It's Book Review Wednesday, and I have a treat for you! I posted a review about Book 1 of the "World of Change" series--titled Out of Mischief--and I've just finished reading Book 2…

Into Trouble

Just as Mito seems to be solving her problems, Aleria’s hopes for a solution to her own difficulties fade as the dreams increase and her dissatisfaction with her life deepens. A mission to obtain information leads her to a more subtle danger; is Lord Fauvé a clever rebel, or is he a very tempting solution to her search for a place in life? But again the world she has been so sheltered from reaches out and slaps her in the face. Suffused with rage at her ultimate degredation, Aleria goes about taking her revenge with methodical skill. But in the aftermath she discovers that she is even farther from the old traditional life she had always avioded. And when the dictates of society threaten her friendship with Mito, Aleria decides it’s time to straighten out the whole lot of them.

My Review: 4 Stars

First off, let's dish about the bad: The book had a few structural flaws. If I hadn't read Book 1, I wouldn't have understood a thing. There was no basic explanation to remind me of who the characters were when I first met them. If someone picked it up without reading Book 1, they'd be lost. Book 1 was all action and activity, but Book 2 was much slower. Very little tension, fear, or trouble. I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen. Once it did, it was just two or three chapters near the end. There was no real climax to the book. The "villain" gets his deserved justice, but with no real build-up or tension. There was no fear of failure or loss. Nothing to make me bite my nails or sit on the edge of my seat. The climax was also too far from the end. I like my climax to be one of the final chapters, but there was still a few chapters of additional story after the climax. They help to further the plot A LITTLE, but they don't help the tension of the story. There was also no "hook" to make me interested in reading Book 3. I was hoping there would be a hint as to the "mystery" of the next book, but it ends all wrapped up a neat little package--with no loose ends to lead me to Book 3. However, I did enjoy the book. The character of Aleria was great, though I liked her better in Book 1. There was a lot to make the story interesting, solid dialogue, witty writing, and the plot--while a bit slow--is solid and well-written.

Here's a Taste:

The bandit leader looked around. “I don’t know what we’re gonna do with you.” Aleria shrugged. “I sort of figured you’d do what bandits usually do. When you’ve had enough fun, you turn me loose, I walk to the nearest farm, and you skedaddle the other way.” She glanced at him from under lowered eyebrows. “Now, if you was to kill me, there’d be king’s soldiers and Dalmyn mercenaries bustin’ the bushes from here to breakfast time. You’re much better lettin’ me go. I c’n understand you boys wantin’ some fun. Must be lonely, on the run all the time.” She slipped her hand up her sleeve to feel the comforting steel of her hideaway dagger. “But next time, let’s do it proper ‘n’ private. None of this skirt over my head and everybody standin’ round.” She tried to smile at him. “I do much better with a soft bedroll under me.”

About the Author:

Brought up in a logging camp with no electricity, Gordon Long learned his storytelling in the traditional way: at his father’s knee. He spends his time editing, publishing, travelling, sailboat racing and writing fantasy and social commentary, although sometimes the boundaries blur. Gordon lives in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, with his wife, Linda, and their Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Josh. Find the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Trouble-World-Change-Book-ebook/dp/B00RDGFPO0/ Connect with Gordon via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gordonalongrenaissancewriter