by Christian Cura

A Fantasy, Independently Published in 2024, 331 Pages

Note: We’re reading/reviewing this sequel at the request of the author without reading the prior book in order to determine if this one stands alone.

What I Didn’t Like:

There is a sense of missing something if you read this one without having read the previous book when you begin. I was able to catch on quickly but if you hate that feeling, start with book 1.
Spicy scenes. Not really a negative, just a content warning. They also sort of pop up out of nowhere and don’t really add anything to the plot. Personally, I could’ve done without them.
Pacing is inconsistent. There’s scenes that are incredibly slow and last a long time coupled with scenes that move too fast. It makes the entire book feel slow, which is at odds with the fast nature of the main conflict. In other words the main character feels rushed to find an answer quickly but we are languishing in small details. The sense of urgency isn’t matched in the reader.

An interesting puzzle. I was invested in knowing who was involved and why it was happening. The twist involving the main character works without feeling gimmicky. I appreciated that.
Shadow Magic. I enjoyed the lessons in shadow magic immensely. It felt like we were learning an important part of this world and I always love that.
I love a good villain origin story. I want to know where the drive and ambition comes from. I want to see that switch flipped when they go too far. This has that.

High fantasy fans who like to be immersed in worlds and know all the details of the world.

A slow start but a beautiful finish that leaves things open for a sequel that could really soar.