The Sheriffs daugther May took on a much bigger role in this sequel. She went from seeking validation to standing up for what she believed in. She really came into her own and I found myself relating to her a lot more than I thought I would. Then there's Harper sorting through the return of her memories and the events of the first book while dealing with her feelings for May's brother Justin. In an effort to move on from the boy he knows can never have Isaac has put distance between himself and his best friend. While figuring who he is without Justin at his side and struggling to come to terms with everything that happened on his ritual day Isaac and Violet grow closer. Violet gets a lot less page time, but we do see her reconnect with her mother and her growing friendship with Harper.
Each characters storyline was so intertwined that the switch between perspective was pretty seamless. Despite the multiple points of view I was able to tell who I was following easily because all of them had their own distinct personalities and motivations. The strained dynamic between the founding families and the way they're revered by the townspeople made the town politics all the more entertaining. The complex friendships and messy familial relationship were also very compelling. I liked how the return of Isaac's brother gave us more insight into his complicated family history. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the Sheriff and Violets mother rekindle their old flame. I loved the coming out talk Violet had with her mother about them both being bisexual.
This sequel picks up where the first book ended. The founding members of the town are still trying to find a way to defeat the monster in the gray fog that's been encroaching on the town, but now things have gotten much worse as the trees and townspeople start to become infected with a silvery substance. Even though the romantic subplot was only a very small part of the story I really enjoyed it. Theres childhood friends who had a falling out getting a second chance and a slow burn romance between two people connecting through their grief and healing. The pace wasnt exactly gripping but the characters kept me invested until things started getting exciting. Overall I'm happy with the way the story wrapped up even if it was a little predictable.
I loved the small town vibes with all its secrets. It just creates this unique type of community where secrets are hard to keep but everyone has them. The powers each founding family possesses and their history was really interesting. Theres Harper who can turn things to stone, Isaac who can blow things us, Violet who can control the dead, and May who can see into the future using her tarot deck. This sequel gives us more answers about how they received their powers and how the town was founded. The eerie atmosphere and creepy forest drew me in. The sinister monster stalking the woods added a thrilling layer of danger and mystery to the setting. The writing was simple and concise with a a nice flow to it. I'll definitely be checking out more books from this author in the future.
*Received for an honest review
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![The Deck of Omens (The Devouring Gray Book 2) by [C. L. Herman]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nn6KIiSOL._SY346_.jpg)
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This thrilling fantasy will draw in fans of The Raven Cycle and Stranger Things, as the fearless May Hawthorne finds danger waiting for her at every corner.
Though the Beast is seemingly subdued for now, a new threat lurks in Four Paths: a corruption seeping from the Gray into the forest. And with the other Founders preoccupied by their tangled alliances and fraying relationships, only May Hawthorne seems to realize the danger. But saving the town she loves means seeking aid from the person her family despises most—her father, Ezra Bishop.
May's father isn't the only newcomer in town—Isaac Sullivan's older brother has also returned, seeking forgiveness for the role he played in Isaac's troubled past. But Isaac isn't ready to let go of his family's history, especially when that history might hold the key that he and Violet Saunders need to destroy the Gray and the monster within it.
Harper Carlisle isn't ready to forgive, either. Two devastating betrayals have left her isolated from her family and uncertain who to trust. As the corruption becomes impossible to ignore, Harper must learn to control her newfound powers in order to protect Four Paths. But the only people who can help her do that are the ones who have hurt her the most.
With the veil between the Gray and the town growing ever thinner, the Founder descendants must put their grievances with one another aside to stop the corruption and kill the Beast once and for all. But the monster they truly need to slay may never been the Beast . . .
Though the Beast is seemingly subdued for now, a new threat lurks in Four Paths: a corruption seeping from the Gray into the forest. And with the other Founders preoccupied by their tangled alliances and fraying relationships, only May Hawthorne seems to realize the danger. But saving the town she loves means seeking aid from the person her family despises most—her father, Ezra Bishop.
May's father isn't the only newcomer in town—Isaac Sullivan's older brother has also returned, seeking forgiveness for the role he played in Isaac's troubled past. But Isaac isn't ready to let go of his family's history, especially when that history might hold the key that he and Violet Saunders need to destroy the Gray and the monster within it.
Harper Carlisle isn't ready to forgive, either. Two devastating betrayals have left her isolated from her family and uncertain who to trust. As the corruption becomes impossible to ignore, Harper must learn to control her newfound powers in order to protect Four Paths. But the only people who can help her do that are the ones who have hurt her the most.
With the veil between the Gray and the town growing ever thinner, the Founder descendants must put their grievances with one another aside to stop the corruption and kill the Beast once and for all. But the monster they truly need to slay may never been the Beast . . .
- Reading age12 years and up
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level7 - 12
- PublisherLittle, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication dateApril 21 2020
- ISBN-13978-1368025270
All 2 for you in this series
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Books In This Series (2 Books)
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Product description
Review
"The follow-up fans have been waiting for. Every bit as eerie as the first."―Booklist
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
About the Author
Christine Lynn Herman subscribes to the firm philosophy that home is where her books are. Born in New York City but raised around the world, she returned to the United States to study at the University of Rochester, where she received an Honors English degree. Christine and her books reside in Cambridge, MA, along with her partner and their extremely spoiled cat. You can find her in the nearest forest trying to figure out how to become a tree, at christinelynnherman.com, or on Twitter and Instagram @christineexists. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Product details
- ASIN : B07WGB34X9
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (April 21 2020)
- Language : English
- File size : 9965 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Not Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 385 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #739,231 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #58,711 in LGBTQ2S+ Fiction (Books)
- #191,327 in Children's Books (Books)
- #739,231 in Kindle eBooks
- Customer Reviews:
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C.L. HERMAN is the New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestselling author of atmospheric, magical novels, including the All of Us Villains duology, The Devouring Gray duology, and The Drowning Summer.
Currently, she resides in Massachusetts with her partner and cat. To learn more, follow them on Instagram @cl_herman, sign up for their newsletter, or visit clherman.com.
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G. Noble
4.0 out of 5 stars
A (mostly) satisfying conclusion
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 21, 2020Verified Purchase
The follow-up to The Devouring Gray sees Four Paths under the spell of corruption, with the lines between the Gray and reality becoming ever thinner. Can Justin, May, Violet, Isaac, and Harper stop the Beast from escaping its prison?
In a lot of cases the sequel to a brilliant first book can be disappointing, but I am pleased that this was not the case here. It is a worthy end to the story with (for the most part) a satisfactory conclusion. I'm also glad that the author decided not to string out the story for several books thereby not giving the characters time to outstay their welcome. I have rated this 4 stars rather than 5 as I was a little underwhelmed with the endings for Isaac/Violet and Harper/Justin.
In a lot of cases the sequel to a brilliant first book can be disappointing, but I am pleased that this was not the case here. It is a worthy end to the story with (for the most part) a satisfactory conclusion. I'm also glad that the author decided not to string out the story for several books thereby not giving the characters time to outstay their welcome. I have rated this 4 stars rather than 5 as I was a little underwhelmed with the endings for Isaac/Violet and Harper/Justin.

KellyM
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great follow up to The Devouring Grey
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 28, 2021Verified Purchase
I bought this having been given the first book in the duology, The Devouring Grey. In this book you go even deeper into Four Paths as things are seemingly going from bad to worse in the town. These books are great fun and each of the five main characters are written with really good depth and all become integral parts to the story. A great end to the duology.

Amelia Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing end to an amazing series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 4, 2020Verified Purchase
One of my favourite book series that I’ve ever read. It had me on the edge of my seat so much so I could not stop reading until I reached the end finishing the book the day after it was delivered. The addition of traumatised characters going for therapy I thought was an amazing and realistic ending as after everything they went threw they are not perfectly fine now they still have scars both mentally and physically. Both books were amazing to read and I have been singing its praises ever since I finished it and plan on re reading the book many times in the years to come. The description were detailed enough to get a grasp on the situation as well as leaving then reader asking questions every step of the way. I love it so much and recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Frances
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great YA series!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 2, 2020Verified Purchase
I loved this book and the first of the series. I felt it was original and I liked all of the characters. The plot line wasn't too predictable either and kept me interested. Also, I didn't find an eye roll moment in either books which is rare for me! I can't wait for the third to come out.

Ella
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 3, 2020Verified Purchase
I actually really loved this, I didn’t remember that much from the first book but it didn’t even matter. These books are just so immersive and atmospheric and I will be recommending them forever more. Isaac and Violet are still my faves and I already miss this whole group.