Review: Guardian of Secrets (Library Jumpers #2) by Brenda Drake

Title: Guardian of Secrets

Series: Library Jumpers #2
Author: Brenda Drake
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Pages: 400
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Source: Ebook
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Saving him could end her world.

Being a Sentinel isn’t all fairytales and secret gardens.

Sure, jumping through books into the world’s most beautiful libraries to protect humans from mystical creatures is awesome. No one knows that better than Gia Kearns, but she could do without the part where people are always trying to kill her. Oh, and the fact that Pop and her had to move away from her friends and life as she knew it.

And if that isn’t enough, her boyfriend, Arik, is acting strangely. Like, maybe she should be calling him “ex,” since he’s so into another girl. But she doesn’t have time to be mad or even jealous, because someone has to save the world from the upcoming apocalypse, and it looks like that’s going to be Gia.

Maybe. If she survives.

MY REVIEW

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

This book was delightful! I liked the first book in this series, but this one was so much better! The author really kicked it up a notch with the second book in the Library Jumpers series. 

This book was such a ride. I read this book in a single day because I simply could not put it down! It enthralled me that much. So naturally, the first thing that I notice about this sequel is that the writing is so much smoother. I had some issues with the first book with regard to some of the choppy dialogue and story, but that has disappeared with Guardian of Secrets. I am actually thrilled to say that!

The next thing that I noticed is that I was more invested in the characters this time around. I remember enjoying the first book, but one of the things that bothered me most about the first book was that I felt no real connection to the characters. This book had the opposite effect. There were some scenes where I genuinely teared up with emotion- and THAT makes for a great story! I am so impressed with how far this book has come from the first one of this series. 

As with the first book, this book had very well implemented plot twists and surprises. I loved trying to guess what was going to happen and where allegiances lay. The plot grew very nicely over the course of the book. It was fairly complex and had so many different elements to it. It was truly a joy to read.

I loved the romance in the book. There was betrayal, mystery, and heartbreak. I loved going through the ladder of love and heartbreak with the main character. There were just so many feels! I loved the mystery that surrounded the romance in the book as well. While there wasn't a love triangle per se in the book, the main character does fall in and out of love with two gentlemen. This aspect of the story gave it so much emotion. 

Overall, this follow-up is a must read! I am so glad that I continued the series after only "liking" the first book because I "love" this book! This book may very well cement a new favorite series on my bookshelf, but I suppose we will see once the third book is released. And yes, that means I will definitely be continuing the series. 

What are your favorite types of fantasy reads? Do you like fantasy mixed in with the modern world, or do you prefer epic fantasy? If fantasy isn't your jam, what genres get your heart pumping?