The second book in the series brought me back to the world of the Harlequins, the Travelers, and the Brethren. It's a very enjoyable read and ends with a HUGE cliffhanger. This is a good series for science fiction or fantasy lovers -- or anyone concerned with personal privacy in the age of the Vast Machine.
I enjoyed The Traveler - good premise for a story, so I was looking forward to reading The Dark River. Quite frankly, about 2/3 of the way through it I was wondering whether to continue on to the end or not. Without adding any 'spoilers', I'll just say that it got a little too fantastic and my interest waned. I'm curious as to how it all plays out in the final volume, but not sure that I'm curious enough to read it in order to find out.
With all my heart, I wish I had been able to give this book 20 stars! Yes, it certainly IS that good....and that thought provoking as well. This is part 2 of a trilogy written to shake the reader to his/her very core. The success of the author is simply mind boggling. Our "society" today is hurling faster and faster toward something George Orwell tried to warn us about, over four generations ago. Please, please, please read these books! The first one is titled THE TRAVELER - and please, DO read that one first. I'm waiting very impatiently for the third - and unfortunately last - installment! If these books don't make you think and look differently at the world around you today, I'll just have to assume that someone taught dogs to read - because you can't be human and NOT be changed by these!
The Brethren continue to control civilization through a computerized information system, the Vast Machine, and a host of offshoot surveillance technologies. Opposed to the Brethren are the Travelers, an ancient clan with the mystical ability to slip in and out of several dimensions.
The Travelers are guarded by Harlequins, a warrior cast with sharp swords and ferociously lethal skills. In the Cain and Abel story at the book's heart, the quest of two Travelers, brothers Gabriel and Michael Corrigan, to find their legendary father has split them irrevocably: Gabriel fights for the forces of good, Michael has turned to the dark side.
A love story featuring Gabriel's beautiful, deadly but conflicted Harlequin bodyguard, Maya, adds human interest to an often superhuman tale, and Gabriel's out-of-body journey.
Hooked, Hooked, Hooked. What else is there to say. Have all 3 books. Daughter wants to read them. With everything going on in the world it will make you think about going off the grid. Highly recommend!!
P.S. John Twelve Hawks is not the real name. The writer lives off the grid and a voice scrambler when talking to his editor.
