glowstars
Written on Oct 22, 2021
Unfortunately, it didn’t come close.
I’m going to have to pause at this point and say that this review will seem cryptic as I’m trying very hard not to give away any spoilers.
It seemed that all those secrets being hidden throughout the first book were just thrown open for all to see. Apart from one hissy fit that Bethani throws, all these revelations are taken as easily as I down a cup of coffee. They could have made for some serious internal debate, arguments and angry sex but instead, they just happen and everything is accepted far too easily. And some of those revelations should not have been easy to take.
The story is stretched over months but it doesn’t flow seamlessly through the days. It’s more like a frog hopping from lilypad to lilypad. There were numerous chapters where I could have put the book down and read something else before coming back to it because it was a mini conclusion in itself, with nothing to urge me to read on. It felt a bit like reading about numerous events with little tying them together.
One huge trigger for Revenge of the Syndicate is miscarriage. While it is written sensitively, I felt that the book glossed over the huge impact it would have on the characters, and their acceptance and healing. Their grieving feels instantaneous and not the long, drawn-out and twisting journey that it can often be. This is where the bouncing timeline doesn’t help as it’s too easy for the story to miss the small details where it could become incredibly emotionally powerful.
To be honest, Revenge of the Syndicate felt like filler between a brilliant first book and, what will hopefully be an awesome third. You're going to want to read it, but it may be better left until you have the third in your hands.
WHY YOU SHOULD READ SAINTS OF THE SYNDICATE
* Bethani is (still) a kick-ass FMC with tons of sass.
* Fabulous new characters join the family
* Killer cliffhanger.