Decision Maker by Vanna Smythe (a review)

Anniversary of the Veil book 2

Early in 2012 I read Protector (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 1) and found it to be a brilliant fantasy debut. I had high hopes for this, the second book in the series.....and I was not disappointed.

I usually find that trilogies (as I guess this will turn out to be) consist of a strong first book which sets everything up and gives you all the world-building and information you need, an equally strong third book which brings all the pay offs, climaxes and loose end tie-ups, and a second book. This second book usually consists of a lot of movement and general faffing around to get everything in place for book 3. Book 2's can sometimes be hard work and a bit of a drudge.

This is not the case with Decision Maker, not by a long way.

The story continues to tell of Issa, the Beacon, who is needed for a ceremony that will reinforce the Veil separaing the two worlds, and Kae, her protector, who knows what will happen and does not want her to take part.

With this book there is also a fairly wide cast of side characters, some good, some bad but nearly all a shade of grey between the two poles. People do things for reasons they think are right and, for me, this makes the story even better.

At the heart of all this though is a love story and this is the strongest thread. When all things play out at the end of the book a tear may well be shed, but fear not, all is nicely set up for the third book and I have every faith that the author will make it another wonderful read.

Protector was my choice for best fantasy book of 2012. We are only 10 days into 2013 but I already feel that anybody wanting to beat Decision Maker to the 2013 title is really going to have to pull out all the stops.