I’m a huge fan of the Hart and Mercy series and The Undermining of Twyla and Frank was, in my opinion, the perfect second book. With new protagonists, new problems, and new world building, we get to see another side of everything that made the first book so great. Twyla is a different type of romance protagonist who, in a later stage of life, has different wants and needs from a potential partner. The nonsense of youth is long gone and it makes the story all the more richer and interesting. Needless to say I can’t wait to read the final book.

The Best Bits

A Few of My Favorite Things

Twyla and Frank’s Love Story

The best part of this book was the love story between two older people who have already been married, had kids, and are looking for a second act in their lives. Both of them can support themselves, they have their own houses and families, and they’ve been friends for years. Age simplifies their story into a search for love and companionship, without the strings that tie YA and early adult love stories to financial struggles and making it in the world. Twyla is such a complex character, trying to overcome the disappointments of her adult life and to find what she really wants from a partner. Frank has been burned before and just wants somebody to love. They’re honestly perfect for each other and it’s an entirely different kind of love story from the first book in a great way.

The Dragons

I’m obsessed with the choices made on the dragons. The first book revealed a somewhat gritty world with freaky ghosts, villains, and a pretty scary alternate plane that threatens their world. I expected terrifyingly enormous dragons, ancient beings left behind by the old gods to terrorize the world. What we got were pastel glitter-covered dragons who make cute noises, and attack with an explosion of glitter goo. It was a shock in that world and that made it exciting. The baby dragon was perfection, especially when paired with gruff Frank.

Ties Back to the First Book

I love when an author masterfully pulls in elements of prior books without taking away from the story of the current. We get to see Hart and Mercy’s wedding complete with tear-inducing vows and a reception where Hart dances like a party animal. We get to see Duckers struggle to embrace the adultness of a long-term relationship when he just wants to be a silly teen forever. I loved how big of a character Duckers was and could not be more excited to see that he’s a big part of book three as well.

Building on the Worldbuilding

There was already extensive world building, so I didn’t expect there was much to add. Somehow we got to learn so much more about the world, going deeper into cultural elements that don’t necessarily make sense for a first book. We learn more about the religion and gods that tie everything together. We get to hear songs – both popular and folk – sung by Frank and Twyla. We get a better understanding of Tanria and the complexity of its past and possibilities. It’s all brought out within a well constructed story, making the world come to life.