One year ago, Octobre 2019, [b:Dans l'ombre de Paris|52670317|Dans l'ombre de Paris|Morgan of Glencoe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566843089l/52670317._SX50_SY75_.jpg|51400838] - the first book in the series 'La Dernière Geste' - saw the light of day. A book that I really liked, as you can deduce from my review. Back then, the original idea was to make a trilogy of this series. Now that part two, [b: L'héritage du rail|55315012|L'héritage du rail (La Dernière Geste, #2)|Morgan of Glencoe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599984595l/55315012._SX50_.jpg|86263883] (transl.: Inheritance of the Rail) has come out, the author has divulged in this interview on ActuSF.com that there will be... five (5) books: "Je sais comment finit le tome 5 et c'est pour ça que je sais qu'il y aura 5 tomes." (transl.: I know how book 5 ends, and that's why I know there will be 5 volumes.) Further details are still unknown.

'L'héritage du rail' is a direct continuation of 'Dans l'ombre de Paris'. You must have read the first volume before attacking the second one.

Princess Yuri has, after the attacks underground (with many casualties, especially on the side of the Égouts/Sewers, the underground population), been brought back to the palace, back to her groom-to-be, prince Louis-Philippe. Yuri, however, is still steadfast in her conviction to not marry him. She feels no love for him, she also doesn't understand the reason for this arranged marriage. Her father (Kenzo Nekohaima), on the other hand, stubbornly wants this marriage to go along, if not for his sake, then for political reasons, as the Japanese empire is part of a triad with France and the Ottoman Sultanat (Ottoman Empire).

Yuri has a plan to get back to her new friends, the people that lived in the Sewers (Rats), led by Sir Edward Longway, including her friends of Train 5 (the Ants or Fourmis): Bran, Taliesin, ...

Camille-Agnès Albane du Mont de Trente-Chênes still leads/is head of Train 5 (Rame 5), having the respect of all concerned. And that respect will also have to be shown later by Colonel Ryûzaki and his lieutenant HA-17/Levana, as they have to bring back princess Yuri. (It was said, at the court, that the Ants (Fourmis) had kidnapped her. It isn't until both of them are held hostage by the Ants, that Yuri explains her situation. Besides, 'hostage' is a strong word, as Ryûzaki and Levana can actually move freely inside the train, to their grand surprise. They can't do any damage without the train population overpowering them. Little by little, they will be accepted by the group, especially since Yuri vouched for them.)

After her recovery from the underground attacks, Yuri sees no other option but to flee. She has it all figured out, her new life (joining the Ants of Train 5), but that will prove to be a culture-clash, as she will have to be much more active than when being part of the royal family. Not that she minds, but it will turn her life upside-down once more. And not only hers, but also that of the train-ants.

Meanwhile at the palace, prince Louis-Philippe had installed and declared himself as the new king. Louis XX, his father, was strict and dictatorial during his reign. So much even that he locked up his wife and queen (Gabrielle). She was to not have any visits, not even from (th)he(i)r sons. As it happened, Louis-Philippe couldn't except his father's behaviour any more and dealt with it in unfortunate circumstances. (His younger brother, Charles-Henri, was seen coming out of his mother's chamber, for which King Louis would teach him a lesson... that would have killed the boy, if not for Louis-Philippe's timely intervention. Unfortunately, in the struggle with his father, he killed the king with the man's gun.) The country needed a king, so Louis-Philippe had to act fast and take decisive measures. One of which would be promoting Ariel (former court maid of Queen Gabrielle) and... trying his mother for treason (her long-time friendship with Sir Edward, who had become Louis-Philippe's enemy). However, ambassador Kenzo Nekohaima could not - after having reminisced about his past - let this happen. He'd already lost too many of his friends. Like Yuri, he would reconsider his life, the consequences of his actions in the past, ... It must be noted that, contrary to his father (King Louis XX), Louis-Philippe is more positive towards women, which is shown in his love for Yuri - he really does love her - and his new second in command, Duchess Aliénor d’Armentières.

Aside from (or because of) the turbulence at the royal court (Yuri disappeared, Louis-Philippe as new king), Train 5 (being a target) would be obliged to make a stop in Russia. Not just any stop, as heavy snow would force it to remain there for several months, while everything is done to continue the voyage. And Russia is also the home of Bran's former owner, when she (as Shura, her alter ego) was fighting in Japan. This time, however, the encounter occurs under very different circumstances. You'd almost forgive the man for his shared past with Bran.

Ultimately, as it will become clear that Yuri doesn't really fit into a community like the one on Train 5 - a busy, always-moving way of life -, the best way for her to start a new life is to move to Keltia (aka England). Keltia is where the rail and technology like cameras come from, and the country is also home to and has a positive stance towards Aelings, Selkies, will-o'-the-wisps, and alike. The Triad consideres these populations less than humans. Therefore, they have to be subjugated or exterminated. An impossible feat, because thanks to Keltia, trains ride within the Triad to transport goods, people who wish to go from one place to another (for whatever reason), letters and packages, and so on. The Triad can't live with Keltians and they can't live without Keltians. Without Keltian technology and know-how, the Triad's members would be as good as good shut off from one another, extremely put.

Bran would take Yuri to uncle Cliff (short for Clifford), a lord from Oxford. She would be allowed to stay there until she finds her own place. And whaddayaknow, her father and Gabrielle would also be there. And so, ties would be rekindled, although it would take effort from both sides to realise what happened and why certain decisions were made at the time. Kenzo Nekohaima would finally reveal to Yuri the reason for the arranged marriage, the roles of Ryûzaki and Levana, the friendship with Sir Edward Longway, and more. (Ryûzaki is actually a bastard son, when Kenzo had an affair with a prostitute. Because of political reasons, he had to stay out of the picture, was sent to military school. Afterwards, he was given the task to protect Yuri's life. On the other hand, Levana also had a task: to protect Ryûzaki, a confession that would stupefy Ryûzaki.)

In hindsight, this second volume is one in which several characters underwent drastic psychological changes:

* Yuri (still trying to find a purpose in life, which she hoped to find on Train 5, but kept panicking at how her situation was at the basis of many problems for almost everyone: her father, the Queen, the Rats, and the Ants - despite her broader understanding of everyone's situation),
* Kenzo Nekohaima (as the White Ambassador clinging perhaps too tightly to this function),
* Ryûzaki (Keltians aren't that bad after all; should I continue to maintain military discipline in anything I do or say?),
* Levana (magical abilities as a soldier, yet getting to be respected as a person),
* Pyro (a young will-o'-the-wisp having fled after the underground attacks, now orphan with his younger brother), Bran having closure after the second meeting with her former owner (no more fear, rather understanding)

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'L'Héritage du Rail' is an exciting, multi-layered page-turner of a novel. Morgan of Glencoe's writing allows for a vivid way of reading the story, of being on the front row to witness everything and of being able to relate to (some of) the characters. While the first volume showed the lay of the land and unleashed a violent event, this second volume really sucks you in for an intense ride with serious consequences for the rest of the series. It will be important, I believe, to take notes, in order to connect the dots.

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The questions I had after reading 'Dans l'ombre de Paris' were all answered, partially or entirely. The partially answered ones will surely be completed in the following volumes, starting with volume three: 'Ordalie' (2021?).

New questions:

* How will Yuri, Gabrielle, Kenzo Nekohaima and others fare in Keltia? All of them have cut their ties with their former way of living, their former positions. Now, they reside in a country with more freedom and less strict laws.
* Will ambassador Abbas Bennacer and dancer Kimiya influence Louis-Philippe's way of ruling? Or why were they introduced only briefly (at the trial of Queen Gabrielle and the crowning of the new king)
* How will newly-named Duchess Aliénor d’Armentières take up her new function?
* What about the Japanese Empire, now that the safety and existence of the clan Nekohaima is assured?

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A few remarks:

01) Music plays an important role in this second volume: Bran sometimes sings, but also plays the harp, either with her hands or hands-free. Strangely enough, however, she can carry her harp with her whilst being on the run. It's almost as if she can "summon", make it magically appear and disappear. Maybe that's the case, but not written as such.
The musical aspect makes perfect sense, as Morgan of Glencoe is also a musician.

02) Uncle Cliff may be living in Oxford, but unfortunately, I never noticed this in his way of speaking. A lord usually speaks in a sophisticated manner, "posh" as some may say. Think of Richard Dawkins, Boris Johnson, Hugh Grant, or series like 'Upstairs, Downstairs', 'You Rang, M'Lord?', or 'Downtown Abbey' (see also this video about the English accents in the series).

03) Speaking of language, what bothered me personally, is the excessive use of 'ouaip', which can be translated as 'yep'. Even adults used this word to answer positively or confirm something. It was probably intentional from the author's part, but why? Because of the characters, the context, or perhaps adapted to the kind of readers this book is largely marketed for? (young adults; make no mistake, this series is definitely food for adults, too)

04) There are footnotes on the pages with words or dialogues in Japanese, Breton, or English. That is of course a positive aspect, an initiative that more authors/publishers should follow.

05) Keltia, the home of magic (or rather, thanks to its various species who possess the ability to use magic in their doings): Ren, the train's doctor who can heal people through the laying on hands; Bran (and Taliesin, both bards) who can transport goods/people to and fro somewhere (like "Beam me up, Scotty"); Pyro (who made new, prosthetic wings for an Aeling who lost the ability to fly); Levana (sharper eyesight than humans, excellent shot); ...

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I was sent this book by Éditions ActuSF for review. Many thanks to them for the trust. ( )