Kingdom of claw

Winters's gripping second Ashen fantasy raises the stakes for its richly drawn characters while expanding on the Viking-inspired world of Íseldur. Following the brutal revelations of The Road of Bones, Silla Nordvig flees with Reynir "Rey" Galtung, the shadow-wielding leader of the Bloodaxe Crew, to a remote shield-home where she confronts the magic awakening within her. Rey, whose secrets are revealed to be as dangerous as they are personal, becomes both a reluctant mentor and a conflicted protector. As Silla trains to control her powers and seeks to save her sister, Saga, she and Rey build a fragile trust that's tested by their shared past and growing attraction. Meanwhile, dethroned Saga plots against Queen Signe and deals with courtly manipulations and the attentions of foreign dignitary Kassandr Rurik. At the same time, Jonas, Silla's former ally and lover, spirals deep into grief, his jealousy toward Reynir fueling reckless decisions that threaten to destroy the fragile peace between kingdoms. As ancient forces of chaos stir, Silla's and Saga's destinies converge. Winters skillfully balances intimate character dynamics with rip-roaring action, probing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. With complex characters and an intricate magic system, this engrossing continuation will leave readers eager for the next chapter in the series. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (Feb.)