Series: Eidyn #2
Release date: December 5 2023
Publisher: Orbit Books
Pages: 560
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars
Synopsis
A war once held in the shadows now escalates into full-scale revolution in the second novel of Justin Lee Anderson’s epic Eidyn Saga. The fog of war is lifted and the conspiracy at the heart of Eidyn finally exposed. Now that they know the truth, Aranok and his allies must find a way to free a country that doesn’t know it’s held captive. But with divided loyalties and his closest friendship shaken, can their alliance hold against overwhelming odds? The quest to retake the country begins here.
Review
Justin Lee Anderson’s The Lost War was my first five star read of 2024. It was a brilliantly addictive read and after that ending, I knew I’d need to immediately pick up The Bitter Crown. Following on from the events in book one, Aranok and his group of allies are now trying to do everything they can to restore Mynagog to the throne, cure the blackened, and return the country to some semblance of normality. But with danger and conspiracy at every turn, will they succeed and will their friendship be the same after all they’ve faced?
Much like The Lost War, I was immediately hooked on The Bitter Crown. This installment is just as fast paced and action packed and there were plenty of moments that had me on the edge of my seat. The world of Eidyn is really fascinating and I love learning about the magic and seeing the range of abilities people have. I also love that the world is based on Edinburgh and noticing all the similarities between the two. I really enjoyed the plot of The Bitter Crown as the group moves towards trying to undo everything that has gone wrong in the country. There were lots of twists and turns and there were so many times I found myself saying ‘Oh just one more chapter’ because I had to know what was going to happen next.
This story has a really brilliant mix of compelling plot, fascinating world, and complex characters you can’t help but grow attached to. The characters really do go through hell and back and it was so interesting to see how the dynamics shifted within the group as the story progressed. Aranok and Samily in particular undergo quite a big shift and it was so compelling to read about. I think Allandria is still my favourite and I’m also still hoping that all of them make it out alive, though I have my suspicions that they won’t.
The Bitter Crown was an easy five star read for me and I’m so excited to see where Anderson takes the story in book three. If you’re looking for a fantasy series that will give you a unique world full of dark monsters, twists you will never see coming and brilliant, vivid characters – the Eidyn Saga is one you do not want to miss.
The Court of Miracles caught my eye because I saw it described as ‘Les Misérables meets Six of Crows.’ The story follows Nina, a young girl who has a talent for burglary and is a member of the thieves guild. When Nina’s adopted sister Ettie catches the eye of the Tiger (the lord of the Guild of Flesh) Nina must do everything she can to keep Ettie safe. Doing so will take her into the dark underworld of the guilds as well as the lavish court of Louis XVII. Will Nina be able to save her sister from the Tiger and at what cost?
An Education in Malice is the newest release from S T Gibson, author of A Dowry of Blood. The story follows Laura Sheridan, a young woman starting at Saint Perpetua’s College. There she forms an academic rivalry with a girl in her poetry class named Carmilla, but their teacher Ms De Lafontaine, has her own secrets, and as the two are drawn into her confidence, Laura and Carmilla find themselves tangled in a dark web of secrets.
The Trials of Empire is the third and final instalment in Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf trilogy, a series that follows Justice Sir Konra Vonvalt and his protege Helena. In this final instalment, we follow the pair as they attempt to stop Claver from destroying the empire once and for all but Claver now wields dark and demonic powers that even Vonvalt might not be able to defeat. They must find allies where they can and even they might not be enough. Will the empire survive or will Claver ascend the imperial throne?
Grieving Gold, the first in an all new fantasy series from Daniel McDaniel, centres on five protagonists who live in Luminocity. Laxerion Tama has returned home as his father is gravely ill, but after years of being disowned, Laxerion finds the noble family house is not what it once was. His brother Val-Gustus Tama is doing what he can to uphold the mantle his father leaves behind and must do what he can to protect the city from war. Ilumi is a young scientist newly arrived in Luminocity, but is way more than meets the eye. Aiana is desperate to become a huntress and will do anything to make that dream happen. Finally Dawb is an orphan who spends his days running cons in the streets and seeks revenge for the loss of his best friend.
Upon a Frosted Star was a book that drew me in with that absolutely beautiful cover. When I saw it described as “The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake” I was really intrigued to pick this one up. The story follows Forster, a struggling artist who finds a mysterious invitation to a magical party that takes place once a year. Determined to find out who the host is, Forster soon discovers the mysterious lady is way more than meets the eye and will do anything to free her from her curse.
Anthony Ryan is an author I have had on my TBR for the longest time, so when I heard about this standalone thriller I decided to pick this one up immediately. The story follows a man who wakes up on a boat in the middle of the ocean with no memory of who he is. There are six others there with him all with no memories. When the group receives a mysterious message and is sent on a mission together, they have to use all their unique skills in order to find a way to survive.
I really enjoyed Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King and Daughter of the Siren Queen so I was really intrigued to return to this world and these characters. The story follows Sorinda, the Queen’s assassin, who is sent on a rescue mission to find a missing ship. Queen Alosa has handpicked the crew that will accompany Sorinda, including sailing master Kearan. Sorinda finds him insufferable, but she will have to put up with him nonetheless. When the crew travel into uncharted waters they find something much darker than they expected and their rescue mission becomes a fight for survival, but will they all make it out alive?
Justin Lee Anderson’s The Lost War is a fast-paced, action-packed start to a new fantasy series. The story follows Aranok, the King’s Envoy. While the war might be over and peace might be settling over the Eidyn, the problems are just beginning. There’s a plague spreading across the land, mercenaries attack anyone in their path and demons continue to ravage the farmlands and destroy food supplies. When Aranok is tasked by the King to go and find an exiled foreign queen and return her to her throne, he has no choice but to start out on this dangerous quest alongside a group of allies. As the group travels further across the land they come across a new threat and a conspiracy darker than they could have imagined.
T. Kingfisher’s newest release sees us back following Alex Easton as they travel to their old family hunting lodge in Gallacia. When they arrive they find the house abandoned and the caretaker nowhere to be found. The caretaker has passed away and no one in the village will set foot on the grounds or tell them what really happened to him. As their friend Miss Potter arrives, strange things begin happening in the house and Easton begins to have disturbing dreams, will they be able to uncover what lurks in the remote hunting lodge, and will they be able to stop it from claiming another victim?
The Bibliophile Chronicles 