Fresh from battling the minions of the evil one, Gen discovers she has lost her sight but gains strange new powers she does not understand nor fully control. She tries to comprehend her duties as a member of a long line of guardians of an ancient artifact, one so rare that the acknowledgment of its mere existence would change the world as we know it. Gen must find the willpower from deep within to control her powers and learn what she needs to know if she is to prevent The Accursed from overrunning the Earth. Those she can call on for help are her uncle and a former soldier with a dark past of his own. It is a battle for celestial dominance in Forging The Sword: Footnail Book 2 by Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom.

Forging The Sword picks up the pace from the end of the previous book in the series, which is evident from the way the storyline immediately delves into fighting sequences. Switching between present-day happenings and those of the past was a masterstroke and the language used in the story was simple enough to follow. I feel the lack of backstory to link this novel to its predecessor forces readers who are new to the series to read the previous book to appreciate this one. Despite this drawback, the attention to detail is top quality and the reference to biblical verses gives the book an added degree of authenticity. Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom should be proud of their novel. It may have its flaws but it delivers some entertaining storytelling.

Forging the Sword: The Footnail Series Book 2 by Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom follows the exploits of two unlikely heroes, Gen and Mark. They have since been bathed in holy power and each has manifested their own unique abilities which shall be put to the test in the coming battles against the Accursed. Two of the four immortals still draw breath and will pursue the Nail Bearer and her Protector to the ends of the world for what they possess. In their keeping is one of the nails that held Jesus Christ to the cross and the forces of darkness thirst for that power. Gen and Mark go in search of the remaining nails but the vision of the coming end washes over Gen once more. There is a war coming, but she can’t fight it alone, so the duo seeks out the allies in her vision to even the odds. Only together can they hope to banish the darkness.

Forging the Sword: The Footnail Series Book 2 had me hooked from the prologue. Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom do a good job of depicting all the necessary details in the scene at hand: smells, sounds, and vivid descriptions lured me into the memorable story they weaved. The dialogue immersed me further as it came off as fluid and realistic, and had me invested in each character too. The plot, while linear, didn’t bore me or read too predictably. It engaged me and held my attention throughout its duration. The great action in this book certainly had a hand in keeping my gaze from wandering as I enjoyed each encounter. Each skirmish felt fresh and fun to read, be it a duel of bullets, blades, or magic. Overall, this is a fantastic sequel to the series and one that fans and newcomers alike will love.

Forging the Sword by Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom begins where the first book concluded. Gen, her protector, Mark, and her grandfather, Myrddin, once the great magician Merlin, are at the hospital after an event most people acknowledged as a miracle. Since Gen acquired a nail involved in Jesus’s crucifixion, the three have been fighting the Accursed, beings who can only be set free from their curse by using the crucifixion nails. Gen has lost her human sight of colors and distinction, but it has been replaced with deeper insight and visions of the past. Others, like her companion, Mark, have powers, too. Evil forces are searching for the crucifixion nails and one of the beings has the power to make Gen, Mark, and Myrddin live the most horrible moments of their lives.

I dove into the second book in the series without reading the first one, but Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom did a great job of working the information from the first book into the chapters. I didn’t feel as though I’d missed anything, and I wasn’t bogged down by over-explanation. There’s a dual timeline in the pages that moves from events in Myrddin’s past to the present, and the thoughts of the characters were easily conveyed through the shifting scenes in a seamless way. I truly enjoyed the references to scriptures pertaining to Jesus. Gen’s visions were clear, and some of them focused on well-known passages about Jesus. I’d recommend Forging the Sword to readers who enjoy continuous-action fantasy that inspires deeper thought.

Forging The Sword: Footnail Book 2 by Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom continues to follow Genesis Isherwood's journey as the Nail Bearer. Gen wakes up in the hospital to discover that although she is effectively blind, she has developed other abilities that have sharpened her senses. With her grandfather Merlin and her fierce protector Mark Reynolds, Gen must unite the three Nails the Accursed were after while simultaneously rescuing a woman she has seen in her visions. Meanwhile, a new foe has arrived from the pits of Hell that threatens to destroy everything Gen holds dear. With the help of some new allies, Gen and her friends must stop Asmodeus - one of the seven princes of Hell - and his demon army from leaving her small hometown of Dundurn in ruin. But first, they must forge a weapon for Mark.

Forging The Sword is yet another absorbing addition to The Footnail series. Fast-paced and full of spectacular action sequences involving magical battles and physical fight scenes, the story breezes past without a single hitch, leaving you in wonder and awe at the sheer volume of things happening through the pages. Akorede Adekoya and Howard Haugom have built a fantasy world steeped in biblical lore. It doesn't take much time for you to get attached to the characters and immerse yourself in the narrative. Toward the end, there is a genuine sense of camaraderie between the members of Gen's team, which rounds off the book on an optimistic note. Recommended to readers who love action-packed fantasy stories.