What the heck!?! I was not ready for that ending and I'm anxious to get to the next book in the Tao series. Wesley Chu has followed The Lives of Tao with The Deaths of Tao. The Deaths of Tao is just as explosively written, thrilling, and fun as its predecessor. Thank you Wesley Chu! Often times sophomore efforts are easy to pass over, become unnecessary or obscure.The Deaths of Tao is an exception to that rule.
We pick up a few years later from the end of The Lives of Taowith a tense battle scene that's sure to excite readers. Chu's battle scenes are what I live for when reading this series. Fast, engaging, littered with witty banter, and bloody. Jill, Roen's wife, is ambushed by the Genjix. Let the war rage on!
Before I say anything more I do suggest that anyone interested in this title do themselves a favor and read book 1. The Deaths of Tao moves at break-neck speed so if the basics of who are battling and why they're battling is new to you. Stop and do your homework with The Lives of Tao. This is an important step in your induction to Chu's world where opposing alien forces are using humans as vessels to obtain the same goal. Why are they fighting then if they both want the same goal? Because one(The Genjix)doesn't care how many humans they send to the eternal sea.
The relationship between Tao and Roen is still as entertaining as I remember. The only difference I've seen in the change in Roen and his use. Roen's character growth is a refreshing reality that Chu did not ignore. Roen is no longer wet behind the ears. He's a trained vessel who's mission is clear. He needs to help save the world. For him, that world includes his wife and son. This addition to the series allows for emotions not regularly found in pages dealing with combat.
Ultimately, Roen and Tao take a backseat in The Deaths of Taowhich I didn't mind, eventually. Getting perspective from other Quasing helped to numb that pain and made the pill much easier to swallow. We are given a lot more depth to Jill and her alien Baji. They're relationship is just as dysfunctionally functioning as Roen and Tao's.
The Deaths of Tao is an equally riveting and pulse-pounding ride as its predecessor The Lives of Tao. I am anxiously waiting for the next installment. I question if I'd risk life and limb only to live forever through an alien. ****
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