An exciting young adult read, Jud by Michael Breen follows the dangerous and intriguing quest of 18-year-old Dagny Losh searching for her sister Grete. Dagny, who grew up in the wealthy neighborhood of Old Rork, ventures deep underground into the shifting city of Jud to find her sister whom she thought was dead. Grete, meanwhile, escapes a dangerous gang after searching for the heart of Jud’s first queen, Odestinas, who remains lost in a forgotten mystical realm. Aware of the dangers ahead, Dagny enters the maze of Jud’s shifting pathways and buildings, encountering dangerous creatures, monsters, and eternal knights along the way. As she travels through the city’s dangerous alleys, she connects with a mysterious boy named Melwes, and Pren, among others, who help her through this intricate journey.

A fast-paced adventure full of challenges and imaginative mythical beings, Michael Breen’s Jud will captivate you from beginning to end. As the quest unfolds, the reader is immersed in a fantasy world of shifting streets, dark buildings, narrow pathways, and metal mythical princesses. With its easy-to-read style, the story will take you on a magical flight of fancy. There are many unique aspects to the characters, and the plot keeps you guessing about their intentions. Jud is a fantasy adventure in the truest sense of the word. There is an immense amount of imagination and creativity displayed by the author in this magical and mystical tale. Jud is a very creative and entertaining story for young adult readers and a must-read for fans of fantasy action novels. Readers who appreciate elements of mythology, magic, and mysticism will be delighted with this book.

Jud is a work of fiction in the fantasy, action, and adventure subgenres, and forms the second novel in the Ever the Night Road series. Penned by author Michael Breen, the work is intended for the young adult reading audience. Set in a mystical world with a hidden fantasy city, we return to the adventures of Dagny Losh, a 17-year-old longing for connection and adventure. The narrative weaves together themes of family, discovery, and the mystical city of Jud. Dagny's quest to chase down her sister, Grete, leads to yet more dangerous encounters and the mythical Under Road that may lead her to the fabled Jud if only she can locate it.

Author Michael Breen has crafted a superb work of YA fantasy that chronicles a journey into a realm of enchantment, where characters grapple with their destinies in a city that defies understanding. This compelling sequel allows readers to jump right into the action with a lot of natural reminders of the story so far, offering a high-octane continuation of the fantastical elements and character development from the opening novel. I was really impressed with the depth of the worldbuilding and the lore and mysticism surrounding the action, and I loved how legends and clues weave into the plot as secrets are revealed. The close narrative focus on Dagny gives YA readers a chance to personally connect with her and all her vulnerabilities and strengths, offering a realistic and admirable hero for the tale. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Jud as a compelling read for fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate intricate world-building and engaging storytelling.