SONG OF THE DEAD

One threat against Karthia may have
been vanquished, but new dangers are on the horizon for the kingdom of magic
and necromancers.

This sequel picks up moments after
the first book concludes, with Odessa sailing away from Karthia after killing
the tyrannous king. However, the brown-skinned master necromancer quickly
returns following a call for help from her friend and new queen, pale-skinned Valoria.
Her subjects are pushing back violently against Valoria’s inventions and
changes, particularly her edict that the Dead will no longer be raised to
reside among the living. This and other conflicts escalate slowly, but the
major threat—Ezoran invaders heading toward Karthia—is distant rather than
immediate, leaving the story without a major conflict driving it forward. The
strength here instead lies in inventive worldbuilding and interactions between
the dynamic cast of characters. Marsh (Reign of the Fallen, 2018, etc.)
introduces surprising new magic and pushes the boundaries of what readers—or
characters—believed possible. Some additions are overly convenient but
undeniably fun—such as the dog-sized dragon Nipper, who latches on to Odessa and
offers multiple plot-essential abilities. The already robust cast, diverse in
both race and sexual orientation, is joined by new faces. Bisexual Odessa
deepens her relationship with the pale-skinned beast master Meredy, while both
girls cope with grief for lost loved ones.

Slow-moving but ultimately a
satisfying addition to this inventive, character-driven fantasy series. (Fantasy. 13-18)