The October 15, 2022 issue of Booklist is live and I have an excellent 2nd book in a SF-Horror hybrid series. [I reviewed the first book here.] The entire series is a MUST buy for all public library collections as it will have a wide appeal. Also the book came out YESTERDAY! More below.
By Jonathan Janz
Oct. 2022. 288p. Flame Tree, $26.95 (9781787586635); paper, $16.95 (9781787586611); e-book, $4.99 (9781787586642). First published October 15, 2022 (Booklist).
Three years after the long-buried genes of monsters thought to only exist in fiction were reactivated by terrorists [in The Raven], Dez, a “latent” with no powers, is hiding in vampire controlled territory with Levi, Michael, a Pyroteknic, and Iris, a Siren. Recuperated from the battle at Four Winds, they must move on to rescue Iris’ young daughter and Dez’s girlfriend from the vampires who kidnapped them at the close of The Raven. After teaming up with a sympathetic, if not completely trustworthy, vampire, Dez and his crew head to the high school, the seat of the Vampire Queen’s power, knowing this might be their final fight. The pacing is fast, the action sequences exciting, but the story is elevated by the space Janz makes for character development, world building, and most importantly, a warmth that radiates out from every page. With a realistically diverse cast, numerous Horror references, and even more monsters emerging from world-wide mythologies, it is also a very fun read. For fans of original, Science Fiction-Horror hybrid trilogies like The Passage or The Strain but also for those who appreciated the heart at the center of The Road.
Further Appeal: I purposely don't give you extra info on Levi above because....spoilers. But he is behind the next book's mission. And this is an important point to make here. We are in book 2 of a planned trilogy. The story here is actioned packed and super fun, but while the mission in this volume is resolved, clearly we are being set up for the next book. And that is great because we know this is a series.
I cannot stress enough how much fun this series is. It both plays with established tropes and monsters and adds something new it all. The action is awesome. The detail of how the school is used to frame so much of the story was fascinating. Since I've read the book, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It was very clever.
And the characters-- good and evil-- all are fully formed with the heart of many shining through. The pacing is fast, but Janz makes sure you know who is fighting and why. And none of it is black and white.
There is also humor sprinkled throughout the action and bloodshed.
A must add series to all libraries. Flame Tree is distributed by S&S so these are very easy to get and add to your library ASAP.
Three Words That Describe This Book: fun, fast paced action, original world building.
Further Readalikes: From the first book's review, I mentioned Malerman and Roanhorse in my review in LJ and Booklist mentioned Lee Child. I stand by those here as well. I have said it before, but Janz's writing also reminds me of Brian Keene.
Side note: I also reviewed Janz's upcoming novella in Library Journal this month; I gave it a STAR. While the stories are very different, comparing theses two books, I clearly see the similarities-- Janz take established tropes and breaks them open to create something completely new.
Janz is an author who is PERFECT for public library collections. Every book is worth a read and they appeal to a wide audience.
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