Sky Key—wherever it is, whatever it is—is next. And the nine remaining Players will stop at nothing to get it (Goodreads)
Once again, the immense task that the authors undertake must be acknowledged: Having so many characters, each with their own intricate plot and backstory is not an easy undertaking, but as in the first novel, the duo of writers handles it extremely well, as each character has a unique and well developed story, complete with the signature action scenes where the writing really flourishes. That being said, the whole thing is a bit too similar to the first novel in general, as both share the same story structure and pacing. The only thing that might set this second book apart is the further development of the alien lore, but that is unfortunately not done well and just adds an unnecessary element to an already packed novel. The first novel was good, of course, but this second one feels a bit like a convoluted remix, rather than a sequel. All in all, though, the fast-paced plot and dynamic characters enable readers to stay invested in the trilogy leading up to the final novel. 8.1/10
