Relic of Thieves (The Underwild 2) by Shana Targosz

What worked:

Anya has emotional concerns that sometimes overwhelm her. She’s tormented by her parents and older brother, which is more than sibling rivalry. He thinks life was better before Anya joined the family, and she frequently suffers his threats and physical abuse. Anya also suffers from panic attacks and finds her best defense is to avoid any attention. Lizzie is her best friend and understands most of Anya’s problems. Lizzie knows how to calm Anya’s emotions, but Lizzie is still not fully aware of her best friend’s home situation. Despite her self-doubts, Anya undergoes a dramatic transformation, always wanting to assist anyone in need. She must battle self-doubt and low self-esteem to discover the power she holds.

Using the magical keys incorrectly sets off unseen alarms, and the three mythical furies are sent to track down Anya. These creatures are relentless and won’t stop until they find her, and they aren’t averse to using violence during their pursuit. This creates perpetual danger for Anya and constant suspense for readers. Other characters are more sympathetic to Anya’s plight, and Senka becomes an invaluable new friend. Different characters from Greek mythology are part of the story, including Dionysus, Ariadne, and Charon, and Zeus is the unforgiving, powerful ruler of everything godly. Dionysus and Ariadne don’t agree with Zeus’s overbearing, intolerant position, and they set Anya a quest. Her ultimate goal is to find three mythological witches who might provide an answer to her predicament.

An interesting twist to the story comes from a creative retelling of Persephone’s myth. The myth says Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds while in Hades. Consequently, she’s forced to spend six months in Hades, creating fall and winter, while spring and summer arise when she returns to her mother, Demeter, for the rest of the year. However, the author changes the relationship between Hades and Persephone into a tragic love story. Persephone’s story involves the magical keys and the curse that Zeus places upon them. This curse explains Anya’s ill-fortune, but other characters she meets aren’t happy with Zeus’s bullying and strict punishments. This results in Anya encountering many unexpected allies, especially when they’re most needed.

What didn’t work as well:

This is a long story that requires endurance. However, it’s worth the effort and ends with a surprising, satisfying trial.

The final verdict:

This book can be read independently, though the first book will provide more backstory about Senka and the Underwild. Young readers will enjoy Anya’s loyalty to others and cheer for her to overcome her insecurities. I highly recommend you read this book yourself!