After the events of A RIDDLE IN RUBY, Ruby Teach is now in the custody of the man she was running from. He’s placed her in a strange group with young men and women training to become soldiers. While Ruby struggles alone, her father, Athena, and friends are doing their best to find and rescue her, but they face hang-ups of their own. Along the way, both groups find clues to a mystery bigger than they ever expected.
What I Loved:
Once again, Kent Davis amazes with the incredible world building of an alternate colonial Philadelphia. Ruby discovers more about her special skills, and her father and friends are trying to unravel the secrets of a coded journal. This world is a guaranteed delight for young readers who love science and history.
Ruby’s characterization shines. Where she was easily bold and brave before, she now faces tougher challenges and is introduced to her own dark side in unexpected ways. She begins to confront her own definitions of good and bad actions, setting up beautiful potential for the next installment.
What Left Me Wanting More:
While the first book was a continuous stream of fast paced action, THE CHANGER’S KEY takes a slower approach. While this allows for top notch character development for Ruby, the pacing ultimately suffers for it, and portions of the story tend to drag.
As is the case in many sequels, the main characters are separated for the majority of the story, and readers who enjoyed Ruby’s banter with Athena and the overall comradery with her friends won’t find a similar dynamic in this follow up. However, there are several interesting new characters, including one major figure that I hope to see more of in the final book.
Final Verdict:
While THE CHANGER’S KEY is a bit lackluster compared to the first book, the series continues to be complex, engaging, and adventurous. Fans of the series will want the conclusion to Ruby Teach’s story as soon as possible after the breathtaking final scene ends in THE CHANGER’S KEY.