Usually I find that a sequel to a book does not usually capture the same intensity of the first. Covenant V02 by LySandra Vuong is no exception. It is slower than book one, as Vuong focuses this edition as a build up to the final battle. In some ways, it is also darker than the first book and secrets come to light, only to make more questions. It lets you know that this is book two of an at least trilogy.
We follow a handful of exorcists who help humans stay (mostly) safe from demons. And of course, there are internal struggles as well. Our main character Ezra, fights not only demons but his budding feelings for his charge, Sunny (who frankly, while I get that his life has royally sucked, is a bit of a pain in the…). Lots of fighting, talking and fantasy violence ensue and Ezra questions his faith and why he was chosen to be the guardian to this magical boy. It is your basic story of magic, demons, heroes and love with physically dark images to illustrate the events.
The themes of religion, faith, love, hope, desire, greed, passion, evil and good try to play out in a meaningful way, only to come off as a bit cliche at times. That is not to say the book is not good, it just is not necessarily a new presentation of these themes. I enjoy the series, I’m curious what will happen next, I have a theory about who might be behind the current events and I really want to know why Father Aaron is so damn hot.