Warriors of Wing and Flame (Sisters of Shadow and Light #2) by Sara B. Larson

 

 

The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.

In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.

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After reading the first book in this duology, I was anxiously awaiting this book.  The first book left off in a cliff hanger place so it felt like a rough place to end and a long time to wait.  You really must read the first book before you read this book.

This book picks up pretty much where the last book leaves off.  It has excellent pacing and plenty going on that kept me interested in the story and invested in the characters.  I loved the mix of adventure, action, romance and magic.  I also loved how all the characters came together to fight against Barloc.  It was satisfying to watch both Zuhra and Inara grow into power and confidence while the people around them support and build them up.

The only little glitch I had was telling the sisters apart.  Their voices became very similar in this book and because the author changes the character narrative with each chapter, I found I had to go back and remind myself who was talking.  Not always, but a few times for sure. 

 This is a fun young adult fantasy duology and I really enjoyed it.  

Content:  peril, violence, death, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

Sisters of Shadow and Light (Sisters of Shadow and Light #1) by Sara B. Larson

"The night my sister was born, the stars died and were reborn in her eyes…".

Zuhra and Inara have grown up in the Citadel of the Paladins, an abandoned fortress where legendary, magical warriors once lived before disappearing from the world―including their Paladin father the night Inara was born.

On that same night, a massive, magical hedge grew and imprisoned them within the citadel. Inara inherited their father’s Paladin power; her eyes glow blue and she is able to make plants grow at unbelievable rates, but she has been trapped in her own mind because of a “roar” that drowns everything else out―leaving Zuhra virtually alone with their emotionally broken human mother.

For fifteen years they have lived, trapped in the citadel, with little contact from the outside world…until the day a stranger passes through the hedge, and everything changes.

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Mystery surrounds Zuhra and Inara.  Secrets whose answers seem just out of reach for Zuhra who so desperately tries to take care of her sister, Inara, and gain the approval of her mother.  Zuhra carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.  I could feel her longing, isolation and her discouragement in the beginning.

After a slow start, this book gained momentum and I was pulled deeper and deeper in.  By the end I was reading so fast, desperate to know what was going to happen next.  It's hard to say much without giving things away but I loved how the story expanded.  It started out small and grew and grew to include more people, places and emotions.  It was really good and very engaging.  

My biggest complaint is where the story ended- on the edge of a cliff with me hanging off.  Seriously, cliff hangers are the worst.  This is a series I would rather read after the whole thing is finished because waiting another year for the next book is crazy!  Ugh.  So far away.

Content:  peril, some mild violence, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.