Scarlet & Sunder, yeah, somewhat enigmatic. It’s always a question with longer books – will it keep its momentum throughout? And I admit, at times, I felt like the story had maybe exhausted itself, it was going to flatline… but then, bam! some seriously brilliant scenes, clever dialogue, sharp wit! So, aside from the pacing issue, overall, I enjoyed this book. I can’t help but think that this book could not have worked any other way – there is a cool concept from start to finish with the Vanguardians in mind, some innovative ideas put to good use, and plenty of world building and background story politically and individually that keep any reader engaged! 

It did take considerable time for me to warm to the main character Sunder aka Maia Sunderland. I think she clicked for me when she finally allowed herself a moment of true weakness. And yet, weaknesses she has a list as long as my arm. She has considerable guilt on her shoulders, she has a drinking problem, she is (simply put) exhausted, and she’s not at all in a good condition physically. But she prevails. She has no choice. 

Enter Ren. Yes, she’s a very well written teenager with grand goals and a vision but as annoying as one can expect because it’s always the teenagers who know best. A character to surely evoke emotion, even if not entirely of the loving kind. Ren’s character arc falls neatly into the coming-of-age bracket, and I think it’s quite interesting to see her coming to her conclusions in her own time. Ren provided many conflicts to nudge the story along. 

Peppered with brilliant twists and bits of dialogue that made this book well worth a read, I couldn’t help but wonder if the author held back slightly? Would he go full whack if he was to write a gritty novel with a male main character as opposed to respectfully tread in the female character’s POV? I do wonder. But one for sure, the few bits of grit, as much as appropriate for our cast in Scarlet & Sunder, tell me that I would totally read more from this author.