The Secrets of Jane: Reborn (Improper Bastards #2) – A DNF Reflection
When I picked up The Secrets of Jane: Reborn by Susan Kaye, I was filled with excitement. After all, two years ago, I dove into The Secrets of Jane: Forgotten with such enthusiasm that I couldn’t wait to see where Jane’s journey would lead next. Unfortunately, despite the promising premise and a pirate-infused world that had initially captured my heart, I found myself grappling with a sense of disconnection that ultimately led me to a rather disappointing decision: I had to DNF the book at 57%.
It pains me to admit that I felt lost right from the start. The sequel picks up exactly where the first book left off, which led me to assume I would slip back into this vibrant world easily. Instead, I found myself stumbling over new plot elements and characters that felt as though they had jumped straight out of a different narrative entirely. It was jarring; the continuation I anticipated felt more like a chaotic leap into unfamiliar waters.
While Kaye has expanded the world-building, introducing layers to the "pirate world" atmosphere we loved, many of these new elements were completely uncharted territory. This sudden shift resulted in a frustrating experience where I began to question the relevance of the original book’s events. The pace was dizzying, with constant action and new information thrown at me, making it challenging to catch my breath—or keep track. At times, I wondered if the book was lost, or if I simply was. The story felt messy, and I couldn’t manage to reconnect with the characters who once resonated so deeply with me.
This disjointedness was exacerbated by a strange power struggle among the male characters that came across more as a series of unnecessary “pissing contests” rather than an authentic exploration of their rivalry. Each loud proclamation ("She is mine," "She will never be yours," etc.) felt like a hollow echo of conflict without heart. Moreover, the introduction of a new villain held potential but lacked the groundwork necessary for the reader to grasp his significance. Where had this power hinted at in the first book come from? It was frustrating to navigate these convoluted dynamics without any breadcrumbs left behind.
As for Kaye’s writing style, I found it somewhat choppy, particularly due to the frequent use of em dashes. It’s a stylistic choice I typically appreciate, but when overused in such a way that it draws attention to itself, it detracted from what could have been an immersive reading experience. I began to suspect that my disconnection stemmed not just from the story but also from the prose itself.
But here’s where things get a bit introspective: could it just be me? Perhaps picking up this sequel without a full reread of the first book contributed to my struggle. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing that same pull, that immersive magic that had me clamoring for more back in Forgotten.
In all fairness, this book may resonate more with readers who appreciate swift pacing and unexpected turns, especially if they’ve had a fresher encounter with the first installment. But for someone like me, who was anticipating a deeper connection to Jane’s story, The Secrets of Jane: Reborn became a disheartening experience.
In conclusion, while I was eager for this next chapter, it ultimately didn’t land for me. Perhaps I’ll revisit it down the line with more context, but for now, this journey has come to a pause. Thank you, Nerd Fam, for the gifted copy—these thoughts and feelings are my own, and I hope they resonate with fellow readers navigating similar waters.
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