Having read Book One several years ago, I was happy to see Book Two. While the first book had a delightful infusion of humor, I found that this one veered more toward a serious tone. Although the shift was unexpected, it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

One aspect I particularly appreciated in this book was the inclusion of snippets of Texas history. Clavey masterfully weaves these historical elements into the narrative, enriching the plot and providing a deeper understanding of the story’s setting. It added an extra layer of authenticity to the alternate world he had created.

The characters continue to be well-developed and engaging. They face new challenges and navigate intricate political landscapes with tenacity. The author’s ability to create relatable characters amidst a complex political backdrop is commendable.

Clavey wove an intricate and striking plot. The story maintains a steady yet slow pace, building anticipation. Unfortunately, I felt as if I did not get moved along as far as I would have liked. Having read in the ending notes that this is book 2 of 6, I may be moving the next book further down my reading pile and waiting until the entire story is revealed.

Fans of political thrillers and alternate history will find themselves engrossed in this thought-provoking tale.

This book also received a nice review in BookLife/Publisher’s Weekly on May 15, 2023 – SEE IT HERE!

For more about this author, CLICK HERE

SUMMARY

A novel for our times. A saga for the ages.

Carmina Esquivel won’t allow a work accident to draw her deeper into the shadows of Austin. A remarkable new Texas law has kindled her hopes of belonging and inspired her to visit a place seen only in dreams. Across the state, a dark world closes in on cowboy Del Woodward. Two kings on the Texas chessboard are avowed enemies of each other, and somehow Woody’s managed to owe both of them his life. Though he’d surrender it in a heartbeat for longtime friend Governor Ben Block, he knows cartel kingpin Marcos Cepeda would take it without batting an eye. Cepeda was at the top of the list of VIPs trying to score from the high-stakes legislation until yesterday, when the President of the United States weighed in. Now, a showdown looms. The bill is still a legal long-shot, but if it’s voted into law, it will pull off a feat that no American state has attempted in nearly two centuries—and what Texas alone has ever truly achieved.

The Republic Series launches from true pages of the Lone Star frontera story into a hauntingly modern arena of trade, trafficking, and tradition on the Rio Grande in To the Republic: BOOK TWO.