The Trial of Rooker Flynn

"Perhaps today is the day."

What an amazing sequel to The Crimes of Rooker Flynn. It feels exactly as a sequel should - starting right where we left off in the first novel, developing characters, and moving the story forward to yet another ending that will make you look at your copy of the book in shock. Why? Because now, you surely have to read the last book to know how this will end.

The Trial mentioned in the title is both one mentally and physically. Rooker is still in the Locke Institute, having just betrayed his one and only ally, and still longing for the Venture Brigand more than anything else in the world. Throughout the story, Rooker has to learn what is truly important to him. The character development is wonderfully executed, feels natural, and will make you understand his mind and choices much more than in the first installment.

A sequel is always difficult - it is the bridge between the beginning and the end, and can fall into the trap of being nothing more than that - but it didn't feel that way at all while reading this book. The goal is clear, the stakes high, the characters interesting. Plenty of what was brought up in the first book gets resolved or elaborated upon, while also leaving enough open to leave you wondering how it's going to affect the story in the final novel.

In my review of The Crimes of Rooker Flynn I mentioned that you don't need to read The Legend of Black Jack before diving into this trilogy, which I still hold to be true, but you may want to read it before this sequel. It's still not necessary, but I believe it may be useful in helping you to fully appreciate the story and the world of Keymark.

I can honestly only recommend it. I cannot usually picture scenes clearly, but these stories feel like I'm watching a full-on series in my mind. It's a grand adventure, and I am very much looking forward to the final part of this trilogy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nepenthe House for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review