I continued to enjoy the little history lessons that surround the derelict buildings New Atlantis collects, and I liked how the worldbuidling was expanded. But just as compelling, and the relationship between Addam and Rune remains the most precious thing. So yes, a much, much, much darker book than The Last Sun. Bright little asides that make you even more desperate to see Rune come out of everything ok, with all of his ever-growing family intact. Max, tipping a handful of dirty rice back into its bag. Brand, noting that shit must be real now because the Tower is wearing shoes. Whereas the Last Sun was a mostly light read punctured by occasional darkness, Hanged Man is an extremely dark book with only brief moments of lightness to offer relief. But if you look at it another way it could almost be Rune reflected in still water, which is fitting because in many ways this book is the inverse reflection of the one that came before it. The cover the Hanged Man shows Rune dangling- hanging- upside-down.

This beautiful, messy family just got a lot bigger and I cannot wait for everyone to experience it. Oh, and for those who felt that TLS was a bit of a white sausage fest (and I say that with affection)-rest assured! Several new major characters make their appearance in this book, many of them female and/or POC, and they're all written with exquisite care. We also get to see Rune and Brand interacting with small children, to hilarious and surprisingly good results, and that's something I can't get enough of. The banter and the jokes are even better. Things get darker (more so than I'd expected). It's characters navigating their vulnerabilities and fears with one another, and I lost track of the number of times I cried.īrand said, fiercely, in a breaking voice. It is an unending, head-spinning series of revelations and backs against the wall and consequent choices-choices that left me yelling and shaking with adrenaline-and Atlantean magic pushed beyond limits to mesmerizing results. Because the last 1/3 of the book? Fucking brace yourselves. And then just when you think, 'Well, that has to be the peak,' it smiles and takes you up into another building stacked on top of this one. This book takes everything you loved about The Last Sun and takes it up a level. The world shouldn't feel just as heartpounding and unexpected as the first time I read The Last Sun-like the jolt of a first kiss experienced over and over again. I mean, we've seen New Atlantis before, we know these characters, so the honeymoon glow should have worn off at least a little, because that's how sequels tend to go. It wants you to send some pillows and blankets to the titanium coffin you just buried it in.Ĭlearly The Hanged Man is the product of a mortal man making deals with a high demon, because it has no business- none whatsoever-being this damn good.

Kd edwards the last sun