Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Forgotten Gods duology. I got an eGalley of this book through NetGalley for review.

Thoughts: This was beautifully written and does an excellent job of wrapping up this duology. For most of the book Nirrim and Sid are separate. Nirrim is taking over as empress of her home city but she is ruling without her heart (she bargained her heart away to the god of thieves). Meanwhile, Sid is back home in Herran trying to navigate the promises she made before she left (marriage to the Prince of a neighboring country). When rumors of a dark, cruel queen reach Sid, she can only assume that Nirrim needs her help.

The writing here is stunning. It is also a wonderful story of family, friendship, and love. There is a mystery about why Kestral’s health is failing that Sid has to solve in the first part of the book but much of the story is also about Sid accepting who she is and accepting that her family accepts that. It is heartbreaking to watch Nirrims struggle with making decisions as a ruler when her compassion has literally been stolen from her.

I really enjoyed this. The ending did feel a bit abrupt and incomplete to me. I also was a bit sad that Nirrim and Sid didn’t spend more of the story together. However, this book did an excellent job of wrapping the story up and was a joy to read.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this story. It is a beautifully written story about gods, family, friendship, love, and magic. This book does a wonderful job of wrapping up the series and I would recommend it to those who enjoyed the first book in this duology.

The Midnight Lie was one of my favorite releases of 2020, and I was unbelievably excited for the sequel. As soon as I got this eARC, I dropped everything to read it and I’m so glad I did! Gorgeously written, The Hollow Heart follows a stunning journey of fulfilling your true self and potential.

This review contains spoilers for book one.

After giving up her compassion for her people’s memory, Nirrim has assumed position as queen of Herrath, punishing the High Kith and Middlings who oppressed the Half Kith for centuries. On the other side of the sea, Sid investigates her mother’s mysterious illness as well as trying to bridge her relationship with her parents. Meanwhile, a god narrates their past and present that are somehow connected to Nirrim and Sid’s story.

As usual, Rutkoski’s prose was beautiful and breathtaking. I fell into reading this book so quickly and couldn’t take my eyes off the page. The pacing was also very well done, with the narrative split evenly between Nirrim’s, Sid’s, and the god’s storylines. It was easy switching between their chapters.

Sid’s character arc was so gorgeous. She’s always been a liar, hiding her feelings and trying to be the person she thinks her parents want her to be. Throughout the book, we see more of her relationship with Arin and Kestrel, as well as memories of them as a family. It was so heartwarming to see how much they all care for each other, with Sid finally realizing that her parents just want her to be happy.

I really loved this journey of self-realization, as Sid accepts that her family will always support her and that, despite her fear that she’s unlovable, she is very much loved. Roshar is also a constant presence in Sid’s life as her godfather who is and always will be there for her for support. The family dynamics made me tear up, and now I also really want to reread the Winner’s Trilogy!

I had more mixed feelings about Nirrim’s chapters, unfortunately. Her plot line consists of her as a heartless queen, ruling with a ruthless hand. As much as I wanted to like this, however, the tone change from the first book to this was startling and detracted from what I really loved about Nirrim’s character. I know that this was intentional, that Nirrim’s compassion is what makes her her, but again, this narrative just took out too much of what was good in the first book.

It’s not that I completely disliked Nirrim’s plot line; however, her plot-heavy chapters were a strange tone change compared to Sid’s mostly character-focused plot. Frankly, this made for a strange sequel. I wouldn’t necessarily say that the two narratives needed to be separated (although they were, in essence, two completely different stories), but combined with the sudden ending, the book left a bit to be desired. I still really enjoyed the book though! It might just be better to keep this in mind going in.

The Hollow Heart was a beautiful story about living your life according to your terms. While I had some problems with the shift in tone from the first book, I still really enjoyed it and the character arcs, especially Sid’s point-of-view. If you haven’t read this duology yet, I really recommend it!

Rutkoski's writing remains both captivating and deeply moving. I have been deeply impressed by all her previous works, and that is true of this book as well.

It is an impressive follow-up to the first book in this series, continuing to feature a wide range of diverse characters, both in ethnicity and sexuality. It also touches on themes of love, loyalty, and family that I think will resonate with parents and young adults alike.

I wonder if this book's premise will be met with ire from readers who loved Nirrim in the first book (and those who are seeking lots of on-page interaction between Sid and Nirrim might find themselves likewise disappointed). However, I feel like this book had so much to say about other relationships that I was not as disappointed as I would have expected. While some characters might frustrate you, they remain unflinchingly real. (Though I still have qualms about the inclusion of Lirah in this work)

An excellent book for any library or private collection.

I really enjoyed this sequel! I especially enjoyed Sid's point of view I think it really helped develop her more as a character and you really got to see her side of things as well as learn more about her family and relationships. I also did like the dual point of view showing Nirrim's side as well and kind of showing what is going through her mind when she got sort of "changed". And then the other point of view being a "god" who we later find out who they actually are which is really interesting. I do think the ending was a bit rushed and I would have loved more time with Sid and Nirrim at the end, though.

The rep in this book is fantastic though I wasn't worried about that since Marie did a fantastic job in Midnight Lie! This book really has it all POC, lesbian MC, nonbinary! I love the darkness of this story. We follow a trail of murder, executions and blood all spun together to create a glorious reimagined fairytale.

I thought this moved a bit too quickly for me compared to the first one, which I appreciated because it was slow and took time to develop characters. I still enjoyed it, though, and will probably check out more of Rutkoski's work in the future.

Not sure that I'm loving the cover change for this one but this was such a great and fantastical follow up to The Midnight Lie.
The diversity in this duology is so amazing, including a POC lesbian MC, nonbinary lesbian MC, POC gay side character and POC side characters. I think this is so important in literature as a whole, but especially YA.
I really enjoyed The Midnight Lie and The Hollow Heart followed right in the same vein. It picked up where the first book left off with two distinguished plot lines taking place over the course of the book. I loves having multiple POVs between Nirrim and Sid along with an omniscient god giving an overall perspective. I found myself equally enjoying each point of view which rarely happens for me.
The action and adventure was so fun and I had a hard time putting this one down. The only thing I wish we got a little more of was the romance. Because Nirrim and Sid were separated for so much of the book, we didn't get to see a lot of their relationship which was a little sad because I absolutely love them together. The super angsty pining almost made up for it though.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Arc provided by MacMillian Publishers for an honest review.

The Hollow Heart was one of my highly anticipated reads for this year and it was a joy. At the end of The Midnight Lie, Sid had returned home to Herran and battles all of politics at Herrani court and we learn more about Sid’s background and family history. Nirrim on the other hand had offered up her heart to the God of Thieves so that she could restore her people’s memories and the city’s history and is now vowing vengeance for the Half Kith. They have both gone their separate ways but are constantly in each other’s thoughts and eventually their paths become intertwined when Sid hears of a queen who is claiming revenge against all whom have wrong her.

I did not have many predictions before starting this book so I just went right in without any set goal except to enjoy the book and hope that Sidnirrim would get the ending that they deserve.

In comparison to The Midnight Lie, The Hollow Heart had a lot more going on and a more complex plot. Tml gave us a good introduction to the series and Nirrim but we really did not all that much about Sid so in thh we get a deep dive into the world Sid grew up in, family’s expectations, and family’s history. I would not say that it is fast paced per say but we have a lot more going on in thh and multiple povs. I really enjoyed the well balanced multiple povs, they did not feel like they cut into each other despite having fairly different plots.

I liked both of their stories and arcs throughout the entire series and in The Hollow Heart in particular since we get to see Sid’s pov as well and their different views of their relationship. I wouldn’t say that their power balance is switched but how much control they think they have over their lives is definitely different in The Hollow Heart vs The Midnight Lie. Nirrim is a powerful and vengeful queen going everything she came for her people meanwhile Sid ends up feeling powerless when back home. I would highly recommend reading the The Winner’s Trilogy before starting The Hollow Heart.

The ending did feel a bit rushed to me. It felt like so much had happened in those last chapters when it could have been paced better. “Old Nirrim” is mentioned and referenced several times but she only really made a quick appearance and same with Sid’s involvement. I did enjoy it but I would have preferred for it to have not happened as quickly as it all did. For the majority of the series Sidnirrim are on their separate paths and then their paths quickly merge, *things happen*, and the story is done. I definitely would have liked if Sidnirrim had more scenes together. In The Midnight Lie they were together for a big part of the book meanwhile in The Hollow Heart they aren’t together for most of the book which makes sense since they’re on their own paths but because it is the last book of the series, I would have liked for them to have had more scenes together.


Trigger Warnings: Drug use, Drug addition, Child abuse (mentioned), Emotional abuse, Homophobia (referenced), Gaslighting, Subjugation

This was such a satisfying conclusion to The Midnight Lie! I worried every page for Sid and Nirrim. My only complaint was how long they were separated. I wish we got to spend more time with them together.
The deep delve into compassion vs strength was surprised and very much welcome. It's social commentary hit very close to home for me and I was grateful for the perspective.
Also, Sid is everything and must be protected at all costs! Based on the text, I'm not sure if Sid is non-binary or rather gender nonconforming, but I loved every page of her POV.
I'm so happy with this conclusion. This definitely gets put on the list of my favorite duologies!

First, I love this cover! Also, Marie writes so beautifully! This story drew me in right away and it definitely had twists and turns.

Thank you to the publishers and Edelweiss and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

The Hollow Heart was one of my most anticipated reads of the year because The Midnight Lie was one of my favorite YA books of modern times.

The Hollow Heart picks up right where The Midnight Lie left off, Sid going home to see her sick and dying mother (Kestrel) and Nirrim, freshly heartless after her deal with the god of thieves, declaring herself their queen.

Because of their separation, the book has two clearly defined arcs. Nirrim trying to garner support and take over the island and free her people by any—and I mean ANY—means possible. Whether it be outright fear and displays of her power or more subtle means of manipulation, bribes, and using the other descendants of demigods with powers to help her. Sid returning to Herran to discover her mother truly is dying, but not of sickness—of poison! It’s up to Sid, Kestrel’s daughter and spy, to save her mother and stop the assassin... and fix her relationship with her parents.

In between these POV changes, we see another perspective: an unknown god telling their own story and omnisciently telling the readers what they see (sometimes it’s things related to Nirrim, sometimes it’s related to Sid, sometimes even Kestrel and Arin)

All perspectives were equally interesting and entertaining to me (which barely ever happens) and I was flying, FLYING through this book. I need to know more. I needed Sid and Nirrim to be together again. But with all the separate story arcs, many things were happening, and it wasn’t until towards the end of the book that Sid and Nirrim reunited, so we unfortunately do not get many scenes of them together. I still loved the book, but in this regard it’s VERY different than the first book, since the first was very focused on their romance, and this more about the story and plot. I’m not sure how others will receive it because of these reasons, so it will be interesting to see what the feedback is once this is published.

My only complaint about this book is that, since it’s the last book in this duology, I wish we had been given more time with Sid and Nirrim together. I am greedy and I need more! I wish there had been more falling action so the book could ease out of the tense action of the climax and into warm, tranquil waters so we could enjoy a few more moments of happiness and hope and dreams of the future. Because of this, my true rating might be more of a 4.5 stars than a true 5 star review.

But I did really enjoy it, I loved the plot and the story and the character growth and the mending of fences, evil Nirrim, seeing Kestrel and Arin (now a silver fox, btw) again, the PINING, the handful of sidnirrim scenes, discovering more of Nirrim and Sid’s backstories, more intimate look at the gods, everything.

So many times reading this my heart lodged in my throat and tears gathered in my eyes. I can tell Marie put so much love into these books. It shines through in these stories, in these characters, in this unwavering hope. I have been so invested in Nirrim and Sid... I’m sad to let them go. I don’t want it to be over. But now it is.

But I will be starting a GoFundMe for bribes to send to Marie Rutkoski for a post-THH fluff novella. Please Marie. I’ll do anything.

Ahhhhhh. I love Sid and Nirrim and all these characters, and that new pov!! I reread The Winner's Trilogy prior to reading this, and I'm really glad I did.

Nobody is writing YA fantasy quite like Marie Rutkoski. While I would have loved more page space devoted to the denouement and resolution, THE HOLLOW HEART is another lyrical and immersive winner from one of the sharpest voices in this genre.

As second books go, this was easy to get into. If you haven't read the first, you might take longer to figure out the world but because this takes place almost equally between Nirrin and Sid it's still relatively simple to slip in. There's another narrator, one of the hundred gods that seem to have ruled over the entire world and then withdrew, who fills in some blanks about what's going on. However, my complaint in the first book still stands: the gods and beliefs are not as well built as the world of magic that Nirrin inhabits, nor as well as Sid's life in Herran. There's also the question of whether Nirrin's change, post trading her heart to the God of Thieves for Herrath's freedom makes sense.

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.

The Hollow Heart is a worthy sequel to The Midnight Lie and a fitting finale to the story Rutkoski began so long ago with The Winner's Curse. Readers will rejoice to see old favorites Kestrel, Arin, and Roshar back front and center again, while also rooting for the star-crossed loved between the rogue princess Sid and the now heartless Nirrim. Rutkoski's prose is as gorgeous as always, and her ability to weave the immediacy of characters' interpersonal conflicts in with mythic interludes is nothing short of masterful. The beginning was a bit slow, but the depth and reach of the second half more than makes up for it. This was a wonderful book.