This book is the sequel to The Mapmaker's War but unlike most sequels it takes place 1,000 years in the future from the end of the first book of the trilogy. Our heroine, Secret Riven is born to a social climbing father who feels he belongs to a higher class and lost this prestige through time and a mother with very unique talents who lives in fear of some great unknown. Secret is silent for the first seven years of her life but she is by no means dumb. She also seems to have an affinity for understanding what animals and plants have to say.

This is another book that pulls me out of my reading comfort zone but I so adored The Mapmaker's War and Ms. Domingue's writing that I knew I wanted to continue along with her fantasy tale. She has a way of creating a world and mythology in which you find yourself fully immersed and completely believing in all that is occurring. When a squirrel talks to Secret it doesn't seem odd at all. I fell in love with this little girl and wanted so much for her even when I knew that there was something in her future that might not be good.

The whole book had a sense of foreboding that somehow managed to almost be a character. It would hide in the background or come to the forefront at different points and yet never full reveal what was waiting for Secret. I am now anxiously awaiting the third book in the series so I can find out what the future holds for this young woman. There is magic in this book - dark magic at times, but magic nonetheless. I will note that I did prefer The Mapmaker's War but the story is not over yet. Who knows what is yet to come and the middle of any tale is often the part that leaves us wanting. And I am definitely wanting more of this fantasy world. I rarely enjoy the fantasy genre - I am very, very picky in my reading of these types of books but I find that I love the world that has been created by Ronlyn Domingue. ( )

I can remember reading The Mapmaker's War and falling in love with the book and the author. I thought that Ronlyn brought something new and refreshing that I had not read in a long time. While The Chronicle of Secret Riven is the second book in this trilogy, it is completely different from the first book. So if you have not read The Mapmaker's War then you would be fine reading this book. Although, I have to tell you that you should go back and read the first book. You will be hooked.

In this second book, readers are introduced to Secret Riven. Right from the beginning I liked Secret Riven. She had a quite gift. I almost liked her better when she did not talk. She spoke bigger volumes when she was silent. However as much as I liked Secret Riven. I did not feel like the story really took off until half way. Then it was nothing but smooth sailing from this point until the ending. I can not wait to get my hands on the third book. ( )