Too often, second books in trilogies suffer from what authors call the "soggy middle" (also a reference to writing the middle part of just one novel, where you have to tie all the things together and keep the momentum up and aimed at your conclusion).

This part 2 is a Very Good book 2 of 3, and that's from someone who's usually iffy on time travel stories. On to #3! ( )

This is on okay series that just isn't for me (I'll finish it, though, I'm sure). I don't relate to any of the characters (most of them are annoying and paper thin), I really really don't care for the "romance" threads, and I've been really disappointed with the bully villains that aren't really driven by any real motivation, other than to be vile. And while time travel and the multiverse are interesting concepts to discuss, they are really difficult to make work seamlessly. And on top of everything else, I could care less about the D&D games. Reading snippets of imaginary D&D games are as interesting to me as listening someone commenting on a scintillating golf tournament.

However, I'll more than likely read book three too, if for no other reason than to find out how this all wraps up. ( )

I thought it was a very fitting sequel with clever plot development. The paradoxes tickled my mind immensely. There is a slight slow burn at first, but I promise you, the finale is so worth it! 4 out of 5 stars! ( )

As usual, Mark Lawrence's prose is superb. Sci-fi is not really my cup of tea; I'm more inclined toward fantasy. Nevertheless, I read the books because it was Lawrence. And I'm glad I did. The whole series is absorbing enough, especially with the whole D&D parallel sub-plot. While One Word Kill and Limited Wish had their own arcs, the last book of the series, Dispel Illusion sought to close the circle of time, as it were. Overall, a good enough trilogy based on time travel, and one that's not too taxing. Now, that's an achievement! ( )

Another Mark Lawrence book finished and I'm sad because I don't have that many more to read before I'll have to wait for his latest book. But I'm also happy because this was a fabulous sequel to One Word Kill.
Nick and his friends are back, bending time, playing D&D, and working out relationships, friendships, and family. Nick has moved on to attending Cambridge at age sixteen, working out the mathematical formulas he'll need for future time travel.
I admit that I don't always understand the physics and math used to explain the time travel aspects of the story, but I've found that if I just substitute the words magic for math and sorcery for physics, I feel I get the concepts pretty well.
"...there are fabulous beasts that swim in the seas of mathematics. Multidimensional behemoths of incredible beauty that even the best of minds struggle to glimpse. The equations we battle with, the proofs that we use to nibble at the edges of such wonders: these are the shadows cast by those we hunt."
I love the plotting and how the story parallels the D&D game. My son and I have discussed the rules for 2nd edition (I think that's what Nick and his friends use) and the differences with today's
rules. He's been intrigued by how well Mr.Lawrence integrates those into the story.
It's another wonderful read, and now, onto Dispel Illusion. ( )