It’s rare (so rare that I can’t think of another example) that I read a sequel that I loved more than the first book in a series, but that’s the case with The Undermining of Twyla and Frank, Megan Bannen’s sequel to The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy. Bookish friends, I read this book in a single afternoon and am kind of thinking about diving back in for another turn.
Bannen returns to the strange world of Bushong and Tanria to tell us a story of two long-time friends who finally see what everyone else around them has already spotted. Frank and Twyla have worked as Tanrian marshals for more than a decade. The work used to be a lot more dangerous, what with the zombies and all. Now the work mostly consists of rescuing idiots from their own folly or arresting poachers, when it doesn’t require the pair to volunteer for community events. They are bored.
That boredom doesn’t last too long, thankfully. When a fellow marshal is found dead in the wilds of Tanria, Twyla and Frank set off to investigate. What follows is one of the goofiest, most delightful, extraordinary discoveries I’ve ever seen and, as if this wasn’t enough, Brennan also gives us the wonderful co-plot of Frank and Twyla learning just how deep their bond goes. I was so moved by Twyla’s transformation. For years, she thought she wasn’t beautiful or attractive enough for love until she learns otherwise. As for Frank, I am so glad that he finally learns to talk about his inner turmoil; his complexity saves his character from being a total marshmallow.
Readers, I loved every page of this book. Reading The Undermining of Twyla and Frank was the bookish equivalent of a hot, cozy beverage (with just a hint of spice) and a hug. Fans of fantasy and romance should pick up both books as soon as possible. These books are so extraordinary that I’m running out of superlatives!
Oh, I just realized that I forgot to say how funny this book is…okay, I’m just gushing now.