Review by Booklist Review
Evans continues the Books of the Usurper series (following Empires of Exile, 2022). Vigilant Richa Langyun and Quill, now a generalist at the Imperial Archives, observe the murder of a peddler and discover the bones of an Orozhandi saint. This comes as a surprise to Amadea Gintanas, archivist superior of the southern wing, given that the bones of that particular saint were still theoretically at the archive's chapel and visited regularly by worshippers. Another vigilant immediately suspects Richa in the peddler's murder due to a past relationship, and additional clues that implicate him continue to appear. Quill attempts to aid Tunuk, a specialist with a bone affinity (magic), whose mentors disappeared around the same time the saint's bones were stolen, while Amadea assures various politicians that there isn't a larger plot. The various investigations lead all of them to magical bombs and explosive assassination attempts and force them to flee the city. Evans skillfully expands the world building while exploring the character depths, with delightful twists that resolve some conflicts while setting up the next book.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
This strong sequel to Empire of Exiles picks up shortly after the events of that book's tumultuous ending and follows the same cast of characters. Quill is learning to navigate his new job at the Archives when he and Richa stumble upon another murder, which ultimately leads them to discover the bones of a saint. Baffled that a relic could disappear from the Archives without them knowing of it, they turn to Amadea for help. Matters are further complicated when they realize that Tunuk, their brooding bone specialist, is clearly hiding something. This is as much an epic fantasy novel as it is an intricately plotted, multilayered murder mystery, and the intrigue reads like a delicate dance between all the characters. They are a sympathetic group of people whose pasts are determined to come back to haunt them, upping the stakes as they pick apart a grand puzzle that jeopardizes the safety of the empire. VERDICT The strengths of the first book continue in the second of Evans's "Books of the Usurper" series, with sophisticated prose, a richly detailed world, a clandestine and conspiratorial atmosphere, and fascinating elemental magic. Great for fans of Richard Swan.--Andrea Dyba
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