Chasing the Valley: Borderlands ~ Skye Melki-Wegner

The thing about sequels is that they often don't live up to the first book. You hope, with all your heart, that it will be as exciting and adventurous as the first tale that got you hooked, but quite often you're left disappointed. Wanting more. In the case of Borderlands- book two in the Chasing the Valley trilogy- that did NOT happen. It is better than the first book. 

I know, take a breath. 

Hold on to the edge of the table, maybe sit down.

Pour yourself a cup of soothing camomile tea. 

Are you ready to deal now? 

Yes, I said it. 

The sequel was even better than the original.

Randomhouse.com.au description:   

Danika and her crew of escaped refugees are seeking the safety of the Magnetic Valley – and trying to evade Sharr Morrigan, the king's most lethal hunter. But the borderlands they must cross to reach the Valley are smugglers' territory: lawless, wild and steeped in ancient magic. When one of the crew is badly wounded, Danika turns to the smugglers for help – and accepts a bargain that might prove deadly.   

It is Lukas, however, who hides the most dangerous secret. What has he seen through the eagle's eyes? The answer can be found in an alchemy charm and a smuggler's tale, and will lead Danika and her friends to an electrifying, unputdownable showdown.

Throughout book two we see a lot more action, danger, and a few surprises along the way. To reach the Valley, Danika and her crew need to make it across the Borderlands, an alchemical nightmare and smugglers paradise. They are challenged beyond anything we have seen before, and broken apart once again with the disappearance of Lukas who seems to have his own plans for defeating King Morrigan's army. 

These reviews are (as always) spoiler free, but I do have to say that the ending is epic. It is where you see the crew pushed to their limits, where they need to step up and put their lives on the line. There is death, there is destruction, and there is a lot of danger. It had me turning the page at warp-speed. I don't think i've read something that fast, with that much enthusiasm, in quite a long time.

What makes this series so addictive is it's characterisation. You are following a crew of misfits that just WORKS. They are all different, they have their own quirks, skills and attitudes, they each have their own voice that stands out and makes you feel something for them. And by the end of this book they develop into something more than a crew, a family. They go to great lengths to keep each other safe, and that's what hits you in straight the gut while you're reading. 

I am so excited for the final book, Skyfire, which according to my sources (okay, it's written at the end of book two. That's a source, right?) is coming out in July 2014. The only thing I need to add to this is that JULY IS JUST TOO FAR AWAY!

Find out more about the author Skye via her website: Skye Melki-Wegner

Find out more about the trilogy at the publisher's site: Randomhouse