Sanctified (The Saga of the Nano Templar)

This book manages to deliver as much action and character development as the first entry in the series without committing any of the usual sequel sins. Formerly complex characters aren't flanderized into fewer dimensions. On the other side of the coin, characters still have some flaws, and haven't become overpowered from development in the first books (as so many stories lately tend to do). Actions still have tangible risks with personal consequences.On a sidenote, I can't help feeling like the whole plot point about a woman getting nanites is a bit analogous to the idea of women getting ordained, and is broaching that topic in an offhand way; especially considering that the book they turn to for a tenuous after-the-fact justification is considered to be apocryphal in-universe. I don't know how intentional that is, but I think it's handled well here if it was, having different characters offer different opinions on it without strongly taking one side or another. I'm interested to see where Mr. Del Arroz takes this sub-plot in the next book (supposing he picks it back up).

Unlike most middle books in a series, this one contains a full story with a definite end, and hints of what is to come rather than a full-on cliffhanger. That's the first thing. The second thing is that in this book Drin-- who was hard to understand in book 1-- truly comes alive thanks to the commentary by his co-protagonist Anais, who herself gains more agency and grows into better character right under your eyes-- an impressive writing feat. On top of this, the combat scenes are very exciting, and the action is continuous. All in all, everything is improved from the first book, and the first book was a major page-turner in it's own right. I am bracing myself for book 3!

Honestly I liked this book better than the first, and I liked the first. In this follow up, the main characters all have to grow a little as circumstances will never go back to normal. A female Templar has a lot of challenges in a male dominated order. Anais and Lyssa are determined to return to their home world. Read to find out what happened after the girls were kidnapped. How is Drin handling his return to the Order which he abandoned?

A Christian Sci Fi adventure - what a refreshing tale that is well crafted, as well as an enjoyable read. I hope part 3 is as good as 1 and 2 are.

For the record, I received an Advanced Review Copy of this e-book with the request to leave an honest review for other potential readers. This review is my honest opinion and I am happy to give it (I try not to use any spilers in my reviews so you will find it safe to read). All of that having been said, the action and adventure in this second installment of the Saga of the Nano Templar Series does not in any way disappoint and lives up to the bar set by the first story and then blows it away. Drin and Anais have formed quite a remarkable working relationship for people from such disparate backgrounds and temperaments which stands up to scrutiny and trials from even their allies. The plot in this story continues forward from where the first book left off and managed to throw in even more twists and turns. I appreciate that the plot flows in so many different directions as to be totally unpredictable. As before, the story finishes with a minor cliffhanger which is to be expected in a series. With my passion for history and a study of the Templars (who's demise is the origin of Friday the 13th superstition), I can see how carefully crafted this story is and that the world building continues apace with the developing story line delivering information when it is needed. New characters have been introduced to join our hero and heroine in their various missions. Some of them (Admiral Domar for one and Commander Raydon for another) are really fun to have around. Father Cline remains my favorite of the supporting characters in the series. Several old friends from book one are still around and working hard to help the Elorians drive out their enemies. The Sekkaran villains succeed in continuing to show more of their evil and their utter contempt for other beings (if you have read the first book, this is not a spiler or surprise). Our author has written another compelling story and I cannot wait for the third book to come out. I will definitely be reviewing that one when it is available.

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.I got my wish. There is a follow-up to Justified, the first book in the Saga of the Nano Templar. And it is as good as the first book. Action, adventure, technology, drama, and belief in God, self and each other. This is an amazing series where the author is not afraid to write about religion and the love of more than self. It is filled with people both good and bad and all the ones in between. Like us.This book tells the tale of Anais and Drin working together to help save her people from the destructive forces of the Secarans, a race of people who attack planets, take over, enslave and destroy worlds. Driven by the knowledge that survivors will suffer, Anais begs Drin to help her. While Drin must follow his dictum, he is encouraged to help by Father Cline, the leader of the Templars. Without enough information to make a proper recon of Anais’s world they run into one problem after another and Anais is captured. Drin is forced to flee and beg for more help. Can Drin return and save Anais and her people?I love the characters and the worlds this author has created. His descriptions are realistic and believable. There are moments where the suspension of belief is prudent, but still believable in the worlds where they exist. Which is the art of story-telling; isn’t it? I highly recommend this exciting series.