Ryoku terrorists target San Francisco, and the only chance of stopping them lies with Jeremy Cross, but three months after the Battle of Chicago, Jeremy and the other genetic anomalies still struggle to heal from their losses.
Major Stuart Ellison desperately tries to galvanize his team to action, but his own mistrust of the Anoms and doubt in his commanding officer jeopardize his efforts.
Meanwhile, Gauntlet reveals the origin of his powers to Jeremy, and the darker purpose behind his allegiance to Reah Labs.
Now Jeremy must decide where his own loyalties lie, and how much he’s willing to sacrifice if the Anoms are going to save San Francisco and themselves.
If you walked away from Book 1 of the Anom Legacy series hungry for more, Book 2 delivers in spades. This sequel doesn’t suffer from middle-book syndrome in the slightest; instead, it tightens the screws, widens the stakes, and somehow manages to feel both bigger in scope and more intimate in its character work.
The pacing is frankly masterful. Where some series tend to meander in their second installment, Anom Legacy Book 2 hits the ground running and rarely lets up. The author has found that sweet spot between breathless action sequences and quieter, character-driven moments that make you care who survives the next explosion. Chapters end on perfect hooks without ever feeling manipulative, and the momentum builds so naturally that I blasted through the final third in a single sitting.
The writing itself has leveled up noticeably. The prose is clean, confident, and often beautiful without ever turning purple. World-building details that felt intriguing in Book 1 now snap into focus with elegant clarity, and the lore expansions feel earned rather than expository. Dialogue crackles; every character has a distinct voice, and the banter (especially among the core crew) is some of the sharpest I’ve read in the genre all year.
What impressed me most, though, is how engaging the book remains even when the plot throws curveballs you can see coming from a mile away. The joy isn’t in being surprised at every turn, but in watching these characters (flawed, fiercely loyal, and growing before your eyes) navigate impossible choices. The emotional payoffs hit hard because the groundwork was laid so carefully.
If I have any nitpick, it’s that a couple of side characters introduced late in the game could have used another scene or two to fully breathe, but that’s a minor quibble in an otherwise rock-solid entry.
Anom Legacy Book 2 is the rare sequel that surpasses its predecessor in virtually every metric. It’s thoughtful, propulsive, and deeply satisfying science-fantasy that respects your time while leaving you desperate for Book 3. If you loved the first one, clear your schedule; this one’s even better.
ANOM: Legacy is a sequel that shines! The visual action is so dynamic; the stunning fight scenes and harrowing escapes that the cast of characters must make play out like a movie in my head! I love the character Gauntlet, and was so pleased that he had a bigger role in this title in the ANOM series. Jason R. James's imaginative take on super powers is fresh, and I found the themes woven though the book about autonomy and consequence to be thoughtful. Looking forward to more from this series and author.
Read the first one a while back and really enjoyed it. I was pretty excited when I saw this show up on the continue stories that you have started section. It was a little bit of a different tone the last one but I still quite enjoyed it. Some interesting growth and background for many of the characters. Entertaining and enjoyable overall, can’t wait for the next one.
I really hope he is writing a third book b/c the story isn't tied off at all. I can't find an announcement on a third book though. However, the series is very good. I finished both books in 3 days. I think Jason is a good author and really look forward to hopefully the third book. :)