Title: As the Shadow Rises
Author: Katy Rose Pool
Publisher: Macmillan
Publication date: September 1, 2020
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Summary
The world is slowly moving toward the Age of Darkness. Those with powers, called the Graced, as being persecuted at every turn. A doomsday cult has taken control of the world. There’s an ancient power that threatens to break free and destroy everything in its path. And yet, Anton’s (the last prophet) vision shows a plan to stop the Age of Darkness that might be just as dangerous.
Determined to help Anton, Jude tries to put aside his growing feelings for him. But his status in society is slowly falling, too. Meanwhile, the Pale Hand assassin will stop at nothing to get her sister back while Hassan tries to get his kingdom back. What will happen as the end of the world nears?
Review: As the Shadow Rises
Thanks to Macmillan and Net Galley for an eARC of this to review! I loved There Will Come a Darkness, so I was excited to pick up this sequel. And it definitely didn’t disappoint! The characters I came to love in the first book all came back in this one, engaging in even higher stakes than before.
If you haven’t read the first book, or it’s been a while since you have, I definitely recommend a refresh before picking up this book. I struggled at the beginning to pick up where the previous book left off, mostly because it’s been a minute since I read it. This book picks up pretty much immediately where the last one left off, so keeping up to date is crucial.
Once I got back into the story, though, I remembered why I liked the first book so much. It’s the characters that really drive the story for me. Their relationships built around these doomsday events happening pull the story forward. I’d say they even aid in raising the stakes. Once you get into the story, you definitely won’t want to put it down until the end.
An epic fantasy with a strong cast of characters you’ll be rooting for until the end.
4/5 stars