I want to say thank you to Regale Press and NetGalley for the ALC!

Eli Hinze has an absolute gift for storytelling - one that draws you in so completely, it feels like you’ve stepped through the pages and into the world they’ve created. Every detail is so vivid, so textured, that it’s almost like you can taste the air and hear the echo of whispered secrets down shadowy corridors.

Since this is the second book I was curious to see how this would compare and it delivered and then some. This book is just as captivating, if not more so. It sinks its hooks into you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the final line.

And I have to give a huge shoutout to the narrator of the audiobook - what a phenomenal performance! The delivery, pacing, and emotional nuance brought an extra layer of immersion to an already gripping story. Every voice felt distinct and authentic. It truly elevated the whole experience.

I’m still emotionally recovering from the rollercoaster that is Ahsan and Nirah’s story. Truly, my heart aches for these two. Eli has a talent for writing characters so lovable and real that you just want to wrap them in a blanket and protect them from all harm and then she mercilessly puts them through it all.

No spoilers here, but there’s a particular twist that left me completely gobsmacked.

In short: this book is a masterpiece. Emotionally devastating in the best way, beautifully written, powerfully narrated, and utterly unforgettable.

The intrigue, the drama, the misdirection…. This story had so many twists and turns, not just this book but this series is so wonderfully developed so far. The longing between the main characters is perfectly placed to keep you interested but not distract from the story. The development of allies and enemies and wondering who is who keeps you on tenterhooks while reading and the world is written perfectly for the tale. I am totally hooked!
The narrator is perfect for this story. He brings every character to life and his vocal inflection makes you feel the urgency the characters feel or whatever emotion is being felt/conveyed at the time.

This is an excellent second installment in this Mesopotamian-inspired historical fantasy series. After escaping his presumed death as an imposter king, Ahsan has found a new job as a merchant. He is still struggling with the beast behind his skin, but when the Blight Hunt arrives in his city of Sippar, he feels even more insecure about being discovered. While on one of his travels, he discovers a new army and is pushed to assume the risk of becoming a spy for the king to investigate why they are targeting Sippar. In the meantime, Nirah, who has advanced in her priestess arts, knows Ahsan is hiding something, but her appreciation for him will move her to do the unthinkable to save him and her city.

The stakes are higher in this book, making the story even more compelling, and it includes some twists that I didn't really expect. I personally liked seeing the relationship between Ahsan and Nirah grow and how Nirah risked herself to protect Ahsan, in a different way from what we saw previously. Our two main characters collaborating to prevent the disaster that threatens Sippar makes for an excellent subplot. The world-building is also expanded in this book, getting to explore more of the fantastical elements of the series and the cities around Sippar. All of the events in this book have a sense, a complicated net woven using details from the previous book. If you haven't read the first book yet, I totally ask you to do it as soon as possible because you will discover your new favorite series. For me, book 3 can't come soon enough, especially after that ending!