July 1, 2024
Saoirse Sorkova embarks on a perilous journey in this follow-up to Sing Me To Sleep (2023). One week after the tumultuous events of the first book, Saoirse is a fugitive, brokenhearted over the betrayal by her former best friend, Carrik Solwey. Hayes, the newly crowned king, struggles with self-confidence as he aspires to undo his father's oppressive legacy, which includes the creation of an impenetrable barrier. Inside, water fae dominate, humans are at the bottom, and sirens like Saoirse are forbidden. Outside, the promise of a more just world beckons Saoirse to imagine a place where she and her much-loved sister, Rain, can live without persecution. With a growing Resistance army threatening to invade Keirdre, Hayes directs Saoirse and Carrik to investigate what lies beyond the barrier. Off they go, their explorations and dangerous encounters with curious new creatures seamlessly expanding on the previously established expert worldbuilding of this fantasy universe centering on Black and brown characters. Returning readers who appreciated Saoirse's cunning ways and stealthy fighting skills will be pleased: In search of a more mature self-understanding, she wrestles with forgiveness as she hones her killer instincts and her innate ability to manipulate others. Even if the pacing plods at times, given the greater emphasis on political strategy and the relatively little time devoted to the steamy romance that made the earlier volume so alluring, readers will celebrate as Saoirse reaches for the vulnerability and honesty that unconditional love requires. A satisfying duology closer. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)
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