What a worthy sequel to a thrilling predecessor!! I adored City of Dusk, so I was really looking forward to this one and it absolutely did not disappoint. Tara Sim is an incredibly gifted author and she just knows how to pull readers in. The characters, the world-building, the plot... Everything is so engaging. There were some places where I felt the pacing was a little too dragged but this was such a satisfying read and I'm so ready for the conclusion to this series cause it's gonna be so so so good!

Whilst I enjoyed to first book I've decided not to carry on with this series after much thought and consideration.

Like I said I enjoyed the first one but just didn't love it as much as I wanted to and I feel bad for requesting this one because at the time I really had thought I would finish it. This is very much a personal decision and everyone should still pick up this series.

I'm so sorry!

City of Dusk was one of my favourite reads, so I as really excited to read this and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The world building, history, which were all so good in the first are expanded upon and it’s such a delight to learn even more , I appreciated the multiple perspectives and how well done each was and distinct with so many different characters it’s really impressive. The story is rich, dark at times but always full of hope and also humour. The story builds up constantly and it’s hard to find a place to stop when you are forced to join reality, it just keeps building until that ending, what a cliffhanger, but perfect too, god I need to know what will happen next !

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Having read City of Dusk when it first came out, it felt like a very long wait for this follow-up. And it doesn't disappoint. While some of the beats are a little cliche (did everyone really have to couple up quite so neatly?) the underlying narrative is strong and different from a lot of other fantasy series. It did feel like it suffered a little bit from middle-book-itis, but hopefully the conclusion will finish with a bang and we'll finally find out what these tricksy gods are up to!

Tara Sim’s writing continues to evolve with each installment, and in this book, I was particularly captivated by the expansive world-building. The depth of history explored in various places and with different characters added layers of richness to the story. Despite the large cast of characters, the multiple perspectives were well-managed, making it surprisingly easy to follow along.

In The Midnight Kingdom, the story delves into darker territories, various types of magic, necromancy, demons, and the sinister machinations of the gods. These challenges significantly raise the stakes for our characters.

1. Taesia, wielding shadow magic, is a character who embodies relentless determination. Her struggle to prove her strength while battling the persistent voice in her head adds complexity to her character arc.
2. Risha, skilled in necromancy, finds her place in the land of the dead, driven by a deep desire to assist the departed souls, a calling stemming from her connection to Thana.
3. Angelica, with her elemental magic, faces the intricacies of court politics and the dangers of their world. Her journey toward self-discovery, despite the challenges she faces, showcases her unwavering determination.
4. Nik, burdened by guilt and strained family dynamics, battles against his own god, depicting a powerful internal conflict that adds depth to his character.
5. Julian and Dante, with their intriguing backgrounds, provide compelling perspectives, enhancing the overall narrative.

While the romantic relationships are not fully developed yet, I appreciate that the story prioritizes the pressing issues at hand. The challenges faced by the characters in both their personal lives and the greater conflict create a sense of urgency that keeps the reader engaged.

Tara Sim has consistently delivered in this trilogy, and I am eagerly anticipating the epic conclusion in the final book. With its intricate plot, diverse characters, and evolving themes, I have no doubt that the finale will be a stunning conclusion to this captivating series.

The second instalment of this trilogy really meant EPIC fantasy, this spans worlds and all the characters go on some form of adventure through the different realms. We meet some amazing new characters and reunite with some old ones, I thoroughly enjoyed this. All the romances are just so cute🥰

3.5 upped to 4
There's a lot to love in this book but you have to be patient as it's very slow burning and sometimes I was tempted to skim
There's more world building and the characters are changing and growing.
It would be a great series it it a bit faster.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

While it was a very slow beginning for me as I had to reconnect to the characters and also find myself into new worlds and new characters as well, I immediately liked The Midnight Kingdom better than The City of Dusk. While there were just as many details in basically every sentence, there was also tension and suspense. I have to admit that I still care most about Taesia Lastrider and that it felt like her show at first, though the other characters really grew on me this time around.

I still love how detailed the book is, both when it comes to world building and to character development. Even though it slows the pace of the books, all those details make the characters and their surroundings come truly alive and tangible and I simply loved diving into the minds and feelings of everyone, getting to know them better and better. Same goes for the world(s).

As I said, Taesia is my favourite. My beloved. She struggles a lot, mostly with herself and the expectations she has of herself but also those others have of her. She is torn between these and her wish for more and for power. She is determined, yet impulsive and prone to make mistakes because of that. Still, she tries her hardest and I really admired that about her. Through her chapters we get a lot of insight into Nyx’s world and his powers.

Surprisingly, I came to truly like Angelica as well. While I admired her determination and her quest for more power already, I liked that I go to see another side of her as well. She isn’t gentle, never that, but she slowly starts letting people in and allowing herself to care. She still has her walls up high, but she tries and accepts help and also helps others even when she can’t profit off it. She travels through Vitae so I got to know a lot more about the world each of the heirs was born in. We also get to know a lot more about Deia.

I also liked Risha’s story in The Dark Kingdom. She grows into her powers and accepts them for what they are, making the most of them. Even through her struggles and her pain, she manages to grow and get stronger. Her journey through Mortri I could imagine very well and I liked seeing that realm written out even though the realm itself is terrible.

With a great eye for details, Tara Sim continues the journey of the heirs in The Dark Kingdom. The story is rich of pain, uncertainty and darkness, but also full of hope, humor even, and love. It is such a good mixture of light and dark, while slowly descending into the latter nevertheless. The atmosphere of the book is tangible and I could imagine everything so, so well. The characters all have a place in my heart and I truly adore The Dark Gods series. The Dark Kingdom is definitely one of my favourite books this year.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc of this title in exchange for this honest review.

For some reasonthe netgalley app wouldnt let me read this book, despite the fact that it was a few hours away from expiring? Because of this i was unable to finish the book unfortunately and will provide an full review once i get the chance to finish it. What i read of it was enjoyable though.

This follow up to The City of Dusk was complex, dynamic and ambitious to say the least. I found the pacing on the slower side but considering the extensive scope of the plot and the journeys that the characters went on, it was a given.

Almost, throughout the book, all our main pov characters are in different places doing their own things and I think this worked both in favour and against the book. On one hand, we finally get to discover new realms, their magic, people, customs etc. And meet some really cool new characters, on the other hand, since every one was off doing their own thing, the story felt disjointed at times. As soon as something interesting would start happening to one character, we would switch pov to another character and after a while, this became frustrating. Plus, some of the povs ex. Nicholas and Risha or even Dante's were far less interesting compared to Angelica and Taesia's and the switching of povs kept taking me out of the story.

That said, I think Tara Sim, writes relationships quite well and I really enjoyed the various relationship development- romantic or otherwise that we got in this book. The last 20% finally brings all the major player together and I liked how everything came together. I am looking forward to how the next book will play out!

P.S - For everyone who is picking up this sequel, please either re-read the first book or give a read of the summary of the first book on the author's website.

3,5 stars

Last year I really enjoyed The City of Dusk and so I was looking forward to The Midnight Kingdom. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first book. I wasn't so much dissapointed in the story as I was with the way it was told.

At the end of City of Dusk our main characters were fairly divided over various realms. Taesia, Nicolai, Julian and Finn are with the god Pho in Ryans body in Noctus. Risha finds herself in Motri. Angelica and Dante remain in Vaega. One at the top and the other in hiding.

As much as I was invested in their stories, I still struggled with this book. To actually pick it back up. There is so much information, so many additional characters in each story, even more so when even the larger groups start splitting up and we get more along the lines of 5 story lines. Each very seperate yet intertwined in the bigger story. But sometimes that bigger story was hard to find. Why were some things important again? There was so much going on that it was hard to then get to the actual feelings. Sometimes we forwarded through that a bit too fast.

I also was not a fan of how almost every chapter was a switch to another storyline or how a lot of those chapters ended in a type of cliffhangers. A few times would have been fine but it was almost every time at about the middle point. It grew a bit tiresome.

Yet I am invested in these characters. I like them. Taesia is the big main character and I still like her. She tries not to show it too much but she struggles with herself so much and the expectations others have of her. And I get that. It feels like you are stuck. And then you lash out, make mistakes.

Angelica really grew more on me this book. She is so determined to shut everyone out. But when you are on the run, you don't always have that option. And yes sometimes you might get hurt, but sometimes it is worth it. To get that connection with your sibling or that new found friend.

City of Dusk was such an epic and entertaining fantasy, so when I tell you that Midnight Kingdom was that & so much more, I'm not exaggerating. The story picks up pretty much instantly after the events of book one. The four heirs are scattered across the realms, most in some kind of peril & all now following their own journey's. Taesia, Nikolas & Julian have found themselves in Noctus, captured by the god Phos in Rian's body. Risha is in Mortri, the land of the dead, and with limited time to get out before her body withers away. Angelica has travelled to Vaega to try and find Dea's fulcrum, hoping she can use it to bring the God down. The heirs all might be on their own paths, but they will be forever linked by the gods, and as the gods grow stronger, they will need more than just their power and wits to survive.

Let me tell you how much I love these characters, the sweet, soft cinnamon roll men and the unforgiving and take no prisoners women. Book one showed them bogged down by the politics of trying to win the throne, at each others throats, none quite willing to see the bigger picture. But after the events of The City of Dusk that changes. They start to see that no one person can end this battle, saving themselves and their worlds as well, but what I loved most about this book was Sim's decision to separate them from each other. In doing this she allowed us to see them without the constant political battles and undermining and I loved getting a deeper dive into them all as individuals. They still have their political aspirations, some more than others (I'm looking at you Angelica) but through this book we start to see them look more at the bigger picture, what good is a crown if there is no one to rule, and they slowly start to realize that the will of their God's might be doing more harm than good.

With book one Sim gave us a brilliantly built word, one that was thrown wide open and wondrously expanded on in this book. We learn about the other realms in book one, but in Midnight Kingdom we actually get to visit some of them - Noctus and Mortri - thanks to some of our heirs being sent there. These two realms couldn't have been more different, yet they both had one thing in common, they were slowly whittling away thanks to a lack of care and attention from the God's who rule them. Being in their native realms, Taesia and Risha get to see the true depth of their gods depravity, how they have left their worlds to rot, so intent on fighting their own battles. Both of these worlds were so effortlessly brought to life, showing the dangers and beauty of both, and I genuinely can't wait, and am desperately hoping, that we get to visit some others in the next book.

Despite our characters being separated from one another, Sim still allows them to build relationships, both new and building on ones from the first book, my favourites being Angelica and Cosima and Taesia and Julian. These two relationships mirror each other in so many ways with Taesia and Angelica being heirs, rich and coming from lives of luxury, and Cosima and Julian essentially nobody's, but there are inherent differences. Angelica and Cosima's relationship was built on need, that then grew into want and then into something stronger, something neither was fully ready to admit. Taesia and Julian's was a romance doomed from the start, with Taesia's history with Nikolas and Julian only just coming into his powers. I so thoroughly enjoyed seeing both these, as well as other relationships, get developed through the book and especially enjoyed how they added to the character growth.

Everything from the magic, the danger the excitement and fights were just bigger and better in this book. We learn more about the God's, thanks in large to visiting two of the other realms, and start to slowly understand their plans, what they have been working towards. We start to see the true fickleness and danger of them, how they are simply using the heir's for their own goals, never truly willing to help unless there are strings attached, strings that the heirs do not want. She also use's this to build on the lore of her world, giving us little bits of information, allowing us to follow along with the story but never quite enough to fully guess where it is going. With plenty of plot twists, as well as emotional scenes it's a hard book to put down, especially when you can just feel that, similarly to book one, it's building to something big... and boy was it.

I found the ending to this one so much bigger and more emotional than book one. I can't say anything because of spoilers but poor *blank* my heart totally went out to them and, although I didn't agree with their decision (so much so I shouted at the book) I understood it. Sim's writing is emotive and, though not lyrical, sings in a way that makes it incredibly hard to put down. She writes these epic cinematic style scenes that leap off the page and plenty of ones that had the hairs standing up on the back of my arms. The story builds and builds and builds, and let me tell you it's a ride worth taking because the ending, although an absolutely killer, was perfect. It ends on one hell of a cliffhanger, something Sim seem's to enjoy even if her readers don't, and I can't tell you how desperate I am to get my hands on the next book.

The Midnight Kingdom is definitely a step up from The City of Dusk. It's far darker and brutal, and twice as complex with the supernatural element taking the front seat.

Each heir has their path and each has its hardships. Watching them all grow and face up to their demons has a treat, and Tara Sim knows just how to explore and develop characters in a masterful way.

The story follows up the end events of the previous book. The heirs are spread through different realms, and each journey is different and complex. Now that I'm familiar with the characters, it's easier to follow them and not get lost in the story, but still, it's a heavy read.

Dante and Brailee are determinate to bring their sister back from Noctus, and they go after their aunt Camilla to find a way to open a new portal. Risha is fighting her way through the realm of the dead, focused on resurrecting Jas. Taesia, Nikolas, Fin and Julian are captives of the cruel and ruthless god of light Phos, and fight to break free from his hold. And finally, Angelica, who is travelling to her stepmother's country in order to get the backing of the imperial family on her claim to the throne.

This book truly has it all. It's brutal, with heart-stopping moments and heart breaking ones too. Manipulative gods, demons, necromancy, elemental magic, political intrigue and a lot of chaos. It's a fantastic and complex world-building that I haven't read in a long time. And in the end, everything fits perfectly.

An addictive series that should definitely become a classic. Can't wait for the next installment!

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley for the e-ARC!

The four heirs (now 5 heirs?) have been thrown apart. Taesia is in Noctus with Julian, a controlled-by-a-god Nikolas and the Rian-wearing god himself, Phos. Risha is in the death realm of Mortri with a dead Jas. No living mortal can stay there. The only one left in Nexus to help save it is Angelica. But she secretly suffers from sickness her goddess left in her. She travels in search of an object to help save them all. As gods throw the dice, they must each play their part in saving the world.

Starting with a peculiar prologue of an unknown voice, the book then throws us straight into the action. The author continues to convey her vision of this world she created, beautifully. Lots of details decorate the descriptions and along with the figurative speech that waxes lyrical, vivid images are conjured that enhance the storytelling. There is an outright epic feel to the sequel.

The author does an amazing job juggling all the POVs, and all of them are breath-stealing. They delve deep into the characters' mentality, resulting in us knowing them better and caring for them even more. Along with them, we learn more about their magic. I really like how their thought process is presented. Also the humor from expected places like Cosima and unexpected like Val (you will be pleasantly surprised when you read it).

Sometimes, in some books, to be fast-paced the action is written in muddled scenes, not taking the time to evolve sufficiently and not explained well, or take too long losing the sense of anticipation, but that isn't the case here. The excitement is heightened with the right dose of precise, dramatic wording. Even with the air of impending doom, hope flutters around the narrative, as different approaches to attaining power progress. Wonderfully paced and unpredictable, there are plenty of surprises as the story rides into a storm of thrills.

Inevitably, due to a lot of info to absorb and so that no POV rushes ahead, there is a bit of lagging in parts. Also with the book being so busy your attention cannot wander, even for a minute. Not that you would want it to! But there was some confusion for me in a few instances. Also an event in Angelica's POV, it felt as if something was missing after it happened.

This book is about belonging to yourself. About power. Power to be yourself, to be heard, to be esteemed. To help others and help yourself. Full of quests, newfound weapons, travels to other lands, so many feels and adventure, this yummy, big helping of the series gifts us with a deserving sequel.

A Captivating Continuation of the Divine Saga

Truly, what's not to adore about a motley crew of calamitous individuals descended from deities? Tara Sim's "The Midnight Kingdom," the much-anticipated sequel to "The City of Dusk," seamlessly carries forward a captivating tale within a sweeping dark fantasy series. Heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for graciously providing me with an eARC of this book, affording me the chance to provide an equitable and sincere review. The series occupies a special place in my heart, given my previous rating of four out of five stars for the inaugural book last year.

The second instalment opens in the wake of a cataclysmic battle that has rent asunder the city of Nexus, leaving the four noble heirs dispersed across disparate realms. Taesia, Nikolas, Risha, and Angelica, each endowed with divine abilities, navigate their own trials as they confront gods, unpick enigmas, and grapple with their inner demons.

Sim's deft storytelling and evocative descriptions continue to astound. The expansion of the world-building in "The Midnight Kingdom" was truly awe-inspiring. As our characters traverse varied countries, continents, and even realms, we're treated to a rich tapestry of lore that adds profundity to the narrative. The introduction of novel characters and unforeseen twists keeps the reader wholly absorbed and invested.

However, as is often the case with any narrative, there are facets that leave me with mixed emotions. While the growth and development of characters across the board are commendable, Nikolas's chapters unfortunately come up short. His portrayal feels somewhat disconnected from the overarching plot, and his dearth of meaningful involvement renders his segments less than compelling. Additionally, the romantic dimension feels somewhat foreseeable and is afforded greater prominence, at times veering into a more stereotypically young adult dynamic. This shift in tone, though not unwelcome, occasionally dilutes the otherwise mature themes of the tale.

A high point for me was the intricate exploration of Risha's circumstances. Her odyssey through Mortri, the realm of death, is emotionally resonant and showcases Sim's ability to invest her characters with depth and complexity.

In contrast to my slight reservations, "The Midnight Kingdom" remains a robust addition to "The Dark Gods" trilogy. The narrative sweeps us into uncharted territories and leaves us yearning for the forthcoming instalment. The conclusion, in particular, is tantalising, setting the stage for a forthcoming continuation that promises to be compelling.

In summation, the hashtag #TheMidnightKingdom perfectly encapsulates the essence of Tara Sim's opus. This sequel, much like its predecessor, is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess, presenting a lush and immersive universe inhabited by characters who continue to evolve. As we ardently await the third book, this series firmly cements its standing among my recent favourites.

#TheMidnightKingdom #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for granting me an arc.

This was a fantastic read. I loved seeing how each of the heirs was coping and struggling with the after effects of Godsnight.

My favorite heirs to read about were Risha and Angelica. I also was so invested in Nikolai's fate and just wanted to wrap him in a bubble.

I can't wait to read more from Tara!

Oh, my goodness – where to start with reviewing this book? The Midnight Kingdom picked up where The City of Dusk ended and then ramped everything up. Instead of just a single city, we now have entire realms as the four heirs are scattered in the aftermath of Godsnight. It was a demanding read as the POVs changed rapidly as did the character’s situations but I loved every word of it.

The world has expanded hugely but Tara Sim does a brilliant job in giving each realm its own distinctive character from the night realm of Noctus where food is mostly made from mushrooms to the Japanese influenced realm of Azune where we meet a wyvern. I loved each of the different places and the roles that the heirs had to play in each one.

We see the heirs try to take control of events and their journeys are difficult. They make mistakes and pay the price for those. I loved the different POVs and the way that all of them were trying to fight off the influence of the gods and maintain their humanity. All of the characters suffer during this book, it’s very dark in places, but each of them grows over the course of the book. I loved the new characters too and can’t help having a soft spot for Ren’s skull.

This was a brilliantly plotted and complex second volume and I can’t wait to find out how everything works out in the next book.

Huge thanks to the publishers, Hodder and Stoughton, and Net Galley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After really enjoying City of Dusk, i was so excited to receive an ARC for The Midnight Kingdom.

This book starts off right were city of dusk ended with Taesia, Nikolas, Fin and Julian held captive by Phos (who is actually the body of Rian, Niks Brother)) in Noctus, Risha is now in Mortri, with the spirit of Jas and Angelica is travelling to Miko's country, Azune to gain the imperial family's support for her claim to the throne and to secure Deia's fulcrum.

Dante and Brailee work with Saya to try and open another portal to help the rest of the team back to Vitae.

the story is told from each of the main protagonists POV's which helps the story move at a fast pace and Tara Sim knows how to structure the chapters so that each time you leave a POV you are left on a cliffhanger.

I will say that i felt Nik's POV was a little boring, and while most characters went through quite a bit of development in this story (Angelica in particular) i felt he fell really flat, and the story probably wouldnt have been hurt without his chapters.

As with City of Dusk, Taesia and Angelica are my favorite main characters with Cosima being a firm favourite side character.

Love the LBGTQ+ rep within the story as well.

All in all if you enjoy a dark story with elements of god lore and supernatural elements, i think you will love this story. looking forward to book 3!

review also on goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5772121084

Deia's tits, Nyx's piss, Thana's rotting grave and "Phos's hairy nutsack" I was not ready for this sequel. You're not ready for it. Children, generations down the line are not ready. Tara Sim held nothing back on this one and threw everything, including the kitchen sink, into this story.

The book is just 'More'. We get more of the world, seeing Seniza, Vaega, Azuna, Motri and Noctus. We get more from our house heirs. In particular I loved seeing Nik and Risha as so much more than they were in the first book, which were in my opinion, less interesting as characters in City of Dusk compared to Angelica and Taesia. I loved seeing "Bee" and Saya getting to shine, Eiko as well grew on me - which isn't hard since in the first book she's more of a family bullet point.

The only thing that had my head spinning was the chapter changing focuses. Because there is so much going on in the book and you're jumping from Nik, Tae/Dante and Brailee, Angelica, Risha and Julian, it took me a little second each time there were longer breaks between the realm stories. Particularly in Noctus when Nik and Fin were having everything going on while Julian and Taesia's POVs were more or less intertwined. I did love the brief interludes between Phos and Rian which had some glimpses into Phos's past with Nyx.

I have way too many thoughts on everything about this book, the characters, the events, the world. Like sit in a dark room and process this quantity of thoughts. The thing that makes me most mad is I have to wait for the next book after Angleica's mic drop moment. So thanks for that. (Also, if Tara does read this and looking for spin offs, can we have Lilia setting up her rule in Noctus? Please? Pretty please. I know Marcellus and Kalen have some relationship issues to work out and we deserve to know about them. - Maybe a prequel too about the gods?)

5/5

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved returning to this world and falling in love with it all over again. The expansive and atmospheric worldbuilding, the flawed, impassioned, powerful cast of characters. It honestly feels like this trilogy was written just for me, I adored every single moment! I am on my hands and knees begging for book three to come sooner!

There are seven perspectives in this book, each one as riveting as the last. They're all so fascinating and all of their separate plotlines are filled with intrigue.
Where The City of Dusk was mainly set within the city of Nexus, The Midnight Kingdom explores a vast array of other lands and other worlds. I enjoyed every moment exploring the new depths of these worlds and was enraptured with every plot. I loved witnessing the plotlines grow and expand and become increasingly complex, I loved seeing them come to fruition as they intertwined and the characters imploded into each other's orbits once more.

Taesia is probably my favourite character (although it truly is so hard to choose as all the characters are fantastic), she's fierce and defiant and never gives up. She does not want to submit to the duty that is shackled to her like chains, she wants to fight, she wants to live. She sees nothing noble in the role of the martyr and she is desperate to prove that she is strong enough as she is. She wants to be strong enough to save the realms and the people that she loves most.
Taesia is born of the god Nyx and therefore wields shadow magic. In this book she is confronted with the origins of those powers to a further extent, she's shown a new world that she at once does and does not belong to. She struggles with her sense of identity as the god in her head incessantly whispers.

Risha, born of the god Thana, wields necromantic powers. She's thrust into the land of the dead, her human breaths coming shallower as the realm starts to claim her as its own. Hers is a struggle of grief as she reconciles with the things and the people that she has lost.
Risha is kind-hearted and gentle, all she wants is the peace of her realm and the peace of the dead. She only ever wanted to reopen the portal into Mortri for the dead to find their peace, but her god refused. Her journey is a desperate clawing of survival in a land that does not accept her presence in it. Grief weighs heavy on her as she discovers the secrets of her ancestors and the frailty of all their interconnected realms.

Angelica, born of the god Deia, wields elemental magic. Angelica has always had an affinity for fire, she harbours an addiction for the flames that is inextinguishable. She's headstrong and determined, like her magic, she's made up of incendiary elements. As practiced as she is at putting on a mask in the face of dangerous court politics, she feels more strongly than anyone. It is only in her nature, after all.
Through her perspective we discover the land of Azuna and the fascinating characters that come into play. Angelica has been cut off from her powers by her god, but she is determined to reclaim them as her own as she discovers the secret of a lost part of their world.

Nik, born of the god Phos, wields powers of light—the light to Taesia's darkness. Nik is the forgotten son turned heir of a blazing set of destructive events. He is broken and empty and battles with accepting the numbness of subjugation. He does not want to exist in the pain of the real world. He battles with the past as much as he does with the present. He fights against his god at every step, for himself and for the others that he cares about.

Julian was a mystery in the first book, a person we barely understood. In this book we see all his contradictions laid bare; we see him as man, we see him as monster; we see him as demon, we see him as protector. We, alongside him, grow to understand better who he is. He reconciles with all of the new knowledge he has gained about their vast universe, about a time before the portals were closed and there existed something that is now lost.

Dante, Taesia's older brother, also born of Nyx's blood, has himself an unlikely alliance in this book that we see him conjure up in the first. In the (literal) shadows of Vitae, he finds himself swept into the heart of a rescue mission. With new, disquieting powers under his control, he begins the search for the others that are missing, anxious to bring them back home.

The seventh perspective's identity is one that is elusive in the first book. We find out at the end of The City of Dusk, but I'll leave it a secret in this review too. This character battles—as all the characters do, in various different ways—with the struggle for autonomy.
This is what I perceive to be the main theme of the book and it is astoundingly interesting to me. I adore how it's explored so extensively in a multitude of different ways. Even when these struggles have the same cause, the focuses that are explored are all so unique.
I loved the question continuously posed to us: is it selfish to want to live? When blood defines who you are and your birth alone is a deciding factor in your duty, when all that power and pressure is put upon you, when your life—and even your death—are decided for you... is it selfish to want to live for yourself instead? Is it selfish to want to be in control of your own body and your own mind? Is it selfish to want agency?
It's an unfalteringly compelling theme that I loved to see explored in such depth.

This book truly has it all! Dark and manipulative gods, phenomenal worldbuilding, shadow magic, necromancy, elemental magic, demonic forces, literal demons, a large cast of queer characters being chaotic, court politics, beautiful writing, and so much more. It's the type of series that is impossible to put down, I never want it to end. I hope the brilliant Tara Sim decides it should be a ten book series instead! I could never get enough of this world or these characters.

I'm so happy that I got to read this early, thank you Hodder & Stoughton (the publisher love of my life)! This was so incredible, I never wanted it to be over.
I implore you to go read this masterful series.