Review by Booklist Review
In a welcome follow-up to Champion of Fate (2023), Reed has officially become an immortal Aristene--a Glorious Death, whose fate is to guide heroes to their glory. She left behind love and friendship to do this work, and she's determined to collect as many heroes as she can. When her initiate sister Lyonene cannot travel to collect her next hero, Reed offers to go in her place. Unfortunately, Lyonene's quest as a matchmaker takes Reed back into the orbit of now-king Hestion, whom she still loves. Meanwhile, back in the silent city of Atropa, Aristene elders Ferreh, Aster, and Tiern are flummoxed by the mysterious power that is turning their heroes into vicious monsters. They also worry that Reed will become a monstrous Glorious Death and what that will mean for all of the Aristene who have come before and those yet to come. Even though this novel starts with a hero killing five werewolves, the plot slows down and keeps that pace. The world of the Aristene, however, is painted well as a vast and colorful setting.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A sisterhood of extraordinary female fighters navigates new trials. In this sequel toChampion of Fate (2023), Reed has jumped into her new role as a full-fledged Aristene, one of an order of immortal women warriors who groom and sacrifice heroes to their goddess, Kleia Gloria. With three celebrated fallen heroes under her belt already, Reed and her feisty colt, Silco, seem destined for a greater purpose within the Aristene order. Meanwhile, Lyonene, Reed's beautiful and equally deadly sister, surprises everyone by defying the goddess and falling in love with her hero, and Veridian, their hotheaded sister (who trained with them, but left the Aristene), is finding little happiness as an "immortal outcast." Evolving dynamics between the sisters soon take a back seat to a monstrous emerging threat that causes no shortage of grisly violence. When the growing tension among the Aristene collides with sinister machinations in the world of men, each sister faces unwelcome but grimly satisfying plot twists. As in the first book, the strength and the complexity of the female friendships are the most rewarding elements of the story, especially in contrast to the moments of patriarchal violence. The Aristene's unique bonds with their chosen immortal horses will also delight readers who yearn for equine friends. The characters are varied in appearance; many are cued white. This second series installment will amuse, absorb, devastate, and tantalize fans of the first. (map)(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
