If you read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic" and enjoyed it, then you will absolutely love this follow up. While I suppose you could read this as a stand alone book, in my opinion you should read the first before jumping into this sequel. The plot is too complex and rich to even begin to summarize, but it begins as Nora returns from our world and is reunited with Arundiel. A word of warning: if you are here for the romance, it's not quite as satisfying as I hoped it'd be. It does end happily, but the two main characters spend the majority of the book separated from each other. Their dynamic was what I loved most about the first book, and I missed that keenly in this one. Still, the plot and themes were interesting and some old characters return and new ones are introduced. This one didn't end in a cliffhanger like the last book, so I don't know if a third is planned. But the end did leave me wanting more of the story, and I hope it would have Nora and Arundiel working together again.

I almost feel bad, but back in the day I gave "The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic" 2-stars. I read the book back in 2017 and hated that it had already been 4 years since publication with no information on book 2. At the time, my poor review focused on the ending-- there was obviously more to the story and the ending of that book was book-throwing frustrating.

But enough of that book! Nora is back! As in-- not just the audiobook- the paper version of this book is FINALLY coming! Thank you to Netgalley and Semrland Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

I ignored the rest of my life to finish this book. It's 2:10am and I know I should be sleeping since my kids will be up at 6... but this book was more important. I rate this book a 3, although if another book came out- I would be first in line for it. So like my review of the first book, my review of this book is also probably unfair.

I want to love Nora and Aruendiel. I loved them in book one. They were smart, their story was layered and clever, and the world building was phenomenal. In book 2, I don't see Nora's intelligence or cleverness the way I did then. She is anti-religious, which didn't bother me-- but it seemed to be all that really drove her characterization through a lot of the plot. The magic system was much looser this time around as well.

There is SO much potential for this series. Barker did not end this on a ridiculous cliffhanger like the first book, but the ending was still abrupt and leaves room for another book. Definitely worth reading, especially to get a sense of closure from the start of the series.
"How to talk to a Goddess and other stories" is set to publish on June 29th, 2021. The long wait is over fans! :)

Nora has just returned from a year spent in a world of magic, and her life at home is going well. But she can't stop thinking about the man, and the magical studies, she left behind, so when she stumbles on someone who can help her go back, she makes the leap. She soon finds herself embroiled in a world of goddesses and miracles, with unimaginable magic at her fingertips. But everything is not as it seems in Nora's new life, and as she becomes enmeshed in her new life she finds herself ever farther from the man she loves.

This book was a delight from the very first page. It's a sequel, but the author provides enough background that readers who haven't read its predecessor can follow along. More importantly, the Nora's vivid narrative voice and emotional complexity draw readers into the story. Soon enough, the story's action takes over and whatever we missed becomes irrelevant.

But this story isn't really about action. It's not a short book or a fast read. It takes its time getting to where it's going and makes plenty of side trips along the way. There is world-building and relationship development, and the universe of the book is fascinating and realistic, if nothing like our own. I found these digressions engrossing, particularly as the conclusion drew near and the story's many threads drew together in a powerful and exciting denouement.