Trial and Redemption is the second book of the Janus Key Series by Thomas Reilly. This riveting story introduces us to a series of captivating and mysterious events blending the mundane with the fantastical.

It all begins with a strange object that appears suddenly and unexpectedly in the characters’ lives: the Janus key. Sculpted in it is a two-faced image representing Janus, the Roman god of time, with one face staring into the past and the other staring into the future. This puzzling keyring seems to appear out of nowhere when it is most needed, and its use opens a door into a world of magic where past, present and future blend to allow the main characters to create new, more uplifting realities.

In the story, we are introduced to Brian Ellis, a research director at a pharmaceutical company, and Julia Remson, a committed college student who dreams of becoming a veterinarian. Brian is trying to navigate life with very different paths after being involved in a serious work scandal that sent his career back. On the other hand, Julia is dealing with grief and attempting to move forward after experiencing a very painful event. The lives of these two characters will be connected by the power of the mysterious key, creating an immersive storyline where the impossible becomes possible and justice is actively sought.

Carefully written, the book’s pacing is exactly how it needs to be. Slowly and with time, we begin to discover new things about the characters and the extraordinary traits of the unknown key. This strategy permeates the entire book with a well-controlled tension that invites us to read more and makes us forget about the outside world.

The book can be condensed into two words: suspenseful and magical. Through every part of the story, the author makes sure to leave little crumbs that allow the readers to create theories in their heads about what could be going on and where it’s going to lead. At the same time, the fantastical qualities of the Janus key create an inspiring aura that awakens the imagination and makes us think about destiny and second chances. The magical elements are introduced tastefully and thoughtfully, their presence feeling believable inside the story and letting us play with the idea of bending time for greater purposes.

Trial and Redemption by Thomas Reilly is a superb blend of magical realism and time travel science fiction. Though impressive and attention-grabbing, the supernatural elements of the book serve a bigger purpose by letting us connect with the characters and their stories through time, understanding their struggles, misfortunes, and flaws. We get to see what each of them is truly made of when presented with the opportunity of mending the future, realizing that despite some damaging steps taken in secret in a moment of weakness, there’s always a chance of correcting ourselves and fixing our mistakes.

Pages: 238 | ASIN : B0BZ9XH78L