Morgan L. Busse’s Blood Secrets is the second of the Skyworld duology. In SkyWorld, the land has been overridden with a green mist containing deadly spores that reanimate corpses. Called “The Turned,” these zombie-like creatures roam the countryside. But the mist hasn’t reached the higher altitudes, so many people live on the sides of mountains. The wealthiest houses are on floating islands in the sky. Traveling in this world requires zeppelins, helicopter-like vehicles, or a new construction similar to a plane.
The second novel finds our main characters Theo and Cass on the run from those in power who want the world to stay the way it is. Though the mist is rising and everyone will be consumed in its grasp, the wealthy turn a blind eye to the oncoming peril. Theo has a solution, but it will require time and keeping the antidote—the McGuffin in this novel—safe. Meanwhile, Cass and Theo are learning to live with each other in their separate worlds. Are they so different that, even if they succeed, they can’t be together? And perhaps the greatest divide between them is Theo’s faith. Cass isn’t sure about the god Theo believes in. Does such a higher being really exist in this land of misery, brutality, and thirst for power?
The book is equal parts steampunk adventure, cozy romance, and faith-crisis drama. They balance nicely and the threads that intertwine them come naturally. Blood Secrets doesn’t shy away from the hard questions such as why do people live in poverty if there’s a loving God? Or if you save the world will it change for the better? This lesson is often overlooked in most novels where the end assumes a happily-ever-after. The narrative pokes at this concept.
The characters have depth and stakes, especially Cass. Though she’s unconscious for a small part of this novel, she is the main character. Her situation and struggles lend credence to both the plot and to the themes the author wants to explore. Cass is the figure most readers will gravitate toward.
The antagonist in the novel also tempts Cass with an idea of revolution and a new world order. This character comes across as both villainous yet credible. His actions, motivated by his past, fit into the overall story perfectly.
Overall, Blood Secrets wraps up the Skyworld series to a satisfying conclusion. The world building is ingenious and fascinating. The Turned, while not as frightening as in a horror novel, provides a constant source of tension. Most importantly, the themes explored in the narrative transcend the typical steampunk novel and elevate this offering to a must-read.