3.5 stars

As this is Book 2 of a series, I probably should have picked up the first book to read before starting on this one, but I figured as a paranormal whodunit, it should be pretty self-explanatory. That was mostly true, as I picked up most of the background info pretty quickly.

The premise is good - an Agatha Christie style murder mystery on an island, but with the complication of Echoes, layers of time where things repeat, kinda. I also loved that the main character is a woman who is still on maternity leave, juggling going back to work and wanting to be with her bub.

I enjoyed the interaction between the characters, but maybe because I hadn't read the first book, some of the characters took a while to come into focus for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the review copy.

I'd recommend the series to those looking for urban fantasy/paranormal crime, as Caruso balances these well.

So the reason I wanted to read this is genuinely because I read the first book (also as an ARC) in January and I loved it, so I applied for the second one. Friends, I was genuinely so happy to get this sequel, however I feel a little 50/50 about this one compared to the first. Let's start off with the good. The storytelling in this book was just as fun, and magical as the first one. The author did such a good job at making us feel like we were there with Kem and Rika. The twists and turns were just as, if not more, twist and turny as the first book. I loved learning more about Kem and Rika and what their life was like. I loved that we got to know more about the villains and their lore. I was so happy to see that there was still that witty banter and yearning there was in the first. I genuinely feel like this series is like nothing I have ever read before. However, this book for some reason just slogged on for me. It's not that I wasn't enjoying all of the content, I just found it so difficult to want to pick it up and there was nothing really pulling me until the last 10 chapters. If I wasn't already so invested in this series, I may have DNF'd it at the start. Both of these books so far have had a slow start and a STRONG finish but for me, the slow start just lasted a little too long for my liking in this one. I'm definitely still going to be picking up the next book when it comes out, however the next book will also definitely determine whether or not I would still recommend this series to others.

The second novel in the Echo Archives series is set on a remote island, in an old mansion, at the reading of a will. You all know where this is headed, right? A murder mystery, because one by one the heirs have to die, and Kembral and her now girlfriend Rika need to race against the clock once more to solve the mystery.

I enjoyed seeing more of the world Kembral inhabits. Yet, I was missing the character depth of the first book and especially with the new secondary characters introduced here. Furthermore, I am still wondering whether the book would have benefitted from being narrated from Rika's POV. Let's hope it was 'just' Middle-Book-Syndrome. I'll definitely read the third book in the series.

I was intrigued about what kind of story could follow the wild ride that was the first book in this series, and was pleasantly surprised to find this one is a fantasy murder mystery, a mix of genres that seems to be gaining some popularity (or at least I hope it is 😆)

Once again we follow Kembral, who this time is tasked to undo a curse set on her childhood friends. But as they gather in a secluded manor, people begin to die, suggesting a murderer might be trying to speed up the curse for their own benefit.

I loved coming back to this strange world and seeing the world building expand in this second book.
Kembral is very much the self sacrificing hero type but I really enjoy her inner monologue. She’s one part investigator, one part action hero, and one part tired mom, and I love that mix 🤣
In contrast, Rika isn’t my favorite character, I preferred their dynamic from the previous book although I think they complement each other well.
I enjoyed the investigation more than the resolution of the mystery, but there were definitely some twists I didn’t see coming.

I expect we’ll get more books in this series, and I'm looking forward to the bizarre adventures that Kembral and Rika will have next time!

Kembral Thorne's best friend drags her to a will reading at an island mansion, only to be confronted with the unexpected reunion of her childhood gang and a deadly curse that she must unravel.
I enjoyed this tale, despite not having read the first one. It had good pacing if somewhat mixed at ties, the world building as Ok and the characters likeable, especially as much of this would have been developed previously.

First of all, thank you to Orbit UK and Netgalley for approving me of the e-ARC!

I read The Last Hour Between Worlds last year and although I didn't *love* it, I still had a great time with it. When I saw it was getting a second book, I was curious on what it would be about because according to my memory, it felt like it didn't really need a second book because it was Done. My opinion is that making a book that would be better off as a standalone/duology as a series or extending a series just for the sake of it would just hurt the series at the end.

However, after reading The Last Soul Among Wolves, I do think this is a great way of turning it into one! It's still connected to the first book, but at the same time the plot starts off as new. In here, Kembral is once again stuck in the middle of solving and fixing a mystery despite her desire to rest and and finish off her maternity leave in peace - but this time, she's in there because of her friends.

I think one of the reasons why I enjoyed this so much was because the characters! In the first book, because Kembral were hopping everywhere, i felt like it was hard to be attached to the characters except for maybe Kembral and Rika. However, in this one, we get to see more of the characters and god, they were chaotic. I loved seeing Kembral's dynamic with her friends and I also really loved seeing Kembral and Rika's relationship grow in this one.

I also really think the sequel improved a lot on what I struggled with in the first book. There was no info dumping, the plot flew naturally without the help of the "info dumping" and no unnecessary dump to resolve/create problems for the sake of the plot. I also thought the romance between Kembral and Rika were better here! (again, this might be because of the plot of the story too)

I will definitely be tuning in to the third book to see what kind of trouble Kembral gets into!

I enjoyed this book almost as much as I did the first one.

We meet most of the same characters again, plot is decently fast paced and style is the same. I wouldn't be surprised if it was inspired in setting by And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Both share a group of people gathered and then trapped on the island as one by one die.

I look forward to the next one and I can partially expect what part or core of the plot will be. I hope t will lead us to see even more of Echo and different levels.

My first piece of advice would be – if you’ve somehow picked this one up without having first read The Last Hour Between Worlds, reshelve and track down the previous book. There are stories you can fully appreciate without having read the first offering – this isn’t one of them. Caruso hits the ground running with this tale and while she does touch upon some of the events that cause major problems for Kembral and Rika in this story – you really need to know the details to get the full impact.

This story has the classic ingredients for a nicely creepy adventure – an isolated and run-down mansion on an island that’s regularly cut off by the tide; a will reading and some cursed relics that have ensnared people Kembral really cares about. But when you add in Caruso’s wonderful world, where there are layers of reality below our own and shadow people often turned into monstrosities by the powerful Empyreans, who constantly try to out-manoeuvre each other, then you get an extra amount of tension.

That said, I didn’t love this one as much as The Last Hour Between Worlds. There is so much going on – a classic whodunit where people start dying on the isolated island, rising tensions as Kem and Rika are forced to return to the fifth layer where they know it’s going to be really dangerous, a major storm, a race against time, Kem’s increasing worry about leaving her infant daughter for so long… With so much plotting and tension – something has to give and this time around, it was some of the characterisation. While we did get to know some of the history of these former friends of Kem – I felt an extra layer of emotional heft was missing, simply because there wasn’t the time within the story for Caruso to expand that aspect.

In addition, I wasn’t completely happy with the visits to the Echoes, which is a lethally dangerous place to go. The setup in the first book meant the need for the constant revisiting was ironclad. This time around, I felt there was one visit too many so that the major denouement fell a bit flat. Because all I could think was – well, why didn’t you figure that out the last time?

I’m conscious it sounds as if this was a major disappointment. It really wasn’t. I was held throughout and completely immersed in the story. I love Kembral and the developing relationship with Rika, which I think Caruso handles with wonderful sensitivity and just the right amount of tension. I love the vicious monsters and the sense they are always – potentially – just a blink away. Caruso’s descriptions and worldbuilding are superb. And I look forward to reading the next instalment in this memorable and exciting fantasy series. While I obtained an arc of The Last Soul Among Wolves from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

✨ 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 & 🍵 𝗧𝗲𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
Kem is supposed to be on maternity leave, but instead ends up at a will reading in a mansion straight out of a gothic fever dream. Childhood friends, a girlfriend with history, cursed relics, and reality-bending chaos? Yeah… so much for rest.

The setup is deliciously eerie and it leans into that slow-burn mystery, but I felt like the story sometimes tried to juggle a few too many threads at once. Some reveals landed perfectly, others felt a little rushed past before I could fully enjoy the payoff. Still, the atmosphere is rich, the banter feels organic, and the mix of personal stakes with supernatural weirdness makes it hard to put down. Kem navigating all of this while exhausted, fiercely loyal, and sometimes hilariously blunt might be my favorite part—it’s chaotic, but the good kind.

Thank you to @littlebrownbookgroup_uk for the copy!

🏠 Found family
🌈 Sapphic romance
👻 Haunted mansion
🗝️ Dangerous relics
🌌 Reality shifts
💬 Witty banter

Another 3.5⭐️ like its predecessor. Thank you NetGalley & Orbit for the ARC.

This time round, we have a whodunnit on our hands! I enjoyed this plotline far more than Book 1's time loops. I found it to be a solid murder mystery; even as the murderer isn't a total shocker, I'm satiated with the motivations laid out that that it still feels enjoyably fresh. And there's at least one twist I didn't see coming. Last Soul Among Wolves expanded the lore introduced to us from the previous book, with regards to the magic of Empyreans and we see more of other Guilds. Once more, I really enjoyed Kembral as a protagonist. Love her voice, happy to see Jaycel again, and the new characters in the form of her childhood friends are fun. (Very nice to see a trans character as always.)

I have to highlight new character Selina Glory as an antagonist. As a supporter of women's rights and women's wrongs, her vicious ambition and deluded self-centeredness was wickledly entertaining. I was almost sure we'd see her realising the error of her ways through her former flame appealing to her conscience, but stubbornly sticking to her convictions of wanting to hold on to her current lifestyle & fame is what makes her interesting!

The weakest part of the novel for me is unfortunately the relationship between Kem & Rika, which was the saving grace of the first book. Not to say it was bad, just feels like it's lacking...something, especially since I expected so much more from such a great foundation. I do like Rika as a main player, and her arc gets so much more expanded here. Despite these two being physically together a lot, maybe I wished Rika was just more involved in Kem's investigation rather than just a glorified bodyguard. She has skills that could've been integrated into a murder investigation. Also I feel like there isn't enough regret or admittance of wrongdoing on Rika's end for literally overriding Kem's agency, even if there is technically a narrative Reason for it that's beyond her control. Her justifying that Kem was being "too reckless" still doesn't warrant it, because Kem is right—this IS her job and risks are part of it, especially when lives are on the line. The resolution did make up for it somewhat, so I'm not as bothered as I started out. I'm still rooting for them.

Will continue on to Book 3! More Achyrion please; he's the coolest babysitter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In The Last Soul Among Wolves, Kembral and Rika must once again step into danger when a deadly magical force threatens to unravel the fragile balance between dimensions. Alongside old friends and allies, she faces a relentless race against time, with both their lives and those of people they love at stake.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was excited to return to this world of unique magic and multiple dimensions - and Melissa Caruso did not disappoint! I loved the very high stakes, the constant sense of acceleration, and the ever-ticking clock that barely let you breathe. I loved seeing how Rika and Kembral’s relationship has evolved since their last deadly adventure . their hesitancy, Kembral’s insecurity (she’s so precious!), and the fierce love they share. I also adored Kembral’s reunion with her old friendship group, the unexpected twist involving Vy, and the way Kembral fiercely loves her daughter while also loving her job and trying to hold both identities at once. Melissa Caruso wove all the complex threads of this world into a layered, gripping, and utterly compelling story.

I rated it 4.25 stars. Recommended if you enjoy high-stakes fantasy, unique and inventive magic systems, complex character relationships, and stories that combine epic scope with deeply personal stakes.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was incredibly eager to dive into this one and return back with these amazing characters and intriguing magic system. I loved the murder mystery element being mixed in with new magical lore and even more character development that I found myself not wanting to put this one down.

Kem is a fantastic character who is still trying to deal with the aftermath of the first book while also balancing being a single mother. I really liked her growth in this book and found her to be even wittier and more fun than before. I love her relationship with Rika, whose development is amazing in this one, as I loved getting to know more about her.

This book was so fun, and I honestly can't wait for more books with these characters!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Soul Among Wolves is the follow up to Melissa Caruso’s brilliant reality bending fantasy The Last Hour Between Worlds. Taking place 10 weeks after the events of the first book, we find Kembral escorting her childhood friend to a will reading in an old mansion on an island. It doesn't take long for Kembral, and the reader, to suss that this isn’t going to be a normal will reading.

It turns out that a cursed relic houses the names of all those present and one by one they will die until one person is left and that person will be the sole inheritor of a wish. Kembral’s sort of rival, sort of girlfriend is there for business and as things begin to get dangerous Kembral finds herself surrounded by her girlfriend, her best friend, and several childhood friends, with the knowledge that not everyone is going to make it off this island alive.

Once again the clock is ticking, and once again Kembral and Rika face a descent through the echoes in order to uncover the mysteries, solve the murder, and save as many people as they can.

It’s one of those books where it stands on its own feet and could be read as a standalone but also manages to connect to and develop on the larger overarching threads that were woven in the first book. At its heart it is a story of relationships, those between lovers, between friends, and between children and their parents. Some relationships you choose and others you don’t and it is the ones you choose that show who you really are.

As for the romance I do enjoy it, it’s very much a grumpy x grumpy combination, not much sunshine on show. Kembral and Rika are both very similar but I really appreciate seeing two headstrong independent women who are not used to relying on other people begin to feel comfortable leaning on each other. I also really love the way they establish boundaries and are willing to call each other out on their behaviour. It feels incredibly healthy and refreshing to see a fantasy series approach romance in a mature way and not gloss over or even glamourise more toxic behaviour!

The world building remains strong. I personally preferred the first book for several reasons and one of those was the richness of the world building. This one takes place a lot more in the Prime echo so it is a little more grounded in reality compared to the more reality bending escapades of the previous book. I did really love the mentions of sea echoes and how the borders of reality are weaker when it comes to in the water.

Also big shout out for the greatest of all the babysitters!

*Actual rating is 4.5 stars*

The Last Soul Among Wolves is the second book in The Echo archives series. It’s a fantasy series that follows Kem, who works as an investigator with all things related to the Echo. It is a multi-dimensioned parallel world that gets darker and more distorted the more layers you traverse. In this installment mixes the fantasy elements and the sapphic romance with childhood friendships and a murder mystery. Overall I really enjoyed this book as it kept most of the momentum that the first book ended with, the murder mystery was engaging and it was interesting to get more insight into the Echo and the characters connections to it. The main reason it isn’t 5 stars is that the story lost some steam near the end as its plotline felt a bit repetitive. But I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen in book 3.

The stunning sequel to Melissa Caruso’s fantasy novel The Last Hour Between Worlds. Another striking magic-filled murder mystery featuring Kembral Thorne that dives back into the layered Echoes beneath the city of Acantis. Easily as good as the first book, with beautiful world-building, pacy writing and an intriguing cast of characters. A must read for fantasy fans.

ARC review - The Last Soul Among Wolves by Melissa Caruso

Book 2 in The Echo Archives series, out 19 August.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
4.5 stars

Let me start out by saying that this book was just as good, if not better as the first one in the series, so if you enjoyed The Last Hour Between Worlds, you'll enjoy this one, too!

We pick up the story a few weeks after the events from book 1, and Kembral is invited by an old friend to help them out with a case. What could have been a nice reunion with her friends of course turns into a murder mystery she has to solve, but the clock is once again ticking.

Thankfully, she won't be left without the company and assistance of Rika, so we get to see more of their blooming relationship. We learn more about Rika in this book and I found her arc really interesting, can't wait to see what's going to happen in book 3.

The world bulding is so creative and fascinating, and I'm sure the audiobook will further elevate the experience with Moria Quirk's narration! She did an outstanding job with the different voices and accents in book 1.

PS. Y'all will love the babysitter!

A massive thank you to Little Brown UK, Netgalley and the author for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have to admit that I already requested this digital review copy through Netgalley before I finished the first book. However, I loved loved loved the first book, so I was really glad that Orbit granted my request!

In a way this book follows the same concept as the first book in the series. There is a deadly game, on destined times people are killed and our heroine needs to travel into the echo-dimensions to save the lives of her friends. And just like the first book, the trial does become very very personal. And it's especially the combination, the excitement of the game and the emotions of the personal challenges, making this book amazing.

I think this book has something for everyone. There is a touch of romance, and I especially love how realistic the romance progresses. There is a lot of danger and action, and since we're already familiar with this world it's easier to follow what's going on. There is magic, there are monsters, there are epic fights, there are mind-games. There is even a little murder mystery! And yet, it never feels all over the place. Everything serves a purpose and all questions get answered eventually.

I also like that there is some overarching storyline connecting the first and this second book, eventually leading to the third book in the series. And yet, the first book felt like a whole and completed story, and this second book does too. Even though it's clear our characters are not out of the danger zone and more is coming, the book has a satisfying finale, wrapping everything up nicely. However, I still can't wait for the next book!

A locked-room mystery in a mansion full of secrets.

Childhood friends who all seem a little too suspicious.

A romance between Kem and Rika that’s equal parts tender and exasperating (in the best way).

And oh yeah—a villain so stylishly menacing you almost want to root for them (yes he is back bitches)

I laughed, I gasped, I side-eyed half the cast (seriously, who isn’t suspicious??), and I couldn’t put it down. Caruso balances mystery, magic, and humor so well it feels like eating your favorite comfort food while someone sneaks in little shots of espresso. Fast, clever, and just spooky enough to make you want to keep the lights on.

The Last Soul Among Wolves is the second book in Melissa Caruso’s Echo Archives trilogy. While the main plot provides a stand-alone story (or at least a complete one) there is so much character and lore established in the first book of this series – The Last Hour Between Worlds – that it is essential reading before diving into this one. And Caruso builds on broader story arcs that will carry this series into its final volume.
The Last Soul Among Wolves once again centres around Hound Kembral Thorne, an investigator who has the ability to move through the Echoes, alternate realities that sit beneath her world. Kembral is still recovering from the events of The Last Hour Between Worlds when she is asked by one of her old friends to help out with a problem. Turns out that a group of her old friends have been cursed and now, along with a few others, are in a race against the curse where only one can survive. Also in the mix is her almost girlfriend Rika Nonesuch who has been employed by one of the cursed to help out. Soon, both are embroiled in a mystery that could prove fatal.
As with the first book, Caruso infuses this mystery with a sense of pace and danger. Almost from the first page people are dying and weird things are happening. And as always Kembral Thorne is in the middle of it, this time, to try and save her friends (and ultimately herself). This takes Kembral deep into the dangerous and crazy-weird echoes where the rules are different and she is more vulnerable due to her success in the previous tale.
The Last Soul Among Wolves has fun with a few genres. While set in a magical world with its own rules, Caruso also manages to deliver a clever murder mystery in among the mayhem of powerful echo-creatures, curses and a ticking clock. But she provides plenty of heart by centring the action on Kembra’s growing relationship with Rika and the way in which she reconnects with her old crew. This is another great entry in a fun, action packed and often weirdly Lovecraftian series and while there is no cliffhanger per se, there is plenty on the line in the overarching stories for the final volume.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a great follow up to the hour between worlds. The characters are just so relatable and well written, the plots exciting and interesting. More please ....