Book Review: "Reunion" by Kara Dalkey

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Corwin is a young man who is in hiding. After his master got caught stealing from the king, he was sentenced to death. Corwin managed to escape. But after he finds a giant squidlike creature dead on the beach, and snatches up a unique shell, suddenly he starts hearing voices. Nia shows up, and tells him about the farworlders. He learns they are linked together, and if one dies, they all do.

NEW CHARACTERS

Corwin is an orphan who has grown up with Fenwyck, an old man who was a con artist and entertainer. Corwin hasn't learned much except for how to steal and perform some tricks.

King Vortigern is king of Britannia, where Corwin lives. He is ruthless and paranoid, believing Corwin and Nia to be a threat to his kingdom.

The Baby farworlder is bonded with both Nia and Corwin, and can communicate telepathically with both of them. He is quite young and scared, depending on his new friends to save him. But he has some powers of his own.

PACING

The pacing is a little slower then the last book. I kept waiting around, waiting for Nia to show up. And I felt the scene where we first meet Corwin was a bit long. But then, it could just be I was assuming this was an introduction, and then we would switch to Nia's perspective. That may be why I was restless while reading. After that, the pacing picks up.

THEME

Since the story is about Corwin, I would have to say the theme was finding one's place. Without his guardian, Corwin has no direction. He has no family and no real skills. And although at first he doesn't desire to help Nia, eventually he realizes that he cares for her and want's a future. Also, he desires to learn of his parentage.

VILLAINS

The king and his sons are stereotypical power-hungry jerks. But it doesn't ruin the story, because Ma'el and his farworlder Joab are much more menacing. Both prove to be worthy opponents. Although their transformation did remind me of a “Transformers” character.

WHAT ABOUT NIA?

The entire book is told from Corwin's perspective. Nia doesn't show up until chapter four. I expected the story to simply switch back and forth between the two of them. I think it would have served to story much better if it had.

There are so many things I was looking forward to seeing: Nia's reaction to an entire world of a dry room, her impressions of the culture versus her own, ect. I especially wanted to see her thoughts on seeing Cephan again. Were there signs that he wasn't who she thought he was? We'll never know, because we view all of this through Corwin's view, and Nia tells him next to nothing, until the end of the book.

It could have added so much depth to her character and the story if we had seen some things from her perspective. Instead, the most we get, is her muttering “Land dwellers,” in annoyance.

NIA & CORWYN

I think the romance between Nia and Corwin is one of the most charming aspects of the book. It adds some whimsy and a light-hearted air to an otherwise serious story. Corwin is much more charming than Cephan was, also we learn more about him. If Cephan had perhaps had a backstory, the reader might have had the desire to sympathize with him.

THE CLIMAX

Corwin plays a huge part in the climax, so I understood why it was told from his perspective. But when something huge happens: Nia taking a life for the first time, the curtain is drawn. We just wake up as Corwin, and think, that must have been hard for her. Really? Maybe we should have seen how hard it was. Maybe we should have witnessed it.

Was there any indecision? How did she feel afterwards? Did she feel guilty? Again, we'll never know. Because we only know what Nia says to Corwin and she says next to nothing. It was such a disappointment. It would have been a chance to dive into her character.

CONCLUSION

Dalkey's sequel is well paced, and Nia's relationship with Corwin is sweet and charming. And Corwin is a likable character. But Nia's lacks depth and growth, as her feelings are basically a mystery throughout the entire book. I give “Reunion” three stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? If so, do you agree or disagree with me? Please let me know!