An excellent followup to the preceding volume, Native Tongue. Primarily set decades after the first novel, we see the results of various factions plans. The surprise ending is truly enjoyable, both for its tone and for what it reveals.

Like its predecessor, the characters don't feel fully real to me, a drawback in an otherwise good read. Only Nazareth can we see full dimension of character, but still from far away.

If you've read the first novel and found it interesting, I recommend you follow up with this one. Especially for the additional information at the end...if you didn't enjoy the first, I'd stay away from the second. ( )

Neither of the sequels to Native Tongue are among my favorite books. In fact I have trouble remembering what happened in each one. The thing I do remember, which I think will appeal to a certain audience, is the portrait of women working together in secret and in their spare time to try and save the world. Perhaps one of the reasons these books don't grab me is because they're so close to what real life is like for me that they just don't provide the kind of escape I look for in reading. But, boy, do they tell about real women's lives. -- Billie ( )