Review Detail

Ronan Truelove and gang return in this sequel to The Blood Guard. This time, they are instructed to take a test, called the Glass Gauntlet, at a mysterious school. Once arriving at the school, they discover all is not what it seems, and there is danger around every corner.

What I Loved:

Just like the first book, this sequel, The Glass Gauntlet, brims with edge-of-your-seat action. The school that Greta, Ronan, Sammy, and Dawkins visit is an excellent level of creepy, and the new characters, such as Blue, are intense, competitive, and make for added adventure. The characters truly feel their age, and their desire to prove their selves is clear.

The dialogue is full of humorous quips, Dawkins's lines being some of my personal favorites. The plot takes several new twists, and readers might find themselves shocked on more than one occasion. The glimpse into Dawkins's past is especially well done, and I loved learning more about him.

What Left Me Wanting More:

Just as I felt for the first book, The Glass Gauntlet seems to give way to far more action than character growth. I appreciate the journey that Ronan is on, but his character seems to grow small inches when he could be growing much more. He continues to feel very protective over Greta, but his feelings seem to become stronger without development. Even so, the high level of action is sure to intrigue many readers and create series-long fans.

Final Verdict:

While I'm not sure this series is the best pick for me anymore, I would still highly recommend for middle-grade reluctant readers. Ronan faces daring adventures, wicked plots, and complicated family dynamics that will leave readers turning the pages as quickly as possible.