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The Waltz of Wolves: Part 2
They are the Dagger Rebellion, to the end. Twelve years after Campbell Anders escaped Maelstrom, the Dagger Rebellion has developed a wide and fearsome reputation. Its one goal is to liberate the New World, and free the thousands enslaved to Mason's cruel regime. But when Campbell commits an unspeakable crime and severely weakens Mason, the Rebellion is faced with a tactical advantage they can't afford to waste. As tensions rise and retribution looms on the horizon, the Rebellion must decide how many lives their anonymity, and their safety, are worth.The Waltz of Part 2 is the second instalment in the New World Novellas, and is recommended to be read after The End of Everything, The Waltz of Part 1, and The Mover of Mountains.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2021
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Esme Carmichael
9 books56 followersEsme Carmichael is a UK independent author and self-published her debut novel, The End of Everything, in January 2021. Most of her stories have vivid worlds, dark and dystopian themes, and characters you’ll love-to-hate, and hate-to-love.
Esme co-hosts the live-streamed Steam Queens podcast, is an ambassador for #TheWriterCommunity, works full time as an ocean scientist, and refuses to believe her TBR-pile is out of control.
Website: www.esmecarmichael.com
Esme co-hosts the live-streamed Steam Queens podcast, is an ambassador for #TheWriterCommunity, works full time as an ocean scientist, and refuses to believe her TBR-pile is out of control.
Website: www.esmecarmichael.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 8, 2021
"What did you accomplish?"
Finally, we learn the terrible secret of Campbell's past. As the Dagger Rebellion makes the most of the time he has given them, Campbell is left to confront his own terrible guilt and shame. Esme Carmichael does an incredible job at delving into Campbell's emotional torment, such that you feel it on every single page. And that's before things get really bad ...
'The Waltz of Wolves: Part 2' will rip your heart to pieces and leave you feeling internally shredded. I had the pleasure of reading this novella as it was being drafted, and even though I knew what was coming, it was as powerful, shocking and brutal as if it had been the first time.
I also have to commend the author on the LGBTQIA+ representation in this novella. In such a short space of time, multiple relationships that are deeply believable and moving are set up and explored, along with difficult emotions that are handled with supreme care.
If you've enjoyed any of the books in The Connection Series so far, read 'The Waltz of Wolves: Part 2' as soon as you can. It won't let you down!
Finally, we learn the terrible secret of Campbell's past. As the Dagger Rebellion makes the most of the time he has given them, Campbell is left to confront his own terrible guilt and shame. Esme Carmichael does an incredible job at delving into Campbell's emotional torment, such that you feel it on every single page. And that's before things get really bad ...
'The Waltz of Wolves: Part 2' will rip your heart to pieces and leave you feeling internally shredded. I had the pleasure of reading this novella as it was being drafted, and even though I knew what was coming, it was as powerful, shocking and brutal as if it had been the first time.
I also have to commend the author on the LGBTQIA+ representation in this novella. In such a short space of time, multiple relationships that are deeply believable and moving are set up and explored, along with difficult emotions that are handled with supreme care.
If you've enjoyed any of the books in The Connection Series so far, read 'The Waltz of Wolves: Part 2' as soon as you can. It won't let you down!
August 18, 2021
With this novella Esme delves even deeper into the Connection Series; giving more insight into the Dagger Rebellion. It will make you love & laugh with the characters. Yet moments later it will stab you right in your heart.
---From this point on the review might contain spoilers---
This novella really did give a deeper insight into why Campbell is who he is in The End of Everything. Where the beautiful moments in life filled with laughter, joy & him exploring his own place in the Rebellion get punched in the face seconds later by the hard choices he had to make, cruelty & the constant inner turmoil. I mean how much can one person take?!
We get to see Harrison Dagger has developed himself as the true leader of the Rebellion, making something of his life & taking the responsibility for every person young & old in it. Which I truly loved to read about.
I loved reading this novella. It made me laugh & cry. The flow perfected to every single second where you get time to think & ask questions about what just happened.
But I would have never thought that I could hate a character as much as I do hate Mason. Not to say he is more likeable in both books & part one of WotW but the cruelty he shows in here is that of another level.
Yet something tells me there is still more to explore in Campbell's past.
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If you like all the other books in The Connection Series, you will want to read this!
---From this point on the review might contain spoilers---
This novella really did give a deeper insight into why Campbell is who he is in The End of Everything. Where the beautiful moments in life filled with laughter, joy & him exploring his own place in the Rebellion get punched in the face seconds later by the hard choices he had to make, cruelty & the constant inner turmoil. I mean how much can one person take?!
We get to see Harrison Dagger has developed himself as the true leader of the Rebellion, making something of his life & taking the responsibility for every person young & old in it. Which I truly loved to read about.
I loved reading this novella. It made me laugh & cry. The flow perfected to every single second where you get time to think & ask questions about what just happened.
But I would have never thought that I could hate a character as much as I do hate Mason. Not to say he is more likeable in both books & part one of WotW but the cruelty he shows in here is that of another level.
Yet something tells me there is still more to explore in Campbell's past.
-------
If you like all the other books in The Connection Series, you will want to read this!
February 18, 2022
"I'm going to ensure you live with that knowledge, to feel the full weight of its burden for the rest of your life."
After binging through The Connection Series late last year, it's good to finally read the second part of the Waltz of Wolves, the prequel novella written by Esme Carmichael, particularly after the events of this short story and their importance were alluded to by The Sound of Silence... The battle of Gainstorm and its aftermath are such a pivotal part of the backstory that it's good to get some context from those who caused it, as well as more backstory about Campbell and Harrison, even if you know they're playing an extremely dangerous game provoking Mason (who remains as cruel and repellent as always, Esme has carved a unique place in literary villains with him...)... Even with the victories the rebels gain against the tyrant, there is always this sense of foreboding hanging over the story, that Mason is brooding like a snake coiled and waiting to strike, and when he does, it will be terrible (and boy, it does...)
Another chillingly good addition to this masterful series of dystopian fiction...
After binging through The Connection Series late last year, it's good to finally read the second part of the Waltz of Wolves, the prequel novella written by Esme Carmichael, particularly after the events of this short story and their importance were alluded to by The Sound of Silence... The battle of Gainstorm and its aftermath are such a pivotal part of the backstory that it's good to get some context from those who caused it, as well as more backstory about Campbell and Harrison, even if you know they're playing an extremely dangerous game provoking Mason (who remains as cruel and repellent as always, Esme has carved a unique place in literary villains with him...)... Even with the victories the rebels gain against the tyrant, there is always this sense of foreboding hanging over the story, that Mason is brooding like a snake coiled and waiting to strike, and when he does, it will be terrible (and boy, it does...)
Another chillingly good addition to this masterful series of dystopian fiction...
February 14, 2022
Another great novella by Esme Carmichael!
September 6, 2021
This novella begins with unrelenting intensity as the reader is thrust into what happened at Gainstorn.
Part 1 is already a dark Novella, but Part 2 is darker still (if that's possible!) I couldn't put this one down, but when I was forced to I couldn't stop thinking about it.
The friendships forged have such tender moments and I as the reader really cared for these characters and rooted for them.
Mason demonstrated a new level of evil in this. I re-read lines because I couldn’t believe what I was reading! That man (or whatever he is) is truly monstrous and by the end of the book the author had really done a number on me.
I'm desperate to read more books in the series as I too need my vengeance!
A thoroughly immersive read which I wholeheartedly recommend.
This needs to be made into a Netflix series.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of ‘The Waltz of Wolves Part 2’ in return for an honest review.
Part 1 is already a dark Novella, but Part 2 is darker still (if that's possible!) I couldn't put this one down, but when I was forced to I couldn't stop thinking about it.
The friendships forged have such tender moments and I as the reader really cared for these characters and rooted for them.
Mason demonstrated a new level of evil in this. I re-read lines because I couldn’t believe what I was reading! That man (or whatever he is) is truly monstrous and by the end of the book the author had really done a number on me.
I'm desperate to read more books in the series as I too need my vengeance!
A thoroughly immersive read which I wholeheartedly recommend.
This needs to be made into a Netflix series.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of ‘The Waltz of Wolves Part 2’ in return for an honest review.
August 31, 2021
This review may contain spoilers.
This second installment in The Waltz of Wolves gave me more insight into what really happened to The Dagger Rebellion, and why Campbell is the way that he is today. Why he is so protective of Maya in Book 1, and why his actions have scarred him for life. And I don't blame him. The poor man went through more than anyone should ever have to.
I cried. I laughed. But definitely was shocked at how brutal Mason truly is. How manipulative and just plain evil that man really is. Not to say that what he's done in Books 1, 2 and part one of WoW was even less so, but in this book, he took it to a whole other level. Everything is planned meticulously, no matter what a character is on in Esme's books.
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is loving the The Connection Series and wants to continue on. I have a feeling there's more to be explored in Campbell's past, and I wonder how it will link together in the third installment: The Sound of Silence. However it is, I'm sure it will be just as excellent as the previous.
Loved this book!
This second installment in The Waltz of Wolves gave me more insight into what really happened to The Dagger Rebellion, and why Campbell is the way that he is today. Why he is so protective of Maya in Book 1, and why his actions have scarred him for life. And I don't blame him. The poor man went through more than anyone should ever have to.
I cried. I laughed. But definitely was shocked at how brutal Mason truly is. How manipulative and just plain evil that man really is. Not to say that what he's done in Books 1, 2 and part one of WoW was even less so, but in this book, he took it to a whole other level. Everything is planned meticulously, no matter what a character is on in Esme's books.
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is loving the The Connection Series and wants to continue on. I have a feeling there's more to be explored in Campbell's past, and I wonder how it will link together in the third installment: The Sound of Silence. However it is, I'm sure it will be just as excellent as the previous.
Loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews