Mirror Gate

Harbinger, Book 2

By: Jeff Wheeler

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his wondrous Harbinger series in which two young women unite as two worlds approach the brink of war…

Though relations between Princess Seraphin Fitzempress and her father have been strained, Sera’s royal position has remained unchallenged. Filled with self-doubt, she struggles to grasp the Mysteries - her greatest trial yet.

An education in the enigmatic magic is a necessary one, should Sera plan to rise in her station and invoke her powers during war. But the emperor’s death now leaves both Sera and her ambitious father eligible for the throne - a contest the prince regent intends to win. Even if it means an alliance with a rival empire.

Sera’s hope lies in Cettie, a waif raised in the world below, whose life has intertwined with Sera’s in the most unexpected ways. The Mysteries come easily to Cettie, and her studies have begun to yield new insight into her growing powers. But those same powers put Cettie in the path of those who would destroy her.

Now as the threat of war ignites and an insidious sickness spreads throughout the kingdom, Sera and Cettie will need to gather their courage and fight for each other’s lives…and for the future of their endangered world.

©2018 Jeff Wheeler (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Great characters, and intriguing plot.

Jeff Wheeler has an amazing ability to weave a story. Cettie and Sera are believable, and it is easy to see people you know similar to them in your own life. They are fallible and make mistakes, have biased thoughts, and it makes them all the more real. Sometimes you want to reach into the book and shake some sense into them.

I love the way that Jeff has woven this story and others from his other series. There is a definite progression, in the society, technology, and magics. So while the world is familiar, it still finds ways to surprise and excite me.

Jeff is also not shy about addressing social issues and probing the arguments on both sides of those issues. it really inspires introspection and deeper thought which I love. Even with all of this, and delving into difficult and sometimes upsetting subjects, he still maintains an overall sense of positivity and hope, in the midst of the trials and heartache.

Last thing, I appreciate that his books are clean. He will say someone cursed, or relate bad things without going into details, etc. I know that I could give any of his books to a young reader and not worry about what's in them. That is a relief to me.

A disappointing sequal

I loved the first book and was thrilled the sequel would be released so soon. But sadly this book wasn't nearly as engaging as the first, mainly because the characters felt flat, and the prose often felt quite preachy. The melding of the series's universe with that of others by the author felt odd and a bit forced. Overall, this just felt like a filler for whatever the author has planned for book 3, which I still plan to listen to/read but I would have happily skipped this one for a chapter-length recap.

Plodding and languid

It is almost like the author wanted to write an opposite if the first book. This one is so boring. Almost two hours in and am still listening to the plot mentioned in the first chapter. I don't get the 4.5 star rating. I am not exactly uard to please but come on, don't go from 0 to 100 then idle at 20.

Disappointing & wasted potential

Narrator is still pretty good compared to the first book and voices stay consistent but the story on the other hand is pretty bad compared to the amazing first book.

Lack-luster

The plot is quite terrible. You want to like the main characters but they lack depth and personality. I truly only bought this book, because the first book ended so abruptly concluding in a mere chapter, i bought this book thinking the ending would cascade into the next book. This book didn’t propel the story just fluffed it out.

Just a story of some victims who remain victims despite seemingly growing a spine, yet remaining steadfast in their helplessness.

average

It's okay nothing spectacular, but still fine as listen on the way to work, give it a try.

Really loved the second installment of this series

The second in the Harbinger Series, was definitely not a disappointment. Leaves you wanting more. The narrator was wonderful.

Wheeler and Rudd strike again!

I haven’t been this entranced by a story series like this since I discovered the Harry Potter series. The amazing world painted by Wheeler and the incredible story of Sara and Cettie are captivating enough and then Rudd brings them and all the characters to life in such a heartfelt and animated way. I promised myself I would take this one slowly and savor it but I just couldn’t stop! I will be turning to the rest of Wheeler’s works until November when book 3 is released!

amazing!

Naturally, Jeff wheeler never disappoints!! And, of course Kate Rudd is as always a top performer bringing the story to life.

Good storyline but slow

I like the characters and want to stick with the series more, be prepared for a pretty slow 2nd book.

Disappointing

I really struggled to finish this book. There were a number of issues with the plot that I got stuck on - the main one being the sub plot of the Cholera Morbis plague that supposedly affects poor and rich alike, yet none of the characters ever suffers from it. It is as though the author continually references the spreading disease simply to remind the reader it is still occurring. There were a couple of times when the pace of the book seemed to pick up but then lulled drastically afterward, only to end in a rather jarring and sudden manner. Just as the first book did, I would much prefer a longer story with continuation that three separate books that seem to just come to an end. I personally really enjoyed the Kingsfountain series, largely for the character relationships that the author developed so beautifully, but this series is sadly lacking in this as the second book picks up after a number of years have passed when Cettie and Sera are already friends. I felt that the friendship lacked depth and authenticity for the reader because of this. I won't be reading the final book in the series.

excellent.

Loved it, it was great carrying On the story, great characters great story, great narrator, can't wait to carry on to the next one.

Brilliant

The 2nd book in the series didn't disappoint. Looking forward to the next one. Great.

Lacked emotional journey as first

Although a gd book I felt emotional elements were truly lacking compared to the first book spoiler alert - there were just parts which I just wish were explored, is she escaped through the window and ran what was the point if she was still to be shunned and judged. Didn’t make sense for their to be no benefits of her escaping

Good continued story

I enjoyed the new but continued story and it ended on a now I gotta see how this all plays out.
This book is obviously setting up the next one or next big thing but a good overall setting up the scene story
Really enjoyed it

dull so farv

chapter 10 and very bored ...all just recaps ... even characters don't seem interested ....shame

Engulfing

The 2nd in the Harbinger series, this follows on with the main characters being a few years older and grasping the Mysteries.
Still as captivating, the narrators voice drags you in.
I had to skip back almost every chapter as her voice lulled me to sleep.
Definately one to listen to again.