True North

Rarely does a sequel live up to the hype of the original but TRUE NORTH manages to do just that. Author L.E. Sterling set the bar pretty high with her first book in the series, TRUE BORN, and she manages to rise above. Perfect blend of bleak dystopian landscape; mystery and political intrigue; and a hint of steamy romance will have readers eagerly turning pages. Fantastic characters will draw readers in. Can't recommend this book and series highly enough.

“True North” is a fantastic continuation of the True Born series. Lucy is on her own with her parents and twin, Margot, gone- most likely to Russia. Lucy is in the care of Storm and the True Borns. The book begins with her helping them at parties and the like, while she is itching to go and locate Margot. Eventually, it becomes clear that the promises Storm made may not be ones he will keep, and Lucy sets out on her own to find Margot.

The book is steeped in mystery about the two girls. We begin to get some answers, but there are so many questions that we don’t feel as though we gain the right answers in this book. My only complaint about this book is that it is too short! I groaned when I realized I had hit the end- it’s too good and I wish I could continue it right now! The wait until the next book will be way too long!

The world is built a lot more in this book than the first, so for people who found the first to be lacking in that area, I think it will improve with this installment. As we see the rest of the world, we learn more about what is going on and what it’s like for people who are not in the Upper Circle and get a taste for other countries (though it is still limited with the fast pace). There is some really intense romantic tension between Lucy and Jared- it was a little rough at times because I love them together and really wanted them to be together, but it does fit their personalities and plot pretty well.

Overall, this was a fantastic, fast-paced installment to what is quickly becoming one of my favorite series, and I cannot wait for the next book! Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Another great book by L. E. Sterling! It had been a while since I read the first book, so it did take me some time to get back into the storyline. However, I quickly became acclimated to the world, characters, and dynamics between them. It was thrilling, engaging, and I had a hard time putting it down.

This book picks up where True Born left off. Lucy Fox is anxious to find her twin sister, Margot, after they were separated when Lucy chose to stay with Jared Price. She knows something is terribly wrong when she begins to feel phantom pain, which always signals when her sister is being hurt. Believing that Nolan Storm is stringing her along and unwilling to help her find Margot, Lucy runs away with a new ally and begins a voyage to Russia. There she will find more than she bargained for, including a truth that could change her entire future.

I enjoyed seeing the continued world building, especially the politics that are clear not just in Dominion, but in other countries as well. It opens the reader's eyes to a whole new level of knowledge, which kept me on the edge of my seat. The relationship between Lucy and Jared becomes even more complicated, and even though we find out why, it is still frustrating to see the way Jared and Lucy struggle with their feelings for each other. Jared made me angry on a number of occasions, but then he would be so caring towards Lucy and I began to see that his conflicted emotions were there because of his desire to keep her safe. While some may see it as an unhealthy relationship, this second book shows the depth of their love, even though it still remains largely unspoken.

The book ends on another cliffhanger, at least in my opinion. It's not all settled and there will definitely be a third book, if the ending is any indication. I am anxious to find out what happens next!