Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Tides of Reckoning by Tyler Edwards is a speculative dystopian novel and the second book in The Outlands Saga series, preceded by book one, The Outlands. For backstory, the young protagonist Jett Lasting is tossed into the Outlands by a brutal government called the Patriarch, following his move toward insurrection in Dios. The Outlands is a gruesome, horror-filled landscape, and while on a hunt for his friends who were also forced into the Outlands, Jett must confront beasts and bandits alongside his own misplaced guilt. He finds help on a journey where new alliances and, ultimately, new friendships are made, but Jett has no real plan and when he does begin to reconnect with his past and those who shaped it, he finds that he is ill-prepared for the damage done to those he cares for most. “We want to do more than just survive in this hostile land. We’ll become a beacon of hope.”

Tides of Reckoning introduces a completely new world that is creatively depicted and highlights the imagination of its author, Tyler Edwards. Jett is the main character who comes across as authentic, particularly as he shifts between the awkward imbalance of being both clever and naïve, which is believable for his age. Kali is a standout to me and it is always refreshing to witness an adept, strong young woman who displays much more wisdom and courage than even her male counterparts. There are action and true character arcs and witnessing Jett grow both physically and emotionally in real time happens organically through Edwards's spot-on pacing. The writing itself may not have the polish some readers will expect but the story is solid and this makes pushing past it less challenging. The blend of technology and traditional combat is fun and nothing is held back as we are shown just how bloody the Outlands are, which is brave on the part of the author and fantastic for a reader who prefers to see everything. Recommended.