**This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

Title: James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation
Author: Colm McElwain
Series: James Clyde #2
Series Books Reviewed: James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra
Publication: 11/1/2018
Read: June 2019
Format: Digital
Rating: 3 1/2 Caffeinated Stars

Goodreads Summary:

Picking up shortly after the events of the first adventure, James Clyde returns with his best friends Ben and Mary Forester to his grandfather’s house in search of a map that will lead them to the Tomb of Salvation – an ancient shrine, where the three diamonds of Orchestra must be returned with the promise of immortality.

James and his company of adventurers journey through treacherous lands fraught with danger and meet many obstacles along the way – dangerous assassins on board a train, the dastardly Gilbert, also known as the ‘man in black,’ and even an unlikely encounter with a fabled lake monster.

If they reach the Tomb of Salvation, James knows they will then face their greatest threat, for the tomb is said to be home to a terrifying demon – an entity that has shown no mercy to anyone who has ever entered its lair.

The second novel in the James Clyde series will lead you on an action-packed adventure full of mystery, suspense, danger, hope – and, yes, salvation.

My Thoughts:

As many of you know already, I was not a huge fan of the first book in this series. When I posted that review, I received an email from the author asking me if I would consider reading the second book. He felt that James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation was a better portrayal of his writing, and it corrected some of the issues that I saw in his first book (no strong female characters, etc.). I was a little hesitant to read this book, but I was pleasantly surprised.

James Clyde and the Tomb of Salvation brings us back to the land of Orchestra but adds a few more characters into the mix. One thing that I liked is that the female characters started to become more complex. The Queen of Darkling, Abigale, took center stage in this book. She was complex and engaging. I also enjoyed the new characters that showed up.

One thing that still didn’t fit right with me was the conflict resolution. I wanted more conflict when it came into solving issues. Many of the decisions were convenient and simple. I tend to like more complex resolutions. With that said, I am looking at this with adult eyes. I’m sure to a kid this would not be an issue.

This book is a fast-paced fantasy adventure that has a feel similar to the Hobbit, the descriptions are great, the characters improved, and I enjoyed seeing the continuation of the series. This book can be a standalone novel, so I would recommend skipping the first one and enjoying this one instead.

Want to try this series for yourself?  If so, here are the links to buy your very own copy! This book is currently in Kindle Unlimited! Don’t have Kindle Unlimited, click here and sign up!

Amazon*, Goodreads

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