_edited.png)
Firstly, I would recommend any (and all) who read this to first read The Black Witch (really, it will ease an abundance of confusion). I began this novel, having not read The Black Witch, and immediately sought out a copy of it – just for clarification purposes.
In this novel, Eloren Gardner and her friends continue the good-fight, to help the resistance, as they encounter a plethora of social injustices. This book, could not have been more applicable, and societally impactful in the light of current political and social climates. Each time they feel like they have made progress, they’re thwarted again and again (similar to real life anyone?), and as they fail, more hell breaks loose, and Gardneria’s power rises.
If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll enjoy this one too. It was longer, and contained more detail, back-story, and events than the first, but this only helped to grow the overall themes of the book, and the identity of the characters. Eloren, is determined to learn more and more about her history, and its rights/wrongs, all the while trying to survive the increasingly hostile environment around them – where the prejudices of Erthia impact heavily on those surroundings Eloren.
Enter, love triangle.
I’m typically vary of love-triangles, despising their long-played-out tropes, and the way they usually detract from the content of the book, or the identity of the MC. But this one, seemed to build on the plot – somehow (spoilers). Between the Affinity Lines, and the fires-within, it helped Eloren to fully grasp some key aspects of her personality, and her lineage. Perhaps, even it helped her to rebel further, linking her with the White Wand, and ingraining the “rebellious” sentiments she’s been dancing the edges of since The Black Witch.
Throughout, Laurie managed to build some ingrained worlds, as well as to outline the disparities between them. In this novel, we see the worlds and societies that are the Amaz, The Kelts, the Selkies (and it goes on), as well as seeing the bridges between the worlds that the MC and her friends constantly defy. In my opinion, I loved every single iota of each ‘race’, particularly fascinated by the complexity and contradictory nature of the Amaz – who’s character flaws really contributed to their ideals. Eloren, as a character ARCS really well in the first book, causing the subtle changes in this one to fade behind the startling plot of the story. Never-the-less, she grows. She gets stronger, in herself, in her relationships, and in her magic. She loses her naivete, and gains control over herself, and her emotions – becoming an effective spy. She gains steadfast views, and becomes willing to protect her friends and family, with her own life if necessary.
Perhaps what I love most in this series, and this book – every character main and side, encounter their own difficulties, they develop, their affections hold, and their prejudices change. It’s a display of inclusivity, and I loved every moment of it.
The story is dark, and twisted. It’s like, and airy. It’s developmental. Its wall-breaking and ideal shifting. It displays huge contrasts and similarities to today’s society (Amaz as a play on Feminism perhaps), and it goes to highlight the disparities in our own society, leading to some thought-provoking content.
I am so so eager for the next one & I couldn’t recommend this one more.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalleyin exchange for an honest review.