The Luminoso

The Quintana Trilogy, Book 2

By: Michael Wallace

Narrated by: Steve Barnes

After Lord Carbón, one of the rulers of Quintana, discovers an artifact created during an ancient period of magic and super science, he enlists his energetic young chancellor, Iliana Diamante, and his former rival, the elderly Lord Torre, to hide the object before the Luminoso cult can seize it in a bid for power.

To stop them, the spider-like Salvatore, head of the Luminoso, enlists his underling, the treacherous Naila Roja, to coerce the secret from her father-in-law, Lord Torre. Salvatore thinks he can control the artifact and bring about a new era of glory with himself in command.

While the Quintana lords and the Luminoso maneuver for control of the artifact, the ancient device begins to awaken. And it has deadly intentions of its own.

©2019 Michael Wallace (P)2019 Michael Wallace

A City on the Bitter Brink.

A new artifact is found in Lord Carbon's mines, leading to a desperate struggle to gain control over it despite the dangers that seep from the depths. Power shifts, alliances, treachery, and technologies no one knows quite how to use- all this in the highest ranks of the illustrious city of Quintana. And that's all just the top terrace balanced precariously on the broiling social climate below.

Something I find to be very rare in books, but seems to come easily to Wallace's Quintana is a distinct history. Here, in book two of the series, the world is deepened. I was reminded by characters like Grosst, a foreigner to Quintana, that the issues at play were distinct to the city, as are (we can guess) many of the beliefs, rituals, and rules. Not only does it make for an amazing setting with a distinct (but familiar) society, it makes me curious how unique Quintana actually is. It really is something that shines about the story.

Character relationships and standings are also more clearly outlined as we go along. No longer are we meeting our heroes, villains, and those in-between, but we're learning their motivations, hopes, and plans, and witnessing how they carry them out. Carbon is level and thoughtful throughout, Naila is brash and reaching, Pedro is perhaps a little too sweet and gentle for the world he lives in.

All these characters come to life with more beautiful narration. Each character's voice has just gotten better in this second volume, fitting each personality very naturally. My favorite voices in this volume are Carbon who has a steady and warm sound to him, and Grosst who is often quick with her words and a little sharp with a charming accent. The narration is smooth and clear, very easy to listen to and enjoy, often with pronounced consonants at the end of words. No slurring here.

A wonderful listen that's sure to send you to the stacked terraces along the Rift for an exciting adventure.