Wooohooo! I finished this book in 3.5 days. That's a new record!
I'm glad I bought this 2nd installation of the Clifton Chronicles. I was contemplating after I finished book 1, but when I saw it standing at one lonely corner at MPH bookstore, I picked it up, paid at the counter and started reading at the Starbucks in front of the bookshop. I covered 70 pages that afternoon. It was a Friday, so I spent my whole lunch hour to read it.
Let me tell you that this one is a lot more interesting than the first book. I can't tell much as I don't want to put spoilers here.
So, the first book was more like an introduction to the Barrington/Clifton family conflict. The second book is about the adventures of Giles, Harry and Emma in various places. How they've grown up and became wise adult. Harry joined the Navy and was thought to be dead at sea while he was serving a few years in prison just because his foolishness assuming another person's identity.
Giles joined the army, captured by the Germans and later escaped but lost one of his good friends.
Emma gave birth to a son (fathered by Harry) and went to America because she's so sure Harry's still alive.
It's packed with action, adventure and surprises. The best part is, Hugo finally died! Oh yeah!
OK, enough spoilers, go and buy/borrow one.