I committed the cardinal sin of book reviewers. I picked up a new novel without realizing it was a sequel. For some books, this is a minor thing, and you pick up the plot and characters very quickly, but this was not really the case for Digging for Destiny. I struggled to catch up to things. The book felt kind of like an extended portion of a previous novel, than something that can stand on its own. This is not a deal breaker; after I got about halfway through the book, I was pretty much up to speed, but even then, there were moments when a character entered a scene without any sort of introduction, and it threw me off. So, I am not saying not to read the book. I am just saying your experience will be better if you pick the other one up first.
Digging for Destiny continues the story of Dragon Rider Litz and Former Dragon Slayer Kella. After the events in the first book the pair struggle to return to their former homes as things have changed for both of them. Kella, once the celebrity warrior, has become a common dock worker while Litz has moved from the battlefield to the world of court intrigue. They are reunited when Kella finds clues that might lead to the salvation of the dragons in her homeland. These clues lead her back to the capital and back to Litz. The reunion leads to upheaval for both of their lives all the while a variety of groups plot in the shadows to achieve their own goals.
The book has a very strong Empire Strikes Back feel to it. The heroes spend a lot of time on the run and we are not sure that things are going to turn out for the best. The story anchors itself with the romance between Kella and Litz. They reunite, but as time passes, they do not know where they stand, and their affection and desire are undeniable. Their own issues and communication struggles make it difficult for them to get back together. It’s the perfect mix for a fan of fraught romances. The other thing that Jenna Jarvis excels at is her world-building. The magic system and how she handles dragons in the book are fresh and were one of the biggest reasons that I will be running out to get the previous book.
All in all, it was a good read, and it gets a thumbs-up from this girl.
Paper Phoenix ink 