She survived not only Zalindov prison, but also the deadly Trial by Ordeal. Now Kiva’s purpose goes beyond survival to vengeance. For the past ten years, her only goal was to reunite with her family and destroy the people responsible for ruining their lives. But now that she has escaped Zalindov, her mission has become more complicated than ever.
As Kiva settles into her new life in the capital, she discovers she wasn’t the only one who suffered while she was in Zalindov—her siblings and their beliefs have changed too. Soon it’s not just her enemies she’s keeping secrets from, but her own family as well.
Outside the city walls, tensions are brewing from the rebels, along with whispers of a growing threat from the northern kingdoms. Kiva’s allegiances are more important than ever, but she’s beginning to question where they truly lie. To survive this time, she’ll have to navigate a complicated web of lies before both sides of the battle turn against her and she loses everything.
First of all, this is an absolutely beautiful book in person. The picture above doesn't capture it at all. It practically glows in your hands.
Secondly, it's a great read. The second book of a series is often weaker than the first, but I didn't think so. This was just as exciting, in a whole new way. Although she's free of the prison, Kiva is still trapped by her differing commitments and wavering beliefs and it was interesting to watch her change her mind over the course of the novel.
There were, as usual in this kind of novel, several problems that could have been completely avoided if people had just said what they meant - I'm looking at you, woman in the swamps who only knows pronouns and not names apparently - and from an outsider's view, it was frustrating watching Kiva falling into obvious traps and not noticing the things that were practically screaming at me. But it's always easier from out here, and she was dealing with a lot of things!
I'm not near my copy of the first book to check, but I believe there was a family tree in it. I'd have loved another in this one, as it took me a while to figure out who was related to who how, but that's very much a me problem - I don't remember characters between series very well and I'm always looking for recaps. I really wish they were more common. I adore the map though! I loved studying it as the story went along.
Also I love Caldon and I'd like one of my own, since Jaren seems to be off limits.
Can't wait for book three!
The Gilded Cage publishes on the 7th of October, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment