We Are the Crisis, sequel to No Gods, No Monsters eerily takes readers deeper into Cadwell Turnbull’s world of magic, monsters, and mystery. He doesn’t hold back as he introduces new characters, unravels conspiracies, and imagines the consequences of power. 

 

In No Gods, No Monsters, monsters reveal themselves to the world. We Are the Crisis picks up three years later and follows several familiar faces. The world has changed but not for the better: hate crimes are on the rise, monsters are disappearing, and secret societies are making moves toward their endgame. The main characters are trying to survive in an increasingly hostile and paranoid world, and this book emphasizes the importance of collective action and solidarity as the only way through this nightmare (Sound familiar? Free Palestine 🍉).

 

The pursuit of solidarity is one of the main themes in this book. This book also explores the price of knowledge, the cost of power, and the meaning of family. But the main aspect that drives the plot forward is the overarching mystery. None of the characters have all the answers, and as a reader, I found it exciting to try and put this puzzle together. It feels complicated at times but it’s my favourite aspect of these books—the mystery and the questioning of why things are happening the way they are. No Gods, No Monsters asks a lot of questions about existence, reality, and purpose. We Are the Crisis provides answers and builds on these questions in fascinating ways. Turnbull’s writing is clever and the use of the book’s narrator to ponder these questions is compelling. 

 

We Are the Crisis features changing relationship dynamics and great character development. Characters like Ridley and Laina come into their own and embrace their true selves, while Dragon learns how to navigate an unfamiliar world. New characters like Tez and Alex break open Turnbull’s world further by providing the reader with new perspectives and different pieces of the magical puzzle. Additionally, the plot progresses well as magic is further explored and secrets are revealed. I loved the worldbuilding that went into this story—there are several levels of backstory that explain the magic system and how monsters exist in this world, and it adds a lot of tension and depth to the book. This is accomplished by taking readers on a journey into the past to meet new characters with dangerous secrets, and their actions set the events of the present-day story in motion. These developments will feel satisfying to returning readers and is something new readers can look forward to as they read the first book. 

 

I’m still so captivated by this world and the mysteries within it. We Are the Crisis asks just as many questions as it answers, and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together in the next book. This series is a must read for adult fans of speculative fiction. I highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy any of the following: thought-provoking multiverse stories, folklore and myths, nuanced discussions of politics and power, existential questions about the universe, and emotional stories told from multiple perspectives. This series has something for everyone and I’m sure Turnbull’s writing will captivate you as much as it has captivated me. 

 

My thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.