See, this is why I was asking how many five-star reviews in a month is too many, because I kind of want to give this one five stars, too! Great mystery, great character work (brothers! <3 <3), great second book in a trilogy (a rare thing!), impeccable historical fiction. This is the main book I read while on vacation last week, and because I was distracted by friends and food and reality TV (they made me watch Love is Blind!!! ilikedit), I read it over six days instead of probably the two I normally would have taken; it was slow going for the first four days, and it’s hard to tell if that was due to the book or my circumstances. Because I rounded up on the last book, I’m going to round down on this one. I can always come back later.
I don’t want to talk about the plot because things get a little complicated, but this elaborates on some things I really needed to be elaborated on after the last book, mainly the situation regarding slavery. The Civil War is twenty years down the road as this novel takes place, but Faye writes it so that you feel it coming. Slavery the institution affects everyone in this book, and the way that Faye writes about the history of it is unlike any book I’ve read before. She also does good character work on Timothy, and on his relationship with his brother. The mystery is twisty and emotional. I continue to love the period appropriate dialogue. (A lot of characters talk in Flash.)
I have wishes and hopes for book three, but I’ll keep them to myself.
[4.5 stars]