Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Crime, Mystery, Tragedy, Villainess

Connie and the Key to the Mystery!

The third review of the week, this time it’s the sequel to a mystery series that I’ve been excited about since it was first released. Beware this review will contain some massive spoilers!

Carrying on from where it left off previously, The Holy Grail of Eris’ second volume sees the mystery behind Scarlett’s execution and Daeg Gallus only deepen. With the criminal organisation becoming bolder and Connie’s allies in the frame for murder, she’ll have to work alongside her fake Fiancé Randolph to unravel a ten-year-old mystery and the secrets behind Lily’s key.

The Holy Grails’ second volume continues the great pace and tension seen in the first by bringing along a host of new plot threads. After successfully rescuing Connie’s friend Kate, Lily’s key finds a new level of importance by revealing Daeg Gallus’ true intentions. Faris is intent on invading Adelbide.

If that wasn’t enough to contend with, the mystery itself is finally laid bare by the end of the volume revealing some shocking revelations about the events surrounding Scarlett’s execution. Not only do we learn the true identity of the poisoner but also that Scarlett’s execution was an attempt to save the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Daeg Gallus won’t take things lying down. Having already kidnapped the seventh prince, they have new plans against the O’Brien’s to move the war ever closer. Framing them for murder, Connie’s forced to go against her principles and move beyond her sincere, wallflower image to ensure the family’s freedom.

Alongside the main story, the volume brings forward some amazing side stories. The first of which looks back at Lily, Scarlett and Enrique’s childhood. This side story really does manage to get across Lily’s necessity for not losing, how Scarlett almost always steals the show and Enrique’s weakness. I love that by the end of the reminiscence, Lily can finally declare victory over Scarlett by ensuring the criminal organisations’ loss through her suicide.

There’s also another side story, this time involving Scarlett’s father. I won’t spoil anything from this one, however, due to the amazing twist that really must be read for the first time.

Adding to the mystery and side stories, the second outing also has great characters. Highlights of the volume include the O’Brien family and their organisation and Aisha. Abigail has managed to foster such a great relationship with the members of her organisation and it’s interesting to witness the lengths they’ll go to save her.

As for Aisha, she’s an interesting addition to the second volume. Revealed to be the main perpetrator behind Cecilia’s poisoning, the author does a fantastic job of getting to the nitty-gritty when it comes to her motivations – adoration for Scarlett.

With every twist and turn, The Holy Grail of Eris continues to be one of the best mystery light novel series on the market today. Managing a great pace and satisfying conclusions, now that the mystery has been laid bare, I look forward to seeing how the characters will react as war beckons on the horizon.