Synopsis:

Concluding the epic two-book series from the highly celebrated and award-winning authors Jeff Noon and Steve Beard. Ludluda, the sequel to Gogmagog, takes us on a haunting and delightfully witty adventure in a fantasy world which defies genre.

Luluda tells the story of a journey through a strange modern city whose power is sourced from the ghost of a dragon. Ludwich may no longer be at war with its great political rival overseas, but veteran sailor Cady Meade, survivor of many battles, suspects that the hard-won peace is about to break. She promises to deliver a preternatural ten-year old girl to a coming-of-age festival in the heart of Ludwich. But she has been warned by the prophets that dangers lie ahead.

Cady suspects that the young girl’s fate is entwined with that of the city. When the girl disappears, the old sailor must hunt her down, accompanied by a know-it-all mechanical man whose circuits are slowly grinding to dust. But Cady’s mission has always been to guard Ludwich from enemies both known and occult, and she will never give up.

Following the course of the River Nysis through the city, and beyond, Cady must uncover the final mysteries of the great dragon Haakenur’s life and death and afterlife. Her greatest battle is about to begin.

Review:

I’m so pleased to be on the tour for this book – part two of the Chronicles of Ludwich duology. Gogmagog (book 1) was a lot of fun, and if you’re after a weird and wacky fantasy, I highly recommend you check it out! My review of book 1 is here!

Book 2 picks up right where the first left off. Cady is still her weird, kind of gross, planty self. We also have the mechanical Lek and of course the young girl Brin. Cady takes more of a pivotal almost ‘hero’ role in this part with her two quests. She needs to be ‘pollinated’ and she also wants to save Ludwich from the evil Gogmagog.

The plot is more solid in this book. In Gogmagog, we travelled down the river without knowing what was around each bend, whereas in Ludluda, there is a concrete plan that Cady lays out. That does not mean that the book is any less weird and wonderful though, if anything some of the things Cady gets up to are even more strange than in book 1! 

The overall feel of the book is more serious than that of Gogmagog, as the stakes are higher and the whole of Ludwich is at risk. I also appreciated the undertone of ecological messaging, with polluted environments causing problems for those who live nearby. 

I loved the delightful weirdness of this duology, the worldbuilding is so grounded and interesting, and I also enjoyed not having my hand held. 

I highly recommend this genre-blending, weird, adventurous and downright fun duology to anyone in the mood for something a little different.

Many thanks to @angryrobotbooks for providing me with a copy of the book for the tour!