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The Angel's Game is now out, already climbing the bestseller lists -- so time to bring this post forward with a report on part two of Zafon's four book project. Having read it and not The Shadow of the Wind, I would say it is both a worthy and expected follower to volume one of this four-volume project. Daniel Martin, a 17-year-old newspaper clerk, aspires to be a writer, starts by being a successful hack, meets a strange publisher and accepts a commission -- "intrigue, romance and tragedy" (those are Amazon descriptors) ensue.

Despite the crimes, the novel is more literary Gothic than action-packed thriller. Those who found the previous volume "fat" would have the same criticism here. Let's face it, books like this are designed for readers who don't read a lot of books but when they do "wish they will never end" -- a thought that doesn't apply to people who read a lot of books.

I've reviewed the book in more detail on my blog. I characterize it as "a summer book" -- great for the cottage. And I don't think I wasted my time, although (just as I suspect Max Cairnduff will feel no need to read this book) I don't think I will be going back to reread it or read The Shadow of the Wind soon. Entertaining and readable as it was, I've had enough for now.