Review: Untold

Untold (The Lynburn Legacy #2)
by Sarah Rees Brennan
YA Fantasy Romance
Amazon  /  Goodreads

Plot Summary:

On the surface, Sorry-in-the-Vale is a sleepy English town. But Kami Glass knows the truth. Sorry-in-the-Vale is full of magic. In the old days, the Lynburn family ruled with fear, terrifying the people into submission in order to kill for blood and power. Now the Lynburns are back, and Rob Lynburn is gathering sorcerers so that the town can return to the old ways.

But Rob and his followers aren’t the only sorcerers in town. A decision must be made: pay the blood sacrifice, or fight. For Kami, this means more than just choosing between good and evil. With her link to Jared Lynburn severed, she’s now free to love anyone she chooses. But who should that be?

A darkly humorous take on Gothic romance, Sarah Rees Brennan's Lynburn Legacy weaves together the tale of a heroine desperate to protect those she loves, two boys hoping to be saved, and the magical forces that will shape their destiny.

Review:

After the heart-wrenching cliffhanger of book 1 Unspoken, I was so eager to read the next book in the series.  Kami and Jared's relationship is a major part of the appeal of these books.  They have their quirks, they completely understand each other (or at least they did once when there was a link between them)  and they both have such strong personalities.  It's most fun when they banter back and forth, but there is a lot of angst in this book that meant the sharp, witty humor of the first book is a little dampened.  There are still some great comebacks and turns of phrases though - especially from my other favorite character - Rusty.

Although there is a lot at stake in Sorry-in-the-Vale and the main characters are in a lot of danger, the story moves a little too leisurely for most of the book.  There is a big focus on Kami and Jared's feelings and whether or not they can overcome what happened in the first book and while it is necessary, I did think it was a little too drawn out sometimes.  Considering what actually happens in the book, there is very little advancement to the plot, and much more character development.  It's interesting to understand Ash, Holly, Angela and Rusty better, but I wish there was more to the story than just what was going on with these characters' relationships.

Having said all that though, I still enjoyed reading the second installment of The Lynburn Legacy very much, and I find all the revelations about the Lynburns and their practices to be very intriguing.  I think there are many more things to learn about them and the world, and there is definitely another very aggravating and soul-hurting cliffhanger in store for you in the second book.  The wit and humor, the dangerous reality of the situation Kami and her friends are in, and the appealing simplicity of the good vs. evil in this story makes this a great read, and I am eagerly waiting for the last book in the series!