I finally got around to reading the second of Allison Croggon’s Pellinor books. It was a great, quick read, and I’m definitely enjoying the world she’s built.
The story picks up directly after Maerad and Cadvan’s escape from the city of Norloch, and follows our heroes through some of the outer lands of Edil-Amarandh. This book has a little less of the overly Tolkeinesque vibe that was occasionally distracting in the first book. I do have to deduct minor points for following in the tradition of what now seems to the requisite YA book moment of teen angst, but I can give most of those points back for the path that Maerad followed to resolve it. I can’t say I was entirely surprised by the end of this chapter of the series, but I was certainly surprised how long it took the story to get there.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book, and will probably even buy it, which given my recent book-buying habits, is the highest praise I can bestow.