A Riveting Sequel

 Review by Ronica Wahi

Junction: Still Ticking (Junction Trilogy Book 2)

By L.A. Evans

First published: March 5, 2021, Lizzie Guttridge.

Kindle Edition Pages: 405.

ASIN: B08X4GPLPR

The plot of this trilogy is unbelievable and outlandish, but there can be no doubt that this plot is also quite creative and unique, and that L.A. Evans is a gifted writer. Read detailed review on Junction: Time’s Ticking – Book 1 of this trilogy here.

Book 2 tells the tale from the point of view of Zoe Young, and of course, takes the narrative forward too. To the credit of Evans, when the same incidents are related, it doesn’t seem like the reader knows just about everything already; there is much to learn about the whole affair. Certain instances are understood better as additional dimensions are revealed, as light is shed on some of the things that weren’t clear in their entirety or weren’t appreciated in the correct spirit in Book 1.

The thriller runs at a good pace, with many twists and turns heightening the tension and the excitement. In fact, the interest is piqued right from the “Prologue” itself. The writing style, as in Book 1, is lucid and smooth flowing. This Book 2 is overall crisper than its predecessor, which had a few instances of repetition.

The role of destiny – as expected, of course – continues to be a significant one in this sequel. There is certainly a limit to how much control an individual can exercise over his/her life. For a control freak that Zoe is, her loss of control over her life leads to more than the tragedy that the reader already knows of.

Through the eyes of Aisha, Zoe had appeared to be mean and selfish, which she is. But while the reader dislikes her, he/she also feels sorry for Zoe as the story progresses. In no way can her wrong actions be justified or made justifiable, but she is the way she is because her relationships, circumstances, and experiences have made her so. She had no right to be mean or uncaring towards people around her – her betrayal of her husband and her sister being among the inexcusable things she does – but just knowing what she’s been through makes the reader less enraged towards her.

Zoe has also endured many wrongs done to her and struggled against her insecurities. In fact, through Book 2, Zoe emerges as the bigger loser and the greater sufferer, with a more terrifying destiny. But the difficult and sad journey also includes the side road of growth and evolvement as an individual for her.

It is truly when one sees life from the perspective of and the shared experience with another that one can understand the pain of that other. This holds for the reader as he/she learns Zoe’s story and for Zoe as she learns to be more empathetic towards others as she undergoes various trials. Zoe even tries to come to the aid of people whom she might never have helped before her life turned topsy-turvy.

The old lady, with her glasses perched on her nose and her advices, is an enigma as she continues to deliver cryptic and prophetic messages. She appears at key moments and performs an action that turns things around in a shocking manner. And after this shocker, she delivers yet another message that makes the reader all the more curious about what is to unfold.

Book 2 ends at a point that indicates that there are more unexpected turns yet pending in the lives of Zoe and Aisha before a resolution can be reached. Again, this sequel, like Book 1, leaves the reader restless, even more perhaps as this one is darker and disturbing to a greater degree.

The reader is likely, after reading the first two books, to eagerly await Book 3, and to desire to know how the tale ends and know more about the role of the enigmatic old lady in the scheme of things.

Worth reading, for sure!

 

Review on "Junction: Time's Up" (Junction Trilogy Book 3)


Amazon India link for Junction: Time’s Ticking (Junction Trilogy Book 1) (Kindle): https://amzn.to/2XrfQvv

Amazon India link for Junction: Still Ticking (Junction Trilogy Book 2) (Kindle): https://amzn.to/3zjqZes

Amazon India link for Junction: Time’s Up (Junction Trilogy Book 3) (Kindle): https://amzn.to/3FH0xQ6

 


DISCLAIMER: Ronica Wahi is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. If you make a purchase through any of the Amazon links provided by Ronica here, she may receive a small commission, without any extra cost to you.

 

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