REBEL SPRING Falling Kingdoms, Book 2

Continuing the fantasy saga of Falling Kingdoms, Fred Berman narrates the exploits of Gaius in subjugating Auranos. Berman's portrayal of Gaius leaves no doubt who the major villain is. In contrast, his depiction of the young people at the center of the story is as nuanced as their characters. The king's son, Magnus, has misgivings about his father's tactics and the role expected of him, and Berman allows his vulnerability to show in his love for his half-sister and his confrontations with his chosen bride, who is fearless and resilient. As Jonas, the leader of the rebels, Berman is full of bravado. He's especially is facile with dialogue, reflecting the dynamics and relative positions of power between the characters. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2014]