About “The City What Rules the World” by Quinn Buckland:
Book 2 in The Empires of a Hollow World
Genre: Science Fiction; Dystopian; LGBTQ+
Driven by vengeance and pursued by a wounded officer, Smoke Callahan makes his way to Red City to kill everyone associated with The Engine What Runs the World, starting with the Ares Corporation. All the while, assassins work to rouse the population into a revolution in an attempt to overthrow a despotic leader. Finding himself as the protector of an ex-assassin, Smoke has to make hard decisions; starting with questioning his motives for avenging Glass.
I have also reviewed these other titles by Quinn Buckland:
Fallen Gods
The Engine What Runs The World (The Empires of a Hollow World book 1)
The 1099th
Supernatural Pizza
Dead Man Walking
Coming back after a long hiatus from reading and finding the highly anticipated sequel to “The Engine What Runs the World” was exactly the motivation I needed to get back on track with book reviewing. Quinn Buckland is easily a top favorite author and “The City What Rules the World” definitely lived up to expectations.
Smoke is back and he’s out for blood.
To avenge his friend after her insanely brutal killing, he has set out to slaughter all associated with the secret machine controlling the “behind the curtain” complexities of their societies. This means leaving the Underground for Red City, a flourishing place (in comparison to his home) full of bland attire, food aplenty, and strange vehicles that can carry people for many miles in mere minutes! Audaciously, from Smoke’s view, its citizens believe they are in rough times.
Realizing that the culture is too bizarre and the city too big for him to efficiently navigate and achieve his goal, Smoke employs the help of a female assassin currently on the run from the vicious claws of her former employer. This man so happening to be on Smoke’s blacklist. Funny how things work out. Joining them on their adventure is the ghost of a “friend” who begins by being against Smoke, then is suddenly helpful-yet-vague after the two walk through a well known magical hot spot.
Something I love about the author’s writing is he always manages to spin unique elements into his stories that keep things fresh and keeps you reading. The small magical elements present in the first book are explored further in this installment and in a way I did not honestly expect. Furthermore, I absolutely adored the way Smoke’s magic and that of the ghost haunting him are woven into fights and other tense parts.
Speaking of tense…
There is a particularly vital point in the plot that had me so on edge. And I mean that in the best of ways! Having to work around strange culture, hidden societies, corrupt corporations, traitorous acquaintances, and outright sadists in order to carry out his planned executions, Smoke finds himself forced to play the part his enemies expect of him. This leads to carefully crafted scenes in which both protagonist and antagonist display just how clever they are, but only after letting the reader stew for a moment about what is really going on.
Assumptions about The Engine’s involvement in certain aspects of the world such as the wealthy Ares Corporation who dictate much of Red City’s affairs are tested. Smoke’s morale butt heads with that of the other magically powered beings seeking his communion. And all this leads our hero to question his convictions the the critical role he is told to have in the universe. Will he carry on to uncover the full truths just out of reach or call it quits once he has fulfilled his mission for vengeance?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Quinn Buckland is a wonderfully skilled writer. Not once has his books disappointed and I have read them all! “The City What Rules the World” overall is fast paced and intrigue filled with the perfect amount of mystery, tragedy, romance, action, and wit. So check it out:
Buy the ebook here (FREE with Kindle Unlimited).
Quinn Buckland can be found on:
Twitter @QuinnWBuckland
Facebook @QWBuckland
Instagram @quinn_w_buckland
YouTube
Amazon
Goodreads
Author Website
((Review submitted to Amazon and Goodreads))
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~Sahreth ‘Baphy’ Bowden
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