Skip to main content

Unraveling Darkness (Scout #2) by Alex Liddell: A Book Review

Unraveling Darkness (Scout #2)
Author: Alex Liddell
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Danger Bearing Press
Release Date: May 18 2018
Pages: 218
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Synopsis: Kali’s kingdom is imprisoned—and she may hold the key. 

     In one breathless moment, royal scout Kali’s world has turned on its head. Bishop Bahir has deposed the king and seized the palace—with Kali’s sister trapped inside. Now on the run, Kali, Trace, and the future king of Dansil have only one place to go for help: Everett. An enemy kingdom of which Trace is the presumed-dead heir.

     As Trace reclaims his identity—one that may leave no room for a Dansil spy—Kali faces her own growing magic, which may be their only hope of stopping Bahir.

     With shattering secrets, daunting new powers, and uncertain allegiances, Kali must walk a deadly tightrope to protect her kingdom—and her heart.

     UNRAVELING DARKNESS, by Amazon bestselling author Alex Lidell, is the final novel in the Scout series. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Leigh Bardugo, and Sarah J. Maas. 


     My Review: Kali, Trace, and the uncrowned king of Dansil is on the run. Bishop Bahir has seized the throne, and Kali’s sister is still imprisoned inside the palace. The only place for Kali and her gang to go is to Everett, their enemy kingdom. Once they arrive, Trace fights to keep his rightful inheritance, and Kali learns the truth about who she is. Can Kali save the kingdom of Dansil before it is too late?

     Because I was so engaged in Kali’s character, I read this sequel in one sitting to find out what happened to her. Kali still has her spunkiness, but she has grown more mature. She is left with the impossible choice of leaving her sister behind. She has to make plans to restore her kingdom. This takes a burden on her. I was a bit disappointed that she was no longer a fighting warrior. Instead, she realizes that she has magical powers, and has to learn how to use them. Thus, Kali has become more mellow and grown up. I also thought that Kali’s relationship with Trace had deepened. They faced many obstacles and challenges, but they managed to overcome them.

    Overall, Unraveling Darkness is a coming of age novel about self-discovery. The novel emphasizes friendship, family, and sacrifice. I still thought that the supporting characters were not well-developed. For instance, I did not understand why Princess Raza hates Kali. The explanation seemed flimsy. The story seemed rushed in most parts. Trace’s background is barely explored with depth. There were also some scenes that I found uncomfortable. Despite these flaws, it was still an enjoyable and worthy sequel! Mrs. Liddell is a talented author, and I look forward to reading more of her series! This series is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Rachel Hartman, and Sara B. Larson.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen: A Book Review

  Iceberg Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen Genre: Children, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure Publisher: Scholastic Release Date: March 7, 2023 Pages: 317 Source: My State Public Library Synopsis : As disaster looms on the horizon, a young stowaway onboard the Titanic will need all her courage and wits to stay alive. A thrilling tale from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen!     Hazel Rothbury is traveling all alone from her home in England aboard the celebrated ship Titanic . Following the untimely death of her father, Hazel’s mother is sending her to the US to work in a factory, so that she might send money back home to help her family make ends meet.     But Hazel harbors a secret dream: She wants to be a journalist, and she just knows that if she can write and sell a story about the Titanic ’s maiden voyage, she could earn enough money to support her family and not have to go to a sweatshop. When Hazel discovers that m...

A Fortune Most Fatal (Miss Austen Investigates #2) by Jessica Bull: A Book Review

  A Fortune Most Fatal (Miss Austen Investigates #2) Author: Jessica Bull Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense Publisher: Union Square & Co. Book Release Date: 2025 Pages: 380 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: A witty, engaging murder mystery featuring Jane Austen as an intrepid sleuth—the second installment in the Miss Austen Investigates series.         1797: A broken-hearted Jane Austen travels to Kent to look after her brother Neddy’s children and further her writing. She soon realizes it’s imperative she uncovers the true identity of a mysterious young woman claiming to be a shipwrecked foreign princess before the interloper can swindle Neddy’s adoptive mother out of her fortune and steal the much-anticipated inheritance all the Austens rely on.         My Review: A Fortune Most Fatal  is the sequel to The Hapless Milliner . Jane Austen’s he...

Interview with Melanie Karsak

Today, I have the pleasure of having an interview with Melanie Karsak! I have read and enjoyed her many series of books on some of history's more obscure or misunderstood women. Often, little is known about their true histories, either from not being recorded because of their gender and the unimportance given to women or else intentional character assassination. Mrs. Karsak seeks to bring light where much is shrouded in darkness. As a result, we are enriched by their lives and these fascinating women can speak to us through the centuries. In this interview, Mrs. Karsak talks about what drew her to these women and her writing pro cess! Thank you Mrs. Karsak! You have written books on Lady MacBeth, Hervor, Queen Boudica, Queen Cartimandua, and now Freydis. What drew you to write about these women? I like the unsung and maligned heroines. Hervor is a significant character in the Norse Hervarar Saga . In fact, there are two Hervors in that tale—grandmother and granddaughter. But ...