“You and Me.”
Everyone’s favourite motley crew of loveable rogues is back and better than ever in The Trial of Rooker Flynn. The stakes are higher, the situations even more dire, and this time, we’re adding some gladiator gruesomeness into the mix! Middle book syndrome? Pretty sure that’s not a term that exists in Keymark, just ask Rooker.
The Trial of Rooker Flynn picks up mere seconds after the brutal cliffhanger that Witham left us (quite literally) dangling on at the end of The Crimes of Rooker Flynn, and we dive headfirst back into the exquisite emotional turmoil. On the one hand, this is a sequel of consequences, trauma, and retribution, yet on the other hand, it’s a sequel of hope, defiance, redemption, and healing; in other words, get ready to cry some tears of both deep heartache and sheer hysterical joy.
Even though I generally prefer the more slow-burn types of narratives, Witham has somehow managed to keep me fully engaged in all the unrelenting and exhilarating action by balancing and interweaving it with such profound character-/interpersonal relationship development. It’s not just Rooker’s tumultuous journey of personal growth throughout all these trials and tribulations that had me glued to the page, but I also loved seeing all the most loveable (PATCH!) and hateable side characters really get their time to shine. And yes, that includes the monstrously Machiavellian villain Gerba Whipmarples, and yes, I still loathe her just as much, if not more, after getting a glimpse into her backstory and motivations.
In some ways, this sequel is a bit less bleak and depressing than its predecessor, yet in other ways it’s also much more dark and disturbing, and I just absolutely loved the entire emotional rollercoaster. The way that Witham plays with perspective to give/withhold just the right amount of information at exactly the right times builds a level of tension and suspense that is just deliciously dreadful, which is exactly what makes The Trial of Rooker Flynn such an effortlessly bingeable and dangerously addictive read.
And if you thought the cliffhanger at the end of book 1 was devastating, then you better mentally prepare for the brutal gut punch that is the end of The Trial of Rooker Flynn. It almost seems impossible to imagine how these characters are going to dig themselves out of the deadly mess that they have found themselves in, but if anyone can do it, it’s these surprisingly clever rebellious rascals.
Now, just a little secret between you and me, I had the honour of Alpha reading this entire trilogy in its rough first stages, and I can promise you that the finale will answer questions you didn’t even know you had and leave you more satisfied than you even knew was possible. So if you like the sound of an action-packed yet deeply character-driven tale of survival, courage, brotherhood, and lots of majik and mayhem, then what are you waiting for? Just go read The Locke Institute trilogy already!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Trial of Rooker Flynn is scheduled for release on 31 January, 2025.
