Unfortunately, after a year and a half since reading the first book (which I loved), there just wasn’t enough keeping me interested in the *plot* of the story. I still enjoy some of the worldbuilding and the characters, and love to see queer black girls at the center of a high octane fantasy story. Not sure I’ll check out the finale because at this point I’m just not invested.

The Battle Drum is the much anticipated sequel to The Final Strife, and it picks up right where the first book left off. With Sylah fleeing for her life amongst a group of ghostings, while Anoor and Hassa remain in the Warden’s Empire to try and help their people.

While The Battle Drum continues to follow our three female MCs from the first book, it also brings in an entirely new storyline and perspective which initially seems at odds with the other characters, however El-Arifi does an amazing job of weaving together all of the threads of the story in a way which keeps you guessing.

The Battle Drum had a very different tone to The Final Strife, and was honestly not what I expected after the first book, however it was just as wonderful as it’s prequel and I will certainly continue the series when the next book comes out!

I raved about The Final Strife so my expectations were high. I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. A lot of times second books is trilogies are fillers. Saara packed this story with so much that there’s no doubt this book is essential and by no means a filler. I loved reading about the journey each of the main characters took and I was equally satisfied with all the twists and revelations.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

Sara El-Arifi’s sophomore entry in the “The Ending Fire Trilogy” picks up where it left off in Book 1. I appreciated that she summarized the events in The Final Strife.

This novel explores new territories, magic systems and folklore. The world building exploded in rich landscapes, perilous locations and ruthless survivors.

I liked this one. The ending was very good. I didn’t see it coming. It definitely put the pieces in place for the finale and I’m looking forward to reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Oh my gosh! That ending! I did not see that coming at all.

All in all, this was a solid book, which for a second book in a trilogy is usually always a good sign. The world from the first book is expanded, the stakes are even higher, and a lot of forward momentum happened. The setup for the next book is rather explosive, and I can't wait to see how the characters handle the fallout from this book.

Very highly recommend!

We're back with Anoor and Sylah and Hassa and I couldn't be more happy to get my heart stomped on. We get more world-building in this second in the trilogy and I loved the way the author intertwined characters and points of view to give us a well rounded look at the story. You absolutely do not need to worry about second book syndrome here. I was hooked from the very first page and riveted for all 500+ pages.

This series has its roots in Arabian and African mythology and I find that this is something I really enjoy. It's a nice departure from the typical Greek mythology that a lot of books have and it's a lot darker which is appealing. For those who love a morally gray character, I have to push you towards this series. Plus, look at this cover!! I'm ready for book three to come out but alas, the waiting game is on.

Thank you so much to Del Ray (an imprint of Random House) for a gifted ecopy.

I always feel a bit wary going into a sequel. Will it live up to the first? Will it build the story into an even stronger one? Will the character's grow in accordance with expectations?

I needn't have worried about this one. I thought this one was just as wonderful as the first. The worldbuilding is so good that even me - not a seasoned fantasy reader - could picture the places and the people. Maybe what I love most about this series is the strong women. Each book has several and a new one was added in this book and woah, what a bad a$$ she is!

"I look at you and I see a flame, the same fierce and loving woman I have known nearly all my life. But fire's nature is to burn those around it."

The Battle Drum takes off where book one ended - but gave me just enough back story to remember where we were in our journey. This book finds Anoor and Sylah separated. Sylah, the warrior, is off to fight and Anoor stays to fight a more political battle. At times this book felt very YA - but then at other times it didn't. The men in this series always play more of a secondary role and honestly - I'm all for it! It is rare to find the woman making the decisions and fighting the battles - so when I find it - I love it! There is a very dark element in this one that is developed and strings all the different stories together. I can only imagine where book 3 will go. I'm already looking forward to it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 5/23/23.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group!
Throughly enjoyed reading the second book in this series! I have been waiting for the next book and am so happy to say it is just as good as the first. The world continues to be engaging and creative! The culture and mythology that saturates the text gives amazing depth and enjoyment to the reading experience. I can’t wait to read the last book!

I loved this so much, it’s the second book that began with The Final Strife and if you enjoyed The Final Strife then you’re going to want to read this too and will love it as much as I have , it’s full of surprises, so many twists and turns , full of representation. revelations and I now can't wait for the next one, but unfortunately I have to. If you want a fantastic read look no further (but get the final strife first)

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

how do i share my love for this book without spoiling absolutely everything…

the battle drum is the sequel to one of my favorite reads of 2022, the final strife. so of course i’m going to try to stay a bit vague in terms of the plot when discussing my absolute love for this series. clearly, i personally really enjoyed the second installment in this trilogy.

it’s not a fast moving book, but neither was the final strife. it picks up a ton near the end, but i personally felt that it was so appropriate for the story. we’re following a lot of individuals, all moving pieces in a much grander scheme. we get a new pov in this book too, so finding a way to battle sharing five peoples’ thoughts, making them unique, it’s difficult. and i’ve found that el-arifi has done an absolutely incredible job. again.

we had our four povs from the first book, each of which we have already become familiar with their thoughts, with their motivations. and this fifth person, they were such a strong character in terms of ideals. it wasn’t difficult to add them to the arsenal. we follow sylah, anoor, and jond (hassa too, but to a lesser extent) essentially experiencing their entire world-views flipped upside down time and time again. it was fascinating to see where they each landed. and i worry to see where they’ll go.

so much new information was given to us, but it was never overwhelming. with each tidbit, my mind would reel with the implications but we’d move to another perspective. essentially, if you want to scheme and try and figure it out first, you’d have to put the book down and think. and that’s exactly what i did. many times. and i love that about this series. reveals were never too late, never too early. and personally, i’d make the connection and then in the next chapter, so would our main characters. it was just crafted so exceedingly well, in my opinion.

of course there’s still so many questions i have. but i have to just trust that these characters will get themselves put together in the final book and win. otherwise, i’m not sure i’ll survive tbh…

ps. if you’ve read the book, my theory for book three’s cover is nayeli with a yellow background (on both the us and uk editions). it’ll converge and it makes sense given where we end, yk?

In some ways, this book was better than the first book, but it was a slower burn for me, in part because it was much more complex. While the first book introduced us to this world and there were many characters, it was much more focused because it had the competition to tie everything together. This one added so much more to this world and you get to know not just the Warden's Empire, but the greater world (as they discovered at the end of the first book). As such, you were introduced to many more groups, and sometimes I got a bit lost about how they all connected. Anoor and Sylah were in different countries, and I missed their interactions, although they each often thought of the other. I did feel that Sylah's story developed her more as a character than Anoor, in part because Anoor seemed like she was reacting much of the time (and not often in a good way).

Hassa also had her own thread, although she interacted with Anoor a few times throughout. We find out much more about her people and how everything came to be. She is the main detective in this story, but there were many moments when my heart broke for her. I have no idea what is in store for her in the third book, but I really want her to find some bit of happiness or at least peace.

One other thing I love is how normalized gender identity and sexuality are in this world. Yes, there are gay or lesbian relationships, as well as male and female, but it's not a big deal how someone identifies. It just happens and is accepted. It's refreshing to read a book where the world is not automatically prejudiced or hung up on labels.

I continue to be fascinated by this world and can't wait for the finale! I love both books so much that I will probably reread books 1 and 2 when the third one finally comes out!

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher and NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When we last saw these characters, Anoor had just been named the Disciple of Strength. Realizing there was a whole world outside The Wardens’ Empire – which had been kept secret from most people – she sent Sylah to go find out what was out there, and hopefully come back with a solution to the Empire’s climate problems.

So, these two characters both remain main characters in this book – but spend the entire thing apart. We are following stories in two (very) different locations.

This book offers an expanded world geographically, with new peoples, cultures, and lore. But it also offers an expanded world from a storytelling standpoint, as chapters are told from different points of view. We have Anoor, Sylah, and Hassa, who were all POVs that were used in the previous book. But we also see a good portion of the story from Jond’s perspective. This begins because Sylah is incapacitated for a while, but his chapters continue after she wakes up. And we have a completely new character, Nayeli, who lives in an area we have not explored before. I wasn’t sure exactly when Nayeli’s story took place, since it’s so removed from the others, but I felt from early on that it was before the time of the other characters. We do find this out near the end of the book.

Overall, the peoples of these other lands are also dealing with climate issues. They can also do what our main characters call “bloodwerk,” although each land has a different name for it. They theorize that there is too much magic being done, and it has created an imbalance in how the world works (causing all the weather disasters).

And the peoples of these other lands are also gearing up to go to war. Initially, our characters visiting these lands – Sylah, Jond, and a team of Ghostings – are unfamiliar with their legends, powers, and history. As they are learning about all these things, some of our characters in The Warden’s Empire are starting to learn them, too – albeit more slowly.

Anoor’s team had hidden her, against her will, so she could not be tried for murder. It is only from her hiding place that she starts learning of some of the things going on. She doesn’t know most of the story until the very last pages – and even then, she is hearing a very different version than our other characters have put together.

Which brings me to the most interesting aspect, I think. At the very end of the book, all lands are posed for war – The Warden’s Empire among them – and our main characters are posed to be on opposite sides. Anoor and Sylah have yet to speak, or compare notes on all they’ve learned. Hassa’s perspective is somewhat different from both the others, but her knowledge is a little more in line with Sylah’s. So that should make for an explosive kick-off to the final book in this trilogy!

The Battle Drum is the sequel to El-Arifi’s jaw dropping debut, The Final Strife, and takes place almost immediately after the first book ends. And OH MY GOODNESS - what a ride! There’s no doubt in my mind that Saara El-Arifi is a master at her craft. While the first book gently unfolds like a flower in bloom, The Battle Drum hits the ground running.

El-Arifi has a way of making every small detail count, without heavy handed foreshadowing. This talent of hers allows for such an intense reading experience as you flip between POVs, longing for more of what’s happening in the character you left behind yet are instantly immersed the events of the new chapter. I absolutely loved Hassa’s vulnerability, Anoor’s naivety, and Sylah’s growth. The dimension of Sylah’s character, and her growth, was really so beautiful to read.

We also see more of Jond and an astounding new character!

From the two books that she has written so far, it is undeniable that while she is one of my favorite Fantasy authors. I cannot stop thinking about how original of a work this is, how layered the themes, how rich the setting, and just how beautiful and unique these women are. There were moments where I had to scream out loud, toss my kindle aside, and take a break because of all the emotions Saara El-Arifi evoked in me. I was so immersed in the reading experience.

I love the lore, the richness in culture and in spite of how there’s so much magic and many things that are so fantastical, this book never ever challenges my suspension of disbelief. It’s a series I can very much imagine visually

One thing I do wish a little bit more for is exposition on the personalities of her secondary characters, especially the ones that play more significant roles. I may be a little biased, since I lean heavily and favor secondary characters to really showcase the depth of world built.

Overall, I urgently long for the next book in the series. Such an exquisite book and I enjoyed every moment spent with the series thus far. My heart feels like it was trampled upon and all I can say is thank you.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and Ballantine books for the eARC. I cannot wait for the next book.

At the beginning of The Battle Drum, we get a very helpful recap of what happened in the first book.

In this sequel, we get a lot more world-building and learning about the other tribes. We see Sylah and Jond traveling across the sea and making enemies as well as new friends, Anoor is trying to solve her mother's murder and figure out why she was framed for it. The side characters from the first book take a bigger part, especially Hassa and Jond who are definitely new favorites as well as the sand cat who is super adorable. Sylah and Anoor spend a lot of time pining for each other, to the point where sometimes their missions took a back seat, so Im hoping that once they are reunited Sylah becomes the kick-butte girl from the first book.

It seems like it took forever for anything to really happen but once it did, which was towards the end, the pace and action really beginto pick up, and I was left wanting to read the final book in the trilogy to see how it's all going to play out.

The three women find their answers, but not the answers they wanted. The drumbeat of change thrums throughout the world.

And it sings a song of war.

Ready we will be, when the Ending Fire comes,
When the Child of Fire brings the Battle Drum,
The Battle Drum,
The Battle Drum.
Ready we will be, for war will come

This time there is no denying that there is a whole new world on the other side of the vast sea, For the elders have known of it all while and Sylah has been tasked to find how to stop the deadly sand storms from happening each night. But while she is on the boat with the elders she encounters the very thing that causes part of the disruption back at home.
Sylah also learns that there are other colors of blood, yellow, purple, blue, green, white etc and that they had been separated.

How they were now on search of a special child, the child of fire to bring an end everything.
If Sylah ever wants to see Anoor again, she has got to get to the mad queen or they are all doomed.

Once again Saara El-Arifi has done herself. I could kick myself for not writing this review when I first finished the book. Ugh!

For book 3, which I cannot wait to read, as soon as I finish, I'm writing the review.

Congratulations El-Arifi, for your sophomore book being as wonderful as your first book!!

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽


I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!

Thank you, NetGalley,/Saara El-Arifi/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey/ For this "INCREDIBLE" eARC in advance for my honest opinion. All opinions given are of my own volition.

Thank You NetGalley for sending me an EARC of this book. I just want to start by saying that I appreciate the author putting a recap of book 1 at the start of the this book and in a way that keeps the storytelling aspect!!! Love love love, I wish every fantasy series would do this lol. I enjoyed this second installment soo much!! Saara is such a talented author and I have never seen fantasy portrayed as unique and inclusive as she creates it. I have such a strong connection to these characters and my jaw never left the floor for the last 50 pages. I am super hooked on this series and I cannot wait for the next Installment.

I absolutely adored this book. This sequel managed to expand the already captivating world-building to a remarkable extent. The vastness of the world was revealed in all its grandeur, allowing readers to explore uncharted territories and uncover hidden (and often heartbreaking) secrets. It was an immersive experience, where every piece of the narrative puzzle fell into place with precision. The attention to detail in the world-building was truly wonderful, transporting readers to a realm brimming with both horrors and intrigue.

Moreover, the magic system introduced in this installment proved to be a source of endless fascination. The author's ingenuity and creativity shone through, as they crafted a system that was both intricate and awe-inspiring. The rules and limitations of the magic were carefully delineated, lending a sense of realism and grounding to the fantastical elements of the story. It was a joy to witness the characters wield their magical abilities and explore the depths of their powers.

Speaking of the characters, they underwent some transformations and grew even more complex in this installment. Their individual arcs were well-crafted and delved deep and I found myself deeply invested in their journeys. However, Anoor was previously portrayed as selfless and capable of seeing the best in everyone, but she took a surprising turn in this book. Her misplaced trust in unfamiliar faces and her willingness to believe falsehoods about some friends made her far less sympathetic. I trust the author to continue her arc, though.

While this book did not bring me to tears, it had a profound impact on me nonetheless. The unexpected twists and turns in the later pages left me in shock. I feel a genuine need to mourn the events that unfolded. I cannot emphasize enough how eagerly I await the next book.

Amazing novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for the ARC!

First of all, watching how Sylah and Anoor (and Hassa) grew and changed in The Final Strife was so impressive, and I was excited to see how their character development would translate into the sequel. El-Arifi did an incredible job picking up the momentum and running with it. The way that these women have adapted and continue to progress along their journeys was so perfectly done, and I loved the directions that El-Arifi took their characters in with each challenge. In particular, I was impressed with how she handled Anoor’s evolution… no spoilers, though!!! The complications within the web of relationships between these characters is real and raw, and I particularly love seeing Hassa and Sylah’s inner dialogues in how they assess people and themselves.
My concern with the premise of this series was that the idea of blood colors is a bit gimmicky and reminded me of bad YA dystopian series I read as a teen. Not only did El-Arifi continue to grow the world as it related to blood colors in a completely non-gimmicky way, but the way that she expanded the magic system and the history of this world was absolutely stunning and very well-paced. She introduced so many twists and turns that were incredibly woven together in unexpected ways. When I tell you that my jaw literally dropped and I whispered “no WAY” to myself at 11pm while reading the final chapters… I mean it. While I sometimes got a little overwhelmed with everything going on, I never hit my limit of “too much information” or “too many plot lines” etc.
Also in terms of world building, I do want to shoutout and appreciate how El-Arifi weaves queer identity into this world. ❤️‍🔥
I haven’t been this in love with a fantasy series since the Daevabad trilogy! I cannot wait for the next book. Hurry pls

(DON’T READ THE NEXT SENTENCE IF YOU DON’T LIKE CLUES…)

Justice for Kwame and Gorn :(

4.5/5
this was such a fantastic installment in this trilogy! i definitely enjoyed it more than I did The Final Strife, which I wasn’t 100% invested in until the last 10-15%. The Battle Drum more than made up for it though. it's always a pleasure when a sequel really expands on the world in the previous book and the new settings and characters in The Battle Drum provide just that. we’re introduced to really interesting new communities, cultures, religions, histories, and POVs, though I still enjoyed our 3 leading ladies’ storylines the most (Sylah, Hassa, and Anoor).

we also get to learn so much more about the magic of this world! i particularly enjoyed that Sylah's journey to new places showed us how different circumstances shaped each cultures' approach to what is ultimately the same source of magic.

i’m not usually a fan of separating the love interests, in this case Sylah and Anoor, for an entire book but I quite enjoyed the separate missions that they were on. Their storylines along with Hassa’s each have something for everyone—from adventuring to espionage to a murder mystery and political intrigue. the breadcrumbs in each of these storylines kept me guessing the whole time (there are so many well-timed twists and revelations!!) and by the end, it was so satisfying to see the puzzle pieces start to come together.

i highly recommend this one, especially for fantasy lovers. can’t wait for book 3!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

The Battle Drum is the second installment in Saara El-Arifi's The Ending Fire Trilogy. It follows Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa as they embark on journeys to save their world and themselves.

This is turning out to be a solid fantasy series. Though I thought that this book was also kind of slow in the middle -- something I struggled with in book 1 -- there was a lot of solid character and world development happening here that I thoroughly enjoyed. I think anyone who read book 1 will love this installment, and I definitely cannot wait for the final book!