The Inquisition by Taran Matharu

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Pages: 364
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Released: 5th of May 2016
Other Books in the Series: The Novice

On trial for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must face the Inquisition who will decide his future - the process is gruelling, lead by those who will do anything to see him suffer and haunted by ghosts from the past with clues to Fletcher's tragic origins.

But Fletcher has little time to dwell on these new revelations when the king announces a deadly challenge to the graduating students at Vocans. One that involves entering Orc territory to complete a risky mission. With loyal demons by their sides, commoners and nobles, dwarves and elves must overcome barriers of class and race and work together to triumph. The reward: a fortune in gold, the safety of an empire and PEACE.

With the entire empire watching, Fletcher has much to prove, but there are those out to get him and it soon becomes clear that there's a traitor in their midst, trying to thwart the mission and create unrest within the Empire.

With everything stacked against him, Fletcher must use everything in his power to fight his way to victory.

What I Have to Say 

I found this a lot more interesting than the first book. The first books was slow to start and even when it was interesting there wasn't much to set it apart from other books. But Inquisition changed the series for the better. It delved into the Orc's territory and showed an interesting take on the species. It went behind the brutish warlike race and showed not only how they get to be like it, but culture and rituals that tie into the behavior. 

I like Fletcher's character a lot and the cooperation of species that is the main story behind this series as a whole. It shows racism both in ways that we know and other ways that are unique to the settings and races involved. I loved the new Dwarven characters. I think they added a lot to the story and that there's room for even more development in the next book. 

After that ending, I can't wait for the next book, which really shows how much one book can change a whole series. If you didn't like the first book, I strongly urge you to give The Inquisition another chance. 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Hodder Children's Books for providing me with this copy for review.