Status
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Description
The sequel to The Root, a compelling urban fantasy series set between modern-day San Francisco and an alternate dimension filled with gods and worlds of dark magic. In Corpiliu, an alternate dimension to our own, a darkness grows, devouring whole cities as it spreads. Robbed of her greatest power, separated from her siblings and thrown among people she does not trust, Lil, a 'dant from the city Zebub, must find a way to turn everything around, to trust in a power she knows nothing about. Erik travels from San Francisco to Zebub, haunted by the ghost of his ex, still coming to terms with his true identity as a descendant of the gods, and unsure how to fight what seems to have no weakness. Pushing back against taboos meant to keep the true history of Corpiliu secret, he gains many enemies and few allies, and strange visions will make him question his own sanity. Between Earth and Corpiliu, a war is developing on two fronts, one that might well mean the end of both dimensions. In The Tree, the dynamic follow-up to the exciting fantasy debut The Root, long-held secrets will be revealed, and long-trusted loyalties will be put to the test.… (more)
User reviews
Earth is at war, but most of humanity doesn’t know it yet. Demonic beings from an alternate dimension, Corpiliu,
Erik, at only eighteen years old, is now head of the Agency, one of two secret organizations that deals with magic, alternate dimensions, demonic beings, and Blooded (the descendants of ancient gods, gifted with some of their powers). He and some of his friends and allies plan a diplomatic trip to Zebub, the alternate version of San Francisco. Meanwhile, his mother and grandmother will manage San Francisco, trying to unite different fractions of Blooded and keep the city and its people safe.
Of course, Erik is one of two main protagonists. Lil, a young woman from Zebub, is in dire straits. She’s been badly injured, although she’s healing, and due to the loss of her tongue no longer has the ability to speak Bable, the language of power. She’s apart from the younger siblings she wishes desperately to protect, and she’s reliant on a group of humans who claim to be a resistance to Zebub’s demonic overlords. Also, the darkness is still advancing on Lil’s city.
The biggest flaw with The Tree is the same one I had with The Root: there are just so many POV characters. It feels like practically everyone with a name gets a POV chapter. It’s a lot to keep track of! Also, the narrative would leave one character in a cliffhanger situation, and by the time it circles back through POV characters to get to them, I would have completely forgotten that they were in trouble. I think The Tree would have been a stronger novel if the POV characters were narrowed down some. We don’t need to know every detail of what’s happening to everyone.
However, The Tree has this key success: I care about the characters and the conflict. I love the complicated dynamics of Erik’s family, how he’s growing into his own, how Lil is so determined to save her siblings and how she’s finding her own worth and strength. In my review of The Root, I talked about how wonderfully diverse the cast is. That continues to be true here, and I think it covers some different aspects of diversity, since Lil is now disabled after the end of The Root. And she’s as badass as ever, if not more so.
While I would have appreciated a tighter narrative focus, The Tree continues to bring me everything I loved about The Root. In addition, I finally get to see Erik and Lil’s sections intertwine! It’s a beautifully inventive series, and I plan on following it to the end.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review.