The Secrets of Jane: Reborn (Improper Bastards #2) – A Review
As a self-proclaimed fan of immersive fantasy worlds, The Secrets of Jane: Reborn by C.M. Seal caught my eye the moment it dropped—especially after I had devoured The Secrets of Jane: Forgotten as an ARC two years prior. The promise of a thrilling continuation in a "pirate world" setting paired with the allure of new adventures felt like a ticket to escape. Yet, as I sat down to embark on this journey, I found myself grappling not with excitement, but confusion. After just 57% of reading, I made the difficult decision to DNF (Did Not Finish) the book.
Initially, I wondered if my disconnect might be personal. Skimming the last 50 pages of the first book for a refresher should have ignited a spark, but instead, I felt like a ship lost at sea. While the story picks up right where Forgotten left off, it quickly became evident that I was adrift—struggling to navigate the choppy waters of an expanded world rife with new themes and characters. The once familiar shores felt distant and unrecognizable.
One of the notable aspects of Reborn is its expansive world-building. However, rather than deepening my connection to the narrative, the introduction of so many new elements rendered the storyline chaotic. The stakes escalated but without the breadcrumbs I craved from the first installment. Notably, it felt as though >everything that had transpired in book one was almost irrelevant, overshadowed by a new power struggle involving the male characters. It quickly turned into what I can only describe as a "giant pissing contest," with each asserting their claim over the protagonist. Soren’s growls and Blackwell’s declarations felt more like chaos than character development.
To be honest, the pacing added to my frustration. While action sequences are a staple of exciting storytelling, the relentless barrage of new information felt overwhelming—like trying to catch a wave but getting sucked into a riptide instead. I kept wondering if the problem lay within me or if the plot had simply lost its compass.
Another personal pet peeve was the writing style. I love an em dash as much as the next grammar enthusiast, but the overuse of them became glaringly distracting, almost forcing me to take deliberate pauses while reading. This choppiness affected not just my immersion but my overall enjoyment.
In these moments, nostalgia for the first book crept in. I missed the engaging connection I had to the characters and the narrative’s pull, both of which felt strikingly absent in Reborn.
Ultimately, while I recognize that my reading experience may stem from personal preferences, The Secrets of Jane: Reborn was not the continuation I had hoped for. It seems tailored for readers who thrive on intense action without a need for continuity or depth—a divergence from my own desires as a reader.
For those who have enjoyed the first book and crave relentless action and new twists, this sequel might still hold appeal. However, if you prefer a cohesive narrative with character development rooted in established history, this might not be the treasure you’re seeking. While I may have lost interest in this particular chapter, I appreciate the journey and the opportunity to engage with C.M. Seal’s world, even if it didn’t fully resonate with me this time around.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for gifting me a copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own. ✨
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