In his sequel to 'Faerie Wars', Herbie Brennan offers up plenty of action, thrills, chills, and suspense, but 'The Purple Emperor' sadly does not stand up to the standards set by its prequel.
Pyrgus Malvae is about to be crowned Purple Emperor, and he is dreading every part of his new found power. All to suddenly, the body of the soon-to-be-burried former Purple Emperor, Pyrgus and Holly Blue's father, has been stolen and resurrected back to life by their old enemy, Black Hairstreak. Meanwhile, former characters are plotting their own schemes, as Jasper Chalkhill, the flamboyant spy for Hairstreak, is pulled out of jail and has a physchic wyrm inserted into his bottom (no joke) in order to help assasinate Pyrgus for Hairstreak. And also, the old demonologist Brimstone has been hiding out with his new, and very temporary, wife until Beleth makes him an offer he can't refuse. Eventually, all of these character's paths cross in a monumental battle of wits and danger.
Sounds confusing, but Brennan weaves the multi-plot strands relatively well. The story unfolds in short chapters, unlike its prequel, and the majority of the story is furiously-paced, almost too fast. The whole beginning was a blur, and Brennan rushed it way too quickly. The characters are so quickly thrown in the action, I felt as if I was on the sidelines watching instead of actually involved in the story. Brennan's own demise is the rushed pacing and how fast he tried to set up the plot and action, as it stopped him from forming the solidity of a good beginning and base for the remainder of the story. The faerie realm felt very empty as I was pulled along by the fast pace, but once you get past the bad beginning, the rest of the story is a action-packed adventure that leads to a shocking ending.
Bogged down by a rushed beginning, 'The Purple Emperor' eventually closes with a strong conclusion and I only recommend it to fans of the first book who like Brennan's use of suspense and action. Here's hoping the third book, 'Ruler of the Realm', returns to the qualities that made the first book enjoyable, yet believable, fantasy.
