Review: Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson

Title: Like a River Glorious

Author: Rae Carson

Series: Gold Seer Trilogy #2

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Publication Date: September 27, 2016

Source: Publisher

Like a River Glorious is the sequel to Walk on Earth a Stranger.  So if you have not read the first book, you may not want to continue on reading this review, as it is sure to have some spoilers for the first book.  You can find my review for Walk on Earth a Stranger HERE.

Like a River Glorious more or less picks up right where Walk on Earth a Stranger leaves off.  The group has made it out to California and is in search of a place to stake their claim to start digging up some gold.  It takes them small while, but Lee uses her gold finding gift to help locate an area where all of them can prosper.

And, of course, Lee's uncle is still after her.  So she has to constantly look over her shoulder and wonder and worry.  And then there is her gift that she has to continue to try to keep a secret from the world filled with gold.

Oh man.  While I liked Walk on Earth a Stranger, I LOVED Like a River Glorious.  The pacing is just absolutely fantastic.  So much happens in this book, more so than in the first.  It is absolutely great (though definitely sad at times).

And just like the first one, Like a River Glorious really gives you the feel of the time period.  Darker and deeper than the first.  I personally never really thought about THAT side of the California Gold Rush, but Rae Carson brought it to my attention and for that I am thankful.  It was definitely dark and ugly, and she does nothing to try to hide that from us readers.  She, instead, illuminates it and lets us see it for what it was.

The character development through the story is excellent, especially for Lee.  She continues on the same path of growth that was started in the first book and continues on it through the end.  This is something I hope to see continued into the third and final book of the series.

Like a River Glorious definitely does not suffer from the dreaded second book syndrome.  It surpasses the first book and now I cannot wait until I am able to finally read the third book.  Sadly, I am going to have to wait quite awhile for it, but if it is anything like this one it will be worth the wait.

My Rating 

5 Stars

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This review is based on an ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.