Behold, a few (ahem, nearly 30) books that are on my radar for this year! As ever, there is romance and romantasy and dark academia, but also some YA, some thrillers, some cozy reads, and *two* Dramione repackages, for good measure. So, you know – my usual fare.
Which books are you most looking forward to this year?
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Well, Echo Fort, Book 2 of Sins of the Zodiac by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, came out yesterday. I nearly read it in one sitting, but at 787 pages, that wasn't quite possible. Still, less than 24 hours.
I'll do my best to give my spoiler free reactions first, and then post musings and predictions that require spoilers below the cut. Let's go.
First, the spice rating for this book is lower than the first, surprisingly. While there are several spicy scenes, there's no...ahem...completion. I'd say it's one big tease, but these authors play the long game so it's really just the slow part of slow burn. Still no clue which couples are endgame although at least one of them is giving "mates" to me.
There are several new POVs. Along with Vesper and Everest, our badass FMCs, there's more Bastian, we get Kaiser and Harlon POVs, and a new character, Septa. We even get POVs from Ransom Rake and Prince Dragor. Some of these are merely to give a small bit more insight into what is happening "offscreen", especially near the end, but they continue to open the world up and help to see all the intricate working parts. This book is political.
As for the plot: well, at the start of the book we get a world map and thank the stars for that because we are no longer stuck just at Never Keep. Everest continues her investigations into what the Reapers are up to, but Vesper is on a secret mission and ends up deep in enemy territory as a result. Meanwhile, we are introduced to characters in Avanis (Stonebreaker territory) and start learning more about the political situation there. But while we start with our characters in multiple places, in the last 150 or so pages, the plot threads start pulling together toward an epic conclusion. In true Twisted Sisters fashion, no one ends the story where they started.
It is very much a middle book. Lots of moving parts. Lots of plot threads set down. Some woven to a natural end but much more introduced than concluded. But very satisfying.
On an interesting story-crafting note, I was having a discussion with my son about high stakes in storytelling. I mentioned I like "enemies to lovers" as a trope because of the heightened stakes. He prefers the stakes to be emotionally driven rather than plot driven. I will note that the most masterful part of the storytelling here is that the emotional stakes were upped. I am invested in the characters. I care about them. And I was almost moved to tears by one character-driven moment that had nothing to do with romance. The emotional toll of the war, and the disillusionment the young warriors get as they encounter the real toll the war is having on the Waning Lands, is heavy.
But I'm veering close to spoiler territory with that so let me put up the page break and post the warning.
Here be spoilers past this point
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Okay, so the most moving relationship in this story is Vesper and Everest. They are both so prickly, so guarded, so proud, so driven. And their friendship is so unexpected. But it's the kind borne of respect. In a kinder world, they would be friends. But they are born to be enemies, so the best they can offer each other is the promise of a glorious death in battle. And yet...
I am convinced they are Nebular Allies. If you have read any World of Solaria books, you will know what I am talking about. The moment when Vesper tries to kill Kai to help Vesper break the soul-tie, that's real friendship there.
Okay, more observations. I'm thinking Vesper/Bastian is one of the endgame ships. First, because I'm convinced that all of the endgame ships will be cross-element. Second, because Bastian gave a comment that hints at Elysian Mates. But they are both so broken, and Vesper's betrayal is going to be hard to come back from. I really am dying to know how Vesper ever breaks from of Dragor.
Kaiser and Everest. As I expected, the Fearsire magic created a really interesting dynamic. It provided some good forced proximity, and it allowed for some really interesting insight into Kaiser as a character. He is utterly dispassionate. As in, completely unfeeling to the point where he has to be told how to act like a normal person because he only has logic to run on. The way Everest's Void powers affect him is such a character element. The attraction between them is real, but the soul-tie also created a power dynamic which would have been a real problem in the long run. It's good that Everest broke it.
And then there is the question of what happened in the end with Kaiser. I'm hoping, hoping, hoping he did not die. He was on the edge. But I hold out hope. Because he can feel again. Now that the power balance between he and Everest is righted, I would love to see that continue.
Because it's clear Everest and Harlon are not endgame. Not just because Kai is hotter. But because the wall between Ever and Harl is growing. The spicy scene between them that went nowhere is proof of that. It wasn't just Everest's fear of losing him as a friend. She wants something he can't give. And their loyalties are as disparate as between the enemy countries. Maybe more so.
More character bits: Ransom Rake got a "save the cat" moment? I mean I'm not totally surprised. The Twisted Sisters have redeemed bigger bullies in the past. And the second you meet Commander Rake, you realize that it's as bad as being the son of Lionel Acrux. So the fact that he shows that he's not totally corrupted yet is a big deal. He offered honorable death to a spy rather than see her tortured and violated. And he had genuine horror (as do most of the young warriors) at the bringing of war to civilians. He remains a braggart, of course. But it will be interesting to see his development. I also am curious now that it's clear that he prefers men, if that will be an issue that causes a further break with his father. Cascada seems bent on selective breeding, and would expect him to sire children if he proves to have prowess on the battlefield. Thus far, the Waning Lands don't look like they have the technology for doing that anyway but the old-fashioned way. Somehow, I don't see him excited about playing stud anymore than Everest was excited about being relegated to a brood mare.
Mavus Angelico: I love to hate this bastard. We all know he was bad news from the start. And I'm beginning to wonder if he has any interest in the war ending. Yes, he's aware of the players. He realizes it's an endless war for a reason. But does he benefit from it ending? No. That leaves me very, very suspicious.
The Vampires: We have a name for one. He's pretty. That seems reason enough to believe we will, sooner or later, know more. But the fact that the Covens are willing to ally with Pyros is very interesting. What I want to know is, will the power of the vampire covens be broken if Everest can end the endless war.
Which brings me to the big magical elements.
Everest's Void power: It's confirmed. She is the Void. And by the end of the book, the immense power that she has is undeniable. The question is, which prophecy is the true one? And will Everest come to understand in time that victory will not be obtained by one element dominating?
The Ether: I'm loving where this plot point is going. For one, it makes clear why Vesper is just as essential as Everest is. She has a role to play in restoring the balance. It's calling to her. But also, there is an interplay between the Ether and the Void. And all of this is what will destroy the Waning Lands if they don't stop fighting each other and instead turn to where the real evil is.
What I loved:
Everest got everything she thought she wanted in this book. She proved her power on the battlefield. Her father wants her. Her brother acknowledges her. She has struck her mother's killer with a mortal wound. So why does she feel so empty? I suspect it may take much of the next book for her to realize that what she's been aiming at was vainglorious. But I have hope that her inner sense of justice will lead her to do the right thing in the end. Sometimes it takes getting what we think we want to realize that it's not actually what we need.
Vesper is so, so broken. I feel so badly for her. And I feel worse that she had a shot at something good, something real, and didn't take it. But I know why. She made that star deal. And she still only wants revenge and then oblivion. She needs to be put back together and made anew. They all do. Despite all of that, she still had a number of incredible moments. She remains sarcastic and bold even when she is in the depths of despair. And she also shows that she really does have the makings of hero. But she's so cynical, she hates herself for it.
We finally learned what Everest's order is!
Oh, I also loved that we saw Cayde's comeuppance. Not only does he have a much less sexy real name--Alestro?--but he has truly been hoist by his own petard. Not only has Vesper's curse left him a wreck, he can't consummate his marriage. Poor Septa. I don't know if we're supposed to be rooting for her or not, but I feel for her. But only a little. Or rather, I'm sorry her intended was so disappointing. I just hate that she's probably on a collision course with Vesper because I think they should team up against him. Can't wait to see where that thread leads.
That's all my thoughts for now. Only 8 more months until Cinder Vale.
Ahhhh, there's the unnecessary scenes I was waiting for. I was wondering how long the twisted sisters could go in a series before I felt like I was being dragged along. Dont get me wrong, I still had a good time. We just had to shuffle our feet for a while so some time could pass.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think I'm liking this .....more than Zodiac Academy? The smaller cast of characters is really helping, plus the world is already established (even if the Waning Lands are quite different from Solaria). Im loving learning more about Ether, and its really interesting to see how it can be used for more than just Shadows.
I also am dying to get a little bit more about the Reapers. Are they trying to continue the war? Or are they trying to end it on their specific terms? Im hoping book three will have more Harlan chapters so we can find out. Even though I kind of hate him...
