The faithless

Almost a year after the events in Qazal, Luca is still attempting to gather support for her ascension to the Balladairan throne, held by her uncle. Luca desperately tries to bring a Qazali delegate to Balladaire to negotiate the treaty for its independence, hoping it will be her former lover, Touraine. Touraine would like nothing more than to stay away from politics, but the unrest of the rain rebellion continues inside the fledgling Qazali council, along with the strain of losses and perversions of faith. Sent as an ambassador, Touraine must return to Balladaire and face her conscripted upbringing, devious politics, and the feelings she and Luca still have. Luca must fight for her place on the throne and will learn that the magic she desperately seeks to bring back to her empire may cost far more than she ever believed. Clark's worldbuilding and magic systems continue to grow, introducing new factions and characters that will hopefully show up again. VERDICT The sequel to The Unbroken extends the deliberate journey towards independence from an empire and the past, and the love in two women's hearts.--Kristi Chadwick