No Safe Haven

A very satisfying follow up to No Heart for a Thief.

No Safe Haven picks up pretty much where No Heart left off. Kaylo and Taylen are being packed off to the Missing, a hidden nation of Ennea that has been holding itself apart from the ongoing conflict but has big aims of its own. There is a definite anger to the story that feels even more pronounced in this book compared to the first. The drive for vengeance sits at the core of the motivations of a lot of the characters, and it is the dawning understanding of how to achieve that without compromising their own self that provides a lot of the growth in the tale.

The story is again presented across two timelines, with the present day actions of Kaylo, Taylen and Nix counterpointed with the story of the past told by Kaylo. This allows for some clever juxtaposition and background for Kaylo and how he tries to help Taylen understand her anger and her drive. This was even more apparent in this book compared to the first in the series and I definitely appreciate the way the author has used this device to contextualize the relationship. It is also a clever way of world building, adding depth and history to the present day story as well as providing the threads of where everything is coming from.

The prose is very well constructed, flowing with ease and dripping character off the page. All the themes that made the first book such a compelling read are still here - anti-colonialism, division within repressed communities, genocide, indigenous rights etc. This story adds the way that local warlords have tried to take advantage of colonial powers to further their own aims, and how this is not necessarily good for their own populations. These themes all feel incredibly timely, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine highlighting many of the very actions being presented here. It all adds to the poignancy in the story. I find myself drawn to the comparison with the board game Spirit Island as well with the themes as well. Yes, there is a risk of ‘white mans voice' on this difficult and nuanced subject, but it feels to me as if Dulin has done a fantastic job of capturing that challenging topic. I also definitely appreciate and applaud his authors note highlighting other writers from less well represented backgrounds who are also putting their voice on these topics.

This is a fantastic follow up to No Heart for a Thief and I cannot wait to see the series continue onwards. It feels like there is a lot to still resolve here and I am excited to see the denouement of everything that has been set up!