Title: Of Vipers and Saints

Author: Poindexter

Genre: Political/Court Intrigue Fantasy

Quick Summary: Keeping Up With the Harvers 2: Electric Bugaloo

Thoughts:

Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely adore June's work. He could write some weird love story between two paint cans and I would still probably enjoy myself.

Of Vipers and Saints is not about two paint cans in love. Nor is it about two people whose personalities are on par with paint cans. And true, while Argus and Leo's marriage are a good chunk of this novel, it's not just about that.

This is one of those sequels that takes everything you love about the first book and makes it even better. All of our old favorites have been developed (Mel is my favorite trans egg) and new, rather unique people have been presented. All of them have their good and bad qualities to them. And for some, my opinions have changed. I don't hate whore-Gus as much anymore - shocking, I know. Everyone has their story and June tells them without bogging down the narrative.

Although, June, and I mean this kindly, if you fucking hurt Hartanti, I'm going to find out where you live.

And honestly, this is one of the best portrayals of an unhealthy relationship that I've ever seen. Argus and Leo come from two very different worlds that clash more than they blend together. It makes our hearts hurt whenever they fight and fall back together. Towards the end, there's an especially touching scene that made me see both characters a little differently.

I think if there are any shortcomings to this novel, it's that it is one wordy novel. This is not something you can read, drop for a couple of weeks, and then come back to. At least, I couldn't. I had to stop and restart this book on three separate occasions - not by any fault of June's. But this is a very big book with lots of details to remember. It's not so overwhelming that you have to take notes just to understand it, but you really do need to be paying attention.

I think the other, related-ish short-coming is the ending. This book presented us with quite a few new plot threads, as well as expanding on and closing some older ones for us. But not a lot of the new ones get resolved by the end. Of course, this series has two entire books left after this, so we need content to focus on, but even still after finishing the last chapter, I found myself asking, "Wait, that's it?" For a novel packed so full of intrigue and gut punches, while the end is its own gut-punch, it doesn't land as hard as the rest. It feels like something is missing. And loathe as I am to say "make this book even longer" I mean.... I don't know. Perhaps this was just me.

As with, Of Rust and Gold, Of Vipers and Saints presents readers with a thrilling, multifaceted ride that is every bit as enjoyable as its prequel was. Another highly-recommended read.

Also, congrats on becoming a Star. A well-deserved achievement for someone who writes so well.