Read at work for review for ROYAL.

Rise of the Wolf, book two in the Mark of the Thief series, continues the story of Nic, a former Roman slave, as he learns to wield the powerful magic bestowed upon him by both a mark from the Gods and an ancient amulet. As if that weren’t enough for a teenage boy to handle, Nic must also race (quite literally, in a chariot no less) to save his mother from a formidable foe.

Nielson’s writing is fun and fast paced, while her characters are well developed. I loved Nic’s snarky attitude and his ability to joke even in the worst of times. He also proved himself on several occasions to be quite smart and quick witted. He was able to always come up with a plan and act upon it in an appropriate fashion. Nielson is also great at writing side characters. They all felt different from each other and possessed characteristics different from Nic that helped him in his quest and also helped the plot move along.

The world building in this novel is also done very well. The settings are vivid and the additions of the magical creatures like the griffin, and a unicorn were really fun.

Overall, this is a great read. It doesn’t suffer from middle book syndrome in the slightest, instead offering action, adventure, and a cliffhanger that will leave the reader asking for book three. ( )

Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Great
Recommended: Recommended
Level: Upper Middle and High School

Rise of the Wolf, book two in the Mark of the Thief series, continues the story of Nic, a former Roman slave, as he learns to wield the powerful magic bestowed upon him by both a mark from the Gods and an ancient amulet. As if that weren’t enough for a teenage boy to handle, Nic must also race (quite literally, in a chariot no less) to save his mother from a formidable foe.

Nielson’s writing is fun and fast paced, while her characters are well developed. I loved Nic’s snarky attitude and his ability to joke even in the worst of times. He also proved himself on several occasions to be quite smart and quick witted. He was able to always come up with a plan and act upon it in an appropriate fashion. Nielson is also great at writing side characters. They all felt different from each other and possessed characteristics different from Nic that helped him in his quest and also helped the plot move along.

The world building in this novel is also done very well. The settings are vivid and the additions of the magical creatures like the griffin, and a unicorn were really fun.

Overall, this is a great read. It doesn’t suffer from middle book syndrome in the slightest, instead offering action, adventure, and a cliffhanger that will leave the reader asking for book three. ( )

Now a driver in the chariot races, Nic is still a target of the Praetors because of the magical amulet he found, and they will do anything to get their hands on it--and meanwhile Atroxia is beginning to wake up. ( )

I liked the first one okay, but really, really liked this second one.

Except for the cliffhanger ending. I hated that. ( )

Update 2/1/2016: I'm running a giveaway for this book on my blog right now. Click here to enter to win an ARC of Rise of the Wolf!

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

Warning: This is a review of the second book in the "Mark of the Thief" series, and there may be spoilers for the first book. You can read my review of Mark of the Thief here, or check it out on Goodreads: [b:Mark of the Thief|17453187|Mark of the Thief (Mark of the Thief, #1)|Jennifer A. Nielsen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402065517s/17453187.jpg|24341792].

First things first: isn't the cover absolutely gorgeous? I swear, Nielsen's books get the best cover artists ever. I used to say the Ascendance trilogy books were the prettiest ones on my shelf, but I don't think that's true anymore - honestly, those turquoise shades are even more breathtaking in person! And the silver armband really pops (Caela looks like she's sticking her snout of the picture at me!), and the spine is the most amazing light blue, and . . . sorry, I think I'm rambling now.

Anyway, I can't say I'm enjoying the Mark of the Thief series as much as I did Nielsen's Ascendance trilogy, but in all fairness that was a pretty insanely high bar to hit again. I think the trouble is that Nic isn't quite as clever as Sage. He's powerful, sure - much more powerful, in a physical sense, than Sage ever was - but Nic doesn't have Sage's powerful intellect or objective way of looking at things. Nic stumbled into this world of treachery and deceit, and he's stumbling around inside it trying to save the people he loves. He doesn't really want any of the power or strength that has been dropped onto his lap, and he is pretty much a sitting duck for any manipulative baddy who comes his way and makes a swipe at him.

On the other hand, what Nic lacks in drive he makes up for in motivation. He genuinely cares about the people who are close to him, and he is doing his very best to protect them. He's not lazy by any stretch of the imagination; he's not purposefully making sloppy choices. It's just that every alley is blocked for him, and he's flailing around as best he can in an attempt to find a safe way out. Do I agree with all of his choices (or the way he makes those decisions)? No, I do not. But I have a hard time being too mad at him when I know how hard he's trying to do the right thing.

My favorite addition to this second novel is one that does at times feel rather forced, but which is just such a fingernail-biting dilemma that I can't hold anything against it. Nielsen seems to be a fan of playing with forced marriages (first in The Shadow Throne with Jaron and Amarinda, and now here in Rise of the Wolf). I think that's pretty dang awesome, because I've always loved those sorts of conundrums. I don't want to say anything else about this part of the story because I'd hate to spoil it for you, but it definitely adds a whole new angle to Nic's internal conflict.

I can't say this is my all-time favorite of Nielsen's books but I did still enjoy it and I'm glad I read it. This is a great series for young fans of Ancient Rome, and I can definitely see it bridging the gap for kids who've finished Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson novels but aren't quite ready for Megan Whalen Turner's "The Queen's Thief" books.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm just going to go sit and stare at that gorgeous cover for like an hour.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )