Book Review: "Sword of the North" by Luke Scull

In The Grim Company, Luke Scull introduced a formidable and forbidding band of anti-heroes battling against ruthless Magelords and monstrous terrors. The adventure continues as the company—now broken—face new dangers on personal quests…  
 
As Davarus Cole and his former companions were quick to discover, the White Lady’s victorious liberation of Dorminia has not resulted in the freedom they once imagined. Anyone perceived as a threat has been seized and imprisoned—or exiled to darker regions—leaving the White Lady’s rule unchallenged and absolute. But the White Lady would be wiser not to spurn her former supporters: Eremul the Halfmage has learned of a race of immortals known as the Fade, and if he cannot convince the White Lady of their existence, all of humanity will be in danger.
 
Far to the north, Brodar Kayne and Jerek the Wolf continue their odyssey to the High Fangs only to find themselves caught in a war between a demon horde and their enemy of old, the Shaman. And in the wondrous city of Thelassa, Sasha must overcome demons of her own.
 
Because the Fade are coming… - from Netgalley.com

I received a free ARC from the publisher, Penguin Group Berkeley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW through Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Spoilers ahead!

This is the second novel by Scull in 'THE GRIM COMPANY" series, and there looks to be a third. This continues the story of the band of misfits that were pushed together by circumstance in the first novel. In the first novel, I entirely disliked a few of the characters, like Davarus Cole, as being too whiny, brattish, conceited, and just a regular pain int he ass. Sasha wasn't much better, coming across as a self-centered bitch. Kayne and Jerek, who seem to be the main characters, though that could be disputed, are back, heading home to the North to find Kayne's wife, now believed to be alive still.

Obviously, I got pulled into this story more ... even with some of the story going off in tangents. Maybe I don't see the necessity of some of the tangents, but I know others show just a small bit of stuff going on, that will affect characters later ... just seemed a bit long for detail. Character development  - wow! I am sure I am the only one surprised that some of those characters I hated in the first novel, have changed somewhat. Scull definitely tricked me in that regard. Cole now seems to have some new purpose (and skills), Sasha seems to have gotten a bit less self-centered (though the drug addiction .... eh). Kayne and Jerek - oh man, learn some history about them, and they make some history - no they ain't gay, at least I don't think so.

Overall, I love the direction the story is going, with demons in the North, the Fehd coming from across the seas, and the regular mess of human tyranny of power-hungry mortals. Definitely will be waiting anxiously for the next installment!