Redamancy (Fated Fixation, #2) – A Disappointing Detour from Promising Heights
When I first dove into Limerence, the inaugural entry in hc dolores’s Fated Fixation series, I was captivated by its dark and twisty plotlines, particularly the morally complex characters that tugged at my heartstrings. So, when the sequel, Redamancy, hit the shelves, I was eager to reunite with Poppy and Adrian, hoping for an even deeper exploration of their wild, tangled love story. Unfortunately, what I found was a perplexing narrative that seemed to have lost its way, leaving me feeling more confused than enthralled.
A Faulty Foundation
Redamancy picks up after the explosive ending of book one, but from the get-go, it feels like a once-promising narrative has unraveled. Poppy, who once schemed and plotted her way through life, now seemingly floats aimlessly in New York City, a shadow of her former self. Instead of "thriving," as the blurb suggested, she’s desperately doodling in cafes and unable to pay her rent without a roommate—hardly the empowered woman I expected to see. The contrast is jarring, and I couldn’t help but flash back to the fierce Poppy who poisoned a classmate to secure her high school admission. Did she really board the wrong flight?
Characters in Disarray
Adrian’s character equally disappoints. The sociopath who once had a fierce determination—including murder—now appears more like a damp napkin in a thunderstorm. Their decade-long separation felt like an unnecessary detour, making the stakes feel low even when they were supposed to be high. The pacing, too, falters: the plot twists that should have shocked us arrive far too late in the narrative. When Poppy finally realizes Adrian is stalking her (and let’s be honest, that should have been apparent from the beginning), it’s hard not to question her intelligence as a character.
Meanwhile, the side plots and characters feel as though they were included solely to drag the story out rather than enhance it. I found myself frequently wondering about the relevance of certain intricacies, like a friend’s missing item that barely seemed to matter. And when Poppy wakes up next to the body of a barely relevant character she previously deemed "innocent," it’s hard to muster any sympathy—after all, wasn’t this predictable? By the time Adrian’s grand reveal and ultimatum come crashing down in a near-dramatic monologue, I was left rolling my eyes. The buildup simply didn’t do justice to the moments that could have been pivotal.
Writing Style and Themes
The author’s style retains its engaging flair, with snappy dialogue and moments of humor that felt like welcome breaths of air within a suffocating narrative. However, the lack of character development and a coherent plot left me detached. The love story that was supposed to punch me in the gut wrapped up in a courthouse ceremony, and I couldn’t help but feel robbed of an emotional climax. Instead of a powerful conclusion, I was left with an abrupt end, complete with untamed plot threads and unresolved questions.
Final Thoughts
Redamancy might appeal to die-hard fans of the series who are invested in these characters above all else, but for those of us who fell in love with Poppy and Adrian in book one, this sequel felt like a misstep. If you’re looking for a compelling tale that explores complex emotions in a satisfying way, you might want to seek elsewhere. For me, Redamancy was a frustrating reminder that sometimes sequels don’t capture the spark of their predecessors, leaving us longing for the brilliance of what once was. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself saying, "What just happened?"—because I certainly did.
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