I have finished the sequel to “The Sparrow” by Mary Doria Russell, “Children of God”. What a thoughtful series of books.

It is hard for me to know exactly how I feel about this book. On one hand, I was disappointed as I read it. “The Sparrow” was gripping and suspenseful. I couldn’t put the book down. “Children of God” was more plodding and I didn’t fall in love with the characters the way that I did with the first one. Granted, there were a number of characters from the first book that were still wonderful, but I wasn’t excited by the new entries into the story.

However, it was really nice to see the second half of this story. The first book left our beloved characters in a rather grim spot, and the second book shows us that perhaps everything does happen for a reason. It is certainly not telling us that “the ends justify the means”, but more that perhaps our scope of time cannot take into account all the effects of events or actions. However, I thought that the big “payoff”  at the end of the novel was a bit trite.

The first book was one of spiritual odyssey, discovery, and disappointment for our characters. The second book is one about the children of earlier decisions. It is a book of revolution. The earlier characters decided that they have to fix the world for their children and future generations.

I am glad that I read this second book, because it lets me know that things may have worked out better in the end than I would have thought, but at the same time I’m rather indifferent to it overall because it was just lacking in the oomph department. But, I’m still sticking with the vote for “The Sparrow”. It was stunning and wonderful. “Children of God” was not that, but it was a pretty well written addendum to the first book.

Enjoy some spring reading in the sun.