Poison Sleep

Poison Sleep (2008) T.A. Pratt

Nathan raved about the first Marla Mason book, Blood Engines. I thought the book was good, but nothing really drew me into the story. But Michael liked Blood Engines so I bought the second book, and decided to read it while I was on vacation.

Marla is called out to an emergency at the Blackwing Institute–a home/prison for insane sorcerers. One of the worst inmates there has attempted to escape, but by the time Marla arrives the threat has been contained, and the only concern is that Genevieve, a possible reweaver, has escaped from Blackwing. Genevieve, an empath and possibly a reweaver–was brutally attacked and has spent decades comatose. However something has awakened her, and no one is sure what she’ll do now she’s awake.

Additionally, she hires a new–and dangerous in a completely unexpected way–member of the team, and picks up a personal assistant.

I have to say that I enjoyed Poison Sleep much more than Blood Engines. I think the difference was that Marla was in here element here–Freeport is her home, and her actions made sense in light of the fact that she was protecting the city she was sworn to guard. She makes hard choices here, but instead of seeming sociopathic, those decisions make sense in light of her duty to guard the city.

I also liked the Marla was able to make those hard choices–and that she was willing to admit when she was wrong. It definitely added a complexity to her character that I don’t remember from the first book.

One thing bugged me however.

SPOILER
(rot 13)
V fgvyy qba’g haqrefgnaq jul Tertbe jbhyq unir uverq gjb nffnffvaf. Lrnu, ur fnj Zneyn nf n guerng, ohg nf unccrarq, gur gjb raqrq hc trggvat va rnpu bguref jnl.
END SPOILER

Other than that, I thought the story was strong, the characters were good, the pacing was nice, and I appreciated the extra complexity. In other words, I definitely preferred Poison Sleep to Blood Engines.
Rating: 7/10

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