I’m back to Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun. I finished volume one and realized that I had another book that was due back to the library very soon and couldn’t renew it. So I finished that book before jumping back to the tales of Severian the journeyman executioner and The Claw of the Conciliator. Volume Two picks up almost right after Volume One and we find Serverian alone away from his group and in a new city. Let’s find out what happens.

Serverian finds himself starting this book in a new city and is being asked to perform an execution. During the execution, he see Agia (who tried to lead Severian into a trap in Volume One) in the crowd. After he can’t find her, he gets a note from Thecla (whom he thought was dead). Serverian and his new friend Jonas walk into a trap and get attacked by Agia on their way out. Severian finds out that the titular jewel has some powers when he uses it to heal a wound. Jonas and Severian find themselves taken to see the mysterious Vodalus.

Severian accepts a task from Vodalus to deliver a message. He ends up trapped in a prison and is forced to escape, whereupon he finds himself back with the theater group and is reunited with Dorcas. They go to perform the play, which is interrupted and Severian finds himself on the run again. As the book ends, Severian and Dorcas as lost and wondering where to go next.

Volume Two feels like a middle volume in a series, where the plot is slightly advanced, but we haven’t really come that much closer to the climax. Severian gets a lot to do and learns more about the wondrous jewel he has. But he also finds himself the pawn of both Vodalus and the Autarch and really needs to find his own way. I was also wondering if the town he was supposed to go to is trying to figure out where he is. Overall it was good, but not great. I’m curious how the final two volumes play out and will continue reading them. Recommended.