An amazing sequel

I really enjoyed the first book but I loved this sequel. The story was more intense and interesting now that the worldbuilding is set up and the very exciting cliffhanger at the end of book 1 made the beginning of this one very intriguing. I liked how the characters had to lead some sort of investigation to understand who the real enemies were. The romance subplot was also more surprising and intriguing in this one. I was eager to see how this whole thing would play out and some plottwists and revelations really surprised me. The writing is immersive and pleasant, the characters are relatable and interesting, and the plot really thickens. I'm excited to read the next one in the series!

I recommend if you like queer fantasy!

"What death takes, it never gives back."

TW: violence, war, death, murder, assault, abuse, blood, fire

Daughter of Fire: The Darkness Rising;

I didn't like the first so wasn't gonna waste my time with the second...

Karen Frost's 'Daughter of Fire: The Darkness Rising' is a spellbinding sequel that delves deeper into the captivating world of magic and intrigue she introduced in the first book. This continuation of the series keeps the flames of excitement burning brightly.

The protagonist's journey continues to evolve, and Frost's character development remains a strong suit. We see growth, challenges, and depth that add layers to the already compelling lead character.

In this installment, the plot thickens as dark forces loom on the horizon. The author masterfully navigates this world of magic, secrets, and betrayal, delivering an intricate narrative that keeps you hooked. Unexpected twists and revelations further intensify the suspense.

Frost's writing style is as engaging as ever, effortlessly drawing readers into the story. The pacing strikes a balance between action and character-driven moments, ensuring a well-rounded and immersive experience.

'Daughter of Fire: The Darkness Rising' takes the series to new heights, leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next chapter. Karen Frost continues to prove her prowess in crafting a gripping, magical tale that fantasy enthusiasts will savor."

Read this book and its prequel back to back if you can for maximum enjoyment (3.5 stars)
I read the first book in this series when it was first available and had questions then about what information there was going to be pertinent, which characters needed to be remembered etc to take into the reading of this sequel. Although that was only two months ago, that was long enough (with dozens of other books being read in between) for me to forget major details from the first book. There is some recap that occurs here but I'd suggest that if you can, read both books back to back because this picks up where Conspiracy of the Dark left off and so it's best to have the events (among other things) fresh in mind for the sequel to not feel like unfamiliar territory and distract the reader from the new events happening there.
There are lots of familiar faces here (and some new ones) and once again teenagers are put into dangerous situations and forced to make adult decisions (with varying degrees of success). Aeryn is better adjusted to her new life here, training to be a war mage but still carries plenty of naivete from her upbringing and her age to make her an imperfect (and therefore more relatable) character.
I might have gotten more out of my reading of the story had I read the first book again right before but that aside, many of the events of this book had me on edge and worrying for the main characters. I was fully invested until nearing the end of the book where a series of events took me out of that groove temporarily so I was skeptical and less invested for the rest of the story. New information in the latter half of the story felt at times overly convenient and had me wondering if some of it was still more world building to set up for a long running series. The ending was pretty much as I expected it to be (no spoilers) and was less satisfying than I wanted it to be; plot lines that resolved along the way were sometimes overshadowed by character appearances that felt more formulaic and convenient than plausible in the moment. I am curious to see what the author releases next and how I will feel about it when I read it.