I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinion
Genre: Sci-Fi Age Range: YA Star Rating: 3 stars Series: yes - book 2 of duology TW: sexual assault, child abuse, substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide
*SPOILER ALERT: contains SPOILERS for THE FEVER KING*
Blurb:
Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia.
Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia.
Now that Noam remembers the full extent of Lehrer’s crimes, he’s determined to use his influence with Lehrer to bring him down for good. If Lehrer realizes Noam has evaded his control—and that Noam is plotting against him—Noam’s dead. So he must keep playing the role of Lehrer’s protégé until he can steal enough vaccine to stop the virus.
Meanwhile Dara Shirazi returns to Carolinia, his magic stripped by the same vaccine that saved his life. But Dara’s attempts to ally himself with Noam prove that their methods for defeating Lehrer are violently misaligned. Dara fears Noam has only gotten himself more deeply entangled in Lehrer’s web. Sooner or later, playing double agent might cost Noam his life.
Blurb taken from Goodreads. Add to your shelves here.
Review:
I read this book while sick, so I’d advise taking what I say with a dose of salt because I wasn’t the most lucid.
In fact, I spent the first 50% confused, unable to remember what had happened in the previous book. It was hard to get my bearings, particularly as I was pretty sure Lehrer was the villain (he is) and Noam was sleeping with him. Also, Lehrer is (stated very clearly in the book) 124 years old, and Dara’s adoptive father – aka the boy Noam fell in love with and dated in the first book.
I probably wouldn’t have been so confused if there had been a “previously” introduction. Usually, I re-read series before new installments, but didn’t have a chance this time and almost DNF’ed because I had no clue what was happening and the relationship felt so wrong.
However, once I got my bearings and far enough into the story for everything to be recapped, it was much better. And the relationship was shown to be controlling, abusive and started under Lehrer’s mind-control powers.
It’s a really sensitive, in-depth exploration of abusive relationships, and the incredibly complicated emotions that arise out of that. It tackled why you might stay and the things you tell yourself to rationalise what’s happening as well coping mechanisms. It was also very clearly portrayed as a bad relationship – this being the first thing I straightened out.
It was brilliantly done, with the sort of depth and clarity you’d expect from a book solely focused on the topic. However, there’s also action and an uncertainty of who can be trusted alongside the chemistry between Noam and Dara.
Overall, a great evaluation of abusive relationships, though I recommend reading it very soon after the previous book so you don’t get confused.
Read my reviews of other books by Victoria Lee:
Feverwake (this series):
- THE FEVER KING (#1)
Standalones:
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 