LEGACY OF LIGHT

The second book of the Effigies trilogy, Siege of Shadows (2017), ended with Maia Finley’s twin sister, June, having returned from the dead to fight for the villains.

This novel opens with Maia floating in the English Channel after Ice Effigy Belle stabbed her in the chest. Maia, Chae Rin, and Lake now have to join forces with what is left of those loyal to the Sect to fight the terrorist Saul, traitorous Sect agents, genetically engineered Effigies, and Belle, who’s gone off script. Maia also has to scry into the memories of Marian, the original Fire Effigy, so she can defeat Saul for good. However, she must face Natalya in order to see them, and she fears she is not strong enough. The more memories of Marian’s she sees, the more unbelievable the arrival of the phantoms and beginning of the Effigies’ legacy seems. While this book features ample ethnic diversity both in main and secondary characters, as well as impressive worldbuilding with fun science-fiction gadgets and a visit to the three Fates, it reads much like a wild soap opera. The plot lacks originality, and there is little to no character development throughout the series. Although there are some wonderful ideas and the writing is engaging, readers may feel as if they have read this story before.

For fans of the series: fun but not noteworthy.