Second book syndrome who?? Not here!! Blessed Is the Link is EVERY bit as good as Blessed Is the Rot.

One of my favorite parts was getting to see Sophie and Fenrir at a completely different stage of their lives, now that they are much older, have become parents, and are now in positions of leadership. In book 1, we mostly saw Sophie and Fenrir through the eyes of each other, but now we see them through the eyes of their daughter, which I really enjoyed. Being a mother of a teenager is not for the weak, and I really empathized with Sophie and her somewhat strained relationship with Lenore, who doesn't want to listen to her mom (of course). But I really loved seeing Lenore's growth throughout the book as she learned to understand and appreciate her parents (namely her mother) more.

I also really appreciated that this book captured so many of the things I loved about Blessed is the Rot without feeling like a copy of it. The adventure aspect is still there, but this time instead of venturing to the Old World, their journey takes them to another land in search of the Source. I could feel the spirit of the first novel, but with a new land and new people with a new culture. I REALLY enjoyed the depiction of embracing the non-Euclidean and how disorienting it must feel for the characters. I have to say, Sheri really makes me enjoy thinking about math and science, which is something I never thought I would say haha. Also, because the BIT trilogy is set in the Alfom universe, of course there are ties to other books and stories not in the trilogy. It's really fun seeing other characters (namely my favorite Nytho) come in. I love interconnected universes for this reason.

My only real complaint is Fenrir. I was frustrated by some of his choices toward the end of the book because they felt sort of out of character for him. The way he treated Sophie and Lenore felt so different from the character I had come to know in the first book and throughout most of this one. It was one of the few moments where I felt disconnected from the story. That said, it wasn’t enough to diminish how much I enjoyed the book as a whole.

Overall I would give it 4.75 stars. This was an excellent sequel that expanded the world, introduced a different side of characters I loved from book 1, and delivered an adventure that felt both familiar and new. I'm desperately looking forward to book 3!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hypin Publishing for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Just as enjoyable as the first book, Blessed is the Rot. I binged both books in the span of a weekend, definitely recommend picking this one up if you liked the first book, just keep in mind that these books will not hold your hand and if you don't enjoy having to think a little you will struggle.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!

I’ve had the immense pleasure to be gifted Blessed is the Link by the author, and I would like to express the biggest thank you for granting me such a masterpiece. It is truly an extraordinary book and proof of the writer’s journey and exceptional progress. I’ve read all the novels and short stories in the Alfom series, and I can attest that the creativity and plot evolution only get better and better with each work of art. All the different AI faces, with different aims, personalities, and realities they fight over, make it a vast and immersive world. Blessed in the Link, the second book in the Bit trilogy, is an utter perfection.

The story takes place twenty years after Blessed is the Rot conclusion. Sophie and Fenrir designed a new world order, with Guilds representing the citizens’ rights and interests, with one encompassing goal of protecting the Link. As long as Nytho has access to the computer, there will be no afflictions, no distortions, and all the people will be protected. Except life never works the way it was designed. Political and social systems collapse when not held carefully in check, and the lower-class citizens feel the constraints of their everyday lives and try to revolt against the Roshem ruling family. Sophie and Fenrir’s daughter, Lenore, is caught in the wave of the unrest. She sees the unjust, difficult circumstances the people are facing, but in her youthful way, cannot find a rational way of expressing her opinion to her parents. They refuse to acknowledge that she is an adult with views and that she may have a useful perspective on the matter of governance. The little stunt she pulls off definitely gets her parents’ attention as well as Nytho’s. AI understands how precarious his position is and decides to send his wardens on a mission to assert his dominance over the continent. Sophie and Lenore embark on a trip to Old World France and see a world of wonder and disgust. Because the way people used to deal with the afflicted in their country is not the only way. In Spirale, they get a taste of oppulence, protection, veneration, and, as always, the revered exceed their status and oppress their people.

The story takes a turn on everything the characters knew about life in their civilization. Shows us how differently a society can be built if it is not assembled on fear of hell but on the promise of heaven instead. In the end, whatever system is drafted by people, will be flawed and can fail its people, but certain groups can either be adored or vilified, and the difference can be palpable for those affected. Apart from the great plot, we get marvellous character development. Starting from Lenore, an annoyed teenager, high on her horse of righteousness and honesty, who deeply believes that wearing her heart on her sleeve, sharing her disapproval, and voicing out loud criticism of the system is the correct way to fight for change. Who despises her mother for what she judges as acquiescence and lack of emotions, seeing it as complacency and indifference to suffering. Once faced with the reality of the distortions, which she was privileged to never experience during her life in Simetria, and seeing the price the people can pay in other political systems, being forced to endure captivity, fight for her life, and make sacrifices, she finally grows into the adult she always claimed to be. She learns how to express her opinions and views in a powerful, persuasive way, feeling the weight of people's lives in her hands. Her parents notice her transformation, value her input and maturity, and deem her a capable and dangerous player in the game of the Link.

Sophie, who believed herself to be a good and fair mother, who thought she was doing right by her child by being firm and level-headed, comes to terms with her own limitations. Realizes that her daughter has a point, seeing how much she missed and overlooked in her city and in her family. Finally admitting that she hid her own pain and trauma behind perfection and political ambitions. She takes the gamble and shares her ordeal with her child, letting her see the other side of her personality, the lost, hurt, scared young woman she was, and giving her a glimpse of the work and effort she put into overcoming her demons. Faced with the world of Spirale, she takes a closer look at her own childhood and the place of shame in her upbringing, and the chains she was caged with by Virgil. She emerges on the other side with a deeper understanding of her own psyche and compassion for the past self. She will need all her strength and insight in the third book.

Then we have Fenrir, a man of many worlds and many lives. Who changed already so many times, who suffered, sacrificed, fought, lost, all before even the first book in the trilogy. Who was broken and got a second chance at happiness, cherishing his life with his wife and daughter, the beautiful, kind, treasure of a girl, who followed her heart and tried to do right by everyone. A man who fought the Church for the pain they caused him, who supported a gorgeous, dangerous woman on her path that changed the universe, who chose to ignore the difficult circumstances in which he became a father, and who was the stable and reliable part of the family. He did not hesitate to join his women on the treacherous journey, leaving everything behind to save the two most dearest people to him. His character arc turns sour. He doesn’t grow or overcome his fears. The physical ordeal puts him deep in the well of self-hatred and loneliness. Retreating from the love and support offered by his wife, refusing to share the pain or receive kindness. No, the brave, resilient man, is tortured with his past, coming to a heartless conclusion, equating him to losing his child and hope for the future. A very manly way to deal with his anguish.

Blessed is the Link is a twisted mirror of Blessed is the Rot, a distorted reflection, a contorted version, a different take. A universe where what should be destroyed can be praised, and what was a nightmare is a god. When the opposite sex deal with the same torment in polar ways, a leap of faith, a belief in kindness, and seeking comfort, versus a withdrawal, a disillusionment, and avoidance of solace. All coupled with fighting and survival.

Nicolus is too close to being turned, Simetria is unguarded, and the quiet AI that let the story unfold has just started raising her voice. A beautifully crafted world of toxic systems, run by cruel people, all ensnared by the greater authority they can’t truly comprehend. An all-out, full-scale war is about to erupt, with humanity at the mercy of the computer gods, and the heroes are broken, and emotionall shattered.

Can I please get the third book in the trilogy tomorrow? I’m addicted to the world of Alfom, and I need my fix!