worlds. They are going to unleash a plague upon present day Bath to gain control. But first they need to cross over from the shadowlands, the dark side.This situation in a sense mimics the current situations, economic hardships in our world. The have's vs the have not's. The rulers of the borderlanders will kill everyone in the bath. Only Sienna and her friends, who like Sienna have inherited magical gifts can stop the onslaught or invasion. This is an extremely well written novel. Fast paced, once l started to read I was unable to put it down! J.F. Penn has the gift of the magical pen. Another fabulous read. Enjoyed immensely!
Sienna is a blood cartographer. As was her grandfather. She yields tremendous power which she must learn to control. She leaves in Bath, England . Part of Bath remains in the present time. The other side is the shadows. The people who live there are called borderlanders. The live a life of incredible hardship, misery, cruelty. Present residents of Bath are oblivious to the shadows, the rulers of the borderlanders are not. They have resided in both worlds. They are going to unleash a plague upon present day Bath to gain control. But first they need to cross over from the shadowlands, the dark side.This situation in a sense mimics the current situations, economic hardships in our world. The have's vs the have not's. The rulers of the borderlanders will kill everyone in the bath. Only Sienna and her friends, who like Sienna have inherited magical gifts can stop the onslaught or invasion. This is an extremely well written novel. Fast paced, once l started to read I was unable to put it down! J.F. Penn has the gift of the magical pen. Another fabulous read. Enjoyed immensely!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews