Book Review: Beneath the Crimson Willow

This week I read Beneath the Crimson Willow by Martin Niewood. I was sent the book a while ago and I didn’t realize (or maybe I forgot because it’s been a while since I was sent it) that it is actually the 2nd book in a series. I hadn’t read the first book, The Wilted Flower District, but I was able to follow along still. It definitely would’ve been helpful to read the first book to understand some of the ongoing storyline better, but I was definitely able to understand the main plot points.

The novel follows Violet Noone, a teenage girl with special powers. On this planet, there are mortals and people with powers called preters. Violet and her family are preters. They are on the run from the Marked, a group or organization of people, because of things Violet and her family did in the first book. While in hiding, Violet is approached by a mysterious man named Leonard who wants help to solve his wife’s murder. In return, he will help Violet and her family escape and get away from the Marked so they will stop having to look over their shoulder. However, the investigation opens up more questions and more secrets are uncovered.

I found the book interesting, but like I mentioned earlier I wish I had read the first book! The storyline ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger – it’s definitely not wrapped up – so the series is not finished yet!