The Meadow (The Keepers of the Balance #2) (2024)

The Meadow continues with Marston as he discovers why the darkness has targeted him from the beginning. Dreams threaten the balance he struggled to find in the last book to help him in his job as keeper, and his friends and colleagues within the Keepers help him stay on track, even as a new school, new friends, and new challenges are thrown at him. Marston wavers, and almost fails, yet finds the inner strength to do what's right. Still, with evil powers that have been planning these events for decades, even with a few boosts, he struggles to keep his head above water.

I really enjoyed The Meadow, reading through it in two days. Shana's pacing kept each page turning and the action was well balanced, so I always wanted to move on to the next chapter without feeling frazzled.

What's so fun about this installment is how Marston learns how connected he is to not only the Keepers, but to the Rogues. His dreams try to lead him, but he doesn't quite figure out until the end why the leader of the Rogues is so keen on recruiting him, and the surprise sets the reader up to be absolutely ready to find out what happens next.

Though this is marked for YA readers, it is entirely appropriate for MG as well and I recommend it for all adventure fans.

Wow. I just love Marston Ames and his family, especially Clover. I love their relationship - it's realistic, and even when they aren't getting along, they're respectful toward one another, and supportive. I love that Marston makes sure to include Clover in what's going on, and I LOVE that she threw him a sixteenth birthday party.

This book has plenty of action in it, and Marston and Olivia grow closer as they work through things happening to Marston and his family. Orbie is a wonderful addition to the team. There are twists and turns, and plenty of danger for Marston and Olivia to navigate as they chase down Rogue Elites.

This is really the first portal fantasy fiction I've read, and it's rapidly becoming a favorite genre, all due to this series. I can't wait for book three!

This fantastical tale has elaborate character development with entertaining twists and intense moment by moment action sequences. The need to know what comes next makes it hard to put down. Enjoy!!

The Meadow by Shana Dow is a fun second installment to the Keepers of the Balance series!

I really liked how the action ramped up, the mysteries from book 1 were both revealed and then deepened, and the characters grew both inside and out.

My favorite character is still Clover, Marston's sister, but she plays a smaller role in this book compared to Olivia, his trainer. Olivia has a fun British heritage and bold personality.

I enjoyed seeing how the characters (both good and evil) have developed, learned, and adapted to their current forms - especially Marston. He's a stronger, more confident hero than he was in The Keeper. I also enjoy, if that's the right word, the evil characters because Dow has given depth to their personalities which makes them seem more real and vulnerable/human.

In this book, you'll see how Dow has grown as a writer and is perfecting her craft and her story. I am looking forward to book 3!

If you enjoy coming-of-age, sweet romance, and sci-fi adventure, give this series a try!

What happens next?!

When something important must be done, are you able to accept the help of others, or are you the type who must do everything yourself? This is just one of the things Marston Ames grapples with in The Meadow, the second book of The Keepers of the Balance Series. Dow’s continuing story of good versus evil ushers Marston through the growing pains of becoming a Keeper while simultaneously navigating life as a normal teen - only to learn nothing was ever as normal as it seemed. Be prepared for a cliffhanger ending!

Good book for YA readers! Spense, action, a hit of romance, and the classic fight of light vs. darkness. Can't wait to see how this story will end! :)

Great read

Fast paced mystery, but so so good. Highly recommend this book to all who love fiction. You will not be sorry for racing through.

Fast-paced, suspenseful page-turner for young adults that’s actually age appropriate! Really enjoyed this book!