All art belongs to Hannah Lindsey, artist and author of The Agapéd Bearer

General overview

First sequel I ever read for an independent author. Hannah Lindsey’s series has once again captured my heart in a way an author has not been able to do since C. S. Lewis or Tolkien. I love her characters, the relationships, the dialogue, all of it. The whole time, too, she sends a clear, positive message about love, sacrifice, responsibility, and wonder. I highly recommend the series and this book. 

The following review contains some spoilers. 

Plot

The plot of Paragon Games concerned me at first glance as it is plainly a tournament arc, and while that is part of it, Lindsey does a good job of integrating the tournament into a galactic spectacle that, unbeknownst to its viewers, has a role in the salvation of a whole nation from an ancient curse. 

It is always a question, after a book like Wishing Stars, what happens after defeating the big bad? Well, Lindsey handles it well by taking almost a spider-man approach: power attracts power, and people always need help, no matter how small in comparison. The plot was compelling the whole way through, and while I cannot say I fully understand the Nuoljian magic system (I think I skipped an important line, because the rest of her writing always made sense), I understood enough for me to love and feel for these characters. 

10/10 plot, top tier execution of the tournament arc. 

Characters

As always, the characters are wonderful. I am so incredibly happy that while Ayker was there as a pretty boy crush, he was a rival love interest. Love triangles are boring and lame. Ayker served well as a new addition to the story, and as a new friend. 

I think my favorite character is still Gaius, and his attitude in everything makes me love him and want to be him more and more everyday. He is a great role model, and despite being one of the most powerful people, Lindsey never has him do something that any man on this planet could not do as well. He cares, he protects, and he apologizes. Truly a great role model. 

The villain, Setzyr, was fairly compelling and threatening despite not being the literal epitome of darkness as the previous main villain. Setzyr is subtle, manipulative, and his interest in power is not mere power, but in a preservation of the status quo, which is why he was able to go unnoticed for so long. He is a plain villain (when Lisa isn’t her own worst enemy in trying to be secret) who once again helps Lisa demonstrate the importance of love and light. 

Characters 10/10, lovable, hatable, in all the rate ways.

Writing

Lindsey had a strong through-line throughout the whole book. Everything connected one at a time and ultimately, a really well crafted story. 

Some parts, however, I remember some speed analogies being too similar, too often, and too soon (in just one section) or possibly unnecessary italicization. But the rest of it was too good. I was reading an illustrated edition, but even without those illustrations, Lindsey painted pictures in my mind with great details and genuinely creative, in-world analogies. 

Writing: 10/10, great planning and execution.

Final Rating: 10/10

I literally do not want to wait to read the THIRD AND FOURTH books that are out now (I hope to get more illustrated editions).