Seconds

by Abigail L. Wilkes

Forbidden children. Forgotten History. A power no one has witnessed in living memory.In the pyramid city of El-Pelusium, all second-born children are banished to an island of madmen for fear of a power they are rumored to possess.But Miki isn’t just a Second, she is a Fifth.Nineteen years of hiding behind false identities and away from the public eye has left her with unmatched anxiety. But when a chance encounter throws her in the path of the new young ruler of the Pyramid who is hunting for answers—and a friend, Miki must dodge the very person with the power to banish her.On top of it all, a madman from the island claims being a fifth-born means something. But listening to him would make Miki as mad as him. Unless he is right. If so, the system Miki’s fragile world is built upon, and her very life, are in the balance.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2021

About the author

Abigail L. Wilkes discovered she was an author in second grade when she cried that her short story assignment couldn’t be novel length. Now she writes YA and fantasy interwoven with Truth. Tea and chocolate are always involved. She’s convinced if at least one character isn’t having an identity crisis, something is wrong. When not writing, Abigail hikes and paddle boards in her small-town home in the mountains of Colorado with her husband and their three kiddos.

Reviews

[Tyler Scott Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeh read this book yeh be alright.

I don’t mean to brag…but I’m a second…so…watch out!

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a typical fantasy reader, but this book sucked me in from the very beginning. I had to know where it was going and what happened. The setting in ancient history was interesting and I was left wanting to research it, but also appreciated the interweaving of modern day issues. You’ll be fighting alongside the main characters for good vs. evil and further engaged at every plot twist. I’d recommend for young adults as well as adults wanting a page-turning read!

[Charity Balyeat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captured from the first sentence, and couldn't put the book down!
Seconds is full of twists and turns, friendship, sorrow and victory.
It is well written and I hope to read more of Abigail's books in the future!

[Omneya Shakeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Seconds" is a fantasy novel with a unique depth of character that rivals its peers in this genre. Abigail L. Wilkes's writing skills shine through her multi-layered and complex characters, which intrigued me and made me eager to unravel the layers of each character to reach a profound understanding of their personalities. I appreciate the way each character has their own flaws, fears, dark and light sides, insecurities, and demons to struggle with, making each one stand out in their own right and more relatable and realistic. She manages to keep surprising me every time a new aspect of the character is revealed.

Another one of my favorite aspects is the timeless era the novel is written in and the perfect way it is mixed with supernatural elements without exaggeration. The unique way the author constructed the city of El-Pelusium in the shape of a pyramid with levels to indicate the citizen's status proves her ingenuity and originality. The book contains strong female leads such as Miki, Ptolema, Ata, and Nenet, who earned my admiration, especially with how their paths aren't paved with roses and each one has to prove herself to earn the respect of those around her.

I love the cover, as it is the first thing that drew me to check out the book; the mysterious ambiance and the hints of supernatural abilities in the picture are very eye-catching. The plot is a bit slow for my liking at the beginning, but it doesn't last long as it picks up the pace from the middle to the end of the book, alongside the many twists and turns in the perfectly woven plot, ensuring that I enjoy reading it. There are a handful of typos that I encountered while reading the text, indicating excellent professional editing. 

I enjoyed experiencing many emotions while reading this book, as the author succeeds in putting a smile on my face and making me cry my heart out simultaneously. I will gladly recommend it to all fantasy fans, and since it is free of vulgar language and mature content, it is also suitable for young audiences.

[Rahman Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that pulls you into a mysterious world—a pyramid city that feels real and alive—makes it easy to engage with the book. The character, Tiye, is someone you can root for because of her bravery and determination.

However, the author writes in a way that is easy to follow but still paints a clear picture of the world and the people in it. Also, the dialogue between characters is natural and helps you understand what they're thinking and feeling as well.

Talking about the plot of the book, it is full of secrets and surprises that keep you guessing. Then, the pacing of the story gives you time to get to know the characters while also keeping you excited about what will happen next. It is what I just expected.

There are tense moments with the Steelmen and mysterious messages that make you want to keep reading to find out what happens. Radames' interactions with Ptolema, the young leader, are filled with tension and emotion. A memorable quote from him is, "There is no safe use of manipulation. All it takes is one second to use it rashly one time. Many could die." This quote highlights his deep concerns about the use of manipulation.

I will conclude by saying that I had a great read with this book, and there is a lot to it. I think it has a bit of everything: mystery, suspense, interesting characters, and more. Check it out.

[Danelle✍🏽 Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seconds by Abigail Wilkes is the story of 19-year-old Miki, who is not only not a Firstborn but an astonishing Fifth. In the city of El-Pelesium, order of one's birth matters a great deal. In fact, it is the difference between living a normal and happy life and being banished to a place far from your loved ones. Forever. Miki knows this. And she also knows what will happen to her if she were ever to be discovered. And she's not the only one. Miki's father is a member of the High One’s council, if it ever came to light that he was sheltering her…No. Miki cannot have that. So Miki, lives in fear, careful not to let her secret be exposed. But when the High One takes a particular interest in her, Miki's life is changed forever…

Beautifully-written, Seconds is one of the most intriguing books I've ever read. The creativity behind this powerhouse is truly amazing, and the way Abigail describes the scenes is absolutely breathtaking. The plot was completely original, well-thought-out and totally unpredictable; I could never figure out what would happen from one moment to the next, it was that good. I was just as impressed with the characters. They were so complicated; each had so many layers that I was only able to unravel them the deeper I went into the story. I enjoyed Seconds immensely and recommend it to lovers of epic fantasy.

[Elicia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exciting from front to back. One of the twists /actually/ caught me off guard and that never happens. So kudos to Wilkes.

I loved the world-building and the plot concept. A few things about the writing weren’t my favorite (totally preference things, no stars removed) and there were a few typos.

The female friendships in Seconds are the fudge in the ice cream for me. It’s not a trope I gravitate towards but goodness gracious, what a treat!

Content-wise (mostly for my young reader friends): the action is intense and bloody towards the end. It’s handled well and not gore-focused. The side romance has one kiss with a lot of feels surrounding and leading up to it. The issue of abortion—when, if ever it’s okay, consequences both physical and emotional—is central to the plot. Pregnancy loss and death in childbirth are also present.

[Claire O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

High fantasy is not normally my genre but a friend recommened this author. Very descriptive world where one not 2nd, 3rd or even 4th born - but a fifth-born - lives in a world of only 1 child per couple. Her battle of survival becomes the battle for the survival of an entire kingdom when disinformation rules, and a Rasputin shows up to make things worse. It took a bit of time for me to get into the swing of the genre but once I did, I didn't put it down. Well-written with interesting and well-developed characters.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seconds intrigued me with its ancient world and cultural mysteries. Once the storyline took off, I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. There are moments of beautiful redemption within character relationships, and this story bravely asks challenging and deep questions.

[Gladys Nakote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading "Seconds" and had a fun read. I recommend checking it out.