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Expanding Cracks: Into the Void: Book Two
After saving their hometown from a rampaging monster, Rachel, Tracy, and Derek are wary of the extra attention. Some praise them, others fear them, while many think the fight was an elaborate hoax. Buried under mountains of schoolwork, they’re failing to find the balance in their lives. Cracks to the void continue to open, allowing more destructive monsters to breach their world. Can they stop these otherworldly attacks and fix the devastation they caused or will they be revealed to be fake heroes as their world crumbles?
340 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2022
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 3, 2022
Expanding Cracks comes right after Falling Through, seamlessly picking up the story where it left off. I was so excited to continue this journey, and I was pleasantly surprised by the extra viewpoints added in, especially Rachel's since she was a favorite character of mine from the first book. One thing I really appreciated was how this story not only picks up from where it left off in the first book, but it gives a realistic view of how previous events have affected not only the characters but their hometown. This was another great adventure book, part superhero story, part coming of age story, wholly awesome! If you loved the first book, you'll love this continuation of the series!
December 5, 2022
Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of Expanding Cracks by the author ahead of publication for review purposes.
Expanding Cracks continues the Into the Void series with the verve and panache we quickly come to expect from the talented Ben Pick.
We follow Derek, Tracy, Rachel and company as they deal with the aftermath of the climactic ending of Falling Through – trying to balance having powers known to the world with trying to maintain a façade of normalcy through their schoolwork – which proves to be a futile endeavour when a bigger threat seeps out from the cracks in the Void left by their previous adventures.
Ben Pick continues to command confidence in his meticulous and deftly-woven prose which was a delight to read – breezy, but not without style in the places it counts. He expands his universe in meaningful ways, allowing us to get to know not only our core cohort of characters but their extended families, showing that all is not well when mind-blowing powers are revealed. Expanding Cracks delves not just into the cracks in the Void that threaten the world, but the widening cracks between a group of friends only just learning to deal with this awesome power – and not everyone seems to be as altruistic as they seem.
Ben’s confidence appreciably grows, though I found myself disappointed that there was a number of opportunities for interesting conflict that weren’t capitalised from; however the book maintained my interest to a thrilling and titanic finale that sets a course for the series to follow. I’ve no doubt Ben has the skills and panache to exploit the awesome potential of a universe and world – and the characters within – that he deeply cares about. Bring on the next book!
Expanding Cracks continues the Into the Void series with the verve and panache we quickly come to expect from the talented Ben Pick.
We follow Derek, Tracy, Rachel and company as they deal with the aftermath of the climactic ending of Falling Through – trying to balance having powers known to the world with trying to maintain a façade of normalcy through their schoolwork – which proves to be a futile endeavour when a bigger threat seeps out from the cracks in the Void left by their previous adventures.
Ben Pick continues to command confidence in his meticulous and deftly-woven prose which was a delight to read – breezy, but not without style in the places it counts. He expands his universe in meaningful ways, allowing us to get to know not only our core cohort of characters but their extended families, showing that all is not well when mind-blowing powers are revealed. Expanding Cracks delves not just into the cracks in the Void that threaten the world, but the widening cracks between a group of friends only just learning to deal with this awesome power – and not everyone seems to be as altruistic as they seem.
Ben’s confidence appreciably grows, though I found myself disappointed that there was a number of opportunities for interesting conflict that weren’t capitalised from; however the book maintained my interest to a thrilling and titanic finale that sets a course for the series to follow. I’ve no doubt Ben has the skills and panache to exploit the awesome potential of a universe and world – and the characters within – that he deeply cares about. Bring on the next book!
February 6, 2023
If you thought the first book was great (which it was), you'd love it even more. I thoroughly enjoyed Pick's debut novel, Falling Through and was super excited to have the second book come out so soon. This book has upped the stakes, developed the characters even further and played with my emotions. (Also, Ri Ul Tol and Tracy are the best; fight me on that). From the beginning, I was hooked. I love how Pick shows us the consequences of the friend's actions from the first book and develops them more in this one. I can't wait to see what happens, as there will be at least one more book (that I know of) in this series. For the second book by this new author, I think Pick is one of those who are now considered an auto-buy for me. Don't believe me? Read his books, just like I do, and you'll want more.
PS: Can we also talk about how GORGEOUS the cover is?
(And I'm not just saying all this because I'm mentioned in the acknowledgements. Which, by the way, is a first for me and I feel honoured to be mentioned in such a great book).
PS: Can we also talk about how GORGEOUS the cover is?
(And I'm not just saying all this because I'm mentioned in the acknowledgements. Which, by the way, is a first for me and I feel honoured to be mentioned in such a great book).
January 25, 2023
Ben Pick delivers on the promise of his first novel in a big way with his second book. Expanding Cracks explores the world laid out in Into The Void, and while that world is one of teenagers with superpowers that fight monsters, the characters are the star of the show. The book isn't afraid to take detours from big fights and training montages to let the characters show us who they are. Very impressive novel, looking forward to the next installment.
May 5, 2023
What good are superpowers when they tear friends apart?
Ben Pick has written a solid sequel to his book, Falling Through. At the beginning of the story, we find Derek, Tracy and Rachel attempting to understand and develop their recently found powers as they battle the monsters from beyond in their own world. Unfortunately, in the process, they make big mistakes, and either create new cracks or widen rifts that were already there.
As always, his ability to create a scene and bring a reader into it is on display. I enjoy his attention to detail and focus on bringing a reader into his world. This is a story for anyone who enjoys a modern take on respected tropes of the genre.
Ben Pick has written a solid sequel to his book, Falling Through. At the beginning of the story, we find Derek, Tracy and Rachel attempting to understand and develop their recently found powers as they battle the monsters from beyond in their own world. Unfortunately, in the process, they make big mistakes, and either create new cracks or widen rifts that were already there.
As always, his ability to create a scene and bring a reader into it is on display. I enjoy his attention to detail and focus on bringing a reader into his world. This is a story for anyone who enjoys a modern take on respected tropes of the genre.
January 28, 2023
This second novel in the series proves that, despite many complications and supernatural powers, it is often interpersonal relationships that are the most difficult to navigate. Lots of twists and turns in this book with plenty of action!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews