Synopsis:

They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic. Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead. And he died by David's hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple. Instead, it only made David realize he has questions. Big ones. And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight. And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

Steelheart (Reckoners #1) Review

*Spoilers for Book One*

Brandon Sanderson continues to blow everyone away in his second Reckoners book. This one is just as good as Steelheart, and somehow leaves us with more questions than we had going in.

I’ve said this in a review somewhere before, but Sanderson writes very cinematically. It’s really like you’re watching a movie when you read his books. They’re descriptive, but in a very active way. He doesn’t just describe the surroundings, he describes the surroundings as the character interacts with them. It’s hard to explain, but everything is fast paced, active, and there’s never a dull moment in his writing.

David Charleston is an interesting main character. The majority of YA books have female main characters, so its refreshing to have a book with a guy as the lead. After killing Steelheart, David and Prof and Tia leave Newcago behind when they discover that an Epic (known as Regalia) in what was once Manhattan is sending other Epics to attack them. They travel to Babylon Restored or Babilar (the new name for Manhattan) to try to stop the her. Babilar has been submerged under water, at least, most of it. Instead of streets there are canals. Bridges pass from building to building, connecting the roofs in a new kind of highway. Inside the buildings, plants grow, covering everything and yielding mysteriously glowing fruit. The buildings glow as well, but not from the bright billboards NYC is known for; spray paint has taken on a luminescence that no one can explain.

Prof says they’re there to take out Regalia, and Firefight, who is rumored to be in Babilar. The only problem is, David is in love with Firefight (Megan), and is convinced that she can be saved from the dark madness that plagues Epics.

HOT DANG this book is so good. It’s full of action, has lots of super interesting sci-fi elements (getting to see so many epics and their powers if fascinating) and of course, a nice dose of romance. I loved Megan and David’s relationship. She is pretty resistant, but obviously cares about him as well, and seeing them work together was awesome. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the third book.

Sanderson is also the king of the OH SNAP EVERYTHING JUST WENT TO HELL ending. That doesn’t necessarily mean a cliffhanger, but the last fourth of his books are always this insane avalanche of action and major reveals. And he delivers in Firefight. The action leading into the third book is bittersweet, but it also paves the way for a major upheaval in both emotional and physical safety for our main characters.

If you like sci-fi books, or reading at all, you should get your hands on this series. It’s fantastic.