Pendulum, Book 2
Synopsis: Eric Albright was a luckless journalist living in London. He had a so-so life…until the day he opened a battered red door that appeared on the graffiti-covered wall of a local bridge, and entered Levaal, a magical world between worlds. A place populated by power damaged mages, stone giants, pit devils—and dragons, Levaal’s possible creators, who are imprisoned in a sky prison. It is also where the mad Lord Vous rules with an iron fist and is busy working on a scheme to turn himself into a god. Vous has been defeated so far because Levaal has been contained by the great Wall at World’s End.
But the Wall at World’s End has been brought down, war is coming to the land, and Eric and his newfound friends are caught in the thick of it. They are forced to flee from the Tormentors, dreadful creatures that have poured through the breach, and there are rumors that one of the great dragons has escaped its sky prison.
Worse yet, Vous’s journey to godhood is almost complete, and a mysterious being called Shadow (who is not but looks remarkably like Eric) is wandering Levaal with great power but no purpose it yet understands.
The end might be coming faster than anyone thinks.
Review: I had a good time with the first book, and I was curious to discover this one. I also think that it’s my favorite as it’s dedicated to the future of Levaal and the adventures of the characters.
Early in the novel, we follow several people alternately. I was interested in each of their history, without knowing how they would all be linked in the end. Still advancing in the chapters, their destiny meets and the protagonists will cross the path to the others to continue their adventures together. We thus find that Eric has evolved considerably since the first book to finally find a place in this world so different from his. But it’s not just him, we also follow the daughter of Vous, a character I loved to discover and to understand better elsewhere. She has always been locked in a gilded cage and can finally see the world without knowing what to actually do. Of course we also meet with her father and we witness his descent increasingly into madness, something that is quite difficult it must be said. Other players are also highlighted here, but I’ll let you discover them. I’ll only speak of Shadow, which comes fairly recurrent. A shadow strangely looking like Eric, a man who wants to find a goal with his life, without really understanding what is happening.
So yes you can see, there are a lot of things here. I often struggle with multiple points of view, but that’s not really the case here as everyone moves together in the end. We have some glimpses about the dragons in the story, including the Levaal’s history and the impact they had here. I found it all very interesting and it’s true that I was easily swept away by the history. I’m curious to see what volume 3 will reserve us for the future now.
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
Sounds pretty magical. Love dragons.
Melliane
me too!
Joy // Joyousreads
Have I mentioned how much I envy you? I so would like to read these books someday. Sigh.
Melliane
I hope you’ll like them if you do!
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
That cover is amazing! That’s awesome the multiple povs worked for ya and it was such an entertaining read 😀
Melliane
yeah I was surprised lol
Braine Talk Supe
So there’s still a main series arc? And yes to dragons! Nothing beats dragons in epic fantasies like this.
Melliane
I don’t understand the question… sorry.
Paula M. @ Her Book Thoughts!
Ooooh. This has a Brandon Sanderson like feel for me. I don’t know why. 😛 The fact that you still liked it as the series progresses tells me that it’s worth checking out. Thanks Melliane!
Melliane
I haven’t read that many Sanderson books to compare I confess.
Tracy Terry
So glad this proved a hit with you and that you are looking forward to the next instalment. I love the cover.
Melliane
yes curious about the end
Carole Rae
Why do journalists always get into such troubles lately? Why can’t they just stay where they are and report the local news.
Melliane
it’s the easiest to place in trouble I think.
kindlemom1
I love that this is a magical world with dragons! I really need to read more of them and I love even more, that you enjoyed this so much and that it might even be your favorite. 🙂
Melliane
it’s nice from time to time
Silvia
It sounds like an epic read, and I also really like the cover! Glad you had such a fantastic time with this second instalment, Melliane 🙂
Melliane
yes the cover is so beautiful!
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
Oooo what a creepily beautiful dragon that is on the cover Melliane! Love it:) And usually multiple POVs are a problem for me as well, but there are definitely times when it’s done well and enhances the overall story for me. Glad that was the case here!
Melliane
when it’s well done it’s just perfect
Ramona
Dragons? Multiple points of view that converge into a coherent and understandable way in the end? This one seems like a winner 🙂 I confess I did not read the first book, but now I’m intrigued enough to look for it. Another clever review, Melliane.
Melliane
yes it’s nice when we have all that.
LilyElement
Glad to see the multiple POV didn’t hinder your enjoying the book. I have issues with that sometimes, all depends how it’s written. And YAYYYY dragons!
Melliane
yes it was well done!
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
Sounds like a mystical adventure! Glad you had fun with this :DD
Melliane
thank you!
blodeuedd
And now I can’t remember the first book
Melliane
lol
Heidi
Reading review, this reminded me of Jay Kristoff’s Lotus War series. It has mutiple view points, lots of history and all that. I think I would like this even it if does require patience.
Melliane
I haven’t read his so I can’t say.
Carole Rae
Dragons! 😀 Even tho that dragon looks scary, it sounds good.
Why are journalists always getting into trouble? Why can’t they be content with local news?
Melliane
they’re so unlucky!
kimbacaffeinate
Gads woman..I want to read this now..dragons, magic, multiple pov’s, epic world building…*wipes drool*
Melliane
I hope you’ll like it if you try it!
kim { Book Swoon }
You had me with “A place populated by power damaged mages, stone giants, pit devils—and dragons.” I love the sound of this. Who can resist dragons?
I’m glad this series is working out well for you.
Great review, Melliane 🙂
Melliane
yes so many things there!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Ah, nice review! I still have to read the first book which is called The Pilgrims, I think? I know I have it on my shelf somewhere. Glad to hear that this one is good!
Melliane
yes the first one is Pilgrims