crystal_reading's review against another edition
Review copy: ARC from publisher
Will review at Rich in Color soon.
Will review at Rich in Color soon.
lleullawgyffes's review against another edition
4.5
this was excellent in almost all ways, but I have to say, for a story so consciously diverse, the constant, in-your-face emphasis on the characters pairing off into heterosexual partnerships was really frustrating. especially Ana and Luz — there was squandered potential there.
brandinh's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed book two of Bruchac’s Killer of Enemies trilogy considerably more than the first. Bruchac wisely toned down the “quirks” in Lozen’s constant inner monologue and gave her a truly formidable foe. Luther Little Wound is atrocious and hearing his inner monologue and the description of his many kills is not for the faint of heart. There were more people to care about this time around too. I loved the reveal of what the Dreamer holds most dear. I’m very curious to find out Hally’s real story and why he keeps popping up seemingly at random to help Lozen and her allies. Readers who continue this series will be rewarded by book two.
Though I must add that Bruchac’s publisher really does need to add a few more passes to the editing process as there are numerous minor errors in this and all other books I’ve read by the author.
Though I must add that Bruchac’s publisher really does need to add a few more passes to the editing process as there are numerous minor errors in this and all other books I’ve read by the author.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Everything about this continuation of the series worked for me -- Lozen's malaise and need for a cleansing ceremony, the uncertainty of the trail and the hardships of their quest for safety, finally finding allies and horse-like beings again, friendly gemods as well as hostile ones -- it all just continued a fine story in a good way.
scostner's review against another edition
5.0
Lozen and her family are traveling the Trail of the Dead, or that's how she thinks of it, anyway. They have managed to escape the terribly misnamed Haven and are searching for a safe place to settle down and rebuild their lives. As they journey across the desolate landscape, fighting off attacks by gemods (genetically modified creatures that have escaped from collections once maintained by the rich and powerful), they encounter other escapees from Haven. The slightly larger band of refugees must defend themselves against trolls, flying monkeys (I'm not kidding), and other mutations, as well as avoiding any of the despotic overlords who have established enclaves like the one they left behind.
But lack of food, water, and safety aren't the only problems they face. The lords of Haven have reached out to others of their kind and asked for help in tracking down Lozen's group. The tracker is also genetically modified, although he began as a human. He has increased endurance, strength, sensory perception and a soulless love of killing and torturing. The trickster figure of Native American legends, Coyote, has also taken an interest in Lozen, but one can never be sure of Coyote's intentions. And on top of all that, Lozen is suffering from PTSD, or "enemy sickness," as her people call it.
In the midst of a world still trying to recover from the crash of all electronics, with the surviving humans huddled together under the rule of (at best) half-crazed members of the old ruling class, where can safety be found? Is there any possible way to defeat a mercenary rumored to have already been killed 4 times? And will Lozen be able to find healing for the darkness growing within her? You will have to read to find out.
For those with a little knowledge of Native American history and their treatment by colonists, settlers, and the US government, there are obvious parallels in this futuristic tale. But the resilience and determination so many of those tribes displayed and continue to display is also there. It is encouraging to see the surviving Chiricahuas and Lakotas band together in this series, but also include others like Hussein and Guy. If they are ever going to restore some sort of order to the world and to nature, that sort of acceptance may play a key role.
Bruchac has crafted an heroine with appeal for any reader who enjoys strong female protagonists, as well creating a post-apocalyptic world full of wonders and terrors.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.
But lack of food, water, and safety aren't the only problems they face. The lords of Haven have reached out to others of their kind and asked for help in tracking down Lozen's group. The tracker is also genetically modified, although he began as a human. He has increased endurance, strength, sensory perception and a soulless love of killing and torturing. The trickster figure of Native American legends, Coyote, has also taken an interest in Lozen, but one can never be sure of Coyote's intentions. And on top of all that, Lozen is suffering from PTSD, or "enemy sickness," as her people call it.
In the midst of a world still trying to recover from the crash of all electronics, with the surviving humans huddled together under the rule of (at best) half-crazed members of the old ruling class, where can safety be found? Is there any possible way to defeat a mercenary rumored to have already been killed 4 times? And will Lozen be able to find healing for the darkness growing within her? You will have to read to find out.
For those with a little knowledge of Native American history and their treatment by colonists, settlers, and the US government, there are obvious parallels in this futuristic tale. But the resilience and determination so many of those tribes displayed and continue to display is also there. It is encouraging to see the surviving Chiricahuas and Lakotas band together in this series, but also include others like Hussein and Guy. If they are ever going to restore some sort of order to the world and to nature, that sort of acceptance may play a key role.
Bruchac has crafted an heroine with appeal for any reader who enjoys strong female protagonists, as well creating a post-apocalyptic world full of wonders and terrors.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.
nikimarion's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty exceptional second novel, as second novels go. The introduction of more POVs helped to move the story forward compellingly and to sustain anticipation. The ending fell a bit flat, but that's to be expected to build excitement for the third novel, which I am waiting with bated breath for. Joseph Bruchac is a master storyteller.
leakelley's review
4.0
I'm going to pause my reading as I'm going to be reading book 1 with my sophomores.
brucefarrar's review
5.0
Lozen and her family have just escaped the compound where they were kept enslaved. They’re making for their old home in the Valley Where First Light Paints the Cliffs, but they’re traveling through a world filled with genetically modified monsters. Lozen isn’t intimidated by monsters. Her job for her former masters was killing monsters. But this time it’s not just the monsters in front of them. This time they have a new cold-blooded supervillain stalking them from behind.
Props to Bruchac for writing an accessible dystopian fantasy stuffed full of action. In addition to the good gals and guys versus despicably bad guys and monsters, the author has incorporated folklore from Apache, Navaho, European, and pop culture references and jokes including—get this—flying monkeys! And it’s got enough gunplay and firearms to make members of the NRA delighted. A less skillful writer could not have concocted this multicultural stew and have it come out so deliciously satisfying.
Props to Bruchac for writing an accessible dystopian fantasy stuffed full of action. In addition to the good gals and guys versus despicably bad guys and monsters, the author has incorporated folklore from Apache, Navaho, European, and pop culture references and jokes including
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