By Tomi Adeyemi
Magic is back in Orisha thanks to Zelie and Amari (apologies, I don’t know how to put all of Adeyemi’s essential accents over letters). But now there is a vacuum of power with the King deceased, and understandable civil unrest over previous genocide. On the brink of war, though some would argue in the midst of yet another battle of the same war, Zelie and Amari must turn to unlikely allies, and are forced to question previous alliances.
Their own partnership is increasingly fraught with tension, as Amari cannot seem to garner support for her ascension to the throne with which she dreams of uniting Orisha, and Zelie keeps being forced into the role of leader that she neither wants nor thinks she deserves.
Also, magic seems to have come back stronger in unexpected places and people. There are many surprising resurrections. While still a great book and story, I missed some of the intimate details of characters that I fell in love with in the first installment. I feel like I don’t get enough time with the new characters to form the attachments that were so earth shattering in the previous book.
The world is enthralling and consuming, great for fans of VE Schwab or Sarah J Maas. Many scenarios and tempers hold an uncomfortable mirror up to our current climate – thank you , Tomi Adeyemi.
Soundtrack
Back in Black by ACDC
Heartlines by Florence + The Machine
You Can’t Stop Me by Andy Mineo
I Am the Fire by Halestorm
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- Strong, female, realistic leaders who are fallible and vulnerable but still leaders
- Love the strength in power, and the fact that the power comes from training and working hard, not just tossing back what has been freely given
- Fave quote: You are not your mistakes
Cons
- For me, a bit too much emphasis on romance and entanglements
- I understand why, but dislike the obvious cliffhanger ending that sets up the third book
- Not as detailed character development among the clans, harder to love them as much as some periphery characters from the first book