Review by Booklist Review
A tangled web of relationships defines this sequel to Kingdom of Souls (2019), as Arrah, Rudjek, and their comrades work to salvage what remains of the tribal lands that have been all but decimated by the Demon King and Efiya, Arrah's sister. In an effort to retaliate, Arrah has traded her years for power, giving her the magic of the five fallen tribal chieftains. Arrah's story is told alongside that of Rudjek, her lover and newly minted crown prince of the Almighty Kingdom, and Dimma, the Unnamed Goddess and soul mate of the Demon King, whose soul has been reincarnated within her. At first glance, readers will root for Arrah's triumph over the Demon King, but Barron complicates matters with Dimma's installments, adding depth to Arrah's once-steadfast resolve. While the first title might add context, readers need not shy away from starting with book two, as the romance, magic, and strategic diplomacy come at a pace that offers no time to look back. Slight incongruity of time lines can muddy the otherwise gripping narrative, and the unresolved ending ensures readers will hang on for the next installment. Hand this to lovers of kingdom fantasy and convoluted romance. It's sure to please.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Arrah is back and saving the world in this sequel to Kingdom of Souls (2019). With the magic of multiple chieftains' kas coursing through her, Arrah is now the only person with the strength to release the Demon King, which means she must stay away from him lest this event trigger cataclysmic events. As Arrah attempts to make her way in a world still reeling from the actions of her deceased mother and sister, she's tormented by thoughts from the Demon King that infiltrate her mind. Added to this are surfacing memories of Dimma, the Unnamed orisha, that frighten Arrah because she does not know where they are coming from. Chapters shift in perspective between Arrah, her love interest, Rudjek, and Dimma's memories. The stakes are high with the fate of many hanging in the balance: Arrah, Rudjek, and their friends and allies faced incredible challenges in the previous book and also in this installment, but perhaps most terrifying of all is what Arrah must face within herself. This story, with its remarkably well-spun plot twists, will satisfy readers who crave realness in their fantasies and is a satisfying, fast-paced, and almost brutal sequel that sets the stage for the third book. Most human characters are Black; some people from the North (like Rudjek's mother) have light skin. Intense, raw, real, and sure to please. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
