Series: Godblind #2
Publisher: HarperVoyager UK
Pages: 400
Find it on: Goodreads.  BookDepository.   Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy to review.

Synopsis

The Wolves lie dead beside Rilpor’s soldiers, slaughtered at the hands of the Mireces and their fanatical army.

The veil that once kept the Red Gods at bay has been left in tatters as the Dark Lady’s plans for the world come to fruition. Where the gods walk, blood is spilled on the earth.

All that stands between the Mireces army and complete control of the Kingdom of Rilpor are the walls of its capital, Rilporin, and those besieged inside.

But hope might yet bloom in the unlikeliest of places: in the heart of a former slave, in the mind of a soldier with the eyes of a fox, and in the hands of a general destined to be king.

Review

This is the highly anticipated sequel to Godblind – one of my favourite books of 2017. I was so excited to receive a copy of this book and I honestly couldn’t wait to dive in. After reading the opening chapter I was completely hooked and ended up devouring this book in a few sittings. It’s dark, bloody and gripping and I didn’t want it to end.

Darksoul picks up right where Godblind leaves off, the Mireces are attempting to lay siege to Rilporin and the soldiers are holding it as best they can. This epic story alternates between the characters that we’ve already met in the previous book – but don’t get too attached because not everyone will make it to the end.

Much like the previous book this story is violent and full of the sights, sounds and smells of battle. Anna Stephens has such a fantastic way of bringing the action to life, and that is never more apparent than in this bloody battle. The fighting scenes are jam packed and I was practically on the edge of my seat to find out how it was going to play out.

I’ve seen comparisons between Darksoul and The Two Towers and I think that’s a really apt comparison. The whole book focuses on this one battle, but so much happens in this action packed few weeks. I love so many of the characters – they are so complex and fascinating. Each one is flawed, determined and fighting for his or her own desires. Everyone schemes and you never know what they truly want.

Darksoul certainly feels darker and more intense than the first book in the series, and the short alternating chapters definitely had me racing through the story. The story touches on so many subjects – not just fighting and war but friendship, family religion and politics. Darksoul is a magnificent gripping read that I loved just as much as book one, and I cannot wait to find out what’s in store next.