Hidden Enemies

by L. Waithman

The second book in this richly imagined fantasy series finds the engaging young Lucas on another action-packed journey in a long-ago world where peril, adventure, and excitement wait around every corner.

When Lucas awakens disoriented one morning on a riverbank, he has no memory of the evening before, and evidence of a poisoned dart is visible on his neck. Although Lucas is now undoubtedly someone’s target, when King Itan asks him to spy on a rival ruler, Lucas readily obeys.

During his dangerous journey, young Lucas will be reunited with his friends in the traveling circus, escape a dreadful attack, and learn the truth of his existence. But when a plot by the maniacal King Boran to seize control of Itan’s land is discovered, and Lucas experiences the loss of a friend, he realizes that the only way to save his people will be to surrender himself to the enemy.

​Lucas can only hope that King Boran won’t kill him—believing the prophecy that anyone who kills Lucas will also perish. This page-turner will leave you breathless as Lucas fights to fulfill his destiny.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2022

Reviews

[Drakoulis]

Having read an ARC of Blood Ties, I was happy to get an ARC of its sequel, Hidden Enemies, as well.

Lucas' story continues where it left off, full of adventures, discovering his powers, his origins, fighting for his friends, fending off enemies both from within and outside King Itan's court and travelling to the edges of the kingdom and beyond, setting the pieces in place for the final book of the trilogy.

Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC!

[Anjanette]

I received a free Kindle copy from the publisher’s through a Goodreads giveaway.

I was very excited to get to see where Lucas’s story would lead, and I was not disappointed. Many questions I had from the first book were answered, but there are still a few. I felt this book had a better narrative flow to it. The first book in the series had a choppier feeling, although that didn’t reduce my enjoyment too much. This one moved much better from scenario to scenario.

As with the first novel, I’m anticipating the next book!

[Amanda]

I received an ARC copy of this book directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Waithman’s second book in this series was an excellent edition. I thoroughly enjoyed following Lucas on his journey. His character’s evolvement from boy to teen is refreshing. He is a young man developing a strong moral compass and making decisions with integrity. A story I would definitely recommend to young teens. I also enjoyed watching him learn to use more of his gifts and am looking forward to seeing more of this.

Eager to see where his next journey takes him.

[Rowlan Greaves]

I'd rate this as closer to 3.5, if that option was here. This is just a growth and transition phase for the main character. The conflicts in this story are first re-hashed from the first book (again), and later, a poorly reasoned tactic by a temporary villain that really just serves to move the main character to another group of supporting characters. There are other larger story gaps that are glossed over as 'prophecy', which isn't unheard of for this genre. For example, its odd to have an aggressive and violent secret enemy transform, very quickly, to a peace-seeking group that is reluctant to fight. This is totally at odds with the last couple of chapters in the first book. These kinds of inconsistencies bother me.

The draw for this series, and why I completed this book, remains the strong main character. I enjoy this character and how he thinks and reacts. I like the next tier of friends he keeps close to him. I'm invested in their decisions and growth to early adulthood, even if the world-building going on around them is wonky.

[Nat_json]

Thank you to NetGalley and the Greenleaf Book Group for giving me this ARC.
The first book of this series was the first ARC I’ve ever gotten so getting to read this one was super special. I do say I think the writing and the pacing was better in this one. It still had some parts I didn’t love, like a character I felt like we hadn’t seen much become a kinda big plot device, but I did enjoy this one more then the first book. I will say I still find it weird that every girl is just crazy over Lucas and we heard his thoughts on the girls more then some of the guys. I was glad to see that we got answers to a lot of the questions that book one gave us. I think sometimes authors will wait to long to give the readers answer so it builds more suspense but I am happy that didn’t happen in this book. We learn more about Lucas’s powers which is nice but I think sometimes they’re explained too simply. Overall I am happy I got to read this book and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Andrea]

Generally I like this book and series. The plot is intriguing, and hints from the first book are beginning to clarify. I'm no expert in middle grade but it seems appropriate for the age level and does do a good job making sure readers can learn new vocabulary through context, identify the dialogue speakers, and track the events. As an adult reading it, some of these writing techniques stand out and would be major flaws in YA and especially adult fiction but are forgivable here given the audience. I can appreciate helping young readers learn the ropes of reading fantasy if they haven't before.

Here's why I gave this 3 stars when book 1 was 4:

The MC has become a bit of a Marty Stu, and I found myself wondering what growth he has left. Does his character arc continue to develop, or has this become a story of just interesting plot? I'm not sure where else he has to grow for book 3.

The ending seemed to drag and included a couple events that had no purpose and probably should have been trimmed to shorten the end.

I'm intrigued for book 3 and the conclusion of who is rightful king!

[Chrissy]

I received this book through the Goodreads.com giveaway.

I enjoyed this book more than the first. The flow was so much better. In the first book, I felt that Lucas had too many obstacles to the point where I didn't want to read further. However, in this sequel, the obstacles were far more believable. Though I do not know if believable is the right word. Perhaps they were more spread out or the timing for them felt right. I really enjoyed that we got more of Lucas' background. I liked the new characters we met and the new abilities that Lucas discovered. Overall, I did enjoy the book and am excited to read the next book.

[Karen McQueen]

I loved this second book! Hidden enemies continues the epic adventures of young Lucas and it did not disappoint. The second novel in the series by Waithman is fast paced, imaginative and keeps you guessing. I loved the character and friendship development and can’t wait to see where the story goes next. Waithman has created a world that is believable, enchanting and will appeal to readers of all ages. Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth Cunningham]

Having read an ARC copy of L. Waithmans The King’s Chosen Blood Ties I was delighted to be able to read and review an ARC copy of Hidden Enemies.

Lucas’s adventures move quickly on. His special powers are becoming more noticed, King Itan sends him on a missions where he meets up with old friends and discovers subterfuge.

The story is invigorating and full of adventures, it moves along quickly and leaves you wanting the next book..

[Ami Paton]

Worth the wait. Page turning a second time. I enjoyed continuing Lucas' journey of destination with old old friends and new. L Waithman has a knack of writing memorable characters for a reader to love or hate. I recommend reading Hidden Enemies before the hustle and bustle of the holidays because it is hard one to put down.

[Ali]

This is one of the most enjoyable fantasy series I’ve read in recent memory. My only complaint is that this book feels like only part of a book, there isn’t really a sense of closure for any of the plot. I don’t mind a cliffhanger, but the entire book just felt like plot development/setup for whatever will happen in future books in the series. It’s still a fun read, though!

[Liz]

This is an exciting and imaginative fantasy that should appeal to the YA reader. Lots going on, good characters and a real cliff hanger ending. I have not read the first book in this series and I think it would have helped to have done so. However, I was still to get into the flow of the story.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Lisa]

surprised me by how awesome this story was

I won this on goodreads. It’s not my usual genre. However, I fell in love with the characters and story. I will go back and read the other book and can’t wait for the next one.

[Maria]

Good sequel

I recommend reading the first book and then reading this one. Lucas continues to discover his purpose. I look forward to the next book as his destiny is tied to a king. But which one?

[Lisa]

Wow! I couldn't put the book down. Fabulous read that completely captivated me. I enjoyed reading about Lucas journey and learning how everything tied together. I am eagerly waiting for the next book in this series!

[Crystal]

Loved it

A chosen son. Surrendered by his parents. Rejected by most but protected by a few. Forced to learn his past, shown his fate, and given powers he can’t fully harness.

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Jess Conley]

I won this book on Goodreads. I loved the description, title and the cover. The book was a challenge for me to get through, it took me months.... Normally I would have just not finished it but felt like I should finish it to review. I see a lot of great reviews, I'm sorry that I didn't enjoy it.

[Joy Rosales]

DNF @ 6% I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway. Not my type of fantasy.

[Sarah]

Another fantastic book from L Waithman! Come on book number 3!

Book 2 dug deeper and while it took a little longer to get into, I was hooked just the same!

[Susanna]

This was an okay sequel to the first book. As part of the broader series and character saga, I'd recommend.

While Blood Ties had the ups and downs of a true journey, Hidden Enemies definitely just felt like a continuation. That's not to say that this wasn't enjoyable or fun. If Lucas was the underdog child in book 1, here we have a more mature Lucas. As a protagonist, he is more confident, less harried, and more The Chosen One.

Additionally, we as readers get a few more answers to some mysteries and also get more insight to the world in which this takes place.

[Sam]

This sequel did not disappoint. More back story, more secrets revealed and more mysteries to uncover. Lucas is a wonderful character to get behind and cheer for as he discovers more about himself, his powers and his past.
I can't wait for the next book!

[henry smith]

Pretty good. Was glad when it ended though.

[9793980609]

What an exciting continuation of the story of Lucas as we are taken on his emotional journey. You cannot help but become invested in Lucas as he grows into the person he is destined to be. Loved it!

[William Snee]

It's nice to read a YA novel where the characters are actually believable.