Review: The Demon World (The Smoke Thieves #2) by Sally Green
I received a free ecopy of this book in return for an honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.
This is book two of what is planned to be a trilogy and to understand what is happening you are really going to need to read book one. This is a complex saga written from five different alternating viewpoints. Book one was the story of these five, very different characters, being drawn together. Book two wrenches them all apart again.
Picking up immediately after the last book, our intrepid band of heroes flee the battle at Rossarb Castle. Pursued by the Brigantines, a desperate Princess Catherine leads the group down into the demon world. Through the eyes of Tash we get to explore the demon world more thoroughly and get a sense of the demon society. Meanwhile Edyon still has a murder charge hanging over his head, and March’s conscience weighs ever heavier with lies he he told Edyon when they first met.
In many ways Catherine feels like the central character, though each of the the five are given equal narrative. This is probably because she has the biggest character development, going from a suppressed princess, barely allowed to speak to a leader. Her character arc is not appreciated, however, by her paramour, Amber. There doesn’t seem to be room in this relationship for Catherine’s developing personality. (I much prefer Prince Tzsayn anyway. He seems a much nicer guy.)
The world of The Smoke Thieves is brutal and fascinating one. I was excited to finally find out more about the demon world and the demons themselves. The nature of the demons, when it is revealed, contrasts starkly with the savage Brigantines. I hope we will find out more about these creatures before the end of these books.
This book, like the last, ends on a cliffhanger, heartbreaking for more than one character. The closing scene with Tash, particularly, saddened me and has stayed with me. With book three due out in 2020, it feels like a long wait and whole heap of resolution is far too far out of reach. Three books just doesn’t seem enough to explore this fantasy world. Personally I’m hoping for a Prince Tzsayn spin-off.
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