Cicero James, Ardent Fool by Hal Emerson is the second book in the series – a magical and supernatural dark urban fantasy spiked with sharp wit and entertaining characters. After the events of the first book, Cicero is devastated by his loss and struggles to come to terms with his role in the conflict with Shrike and Havoc. When the Order is attacked during a family funeral, chaos descends, and Cicero is pushed aside due to trust issues. Havoc kidnaps Cicero’s crush, setting wheels in motion that bring the world to the brink of disaster. Cicero must find the remaining Gifts and discover a way to stop Havoc from releasing thousands of Terrors and other Denizens from the space between spaces. What follows is a journey filled with mistrust, impulsive decisions, and a lot of explosions and violence. Driven by heartache and anger, Cicero must find balance if he is to save his city and the people dear to him. But he cannot do this alone. He needs the other members of the Order, as well as the Gifts and the powers they provide.

Ardent Fool is an appropriate subtitle as it sums him up in two words: the fighter who does not give up, and the fool who can say anything without consequence. Like the first book, this one is presented as Cicero’s written account of what took place, engaging the reader as if they are part of Cicero’s world and the Order’s fight against Havoc and Shrike. The writing style is modern, with many allusions to contemporary literature. Although it is a fast-paced and serious story, some atypical characters bring a dark sense of humor to the narrative. This adds a sense of normalcy and, once again, connects the reader to the same supernatural world in which the story unfolds. Cicero shows clear character growth, becoming a stronger, more balanced protagonist who will make a great main character in the books to follow. The theme of belief stands out for me: we all live with belief – in who we are or are not, and in who will be there for us in times of trouble. Belief in either a positive or negative outcome in a situation can shape how we react to it. I loved Cicero James, Ardent Fool, and cannot wait for the next book. Hal Emerson is an author who belongs on any urban fantasy reader's bookshelf.

Cicero James is the immortal tied to the Eternal cycle; his existence is a signal of the world's end. Most people don’t know who he is, with him having succeeded in keeping the Worker community from learning of his illegal immortality. Things are a little less messed up after last time, and even though he is far from a reliable hero, Cicero James is expected to stop whatever end-of-the-world crisis is eventually going to happen this time. Still, he keeps going, facing a growing citywide crisis filled with new allies, enemies, and plenty of monsters, all while telling the story with his usual snarky humor. Read Cicero James, Ardent Fool by Hal Emerson to find out more!

Cicero James, Ardent Fool is a very sharp and engaging continuation that really plays up Cicero’s experience as he faces another crisis. His personality came through strongly, and his internal monologue was witty, self-aware, and honest in a way that makes even the most chaotic of situations feel grounded. The plot continued to build on the world’s rules in a way that raised the stakes, mixing in some funny moments with very emotional ones. What really shone, though, was Cicero himself. He was a flawed character, prone to acting on impulse in a way that made him very human (immortality aside), so it was very easy to get caught up in his decisions and usual shenanigans. I often found myself laughing out loud or sighing in embarrassment. The plot moved quickly without losing clarity, and it had me fully engaged from start to finish. The author wrote with captivating brilliance, and the story lingered in my mind long after the final page. Can’t wait to see what Hal Emerson comes up with next.

Hal Emerson brings us bigger, darker, and more chaotic urban fantasy in Cicero James, Ardent Fool, the second book in the series. Being The Immortal, the one connected to The Eternal Cycle, holds quite a few responsibilities. CJ is still reeling from the loss of his mentor and father figure, Marlowe, and he finds it hard to wrap his head around everything. From Cry Havoc and their seals across San Francisco to Mallory Shrike and finding the Gifts as mentioned in the pages written by Gallimand, Cicero James has a lot on his plate. Let’s not forget to mention his Blissful job that pays the bills. But when the world of Workers threatens to be exposed to the Blissful, along with tears in reality and those seeking to escape from the Space Between Spaces, the Immortal has to make a choice.

Author Hal Emerson has expanded and extended the reach of belief. Sensory stimulation drives the plot forward, and witty dialogue keeps the pace fast. This book has brilliant visual explanations and perfectly choreographed action scenes. You will laugh and be surprised on several pages throughout this book. Characters are brilliantly described, with the main character still my favorite. Writing in the first person proves more entertaining than you might expect. I picked up themes of acceptance and belief, making this story truly profound. Cicero James, Ardent Fool contains strong language and might not be suitable for younger readers. However, for those who enjoy stories about monsters hiding in the dark, this one is for you.

In Cicero James, Ardent Fool by Hal Emerson, Cicero James is known as “The Immortal,” the latest successor in a mysterious lineage tasked with driving the Eternal Circle. Cicero’s transformation into a miracle is the result of dying at precisely the right time, in the right way, on the right night. Trying to steal from the enigmatic Marlowe Frost, Cicero instead finds himself taken under Marlowe’s wing. Marlow trains Cicero to use his extraordinary abilities. After Marlowe’s death, Cicero is thrust into chaos. Cicero and his fellow Workers are attacked by Denizens, who are connected to the Space between Spaces. Marlowe’s estate must be claimed within a week through a mystical trial. Meanwhile, the dangerous Mallory Shrike is seeking to reshape the world using forbidden forces.

Cicero James, Ardent Fool by Hal Emerson was intriguing. The pace steadily built tension, keeping me on the edge of my seat. I could not put the book down; I had to know what would happen next. The characters were realistic, and their motivations evolved as the plot progressed. Cicero had many flaws while struggling with responsibility and identity. The scenes were vivid and descriptive. I was easily drawn into Cicero’s world. The book was brilliantly written. Power, worthiness, and the cost of ambition were the main lessons. I learned that even if you know a person for a very long time, it does not mean that person can be trusted. This was a rewarding read filled with supernatural intrigue.