The Reckoning: Book Two of the Taker Trilogy    by Alma Katsu Order:  USA  Can Simon & Schuster, 2012 (2012) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Martina Bexte Lanore McIlvrae has come to realise that her obsessive love for her childhood friend, Jonathan St. Andrew is one sided - he is not capable of loving anyone. The fact that she was forced to turn him immortal, like herself, has widened the rift in their relationship. She knows she must set him free even if doing so will destroy her. But once she discovers what her benefactor, Adair, has in store for Jonathan, she knows neither of them will ever be free, not while Adair, a cunning and heartless alchemist, roams the earth. She convinces Jonathan to help her concoct a scheme to trap Adair forever. With their immortal enemy imprisoned, Lanore and Jonathan live separate lives. Hers is currently with her lover Luke, the unwitting Maine doctor who helped her escape a murder charge and convinces Lanore to shed everything from her old life and embrace their new love together. She becomes the mysterious benefactor who donates hundreds of priceless treasures to London's Victoria and Albert Museum - every piece a token of her many adventures since her escape from Adair. But as Lanore and Luke celebrate their growing commitment, Adair escapes his prison and crashes into the 21st century, obsessed with making his beloved Lanny pay for her treachery. Part two in this unique and dark story of obsession again paints fascinating character portraits as Lanore narrates her friendships, adventures and heartbreaks during her century of freedom. But as in book one, once Adair takes centre stage, he seems to usurp the story from Lanny as his own out-of-control obsession to bring her to heel takes on a whole new series of twists. I look forward to the final novel in this dark and intriguing trilogy, which hints at a showdown with someone - or something - who is much more powerful than Adair. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Romance books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews