A Flicker of Steel

Avalon continues their war on Hades and the good guys with the forced merging of scrolls to amp up their army. Layla having accidentally merged with one, is coming to terms with her spirits and accelerating powers. Racing to evacuate their people from the falling cities, Layla and a team are entrusted with moving a prisoner from the area. An exceptional fast paced 2nd book. Unique scroll powers are a tribute to the authors imagination, with the mix of mythology and magic a close second. The action is glorious, the bloody death's feed our revenge seeking souls. Writing of the betrayals was the best I've read in a while. Onward to WAR, and the crushing of Arthur and Avalon. I cannot wait.

This story picks up after the events of Scorched Shadows. Layla is a part of a team sent on a rescue mission. The mission leaves the team with more questions than answers, and as things go from bad to worse for those opposing Avalon, Layla and her team must improvise to keep themselves alive. As Layla’s powers as an umbra grow she must also grow to cope with her past. And everyone must cope with betrayal.

Throughout the book McHugh does an excellent job of painting a picture of how tyrannical Avalon has become. Additionally, one can’t help but despise those working with Avalon while also pitying those humans who believe Avalon’s lies. Layla’s growth throughout book is so well written, the reader feels like he or she is growing with Layla.

Unlike most of the other books in this series, there is no build up to the action; it begins on page one. This is by far the fastest paced book of the series with the action not stopping until the last page of the book. I could not put the book down and am eager to read what happens next.

Hades and his band of jolly men/women are still fighting Avalon but now the monsters are bigger, meaner, and more powerful. During this time Layla has finally accepted what she is, and how to deal with it. She is still getting used to her powers, and trying to ignore that her father is going to be in her life once again. A Flicker of Steel jumps right into the action, and takes off! We get to see Layla and her crew fighting back without losing themselves in the battle. Definitely could have used more perspective from the villains side! This was a super quick read!

Not my kind of genre, but, thought I would give it a go.. There seemed to be a fair amount of characters which sometimes was confusing. I did however enjoy the book, the fight sense made me Ummmph with each blow. I have not read anything by Steve McHugh before but would gladly read more

I enjoyed this book for the most part. There were bits that were confusing so you definitely need to read the first book(s) of the series to know who most of the characters are. There's lots of action, ass-kicking, and comradery. #AflickerOfSteel #NetGalley

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in order to provide an honest review.

The second instalment of the Avalon Chronicles jumps forward two years, and gives fans of the Hellequin Chronicles their first look at a post-Scorched Shadows world. Now that Avalon is out in the open, Layla has joined Hades to stop Arthur. It is another fast-paced, energetic novel, full of loveable (or, in some cases, detestable) characters, witty dialogue and a plot that pulls the reader along at breakneck speed. Also, there’s Remy. Lots of Remy! Remy is awesome, as always.

I’m now eagerly awaiting the third Avalon Chronicles novel, as I can’t wait to see how things pan out for Layla, Tommy, Hades and the rest of their motley crew.

A hell of a lot of characters thrown into the storyline made this book much too confusing to keep up with. I'm sad to say that this was a big fat DNF for me. If the writer had simplified this a bit more. Then I would have given it more stars. As it was it was too rushed and too overwhelming

3.5 stars

Hmmm, I admit I am a little unsatisfied with this second installment of McHugh's The Avalon Chronicles series.

On the one hand, the fast-paced action scenes are good. I loved how McHugh developed the umbra's various powers ... it was like bunch of X-Men characters descending from the comics.

On the other hand, the way the story flow felt repetitive, and lack of characters' development and emotion. I mean, Layla discovered that some surprising PERSONAL things but I didn't feel any troubled emotion from her.

I like action but I also want this to be more. In fact, the scenes I loved the most from this book was when Layla and her father, Caleb, were meeting and talking. It was definitely a COMPLICATED relationship, nonetheless I thought it was a good way to 'crack' Layla, so to speak. I look forward to more of scenes like this.

PS: No Nate at all in this book, and if the first book happened several months before the event in Scorched Shadows, this one is set after.

I enjoyed the first installment in this series, and I was excited to read this second book. This book was well-written, the characters were interesting especially the umbras (every time we learned the umbra’s skill, it was fascinating), and the action was non-stop. I really did enjoy this installment with a few caveats. I do enjoy having lots of characters in a book, but it gets a little hard to keep track when everyone is in a scene, especially when we don’t know much about a character. And, while I don’t mind non-stop action, it would have been nice to have a little breather once in a while where the characters could regroup, figure out what to do and how to go forward, and rest. Those aside, the author does an exceptional job at description and action scenes where you feel and see everything going on. I am looking forward to what is happening next as the new villain was fascinating! Recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy of the e-book which I reviewed voluntarily.

This was a fantastic book - absolute literary gold.
The war has begun and Steve has done a fantastic job of showing just how awful it's going to be. While reading I could really picture an urban combat scenario occurring.

The book starts out at a good pace showing how the protagonists have turned into a quasi-resistance movement. It progresses from there and the momentum of the events build up and culminate in open warfare.

The only criticism that I have for the book is that I would have liked to see more about the bad guys. We only got a fairly basic view of Nergal's motivations and it would have been nice to see him fleshed out more - maybe some more dialogue between him and his ex-wife. It also would have been nice to learn a bit more about what some of the other antagonists are doing as well - this book only really focuses on a single theatre of the conflict.

Other than that though it was an excellent book and these are really only minor criticisms. I can't wait for the next book - A Thunder of War as it has already promised to return us to a familiar, interesting and deadly landscape.

Really enjoyed it. While I haven't read the rest of the series I'd definitely like to now. A lot of good world building and despite not reading the first one I didn't struggle to follow along. I really liked the character development - Layla was a rich character, very multifaceted, and believable. I didn't find any conflicts between her actions and thoughts (unlike some similar books). I felt she was genuine. I really liked the twist on the "evil" Arthur where the "greater good" has been taken as a negative. Ending was fulfilling while leaving enough open to make me want the next book. Also, I want to punch Jared, but that's another story. He's a $#@!.

So here we are again with Steve McHugh and his Avalon Chronicles, this time we have the second book, A Flicker Of Steel and the continuations of Layla Cassidy's story.

I must say that while I enjoyed this book I did have a few issues with it and the main thing thing was all the new characters that I felt were being thrown at me at a rate of knots. I understand that this series is a spin off from McHugh's previous series and that many of the characters have been featured in that series so would be familiar to those who have read them but I haven't so all these characters were new to me and there were an awful lot of them to digest and get to know, though there were so many there wasn't much of a chance to get to know them at all. The other issue I had was the time jump from the previous book as when we hit this book we've jumped a year and suddenly Layla has come to grips with her powers and is a confident fighter which is pretty much the opposite of where we left her last time. I felt like while reading this book that I had missed something, like there should've been a book in between this one and the last.

Don't get me wrong though the book was still enjoyable despite this and it was a thrilling and fun ride to catch up with the gang and their ongoing fight against Avalon. I will still be reading book three but to those wanting to read this series I might now suggest that it would probably be beneficial to read the other series first, I don't know though.

A Flicker of Steel is the second installment in author Steve McHugh's The Avalon Chronicles. I'll will start with the fact that this story does NOT begin where A Glimmer of Hope ended. Nope! Apparently 16 months have passed, or 2 years since Layla Cassidy was dragged into this world with the murder of her friends and co-workers. I honestly thought the author would pick up right from where he left off with Layla understanding her new powers (ability to manipulate metal) and her relationship with the three spirits (Rosa, Servius, Gyda, and Terhal) she now carries, and her new role that she accepted at the end of the previous installment.

Instead we have Layla and her team in Louisiana hunting for people supplying spirit scrolls to Nergal, the villain of the previous installment. Layla, Chloe Range and their allies are no longer a part of Avalon. They are instead enemies of Avalon and are being hunted down brutally and efficiently. Avalon, for those who haven't read the first installment, are a group of mythological characters and others who once controlled the world from the shadows. Now, with King Arthur around, the world has awakened to the fact that magic, monsters, and mythology are real.

Since we last left Layla, hundreds of thousands have died in attacks around the world. Hades territories are under constant attack, and the one safe space is Greenland. We now have Arthur, Nergal, & Abaddon on one side, while Hades, Persephone, Layla, Chloe, Remy, Diana, Kasey, Tommy, Olivia, Skye & Merlin are the other side. Have you noticed the number of characters who flow in, and flow out of this story? This is the first time for those like Nabu, Irkalla, and Zamek. Oh, and let's not forget about Grayson, err, I mean Lucifer who is supposed to be good. I normally take notes when I read so I remember certain facts and key characters, but even I had had enough by the time the story was wrapping up.

The point I am trying to make is that there is a whole lot of running, a whole lot of fighting, more running and more fighting, while tossing in betrayal, a father who is known as the All American Ripper, and a shock to Leyla's reality with the return of someone who, well, let's not spoil it. Then, to make things more twisted, the author tosses in another character by the name of Kristin Tusk who works for the villains. Kristin is able to create an almost unlimited supply of her own clones that wreak havoc everywhere they go. I kind of wish Kristin had changed sides and joined Layla. Would be a fantastic ride.

The ending is probably one of the best parts of the story, but it also left with a pretty in your face ending which obviously leads to the third installment. Yes, I will continue. Yes, I will hope that the author doesn't flood us with even more characters. Having not read his previous series, I don't know if this is normal for him or not. Let's hope he changes his ways if it is.

Great addition to the series. Fabulous story telling, brilliant characters and full of twists and turns. One of the things that I like about these books, is that it is not padded with gratuitous sex and scene building , just to make the word count larger. Looking forward to the next instalment.

I read the first one back in March and didn’t do a recap so I started off a little confused. So the story dives straight into the action with Layla now tasked to transfer her murderous father out of prison. With enemies on all sides it’s up to her friends, metal power and spirits. Remy is still my favourite character, although I adore Harry. Remy because of the humour and Harry because he’s the powerless brainbox with a heart of gold. Kristen was a whack job, Caleb was pretty awesome. I’d say my favourite bit was the helicopter rotor but the goomba line beat it. Definitely looking forward to reading the next one.

I loved book one A Glimmer of Hope and this book certainly didn't disappoint. The action kicks off right away and once again we get to accompany Layla on her journey and her struggle with her growing power. This is a page-turner of a book with so much action taking place. It's fast-paced without losing any of the depth of character or story. Layla isn't afraid to use her powers in this book either and I loved that she is so strong and determined. Having only read the two books in this series I'm not as familiar with all the characters as those who have read the previous series by this author, but that didn't stop me for enjoying it or getting to know all the characters. The story flows and there are some great comedy moments as well from Rogue. All in all, a very enjoyable fantasy/magic filled novel and I'll be sure to read more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Actual rate: 3.5

A Flicker of Steel is the second book in the Avalon Chronicles' series. I have not read the first book -as I do not have a copy of it. However, even without reading the first book, I could still understand the plot almost fully. There are some terms and people that I don't know, but there weren't as many as I thought it will be. 
I enjoyed the plot and storyline very much. It combines all of the mythology in one book and honestly -I'm so down with that. We have Hades as the leader of the organization that is against Avalon. We also have gods from the Norse. The concept of their power origin is interesting too. They are not born with powers -it is obtained through scrolls or spells. 

However, I do think that the book is sort of long, and there are some things that could be put into another book. I just don't feel the excitement after a climax has ended. But the book kept on going, and even after the new climax ended, there are still some more pages to the book.

It was a nice change of pace reading a paranormal book. It's been awhile since I've read one. Sorcerers, werebears, umbra, gods and other species alongside humans.

I didn't read the previous book in this series but it was easy to follow the storyline. I just wish it was more stimulating. While i thought it was good I really wanted closer to great.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy to honestly review.

As much as I enjoyed A Glimmer of Hope, I just couldn't get into A Flicker of Steel. After Steve left us hanging at the end of A Glimmer of Hope, the story picks up when Layla needs to go get her father from a prison to get him to help her and her friends to save the world.
However, with Layla's enormous bunch of friends, including necromancers, dwarves werewolves, gods and goddesses and the best character, Remy, the fox-human hybrid, you kinda feel overwhelmed sometimes. The pace is murderous and there are so many things going on, it is almost impossible to keep up.
Especially when some other books came in between and I had to get back into the story again. Nearly impossible. After pending on my To Read Pile after almost two years (!) I knew I had to put on my big girl panties. So, I finally got the courage to finish the book in one go. Only to find out there is also a third part of the series... I'm not sure if I'll dive into the last one, although I'm tempted. Because I do want to know what will happen to badass Layla. She deserves a happy ending, after all that she has been through.
So, two out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.