Um, Lucy is experiencing some character growth, which I love. Less mood swings. Always welcome!

I think the ending was a better spot than book one. But, it still feels like at least the first three books should’ve been one longer book. Not sure how else to explain it.

There are some tears in this one. FYI.

I really do t like Foss. :/ ( )

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Man the emotions I experienced during this second book of the series was draining. I laughed as Queen Lucy experienced unbridled guilt and worry free joy after her Brother Charles whistled her a happy tune and cried with her as she cried out saying "I want my mother". I thought the first book of the series was awesome but the writer stepped up her game on book 2. I am almost scared to see what she has coming in book 3 but I can't avoid it I must read book 3 to find out what happens next. All I can say is WHEW!!!! ( )

When I like the first book in a series, as I did with Mary Twomey's Undraland, I usually pick up the second with some trepidation. The first book always gives me a clear vision of what the second should tackle, and I worry that the Author won't see it as clearly as I do. I also worry that the Author will forget or miss what was interesting, unique, and important about the story. Mary Twomey's Nokken (Undraland Book 2) does not disappoint in any way. Nokken is the perfect Book 2.

Nokken is fast paced, fun, and deep. Each character progresses realistically along their dynamic change arcs, the story's arcs progress just how they should, and the pacing is perfect. In Nokken, Twomey's writing becomes spellbinding, and her subject matter matures as her characters do.

While I will admit that Twomey has a distinctly feminine voice in the Undraland series, and that many of her characters are hot guys (YAY), thinking either book is a romance or 'just for girls' would be a mistake on the part of the reader. The Fantasy is fascinating, and the Theme of Nokken seems, to me, to be about Respect. Knowing what I do of the world now, in my late 30's, I have developed a soft spot for writers who not only know what they want to say to improve the conditions in the world we live in, but who, like Mary Twomey, do so with grace and skill.

As a parent, I would suggest Nokken is appropriate for girls 14 & up. There are some intense scenes, and younger girls should read it WITH their parents, but I don't know a woman who hasn't been effected by the rough side of misogyny, and it is something they need to learn how to deal with. Nokken walks a fine line, like the best of books, and handles the subject with incredible integrity.

For all of that, and more you will have to read Nokken to fully appreciate, I'm giving Nokken one of my very rare 5/5 Star ratings! ( )