This was a strong sequel in the Rift Walker series, it had that element that I was hoping for from the first book. The storyline worked with everything that I wanted and enjoyed from the world. The characters worked with everything that I wanted and were everything that I was hoping for in the genre. Clay Harmon has a great writing style and can’t wait for more.

Clay Harmon's magnificent debut Flames of Mira really captured my attention when I got a chance to read it back in 2022. Admittedly dark fantasy is probably my favorite subgenre along with portal fantasy. So I was already inclined to enjoy it but what also moved me about that book was the emotional aspect of the characters and the intriguing plot. It also had some top-notch worldbuilding, I mean what's not to love about a story that takes place in a subterranean volcanic world existing beneath a frozen wasteland. It is one of the more unique settings I've come across in fantasy to be quite honest and I was fascinated by it immediately. I was super excited to discover that Harmon was releasing his next book in the Rift Walker series in June and henceforth scrambled to try and obtain an early copy which thanks to Solaris Books I was able to do.

INTO THE RIFT takes the solid foundation laid out in the first book and expands on both the story itself and the incredible worldbuilding. Where book one had mainly a tight focus on Mira and predominantly that location, this book takes us to some new places and broadens the map if you will. The characters are split up and through their POV chapters we get to see much more of the world that Clay Harmon has invented, and what an amazing world it is. It was refreshing to have those multiple viewpoints in this one because I felt like the first book was very Jakar heavy (understandable though considering the setup to the story arc).

Another aspect that made me enjoy this entry slightly more than the first is the character development and backstory is fleshed out much more. The breakneck pace of Flames of Mira sort of gives way to a seemingly more mature and thoughtful sequel where political intrigue comes more into play and these characters are forced to make tough decisions and critically think their way through a load of travails and dangerous pitfalls. But that's not to say this book is boring because there is still quite a bit of action to satisfy and scratch that itch, I assure you.

There's just tons to love about this book and its predecessor. You get a cool history of the world, discoveries of mysterious artifacts, an evil antagonist in the enigmatic Sovereign, a setting that is constantly dazzling you as you traverse through its harsh and desolate landscape, and a tightly constructed and compelling story that is teeming with some pretty cool dark sorcery throughout. Happy to say that I'm now 100% invested after reading INTO THE RIFT as it ends with the most tantalizing of cliffhangers. I desperately need to find out how this all wraps up and the wait for the next book will seem like an eternity I'm sure. At the same time it will be more than worth the wait and I feel like when all is said and done this will stand among the best fantasy series of the past 25 years. I highly recommend jumping on board this train while it is still on its route because believe me, you are going to want to be there when it finally pulls into that last station for the thrilling climax.

This is a strong sequel to one of the best debuts (and fantasy boks in general) of 2022.
Fans of the first book will not be disappointed with this one. The great and original setting is expanded and we learn more about the history of the world. We have a new PoV (Ester) who steals the show and was the most interesting of the three PoVs we follow. It's also the only one in third person, since the other two are in first (more on that later). Some new side characters add a lot to the story and we get a few great action scenes, including a frantic end battle that's pretty epic.
So as I mentioned this is a great sequel to Flames of Mira but I must mention some issues that i had that prevent me from saying I liked it more.
Firstly the two first person perspectives although well written, were a bit confusing because the characters are traveling together and it was strange to jump from one's head to the other's chapter after chapter.
Secondly I thought the pacing was a bit uneven. The first half is slower and there is no sign of the "bad guys", In fact to make up for it Harmon, presents as the evil guy someone who doesn't feel important enough to the story. I mean he is unlikeable and a lowlife but can hardly justify being the villain that motivates our protagonists. And then in the second half the story focuses more on the real evil and the pacing goes boom. Our protagonists travel to all these places but (as opposed to the firast half) we don't get a glimpse of their travels anymore, they just reach their destination and things take on from there.
Finally there is a kind of an unenecessary miscommunication trope, but thankfully it didn't play a big role in the end.
Issues aside this is a really underrated series with a strong cast of characters, an interesting magic system and a unique world that more fantasy fans should start reading.
Thanks to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for this ARC

Nice book. Nice reading experience. I rated it 3 stars because I thought would be something else that it isn't.

"The most compelling anti-hero of 2022 returns"

I was excited to return to Ra Thuzan, one of the most creative fantasy worlds I've read. And of course, one of the intriguing protagonists with Jakar.

In the second book of the Rift Walker series, Jakar, Efadora, and Ester (the young Smith from the first book) have point-of-view perspectives. New side characters emerge as complementary to our heroes- Geth, Breach, Torlo, among others. And of course, a tense plot situation unfolds. Notably, Jakar and Efadora strike out on Mira, choosing to travel east past the Rift (a collapsing set of tunnels dividing the east and west regions of Ra Thuzan) to reach Sulian Daw. Jakar has plans to take revenge upon the Ebonrock, a cult enslaving children and turning them into weapons, which was what happened to himself before the start of the series. Efadora, meanwhile, is trying to find a grand purpose after realizing the horrors of her family- namely, her sister and late father- and how much hurt they've caused throughout much of Mira. Jakar keeps the 16-year old girl along for ulterior motives, specifically how his elemental powers go away if he's away from her or anyone of her family.

We also learn more about the new locations that Jakar and Efadora travel through, notably the Rift and the eastern lands. Previously, locations such as Sulian Daw and Som Abast were only mentioned or briefly touched upon during Jakar's flashbacks in the first book. Here, they become a more emphasized part of the story, with their own cultures and history.

Ester sticks around in Mira, the lands west of the Rift. The situation from the end of Flames of Mira is still an ongoing threat- Ester and her brother assisted Jakar in slaying one of the Sovereign's primordia, and she expects retaliation. Rebels have been active throughout the ruins, places that prefer their solitude away from typical civilization. Ester finds herself in the middle of the conflict that she never asked for. But her loyalties- to the Order of the Smiths along with her blood family help establish where her loyalties lie.

The creativity of his book and series is terrific. What seems like a hundred different cults, with their unique culture. Various cities and their traditions. Lovecraft style horror. And, of course, a known world consisting of tunnels, caves, and sinkholes under a frigid world. The political situation of Mira is quite interesting too, learning about how the Sovereign maintains power and how he manages the primordia.

Solid book, solid series, solid ending that has me wanting more. I give this 4/5 stars.

First off Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion for the ARC
I have never clicked so fast and downloaded a book so fast to read it I originally received an ARC for the 1st book so it was at the light when I was allowed to read book two also
Now for the review this book is it's everything the first book was and more I love the protagonist in the story he's very unique and the brutality of the story and of the world is very unique also can't wait to reread it when it comes out, so if you read the first book you're going to love this one too bad I have to wait a long time to read book 3

A fantasy world like no other. A unique magic system. The most compelling anti-hero of 2022 returns in the second thrilling book of the Riftwalker series.

After stopping the mercenary army and saving Augustin, Jakar and Efadora set their sights on Sulian Daw, where Jakar plans to hunt down the cultists who enslaved him and save the elemental children he grew up beside. But first, that will mean crossing the Rift, the most treacherous place in Ra Thuzan. Back in Mira, Ester, fledgling smith of the Foundry must track down the smith's source of power after it goes missing. And if she fails, it will mean the death of everyone in the Foundry at the hands of the Sovereign and the child prince.

Everything I loved about book one was here again, times ten! Amazing setting, so unique and interesting. Cool characters and great action. Check this out if you're looking for something new and unique in your fantasy!