The author has returned to her highly creative work, "The Bright of the Sky", with a sequel. She has created a remarkable concept of contact and conflict with deft prose. I recall when first reading book one of this series and being amazed at the world she weaved. This series of now two books, details a world known as the Entire parallel to our own but governed in a dimension without stars or planets. The Entire is ruled by a race known as the Tarig who have modeled sentient life forms in this world after Earth. The second book is fast paced, with clever action and further character definition and growth. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the third book in this series. ( )

Second go around.

The Entire is still a threat to the outside universe, so Titus Quinn is determined to go back and do something about it, and to see his daughter.

He has a problem in that extremely nasty corporate piece of work Helice wants to tag along, and has her own plans for the weapon he has been given to destroy the threat.

Also, his daughter wants him killed.

So as it turns out, somewhat similar to the first book in breakdown, but it is an experienced definitely knowing what he is doing Quinn back this time, with some old allies and enemies, along with some new ones.

Told in multiple threads, Quinn's, Anzi's, Sydney's, Johanna's, etc., it is similar in quality to the first book.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2009/01... ( )

The second in a series (#1 is Bright of the Sky), it is not necessary to have read the first to enjoy the story in this volume. The protagonist, Titus, is trying to save the Earth from a powerful weapon developed by the rulers of the Entire. Titue returns to Entire with a weapon he does not entirely trust and with an unwanted and treacherous stowaway who cannot be trusted. He learns that his daughter, who was separated from in Vol. 1, is still alive and does not want to see him alive. She has no attachment to Earth and sends an assassin after him. Titus also discovers his wife is alive and not dead. She is living as the mistress of an Entire ruler. Unlike her daughter, she wants to save the Earth from destruction. Lots of action combined with questions about the value of the lives of people belonging to other cultures and questions of allegiance. Unsurprisingly, the conclusion leaves opening for a 3rd book. ( )

**SPOILER ALERT**

If you love sci-fi or fantasy, you really need to read this series!

Book 2 started out as awesome as Bright of the Sky. I really enjoyed Johanna's character. There are so many complexities of emotion and human relationship that Kay Kenyon writes so well. In Book 1 we meet Quinn 6 months after the K-tunnel disaster depressed and refusing to move on. Then near the end of this book they meet again and it's not what you expect. It was heartbreaking to see a couple that was once so in love with each other to meet again after a tragedy they couldn't have forseen... and they've both moved on.

The ending seemed very rushed. It wasn't wrapped up as tightly and satisfying as Bright of the Sky. The whole jump to Janna at the end was just thrown in there and felt very forced and odd. I realize the set up that happened when Johanna was dying but it was all so short and rushed. If there had been 50+ extra pages I would be happier with the ending. Maybe Lou Anders thought the book already had too many pages!

I'm definitely chewing my fingernails waiting for City in the Sky (Book 3)!! Hopefully I can give that 5 stars!

I met Kay Kenyon at OmegaCon this year. She is fun to talk to and very encouraging to aspiring writers. I can't wait to read ALL her books! ( )