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Book: “Reign Returned” by Katie Keridan
Publishing Info: SparkPress, September 2022
Where Did I Get this Book: Edelweiss+
Where Can You Get this Book: WorldCat.org | Amazon | IndieBound
Book Description: Kyra Valorian is the most gifted Astral healer the golden-blooded realm of Aeles has seen in ages. When tragedy strikes, Kyra discovers she possesses a life-changing she’s a Recovrancer, able to enter the realm of the dead and recover those who’ve died before their time. Unfortunately, recovrancy is outlawed in her realm. Desperate for answers, Kyra will do anything to get them . . . even partner with a dangerous enemy.
Review: I was approached to review the second book in this series, but, being a duology, it was important that I read the first book first. So, to that end, I’m going to put two mini reviews into one post and cover both books today! Let’s get started with the first book!
Right off the bat, it’s clear that the author has a very approachable style of writing. It was very easy to find myself becoming invested in both of our main characters right from the start. Their various motivations were clear, with their very different backgrounds playing into how they approached decision making when they did come together. Kyra’s dream of following in her father’s footsteps as a healer begins to waver as she uncovers truths about her nation, but throughout the story she maintains an optimistic, hopeful approach to the world. For his part, Sebastian’s history is much darker, as is the way he makes his living current, as an assassin. I appreciated that the author didn’t look away from the reality of what this profession would look like. It’s definitely a steep task to set yourself to show one of your characters killing people, but then make them still sympathetic and worth investment as half of a romantic pair.
The pacing and plotting of the story were all on point. From the first chapter, we are privy to knowledge about Kyra and Sebastian’s history that they only slowly uncover over the course of the story. The reader knows just enough to guess at certain clues, but there were still surprises in store. This isn’t an action-packed story, but the characters (especially some of the fun side characters, like the animal companions and an actual dragon!) really carry the story for much of it. However, the story does build to a good climatic conclusion.
While I like the world-building overall, I was a bit confused at times trying to picture the type of world we’re meant to be envisioning. There were elements that read as very “sci-fi” like comm systems and transporters, essentially, but then there was also the dragon and some unicorns. I have no problem with blending genres as a concept, but here at a certain point it felt more like I just gave up trying to put it all together into a cohesive world and just went with the flow, which isn’t necessarily the way you want to get the reader through.
Rating 8: A solid first book in a duology that definitely left me eager to jump into the second book!
Book: “Blood Divided” by Katie Keridan
Publishing Info: SparkPress, October 2023
Where Did I Get this Book: ARC from the publisher
Where Can You Get this Book: WorldCat.org | Amazon | IndieBound
Book Description: Kyra Valorian and Sebastian Sayre have finally remembered their pasts as the former Felserpent Queen and King, and now it’s time for them to change the future―by reuniting the realms and bringing peace to Astrals and Daevals. But tensions between Aeles and Nocens have never been higher, and those of silver and gold blood are more divided than ever.
In addition to improving her recovrancy abilities and completing internship, Kyra is determined to uncover her father’s role in the evil Astral experimentation program, no matter the danger. As Sebastian learns to be in a relationship, he finds himself facing the traumas of two very different pasts, forcing him to make tough decisions about his chosen profession and who he wants to be. Meanwhile, Tallus, arch-enemy to the Felserpent monarchy, has also returned―and it will take help from Cyphers, as well as friends both old and new, to find and stop him.
As Kyra and Sebastian struggle to navigate the differences between their past and current relationship, one thing’s part of fulfilling their destiny means accepting their fate. The choices they make will reach all the way into Death in this thrilling found family sequel to Reign Returned.
Review: While the last book didn’t end of a cliffhanger exactly, there was still a massive shift in perspectives made with Sebastian and Kyra remembering their former lives as the Felserpent King and Queen. I was very curious how this would be tackled, as both characters now have to deal with not only the memories of past selves, but must still content with the people they are now and the lives they already lived in these bodies. And, ultimately, I really liked how it was handled here. Having these memories did not suddenly erase the romantic tension, something I was concerned about, but added a new intriguing layer to the proceedings. I also liked how these past life experiences played into the ways that Kyra and Sebastian dealt with the problems they were facing currently.
There were various mysteries that had to still be tackled from the first book, both smaller ones having to do with Kyra’s father and Sebastian’s own personal history, but the last few pages also dropped the fact that a new villain was on the stage. It was fairly easy to predict who this character was, but I did like the way this storyline was tackled, weaving neatly between past events and the current conflicts. The story had a lot of ground to cover in this book, and I felt like things moved along quickly, while also not losing the charm of the first book.
Overall, this was a very creative, well-done fantasy duology that I think is well-below the radar of many readers who would enjoy it. If you’re a fantasy-lover looking for something fresh and unique, this is definitely the duology for you!
Rating 8: An excellent conclusion, full of action, adventure, and romance, perfect for fantasy-lovers of every variety!
The Library Ladies 