Scan barcode
A review by marci_travels
Graphite and Turbulence by Jami Fairleigh
5.0
I waited way too long to pick up this series again. I had picked up Oil and Dust as an ebook when it first came out and before I had even finished the first book, I had ordered the second and purchased the first as a print book. I fell in love with Matthew's journey to find his family, and embraced the friends he made along the way. I gushed about the books on Facebook's fantasy forums, tweeted my desire to have all creatives hear these words, propped the books prominently behind me when I spoke about books on podcasts and Zoom interviews.
And then life happened, and I forgot about the second book even though it sat on my shelf. My punishment is that I have gone months without the warm vibes that Akiko just exudes as she skips across the page. Charcoal will always be my favorite, but Akiko runs a close second. I also love all the advice - and judgement - Matthew receives from friends and strangers about his parenting skills. I felt the author could have lifted that straight from the pages of every social media thread - how anyone can be a parent in today's media circus is far beyond my wheelhouse of knowledge.
Talbot continues to be the villain we cannot live without. He is in the unenviable position of working with the hero, while maintaining all of his "charm." I like the complexity of his character without liking him.
This is a serious second act without any sophomore slump. Well-done!
And then life happened, and I forgot about the second book even though it sat on my shelf. My punishment is that I have gone months without the warm vibes that Akiko just exudes as she skips across the page. Charcoal will always be my favorite, but Akiko runs a close second. I also love all the advice - and judgement - Matthew receives from friends and strangers about his parenting skills. I felt the author could have lifted that straight from the pages of every social media thread - how anyone can be a parent in today's media circus is far beyond my wheelhouse of knowledge.
Talbot continues to be the villain we cannot live without. He is in the unenviable position of working with the hero, while maintaining all of his "charm." I like the complexity of his character without liking him.
This is a serious second act without any sophomore slump. Well-done!