5/5 ⭐ | The Worlds I Know: Book Two of the Thule Trilogy by Joab Stieglitz

This second book, “The Worlds I Know” whisks readers straight from book one, “The Hunter in the Shadows,” as author Joab Stieglitz pivots to travel by sea.  Anna is bustled right out of her home onto an elegant ocean liner, setting her on her way to help the British understand their discovery.  This trek to northern England from her busy and lively home in Wellersburg, New York also means the potential promise of more Ogden Shroud, an exciting proposition for readers who became endeared to him in book one.

“The Worlds I Know” is aptly named as Dr. Anna Rykov treks across the pond to examine and explore oddities discovered in a mining survey, including hieroglyphics written in characters from Brian Teplow’s imaginary world.  How could imaginary creations of Brian Teplow’s mind cross over into the archaeology of the real world?  Anna sets off to find out. With this mining discovery as the portal between worlds, readers are shown the effects of Anna’s encounters in The Utgarda Trilogy and the lasting impacts of her experiences in the other realms. 

Stieglitz mind continues to play across the page as we are further ingratiated into the lasting effects of Brian Teplow’s imaginary world and the cataclysm that resulted from their prior embarking into the other realms.  Seamlessly playing off his earlier work, Stieglitz has embarked on creating an entirely engrossing fantasy world, this time entrapping Anna within.

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5/5 ⭐ | The Hunter in the Shadows: Book One of the Thule Trilogy by Joab Stieglitz

Author Joab Stieglitz has seamlessly taken reader favorite Dr. Anna Rykov straight out of his Utgarda series and made her the lead of this next series, The Thule Trilogy.  Kicking off with book one “The Hunter in the Shadows” readers are reintroduced to familiar names and characters such as Dr. Rykov, Eliezer Feldman, and Sobak, Anna’s fictional sister.  But we are also given new, intriguing, and mysterious characters such as Dr. Cornelius Lyton, Dr. Wolfram van Juntz, and my favorite Ogden Shroud. 

With her dog Cletus by her side, Anna sets off for Boston to eliminate the Xuxxaax on behalf of the Collective to rescue Sobak from capture.  Set in the period of the Great Depression, “The Hunter in the Shadows” takes on a more historical feel than Stieglitz prior work.  Showing the poverty and homelessness present in Boston immediately upon Dr. Rykov’s arrival and the lengths people will go to survive, readers are endeared to Anna as she uses her wealth and fortune to further her cause.

“The Hunter in the Shadows” felt more emotionally enduring than Stieglitz prior reads.  Firmly planting readers in familiar Boston soil, we encounter a more sensitive side of Anna, even glimpsing some romantic tension between our scholarly lead and a certain Boston resident she encounters.  Using the locals for assistance in her quest, Anna takes on a more relatable quality to readers, further cementing her as a favorable central character.

Anna’s work for the Longborough Foundation really spearheads this latest series as readers are promised more action, more fantastical creatures, and more ties to other realms.  Stieglitz imagination is vividly captured on the pages of this read.  Transporting readers right into the action, the chase, and the promise for more.

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5/5 ⭐ | The Other Realm: Book Three of the Utgarda Trilogy by Joab Stieglitz

“The Other Realm” wraps up The Utgarda Trilogy in an epic fashion.  As our three main characters, Anna, Harry, and Father O’Malley set off to release Brian Teplow from the sanatorium. Yet, they are surprised to find his return home isn’t as easy as they’d hoped.  This seemingly simple task takes a turn that ignites the trajectory of this book in an exciting and eventful way. 

Departing from the stateside approach we’ve become accustomed to with author Joab Stieglitz Utgarda Trilogy, book three introduces the Junazhi in more detail.  From the cans of brains and narration of Ambrose Bierce, readers enter a whole new plane of Stieglitz writing talent.  Within, Anna and Harry are thrust into the other realm where they traverse in captivity throughout most of this read. 

Alternating between Bierce and Fr. O’Malley watching the events play out stateside to Anna and Harry’s travels in the other realm, readers are kept on the edge of their seats as Brian Teplow’s imagination takes us for a wild adventure. Introducing new characters, playing with our minds through old characters, and fully plunging us into the world of suspenseful fantasy Stieglitz has created within.

While sadly “The Other Realm” wraps up the adventures of The Utgarda Trilogy, readers can end this trilogy buoyed by the fact that this isn’t the last we see of Dr. Anna Rykov.  Continuing with Anna’s adventures Stieglitz has taken this reader’s favorite character into a spin off series within The Thule Trilogy. Book one “The Hunter in the Shadows” promises to give us more of Dr. Rykov and the family she’s discovered in “The Other Realm.” 

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5/5 ⭐ | The Missing Medium: Book Two of the Utgarda Trilogy by Joab Stieglitz

“The Missing Medium” is as riveting as the first book.  From the cover page to the very last, readers are transported from a quaint college town to the bustling streets of New York.  Ending where the first book left off, Anna Rykov, Dr. Harry Lamb, and Father Sean O’Malley are left wondering the why behind being chosen by Mr. Longborough on his death bed for carrying out his final wish.  A visit to Brian Teplow, a famous medium in New York, sparked the downward spiral of Longborough’s health.  Now missing, Anna and Dr. Lamb set off to New York to find answers, and Brian Teplow. 

Book two of the Utgarda trilogy centered deeply on Anna and Harry as they scour New York for the missing medium that Longborough sought out before death. With Father O’Malley off in Rome, Anna and Harry needed to escape the leering questions and spotlight thrust upon them in their small college town.  Taking to the streets they are immediately introduced to several new characters in their quest.  Anna’s curious and inquisitive nature is the perfect complement to Harry’s unbelieving and untrusting temperament.  So, when they come across a seemingly homeless man, going by the name of Ganon in the subway, Anna immediately takes to his story and complementary picture portraying the group, despite Harry’s protests. 

Author Joab Stieglitz does a great job pivoting this book after the success and intrigue of book one.  Introducing readers to a new, diverse cast, and scenery while leaning on those we’ve come to know and trust from book one.  Using the characters to weave the story and connect us to the worlds within.  Ganon lends well to carrying the storyteller role of the group, hiding amongst the shadows with his supporting role in Anna and Harry’s journey, as Stieglitz buries us deeper into the heart of Utgarda and the barrier between dimensions. 

Readers will immediately be wrapped in the tentacles of “The Missing Medium” as Stieglitz continues our Utgarda trajectory.  Ending in an epic fashion, full of action, beasts, and Utgarda breaching this world.  “The Missing Medium” offers a fantastic conclusion, leaving readers anxious for the third in this trilogy.

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