Divinely Trained by Maggie Havoc

The sequel to A Divine Invite and the second book in the Ancients series, Divinely Trained by Maggie Havoc is epic in its scope and labyrinthine in its plot. A sprawling, theologically-tinged work of imagination, this installment expands on the world built in the first novel, for an enormously creative and original take on Christian imagery and mythology, in which the human relationships are nevertheless the heart – and indeed soul – of the story, driving the narrative forward.

Ellie is back, escaping from the trap set for her by the demonic Kokabi with the help of Johnny, who she had thought had betrayed her at the end of A Divine Invite. No sooner is she returned to her friends Ruby and Kaley than she has to go again, as a mystical being called a bigum is sent to guide her to the next stage of her destiny. But who can she trust? Will she ever see her friends again? And what does the Devil, always one step ahead, have in store for her this time?

Despite some somewhat clunky dialogue at times, the characterizations are strong and the relationships believable, giving the twists and turns of the plot extra emotional weight, while the trans-dimensional drama is fast-paced and mind-bending. Inventive and emotional, Divinely Trained is a satisfying sequel that delivers intrigue, heartbreak, and visionary world-building, which is sure to please readers of fantasy fiction, as well as those hooked by the first book in the series.

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