Swinn Daniels

After reading book one in this series I was pleasantly surprised to find it went way beyond the usual generic romance novel. I was hoping to see more of this in the sequel and was not disappointed! It is still a love story with complex relationships, but in Hands of the Maker these characters encounter next level technology, extraordinary skills and physical abilities, and even other worldly forces. There is so much action and several mysteries emerging, yet the characters are very real and engaging. Many of them are also really funny and there's a wicked sense of humour underlying the dialog. I genuinely wanted to see them succeed and overcome their obstacles (I'm trying to be spoiler free here). I'm very much looking forward to seeing how Daniels ties everything together in the 3rd book.

Hands of the Maker, by Swinn Daniels, the captivating second installment of The Dark Photography Folio, further immerses readers in the enchanting world of photography. Saxon Payne’s lens captures the essence of his enigmatic client, Daizu. Juliette’s quest to uncover her past takes an unexpected turn, leading Saxon toward a new and alluring figure, Persephone. Simultaneously, Saxon’s history resurfaces, adding an extra layer of complexity to his journey. While the first book primarily revolved around Juliette, this installment beautifully shifts its focus to Saxon. However, it still provides valuable insights into other characters’ perspectives, particularly Maxine. While her backstory is shared through expository dialogue, I believe a more gradual and seamlessly crafted unveiling could have further deepened the intrigue and mystique surrounding her character. Nonetheless, the glimpses of Saxon’s past, as well as the intriguing Airstream Series shoot involving Saxon, Mason, and Mia, held my fascination. The gradual revelation of Mason’s inner turmoil and the introduction of Rider left me eagerly anticipating the next chapter in their story. One delightful aspect to note is that while Juliette’s and Saxon’s narrative arcs are left open-ended in this installment, leaving room for even more exploration in the upcoming chapters. The intricate tapestry of Saxon, Mason, and Mia’s storylines, while tantalizing, merely hints at the depth of their potential. It’s quite conceivable that these threads are intricately interwoven with Juliette’s journey, promising readers an exciting and highly anticipated revelation in the third book. I relished the opportunity to explore this richly developed world further. The second book bursts with heightened action that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. While conflicts do arise, I feel they maintain a certain one-sided dynamic, which, in its own way, adds a unique layer of suspense and anticipation to the narrative. Even so, the story remains engaging, as the outcome seems evident despite the narrative twists and turns crafted by Daniels. Daniels divided this story into thirds to create a trilogy, allowing for a more immersive and expansive exploration of the characters and their interconnected tales, leaving us eager for the next installment. Hands of the Maker is a fantastic follow-up to Daniels’ first book in the series, and I look forward to reading the next installment.