A war that’s only just getting started.Enemies and allies with hidden motives.A complicated game where the stakes are higher than ever Ellana now has control of the Ruby Fortress and the power that comes with it. But two forces want her to take back the Quartz Tower. The real question is why?With both witches pushing her to claim her right, Ellana is forced to go to the one place she’d rather … go to the one place she’d rather avoid.
Meeting more people of Oz along the way, Ella is forced to divulge her motives. And while her new friends appear to trust her, can she trust them, or are they working with her enemies to take her down?
Contains strong language and adult themes.
In this series:
The Ruby Fortress
The Quartz Tower
The Prism City
more
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
I so love this series!! This one just makes it even better in my opinion. We catch back up with Lilly as she is surprised with a work trip that will make it necessary to board sweet little Aggi. A new doggy daycare/spa has come to the area becoming all the rage in a short amount time. After hearing about it a lot and talking to the owners at a dog show she decides to place Aggi there. A perk is it comes with a live webcam feed that let’s you check on your pet when you want to but when Lilly looks it goes a little wonky flitting through feeds until she essentially watches a murder happen. Well of course she call her law enforcement boyfriend to check it out but absolutely nothing is found anywhere. This leads to an interesting investigation into what seems like nothing until other things start popping up as well. Full of fascinating details that will keep you guessing about what is going on all mixed up with some of the most fun dogs ever throughout the whole book. The balance of all the parts is just superb making for a fantastic read that is perfect for cozy animal lovers. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.
Somewhere over the rainbow … is Carrie Whitethorne’s The Quartz Tower (Kingdoms of Oz, Book 2), full of action, adventure, complex themes, intrigue and fun. This ain’t your grandma’s Oz, even if your grandma was Dot, err, Dorothy (you know who I’m talking about) and you’re like Ella and need to fix what she messed up. The source of Kingdoms of Oz may be clear but this is so very different, and so very much fun even for a lifelong Baum fan like me. You really should read the fabulous first book in this series, The Ruby Fortress (separately reviewed), before this one to get maximum enjoyment – and beware that things are left hanging in The Quartz Tower enough that you’ll be panting for book 3, The Prism City, but this book (which you can kinda sorta read stand-alone if you insist) is worth it as it’s joyously, thrillingly fantastic. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to The Prism City.
Book 2 in the wonderful series Kingdoms of Oz, The Quartz Tower picks up where book 1 leaves off where Elle is trying to unearth the truth & put right the ‘world’ with the aid of Fallon & (maybe) Sayer. Elle & Fallon meets new characters, we finally find out the truth behind why Fallon doesn’t talk, & much more. This leaves off on a bit of a cliffy, so book 3 The Prism City is much needed.
My Take:
Whoa! Things got interesting and now I’m questioning so much! Is Sayer really a good guy? Is Tatiana really so wishy-washy when it comes to her sister, Glinda? Will Fallon ever be able to say anything out loud? Is Nox really as awesome as he seems?
So let’s start with Nox. He’s a new character in the series, but after an initial leeriness of Ella, he seems to be all in to help her regain her Quartz Tower. Even going so far as to prove whether Sayer is really a good guy, or as Nox believes, pure evil behind a handsome face used to get Ella to oz. Nox is a lion shifter, so drawing some parallels with the original Oz, but there is nothing cowardly about this lion!
Sayer. Oh Sayer, for my sanity’s sake, i hope you prove to be a good guy or I will be so disappointed! Nox has flat out stated that Sayer was Glinda’s henchman and doing her dirty work (including killing people) and he doesn’t trust Sayer for nothing. But Ella believes that was all an act to try to save as many people as Sayer could lest Glinda went postal on the whole of Oz. At the end of book 2, Nox and Ella are off to prove once and for all if Sayer is a good guy. Hello cliff hanger!!
We learn quite a bit more about Tatiana, the witch of the north, in this book. We learn that overall she seems to be a strong woman, but she just can’t wipe out Glinda because they are sisters. I get that. I have a sibling and I would probably have a problem if it were left to me to destroy him so that the world could right itself. Tati and Nox both also gives us the narrative of what actually happened in Oz after Dorothy left, so we can see just how it all fell apart and what happened with the Wizard. It’s also implied that Tati and her steward, Bree (who is also Sayer’s sister) may have a romantic relationship, which IMO is awesome!
Now Fallon, my strong and silent Fallon. How I adore thee! From your introduction you have been a rock for Ella. you remind me so much of my own guy that I can’t help but love you. The fact that Glonda is such a witch (haha see what I did there?) and took your voice about kills me. I truly hope that by the end of this series you are able to voice your love for Ella to her!
And last but not least, Ella. What an amazing woman! She’s taking on a world she has no idea how to fix and is winging her plan (very similar to how I live my own life, if I’m honest) I love that she is not allowing the power she is gaining to go to her head. She is determined to hurt as few people as possible while she takes on this whole mess. I really can’t wait to see what Carrie has in store for Ella. I know it’s gonna be an awesome conclusion and can’t wait for book 3!