DARK & DAY 2

Grey’s sequel to the YA fantasy Dark & Day (2013) finds heroic Jonothon “Jono” Wyer on the trail of a terrorist group.

Nearly two years ago, the world’s Dark End (a region ruled by futuristic technology) went to war with the Day End (ruled by magic), and a boy named Jason Wheat has since risen to fame as the person who stopped the catastrophe. Thirteen-year-old Jono, however, knows that Jason is only providing a cover story for Jono’s heroism; while Jason is a celebrity, Jono leads a quiet life at Windom Academy. However, during a field trip to the Starview “historeum,” a disastrous explosion injures Jono’s friend Keiko—proving that he isn’t so safe after all. Jono soon learns that Eljin Tombs, the leader of a terrorist group that wants Dark and Day to go to war, has escaped prison. This jeopardizes plans for a World’s Faire, where the two ends of the world can celebrate both cultures. Thankfully, Jono is no longer a frail boy with a heart condition—he’s a capable spy, outfitted with mechanical upgrades and loyal friends. But before thwarting Tombs, he must get past the academy’s resident bully and scaremonger, Nicklus Knox. Author Grey starts the second chapter of his epic fantasy series eerily, and with a bang, and he’s quick to remind readers that the peace between Dark and Day is tenuous. In the Day End, for example, a poster asks “Are you INFECTED with a machine? Mechs can be smaller than pixie dust! Get checked regularly!” Grey’s world can be quite beautiful as well, especially Eies, the Dark End capital, with its “thick layer of greenhouse clouds...[making] the massive buildings look like islands in a glowing white sea.” Like the previous volume, this one has buoyant illustrations by Andrew Hou, Tyler Edlin and Robert Kim. Its sturdy, satisfying morals have returned as well, as when Commander Grail says, “There are times when people need to believe in untouchable things.” In the end, Grey leaves his characters older, wiser and ready for the next challenge.

A fine second installment that further embellishes a dazzling world.