Review by Kirkus Book Review
Alfie and Finn face a new threat to the kingdom of Castallan in this sequel to Nocturna (2019). It's been a few months since Prince Alfie and thief Finn saved the world from the evil god Sombra. Alfie is assuming his role as heir to the throne of Castallan and stepping up to fulfill his late brother's dream of hosting a peace summit with their neighbors (and former colonizers) from Englass. Meanwhile, after exploring the world for a time, Finn returns home to find herself the leader of the powerful underground crime syndicate that operates in Castallan. An unexpected connection between the two characters and their parallel storylines sets them on a collision course when the peace summit becomes the target of the terrorist organization responsible for Alfie's brother's murder. The ensuing investigation unveils an even larger threat to everything they hold dear. This sequel proves to be stronger than its predecessor thanks to its higher stakes and deeper character development. The story mixes magic, romance, and political intrigue while thoughtfully exploring the topic of colonialism and its consequences and the fraught relationship between magic, power, and systems of oppression. The world is Latine-inspired; Finn, Alfie, and most characters from Castallan are brown-skinned. The plot thickens, and a cliffhanger ending sets up a promising foundation for the upcoming trilogy closer. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
