Cascade Effect - Leah Petersen

[PaperMoon]

Having read the first book in the series and really appreciating how the book set out Jake and Emperor Pete's convoluted and at times painful dance of attraction ... I thought the sequel would be just as good.

I think the book cover art promised far more than what was delivered. I really enjoyed all the scientific development and experiments Jake did in the first book - there was scant evidence of this in this sequel (even though Jake is well known for his technological innovation and brilliance).

Political intrigue and mayhem was promised and whilst the author did deliver some violent attacks on Jake and those close to him, the sense of danger seemed to me significantly muted in this book. Perhaps this is because Jake is supposedly more 'secure' in his position by being married to the Emperor.

Petersen does not stint on killing off secondary sympathetic characters ... I can tolerate this if it adds to the dramatic tension and allow for further character development for MCs. I can't help but feel that at least two of the 'deaths' in this book were 'wasted' and served no significant purpose except maybe as pure plot devices - which seemed a pity since these secondary characters deserved better story-lines. One significant character was brought back from Jake's past (which opens a Pandora's Box of repressed emotional pain for him) but again, I had difficulty accepting the manner in which the author 'resolved' this painful relationship.

My biggest quibble with the book is the lack of focus on Jake and Pete's relationship. The two of them almost seemed to be on parallel universes despite their being officially married. I know the story is told from Jake's POV but I barely got a glimpse into Pete's character. Half the time, our MCs seemed to be avoiding each other or not telling each other important factual information that would have saved a lot of angst. Jake comes across as whiney and weak a lot of the time and Pete seemed far too accommodating and benevolent.

The book leaves the door open for another book I think but I hope the next one (if any) proves a more satisfying read than Cascade Effect.

[Jax]

I agree that this sequel was kind of disappointing. I read the first book, Fighting Gravity, based on your review back on the dear departed AE and really enjoyed it. It had some flaws which I think you acknowledged too. I thought Jake was a little TSTL for one thing. He just could not shut up even when he knew he was getting himself in big trouble. But it was a real page-turner in any event.

This one piled on the angst too much for my taste. It was one tragedy after another. And they dragged out the reveal to Pete of what had happened to Jake on that prison planet until almost the end of the book. I was annoyed that it wasn't dealt with in book one and then had to wait all the way through this one too. I also wasn't happy with the way Jake's friend from the IIC acted, repeatedly taking the side of Jake's nemesis, really?! Your friends have to hate your enemy even if you're being totally irrational about it. It's like a rule or something.

And I agree that it was a mistake not to include Jake's work as a physicist in this one. With the "action" shifted mostly to the palace, he didn't feel like the same strong, independent guy I liked in the first book.

All that said, I would read a third book as I think this is supposed to be a trilogy. With the big baddie dealt with in this one, it'll be interesting to see where the story goes. I just hope it'll be more like book one than book two.

[Octobercountry]

Hmmmmm.... I believe I'd have to seriously consider whether to pick this up, based on what you two have to say! I mean, I liked the first book well enough---it was okay---but now I'm thinking there are a lot of other titles on my wish list that I'd purchase before getting around to this sequel...

[PaperMoon]

Well the promised third and final book in Leah Petersen's 'Physics of Falling' series is now nigh upon us and I'm going to take the risk and get it despite the mediocre second book. I hope I will not be disappointed and that the author gets back to the sci-fi elements and heightened personal dangers to Jake, steers well clear of socio-political class struggles and brings Emperor Pete back from the sidelines to centre-stage.

[PaperMoon]

Impact Velocity is a significant improvement on the previous instalment. The action pacing is still consistently well done but there's much less ANGST between the MCs relational dealings. Jake seems to have finally grown up and better able to control his impulsive tendencies. I was very startled at the loss of a major character a third-way into the reading but I could see why it had to done to give shape to remainder of the tale. The character development for the bad-guy character Blaine was organically done and I was pleased the author did not try to remake the relationship between Jake and Blaine into something unbelievably sappy. And Jonathan ... thank goodness he's back - I love his character the most. 4 stars from me.

[Jax]

I'm glad to hear this one was better. I'll probably get to it at some point since I'd hate to leave the trilogy unfinished. Thanks for the info!