I don’t even know what to say. I loved loved loved the first book in The Magic Eaters Trilogy: The Frost Eater. When I got the chance to read The Vine Eater as well, I was THRILLED. And it did not disappoint at all.
Wanting to keep this review spoiler-free, I’m skipping the short description of the events in this book. All I’m saying is that this book picks up exactly where The Frost Eater left off, and that it has even more action and plot twists than the first book.
In The Vine Eater, the friendship between Nora, Krey, Ovrun and Zeisha is tested. Every single one of them has changed after the militia battle and its consequences, and they have to find a new dynamic to fit their new life in Deroga. Nora struggles with everything that happened to Faylie and has trouble accepting her father who has lost his mind. Ovrun doesn’t know what the future will hold for him, Zeisha has trouble finding herself and Krey… Well Kreys problems will become clear in The Vine Eater.
The Vine Eater is an amazing piece of art. I think I loved it even more than The Frost Eater. The story is character-driven AND plot-driven, and that’s a rare combination in quite a short YA book. Carol Beth Anderson, I don’t know how you do it, but you do it well.
One thing that bothered me a little was the change in pacing in the second half of the book. It wasn’t very coherent and hard to follow at some points. I also struggled with visualizing the characters, as their description wasn’t repeated in The Vine Eater and it’s been a few months since I read The Frost Eater. But besides those small two points, everything was perfect.
I honestly think that The Magic Eaters trilogy is severely underrated. More people should read this and show the gorgeous books on their bookshelves. Even though I’ve already read them, I’m going to buy the physical copies because I definitely want to read the story again on paper. If you’re a fan of young adult fantasy and dystopian, The Magic Eaters trilogy is definitely worth the read.