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tabatha_shipley's review
4.0
What I Did Like:
+Easily drop right back into the world. There’s enough back information to remind you what was happening in the previous book without overloading you if you’re reading them back to back.
+Makeo and Witt are fantastic characters. They’re both loyal, driven, and smart. Plus with Makeo you also get an interesting take on curses.
+Everything related to yanna and the shadow realm is well written. You gave enough detail woven into the story to feel like you understand it all and accept it as fact yet you are never lost in the descriptions. It doesn’t ever feel like you’re sitting through a boring lecture on the topic.
Who Should Read This One:
-Readers of upper middle grade or YA fantasy who want action and a type of magic, this is a great series. Start with Odriel’s Heirs and enjoy!
My Rating: 4 Stars
This sequel is only an improvement on what was a good opening book. Settled into the characters and the world now we can explore the depth of the shadow plane and really get into the action.
sonshinelibrarian's review
4.25
It was really interesting having this sequel jump forward a generation. I think it really helped to move the larger story forward and introduced some great new characters. Aza is so much like and yet so different from her parents. Watching her journey was just as satisfying as watching Kaia's. I love Makeo and Witt and, of course, Shad is back! I thought that as good as the first book was, this definitely showed the improvement in Chow's writing and I'm so ready to dive into the third book!
brittanica_bold's review
5.0
Big thank you to Hayley Reese Chow for reaching out to me and providing me with a copy of this book! The opinions expressed below are voluntary and my own.
What I liked about the book:
1. The worldbuilding continued, letting us step into a whole other dimension: the Shadow Plane – the space between the living and the dead. From creepy creatures to an alluring voice calling our FMC, it was hard to resist the pull to the Shadow Plane as a reader as well. So much mystery and so much darkness had me rooting for Aza to learn to control her time in the Shadow Plane so we too could see what it was all about. And when we did learn about it, as well as more history about the Heirs, I loved it!
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say, some of the scenes that happened in the Shadow Plane were my favorite scenes in the entire book.
2. I thought the characters in book 1 were good, but they had NOTHING on these new characters!
Aza, our FMC, was a supreme badass! She literally came out swinging and she was just really cool (as dumb as that sounds coming from a 30-year-old woman). She understands her mission as the Shadow Heir completely, being able to separate her emotions from her logic as easy as the crow flies.
She was adventurous and inquisitive, often going against the grain and doing things her father (the other Shadow Heir) told her not to for the sake of learning and growth. Because of this, we were introduced to some fantastic side characters and the Shadow Plane you all know I love from item 1 above.
I also loved how even though she was outwardly confident, she was well aware of her reputation and responsibilities as the Shadow Heir and she didn’t want to bring anyone down with her. If she had it her way, she would never involve anyone else unless the situation was dire, in an attempt to keep everyone safe from the issues at hand and herself.
—
Also, she was SUPER protective of those loyal to her, especially Makeo. Gods, the way she defended him and got totally pissed off when people judged him unfairly was just EVERYTHING! When the book opened and I thought it was posing Witt to be the Klaus in this story and then Makeo entered the story, I thought we were going to get a love triangle situation and I was shouting “IT BEST BE MAKEO!”.
I hate to compare, but I liked her a lot more than Kaia from book 1. She was more outwardly confident and she had more edge to her. Now, I will caveat this with we know Kaia was stoned and bullied for her gifts growing up by her peers, whereas Aza grew up in the school her parents started, where their gifts were embraced. This is likely a HUGE factor in the personality difference between two badass women.
Makeo, our MMC and a Maldibor(!), was the perfect best friend and I was rooting for him to become the perfect book boyfriend the whole time! He was stable and comforting, strong and silent without being hard and cold. He was also super astute and knew her to a freaking T!
I loved these lines of his:
—
OH.MY.GODS! I LOVE HIM.
Witt was the hilarious comedic relief and he did such a good job of it! He was hilarious and knew just enough to get himself into trouble. He was also the only outwardly optimistic one in the group, which gave it a lighter tone than if it were just the other three. Without him, I could legit see myself feeling this was a dismal read. I honestly didn’t think I would even like him at the start of the book, but he slowly grew on me and wriggled his way into my heart (not past Makeo, but that says more about Makeo than Witt).
Shad was his perfect, snarky self, with a few more war wounds and an extra side of surly given his elongated servitude. I totally called that this damn cat was going to be around for all these books and I love it! Will he ever be free??? I’m dying to see his reunion with Everard and how that plays out.
Dorinar was back and was just so helpful all over again. I loved that his “assistant”/unconfirmed girlfriend, Marloa did not let him get away with ANYTHING! She put him in his place and he allowed her to, only further proving she was more than just an assistant.
Of course, we got to see our MCs from book 1, but in their capacity as parents who can still throw down.
3. This book did a good job introducing us to some of the history in this world that I wanted from book 1.
I will note, because of the background set in book 1, this book didn’t seem like there was as much history I felt we were missing. I’ve made peace with the items we don’t know (yet?) and appreciated the ground we did gain as far as history went.
4. Like the other books in this series so far, the action is phenomenally written.
5. SO MANY GOOD LINES AGAIN!
And this is when I knew this girl was my kindred spirit!
—
True, but easier said than done.
—
Deep
—
As a puzzle nerd, I love this!
—
Well that puts things into perspective!
—
This is something I should definitely keep in mind daily.
—
UGGGGGH the wisdom Chow gives is soooooo good. I should invest in a lot of sticky notes so I can post all of these near my work computer.
6. Like book 1, that cover is fantastic! I love the green, I love the skull, I love the knives. It’s all just REALLY doing it for me.
What could have been better:
1. I always want MORE with these stories! Seriously, Chow could right these as 500-600 page books and I would read them!
Final Thoughts:
Such a great installment to this series! My favorite so far!
Final Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked about the book:
1. The worldbuilding continued, letting us step into a whole other dimension: the Shadow Plane – the space between the living and the dead. From creepy creatures to an alluring voice calling our FMC, it was hard to resist the pull to the Shadow Plane as a reader as well. So much mystery and so much darkness had me rooting for Aza to learn to control her time in the Shadow Plane so we too could see what it was all about. And when we did learn about it, as well as more history about the Heirs, I loved it!
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say, some of the scenes that happened in the Shadow Plane were my favorite scenes in the entire book.
2. I thought the characters in book 1 were good, but they had NOTHING on these new characters!
Aza, our FMC, was a supreme badass! She literally came out swinging and she was just really cool (as dumb as that sounds coming from a 30-year-old woman). She understands her mission as the Shadow Heir completely, being able to separate her emotions from her logic as easy as the crow flies.
The path of the Shadow Heir was dark for more reasons than one. Sometimes, you had to take a life to save one. It set them apart from the Dragon and Time Heirs, and it was one of the reasons the Dragon Heirs never accompanied them [Klaus and Aza] on these tasks. Odriel had forged the Shadows with a different metal.
She was adventurous and inquisitive, often going against the grain and doing things her father (the other Shadow Heir) told her not to for the sake of learning and growth. Because of this, we were introduced to some fantastic side characters and the Shadow Plane you all know I love from item 1 above.
I also loved how even though she was outwardly confident, she was well aware of her reputation and responsibilities as the Shadow Heir and she didn’t want to bring anyone down with her. If she had it her way, she would never involve anyone else unless the situation was dire, in an attempt to keep everyone safe from the issues at hand and herself.
"You’re Odriel’s Assassin. You’re full of harm, whether you mean it or not."
—
Aza’s smile melted away. She missed that girl she had been. Back when the shadows were just a fun trick to make Makeo laugh. Now the shadows seemed to be all she was. Just darkness lined with good intentions…fleeing the dull ache of memories long gone and the echo of her mother’s voice reciting The Heir’s Way. And forever more, the Shadow Heir only danced with death.
Also, she was SUPER protective of those loyal to her, especially Makeo. Gods, the way she defended him and got totally pissed off when people judged him unfairly was just EVERYTHING! When the book opened and I thought it was posing Witt to be the Klaus in this story and then Makeo entered the story, I thought we were going to get a love triangle situation and I was shouting “IT BEST BE MAKEO!”.
I hate to compare, but I liked her a lot more than Kaia from book 1. She was more outwardly confident and she had more edge to her. Now, I will caveat this with we know Kaia was stoned and bullied for her gifts growing up by her peers, whereas Aza grew up in the school her parents started, where their gifts were embraced. This is likely a HUGE factor in the personality difference between two badass women.
Makeo, our MMC and a Maldibor(!), was the perfect best friend and I was rooting for him to become the perfect book boyfriend the whole time! He was stable and comforting, strong and silent without being hard and cold. He was also super astute and knew her to a freaking T!
I loved these lines of his:
Makeo: “You’re as sharp as your knives, Aza.”
Aza: “Is that a bad thing?”
Makeo: “I’ll let you know when I catch the edge.”
—
Aza: “Sometimes I’m afraid the shadows have stained me.”
Makeo: “In the face of pain and fear, a heart will raise walls to protect itself. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good heart.”
Aza: “There’s a thin line between a walled heart and a stone one. You can’t know which one it is until you see inside.”
Makeo: *whispers in her ear* “I see you, Aza Thane. And I will remind you as many times as you need to hear it. You don’t have to be alone.”
OH.MY.GODS! I LOVE HIM.
Witt was the hilarious comedic relief and he did such a good job of it! He was hilarious and knew just enough to get himself into trouble. He was also the only outwardly optimistic one in the group, which gave it a lighter tone than if it were just the other three. Without him, I could legit see myself feeling this was a dismal read. I honestly didn’t think I would even like him at the start of the book, but he slowly grew on me and wriggled his way into my heart (not past Makeo, but that says more about Makeo than Witt).
Shad was his perfect, snarky self, with a few more war wounds and an extra side of surly given his elongated servitude. I totally called that this damn cat was going to be around for all these books and I love it! Will he ever be free??? I’m dying to see his reunion with Everard and how that plays out.
Dorinar was back and was just so helpful all over again. I loved that his “assistant”/unconfirmed girlfriend, Marloa did not let him get away with ANYTHING! She put him in his place and he allowed her to, only further proving she was more than just an assistant.
Of course, we got to see our MCs from book 1, but in their capacity as parents who can still throw down.
3. This book did a good job introducing us to some of the history in this world that I wanted from book 1.
I will note, because of the background set in book 1, this book didn’t seem like there was as much history I felt we were missing. I’ve made peace with the items we don’t know (yet?) and appreciated the ground we did gain as far as history went.
4. Like the other books in this series so far, the action is phenomenally written.
5. SO MANY GOOD LINES AGAIN!
Witt Corser had been a knot in her hair since they were kids, but his innkeeper father did a lot for Catalede. A usefulness that bought him approximately two minutes of civility.
And this is when I knew this girl was my kindred spirit!
—
Worrying brings no answers.
True, but easier said than done.
—
“Draw your line in the sand, Keo, but don’t be surprised when it washes away.”
Deep
—
In this game, a coincidence was just a riddle she had yet to solve.
As a puzzle nerd, I love this!
—
“The difference between dead and alive is one day.”
Well that puts things into perspective!
—
“When in doubt, you’re already thinking twice as much as when you were certain.”
This is something I should definitely keep in mind daily.
—
“Control your mind first, and your body will follow.”
UGGGGGH the wisdom Chow gives is soooooo good. I should invest in a lot of sticky notes so I can post all of these near my work computer.
6. Like book 1, that cover is fantastic! I love the green, I love the skull, I love the knives. It’s all just REALLY doing it for me.
What could have been better:
1. I always want MORE with these stories! Seriously, Chow could right these as 500-600 page books and I would read them!
Final Thoughts:
Such a great installment to this series! My favorite so far!
Final Rating: 4.5 stars
chantelspeaks's review
4.0
For more reviews, head to my blog Chantel Speaks
“My girl, I think you will find very little in this world or the next that cannot hurt you.”
Idriel’s Children, the sequel to Odriel’s Heirs promises the same fast-paced Fantasy, with more detailed world-building this time round. This time we’re following Kaia and Klaus’ children as they navigate their gifts as young Heirs preparing to take the mantle of their parents.
Aza is a very different Guardian to either of her parents. She is a reluctant leader and can be a difficult friend. She is a true Shadow Heir that stands more in the shadows than in the light. I enjoyed reading a main character that was a hero while being a distinct character from her parents. Though I loved Kaia and Klaus, Aza is a good Guardian and hero to this story who marches to the beat of her own drum.
“When in doubt, you’re already thinking twice as much as when you were certain… Doubt is like fear. We can’t be courageous unless we’re afraid. We can’t be shrewd unless we’ve weighed all the options… So as long as we can move forward without the doubt and fear weighing us down, then we’ll be brave, and we’ll be wise.”
In Idriel’s Children, we delve deeper into the lore and mythology of the world of Okarria, understanding more about the Shadow Plane and how it links to Okarria. I really loved how Chow explored this throughout- it was probably my favourite part of the book. Good world-building has the power to help you appreciate how characters resolve the conflict they find themselves in, and I certainly grew to appreciate Aza’s tenacity as the plot unfolded and she stepped up to do what needed to be done.
Aza’s is not the easiest friend to have, and her personality can be a bit cold. In saying that, her travelling companions Makeo, Shad and Wit were what made me keep reading between all the action and fighting. Wit and his optimism and humour held a special place for me as I was reading and I was secretly rooting for him the entire way.
“In the face of pain and fear, a heart will raise walls to protect itself… But that doesn’t mean its not a good heart.”
Idriel’s Children is a strong sequel to the series and I loved how this book let the reader understand Okarria and it’s lore better from the world we were thrown into in Odriel’s Heirs. I have been searching to find out if there are more books in this series, and I haven’t been able to find anything yet. I feel like I have a lot more to learn about this world before I can say goodbye (the Time Heir being one of them), so I hope to see another book in this series soon!
Thanks to the author for inviting me to read this series.
“My girl, I think you will find very little in this world or the next that cannot hurt you.”
Idriel’s Children, the sequel to Odriel’s Heirs promises the same fast-paced Fantasy, with more detailed world-building this time round. This time we’re following Kaia and Klaus’ children as they navigate their gifts as young Heirs preparing to take the mantle of their parents.
Aza is a very different Guardian to either of her parents. She is a reluctant leader and can be a difficult friend. She is a true Shadow Heir that stands more in the shadows than in the light. I enjoyed reading a main character that was a hero while being a distinct character from her parents. Though I loved Kaia and Klaus, Aza is a good Guardian and hero to this story who marches to the beat of her own drum.
“When in doubt, you’re already thinking twice as much as when you were certain… Doubt is like fear. We can’t be courageous unless we’re afraid. We can’t be shrewd unless we’ve weighed all the options… So as long as we can move forward without the doubt and fear weighing us down, then we’ll be brave, and we’ll be wise.”
In Idriel’s Children, we delve deeper into the lore and mythology of the world of Okarria, understanding more about the Shadow Plane and how it links to Okarria. I really loved how Chow explored this throughout- it was probably my favourite part of the book. Good world-building has the power to help you appreciate how characters resolve the conflict they find themselves in, and I certainly grew to appreciate Aza’s tenacity as the plot unfolded and she stepped up to do what needed to be done.
Aza’s is not the easiest friend to have, and her personality can be a bit cold. In saying that, her travelling companions Makeo, Shad and Wit were what made me keep reading between all the action and fighting. Wit and his optimism and humour held a special place for me as I was reading and I was secretly rooting for him the entire way.
“In the face of pain and fear, a heart will raise walls to protect itself… But that doesn’t mean its not a good heart.”
Idriel’s Children is a strong sequel to the series and I loved how this book let the reader understand Okarria and it’s lore better from the world we were thrown into in Odriel’s Heirs. I have been searching to find out if there are more books in this series, and I haven’t been able to find anything yet. I feel like I have a lot more to learn about this world before I can say goodbye (the Time Heir being one of them), so I hope to see another book in this series soon!
Thanks to the author for inviting me to read this series.
wasauthor's review
5.0
I received an advance reader copy of Idriel’s Children for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love when a sequel manages to truly surprise me, taking the core idea behind the original and shaping it into something unexpected. Idriel’s Children does just that. Not is it unexpected, it improves upon it in just about every way.
Instead of continuing the adventures of Kaia and Klaus, Idriel’s Children jumps twenty-eight years into the future. Their children, eighteen-year-old Zephyr and sixteen-year-old Aza, have inherited their parents’ dragon and shadow powers. Like the original, this follows a teenage girl, focusing on Aza’s story. Aza’s story is different to her mother’s, and being the Shadow Heir poses a completely different set of problems to being the Dragon Heir.
On the surface, this doesn’t feel as big as its predecessor. However, the stakes are as high as they ever were, while it tells a more intimate story. A story that is darker, a story where loss feels even more personal than it did the first time around, a story that is all the more resonant. And as it tells this story, it expands the canvas far beyond what came before.
The setting of Okarria was already beautifully set out in the previous novel and novella; a rich and vibrant fantasy world filled with strange creatures and wonderful magic. Early in Idriel’s Children, it becomes apparent the author is exploring the world further, with unexplored facets. Aza must also contend with the Shadow Plane, which both literally and figuratively adds a new dimension to Okarria, deepening its lore in new and interesting ways.
This sees Aza and her companions contend with Idriel’s children, spawn of the first book’s dark god. As she traverses both the physical world and the Shadow Plane, she must find a way of stopping them and saving those she holds dear. The story is difficult to predict, and it builds up in a layered way, with its various elements weaving together to form an engrossing tale. Marginally longer than its predecessor, it does so much more with its page count.
It features a larger cast than its predecessors, both new, and old favourites. Fans of the original will be delighted to see Kaia and Klaus return, even if their roles in the book are minor. Likewise, the new Dragon Heir, Zephyr, only has a minor role. Aza is joined on her quest by an old friend, Witt, aandwith Makeo, whose family curse has seen him transformed into a beastly Maldibore. Also in prominent roles are Aza’s mentor in the Shadow Plane, the mysterious Seela, and the titular Idriel’s children. All these characters are beautifully defined and thoroughly entertaining to. The true star is Aza. As the POV character, it's through her eyes that the reader sees the heart of the story.
Odriel's Heirs' prose may be a little difficult for younger readers to follow, something I found to be rectified in Burning Shadows. Idriel’s Childrens' prose is closer to the novella. It prose still stands out beautifully, but is less metaphorical than the original, which should be easier for younger readers.
While part of a series, it stands perfectly alone, and new readers can pick it up and enjoy the story without having read what came before. While the story will continue, readers won’t be left feeling like they got part of a story. I’d certainly recommend reading the earlier books first, but that’s because they’re wonderful.
Idriel’s Children is a brilliant achievement. If you enjoy fantasy stories, or YA fiction, you'll love the world, world building, fantastic characters, and raw emotion. This book simply works on every level.
My full review will be available on my website from 13 February 2023. To read it, my reviews for the other books in the Odriel's Heirs series, and a host of other reviews, click here.
I love when a sequel manages to truly surprise me, taking the core idea behind the original and shaping it into something unexpected. Idriel’s Children does just that. Not is it unexpected, it improves upon it in just about every way.
Instead of continuing the adventures of Kaia and Klaus, Idriel’s Children jumps twenty-eight years into the future. Their children, eighteen-year-old Zephyr and sixteen-year-old Aza, have inherited their parents’ dragon and shadow powers. Like the original, this follows a teenage girl, focusing on Aza’s story. Aza’s story is different to her mother’s, and being the Shadow Heir poses a completely different set of problems to being the Dragon Heir.
On the surface, this doesn’t feel as big as its predecessor. However, the stakes are as high as they ever were, while it tells a more intimate story. A story that is darker, a story where loss feels even more personal than it did the first time around, a story that is all the more resonant. And as it tells this story, it expands the canvas far beyond what came before.
The setting of Okarria was already beautifully set out in the previous novel and novella; a rich and vibrant fantasy world filled with strange creatures and wonderful magic. Early in Idriel’s Children, it becomes apparent the author is exploring the world further, with unexplored facets. Aza must also contend with the Shadow Plane, which both literally and figuratively adds a new dimension to Okarria, deepening its lore in new and interesting ways.
This sees Aza and her companions contend with Idriel’s children, spawn of the first book’s dark god. As she traverses both the physical world and the Shadow Plane, she must find a way of stopping them and saving those she holds dear. The story is difficult to predict, and it builds up in a layered way, with its various elements weaving together to form an engrossing tale. Marginally longer than its predecessor, it does so much more with its page count.
It features a larger cast than its predecessors, both new, and old favourites. Fans of the original will be delighted to see Kaia and Klaus return, even if their roles in the book are minor. Likewise, the new Dragon Heir, Zephyr, only has a minor role. Aza is joined on her quest by an old friend, Witt, aandwith Makeo, whose family curse has seen him transformed into a beastly Maldibore. Also in prominent roles are Aza’s mentor in the Shadow Plane, the mysterious Seela, and the titular Idriel’s children. All these characters are beautifully defined and thoroughly entertaining to. The true star is Aza. As the POV character, it's through her eyes that the reader sees the heart of the story.
Odriel's Heirs' prose may be a little difficult for younger readers to follow, something I found to be rectified in Burning Shadows. Idriel’s Childrens' prose is closer to the novella. It prose still stands out beautifully, but is less metaphorical than the original, which should be easier for younger readers.
While part of a series, it stands perfectly alone, and new readers can pick it up and enjoy the story without having read what came before. While the story will continue, readers won’t be left feeling like they got part of a story. I’d certainly recommend reading the earlier books first, but that’s because they’re wonderful.
Idriel’s Children is a brilliant achievement. If you enjoy fantasy stories, or YA fiction, you'll love the world, world building, fantastic characters, and raw emotion. This book simply works on every level.
My full review will be available on my website from 13 February 2023. To read it, my reviews for the other books in the Odriel's Heirs series, and a host of other reviews, click here.
millennialbookreview's review
5.0
Idriel’s Children is a fantastic addition to the Odriel’s Heirs series. It told a compelling new story in a familiar world while also continuing the main plot of the series. The characters were wonderful and complex. The world was made so much richer through the introduction of new story elements. The plot was exciting, action-packed and fun. The writing was great, though the pacing was a little off and the author used a trope or two I don’t personally enjoy. The plot twists and climax were handled wonderfully and I found myself surprised at several different points. All in all, a fantastic sequel and I’m eagerly anticipating the next book by Hayley Reese Chow.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
amberraetoro's review
5.0
Chow has done it again with another fun fast paced fantasy adventure. In Idriel's Children we are taken back to the enchanting world of Okarria and transported 28 years in the future. With the leap forward in time Idriel's Children can be read as a standalone, however I would highly recommend reading all of the Odriel's Heir's books in sequence.
In book two we have a whole cast of new characters to fall in love with, plus appearances from some of the characters from the first book. Best of all my favorite cursed cat Shadmundar returns for another quest. With the rise of Idriel's Children and a main character that is a Shadow Heir this book is a little darker and more complex than the first.
The characters are really well developed. I couldn't help but care about their interests and what happened to them. So much so that I found myself suddenly in tears towards the end of the book.
This was a great addition to the Odriel's Heirs Series and I can't wait to read what Chow writes next.
In book two we have a whole cast of new characters to fall in love with, plus appearances from some of the characters from the first book. Best of all my favorite cursed cat Shadmundar returns for another quest. With the rise of Idriel's Children and a main character that is a Shadow Heir this book is a little darker and more complex than the first.
The characters are really well developed. I couldn't help but care about their interests and what happened to them. So much so that I found myself suddenly in tears towards the end of the book.
This was a great addition to the Odriel's Heirs Series and I can't wait to read what Chow writes next.
facebehindabook's review
5.0
Heirmazing
I love that this series continued the story but with the offspring of those in the original.
It was like the first story filled with magic, action, and emotion, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how the shadow heir power works.
I love that this series continued the story but with the offspring of those in the original.
It was like the first story filled with magic, action, and emotion, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how the shadow heir power works.
bookdragonstbr's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What a ride!! In this book we follow Aza, which is The Shadow Heir's daughter. We embark on a world saving journey where Aza finds out a lot about herself. The story is told flawlessly and moves at a steady, yet fast pace. I couldn't put it down. There was one part in the book that had me crying like a baby, which honestly never happens to me. I love the variation of characters and the magic and curses they bring to the table. Overall a phenomenal book and can't wait to jump into the next one!
Huge thanks to Booksirens for my gifted copy!
Huge thanks to Booksirens for my gifted copy!
olivia_meret's review
2.0
I didn’t realize this was a sequel when I snatched it up on Netgalley but after reading the description it seemed like they were two different stories so I plunged right in to book #2.
Aza, daughter of the hero from book 1, is able to travel to the Shadow Plane, despite its many dangers she journeys far with a talking cat, a were-bear that turns into a man once a month and her brother’s annoying best friend, to find people that can help her more easily access it in hopes of stopping the mysterious monster attacks.
This one started off really good but petered out in my opinion. It really slowed down and the villain, the child of the villain in book one, was pretty one dimensional and I didn’t really see any of the character development I was looking for. Unfortunately, I ended up skimming most of the second half.
Aza, daughter of the hero from book 1, is able to travel to the Shadow Plane, despite its many dangers she journeys far with a talking cat, a were-bear that turns into a man once a month and her brother’s annoying best friend, to find people that can help her more easily access it in hopes of stopping the mysterious monster attacks.
This one started off really good but petered out in my opinion. It really slowed down and the villain, the child of the villain in book one, was pretty one dimensional and I didn’t really see any of the character development I was looking for. Unfortunately, I ended up skimming most of the second half.