I loved The Diminished and have been excited for this book for some time. But as much as I liked the first book, The Exalted was even better! I liked reading it from both Vi and Bo's POV. I didn't want a chapter to end just as much as I wanted to get to the next chapter. I also enjoyed all of the new characters. I really hope this isn't the last we read about the Alskad Empire.

***Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for sending me this copy in exchange for an honest review***

If you are like me and felt that The Diminished, book one of this duology, left something to be desired, then you will most likely feel the way I do about this sequel. The Exalted is not only written better but is executed better in every way possible. When I read The Diminished, I had a difficult time connecting with either of the main characters. I also called the main plot twist from a mile away. However, the last third of The Diminished gave me hope for the second book.
The Exalted has a much quicker pace than its predecessor. This book picks up right where the last one left off, and the action starts early on in the story. The characters are also written much better. There is a ton of growth in both Vi and Bo’s characters. I felt myself connecting with them (finally) and cheering them on while also feeling their pain.
I applaud the author in her depiction of depression and how war can affect people in different ways. I won’t go into this too much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but the author writes an incredibly realistic reaction to killing another human being for the first time and how that grief will affect a person.
My biggest complaint is that there were a few character deaths at the end of the story. Don’t worry, I won’t say who. But, I think the author overdid it here. Yes, this is war. Yes, people will die. Yes, characters we have grown to care for will most likely die or be injured. However, when you kill off a character the audience loves, you need to do it for a specific reason. This death must motivate one of the characters to do something they might not have otherwise done; the death should be used as a tool to help further the story. This didn’t happen, in my opinion. The deaths, especially one in particular, didn’t bring anything to the plot but grief. I honestly don’t see why the author chose to kill this character. Especially when the story immediately wraps up right after these deaths. There was no time for the character--or the audience--to grieve and see the full impact of these deaths.
Overall, I enjoyed this book much more than the first one. I recommend people give this book a chance, especially if you weren’t the biggest fan of the first book. This duology is centered upon a unique premise, and its conclusion is pretty solid.

Thank you so much to Inkyard press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

*omitting the summary here*

When I first requested The Exalted I didn't realize that it was a sequel, so I had the pleasure of binge reading the duology. One thing I really appreciate is how The Diminished ended in a very. satisfying and non cliffhanger ish way, so I was more than ready to read this but feel pressured to. I was glad to have it lined up!

This book put me through the entire spectrum of emotions, I was laughing, clapped a few times, spilled a few tears for various fallen warriors, and ended with a book hangover that resulted in a grossly delayed review (I'm sorry, my bad).

The Exalted moved a lot faster than the previous book and every part of it mattered. I was reading as much as I could each day! I loved Bo and Vi's family and the little girls were hilarious, all of the new characters were great, Noriava as cunning as anyone, the general, and the camp warriors who we met.

I do believe that some books read better with a rough ending, and I appreciate that in a war important people are going to die...but really? I wasn't sure if I should be impressed at how many main characters died or if it was overdone. One particular hero I do feel like should have gotten some last words, or something, he was so important and if you were reading quickly you would have missed where he died. Bye bye new and shortlived book boyfriend :( :( :(

Why did H die and not M? the twin thing didn't seem entirely consistent but I am so glad there were also some platonic relationships in this book. I also think Vi's depressive bout was real and important, this whole book just felt very,,,real...at times.

Anyway - Found families, gay characters, I don't understand nonbinary but that was mentioned, strong female leaders, and nail biting nonstop action with a twist of court intrigue and betrayal out the wazoo, power grabs....if these are your tropes and you're not afraid to cry, go grab this duology and get to it! An easy 5 stars for this book!

Here is the link to the review in my blog!
https://onenursereader.wixsite.com/onereadingnurse-1/post/the-exalted-by-kaitlyn-sage-patterson

The Exalted by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson is the second book in the young adult fantasy Alskad Empire Chronicles. Not that anyone should quote me on this but I believe these two books are meant to be a duology but I could be wrong. Regardless this fantasy story continues over and picks up after the end of the first book so it’s best to read them in order as a new reader may not understand this one without the world building of the first.

In The Diminished, the first book of the series, readers were introduced to a world known as the Alskad Empire where the vast majority of births result in twins with the very rare singleborn birth. Bo Trousillion was thought to be a singleborn which had put him in the running to take over the thrown one day. Vi Abernathy on the other hand was born a twin but she had believed her sibling had passed shortly after birth making her a diminished.

Eventually it was found that Vi and Bo were twins and they fought to keep the secret. The Exalted picks up Vi and Bo’s story with the pair being separated so the point of view switches between what is going on with each of them. Bo had been forced to flee the empire and is fighting to regain control of the crown. Meanwhile Vi has joined a group of resistance fighters to fight to free Alskad

I have to say having read the first book of the series and liking it it did still take me a while to remember the events and get back into the story with these characters. I think there may have actually been more action and a quicker pace this time around but my confusing beginning still took a little longer to settle in leaving me to give this second book 3 1/2 stars. It’s still a creative fantasy and I had read both back to back I may have been more entranced and on the edge of my seat.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This one was book two to the Alskad Empire Chronicles and I am so happy that I got to read this one. I devoured book one and this one was so so good. It caught up after the events of book one and I could not put it down. I know that a few other people in our review group didn't care for book one but man I did!! The characters and the writing came together to deliver a wonderful ending.

The Exalted is a sequel. I didn't realize that, but I didn't have trouble understanding anything. I just couldn't get interested enough to really connect with this story. Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely follow up to The Diminished but I did feel some aspects of it were a little bit rushed for my liking. All in all though, a great and immersive read.