I knew I would enjoy this going in and I’m so glad I was right! I loved book one and this was so much more than that! The narrator was perfect for the story, adding to the tension perfectly. I didn’t want to stop listening to this, but it was quite long so listening all the way through, even sped up, was just not possible. I will say there were some parts that I found a bit fluffed out, and I personally find that unnecessary, but it didn’t hurt the story at all.

Second books almost always end up eclipsing the first book when it comes to well written fantasy for me. The characters are more in depth, the world is further fleshed out, and since everything is familiar, the plot really starts to unwind into a pretty dark place for this one. I did have to read a synopsis recap of Ordinary Monsters since it had been so long since I read it. I was instantly back with the Talents and I really liked how the story was paced. The narration was wonderfully done. Can't wait for the last book!

Bringer of Dust was a super interesting read. I loved the character study and the writing felt propulsive. I'd read more from the author.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

A bit of a beast to get through but enjoyable overall. I think I'd like to read this series in physical form at some point, because I didn't get as much out of it while listening. Still a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the audiobook!

I loved the first book in the trilogy and was so excited for the sequel. This was a lovely darker and more fleshed out story with some interesting new characters. Loving the addition of new Talents and new creatures, but the pacing did slog it down a bit. I also had a good break between the two books, so I did struggle in remembering who was who in this large cast of characters.

I may also be in the minority here, but I loved one of the villains from the first book, so it was sad that they were confirmed gone very early on in the story, but that doesn't affect my rating. Just a hint of sadness for me.

This is the second novel in the Talents trilogy. At the end of the first novel, the Talents Institute was in flames, many of the children dead. Some of the survivors have gone to France, some to London. The orsine between the worlds which came open has been closed at great cost and little Marlowe has been trapped on the wrong side. Charlie has lost his talent in the closing.

But there is word of a second orsine. The survivors know if they are ever to get Marlowe back, they must find it and find a way to get Marlowe through it. There are new characters introduced in the novel. There is a bone witch who starts as an enemy of the survivors. Clacker Jack rules the underground of London, many of whom are like him, a Talent who lost their powers. He is determined to get back that power by any means. He has three feral children, a brother and two sisters, who will do his bidding and are deadly.

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy series. The plotting and writing is dense and intricate like a Dickens novel. There are many characters and the reader can't help but emphasize with Charlie and the others trying to save Marlowe. Charlie becomes more prominent in this novel and the last is set up to be an epic battle between good and evil. I listened to this novel and the narrator's work added even more to the enjoyment. This book is highly recommended for fantasy readers.

I already bought a physical copy for my shelves. This sequel to Ordinary Monsters did not disappoint. I like the extended character development in this book. I do not want to give much away. The narrator does a wonderful job keeping your interest. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read.
4 star

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this novel.

I have never eaten my words regarding a series so quickly in my life.

Book one took me literal months to get through using a combination of physical and audio formats. I listened to the audio of this novel in 3 days. All 24 hours and 58 minutes of this, in THREE. DAYS.

I enjoyed the more expansive POV's that we got in this novel. I enjoyed getting inside the head of some of our lesser focused on characters from book one. I also enjoyed how little remorse Miro showed when it came to absolutely baffling his readers through the use of alternative POV's. Multiple times he left me speechless and carried on with the story as if it was business as usual. I love him for that.

The magic system in this trilogy is rather complex and while I found Miro's narrative in book one to be long winded, this felt much more appropriately paced. After reading Bringer of Dust, I can confidently say that I will be continuing on to book 3 to finish out the trilogy. Now, we wait.

For those of you looking to listen to this novel, I did find the narrator wonderful in terms of pacing and fluctuation.

I loved the first book in this series, but this book just solidified this for me. This was darker and twistier. Although Rio expounded on this other world she also fleshed out these characters and made them a little more relatable. I enjoyed seeing what their fears were and the dark thoughts that accompanied them. The rise of a dark power and foreboding was exquisite. I can’t wait to continue and find out what happens next.

This book is just as good as the first one! I’m enjoying getting lost in this world, with the fascinating magical characters who are well fleshed out and so intriguing. It is a dark and macabre story, which makes my little spooky heart sooo happy.

If you like adult dark fantasy with exquisite world building and a medium paced plot, then I highly recommend this series!!

I loved Ordinary Monsters so I had very high expectations for Bringer of Dust. I definitely enjoyed it, but it wasn’t the same wow level for me as book 1. Part of my problem was the large gap between when I read the first and when I started this one. While there were some summary recap bits, I felt lost for a while trying to remember who was who and what their story line had been. This is another very long book and it had pacing issues which made it really drag at times for me. I split time between the ebook and audiobook which helped break it up for me. The narrator did a great job, but it was far too long for me to do only on audio. I’m still really looking forward to the trilogy conclusion but this book was more of a 3.5 star read for me and took me several months to finish.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ebook and audiobook copies!

Perfect Rainy Day Read


Sometimes, life demands a pause—a moment to escape the whirlwind of responsibilities and lose oneself in a world of fiction. That’s exactly what Bringer of Dust, the second installment in J.M. Miro’s gripping Talents Trilogy, offered me. For two days, I let go of everything, immersing myself in the hauntingly vivid and emotionally resonant world Miro has created. This time, however, I experienced it through the audiobook, and I can confidently say that the narration elevated an already exceptional story into something truly unforgettable.
Picking up seamlessly from the events of Ordinary Monsters, this sequel plunges us back into a world teetering on the brink of collapse. Agrigento, Sicily, 1883. The destruction of Cairndale has left the Talents scattered, their sanctuary in ruins, and their hope of salvation dwindling. Charlie Ovid, the series’ conflicted yet resilient protagonist, carries the weight of these losses as he journeys through a dark and treacherous world, searching for answers that seem to slip further from his grasp. A fabled second orsine may hold the key to saving his long-lost friend Marlowe, but the clock is ticking, and new horrors emerge at every turn.
Listening to the audiobook brought the story to life in a way that surpassed my expectations. The narrator’s voice deftly captured the dark, atmospheric tone of Miro’s writing while giving each character a distinct and memorable voice. Charlie’s inner turmoil, the menace of the Abbess, and the eerie presence of the drughr all felt even more vivid thanks to the immersive narration. The pacing of the performance matched the story’s rhythm perfectly—pulling you into the gripping action sequences while also giving space to the quieter, introspective moments that make this book so special.

Miro’s prose is nothing short of cinematic, and the audiobook amplified that quality, allowing me to feel fully transported to breathtaking landscapes and sinister underworlds. From the sunlit villas of Sicily to the shadowy depths of Parisian catacombs, each setting felt alive, steeped in foreboding, as the stakes climbed ever higher. The story’s central tension comes from the corrupted dust of the drughr, an ancient force that grows more malevolent with each passing moment. The Abbess, a mysterious and chilling antagonist, seeks to wield this dust for her own terrifying ends, while an even darker evil stirs in the realm of the dead.
What makes Bringer of Dust truly exceptional, however, is its balance between high-stakes action and profound emotional depth. Yes, the battles are electrifying, and the plot twists relentless, but it’s the quieter moments that linger—the reflections on loss, identity, and purpose. Charlie’s inner turmoil feels raw and relatable, his growth as a character grounded in a sense of humanity that resonates deeply. And he’s not alone in his complexity. Miro’s ensemble cast, both returning and new, is imbued with rich layers, their individual arcs intertwining in ways that feel both intentional and deeply satisfying.

The pacing is masterful. Just as the relentless momentum of the story threatens to overwhelm, Miro draws us into moments of introspection, allowing us to catch our breath while simultaneously deepening our connection to the characters. The camaraderie among the Talents—their trust tested but unyielding—is a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity, even in the face of despair.

For readers who loved Ordinary Monsters, this sequel does not disappoint. The stakes are higher, the world darker, and the characters more nuanced than ever. Miro raises the bar with every chapter, delivering a narrative that is both intricate and emotionally resonant. And for those who are new to the series, now is the perfect time to dive in—the richness of this universe, with its spine-tingling mysteries and unforgettable characters, is not to be missed.
Above all, Bringer of Dust is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. Experiencing it as an audiobook reminded me how narration can heighten the emotional impact of a story, offering an even deeper escape while renewing our sense of connection and purpose. I closed this audiobook feeling lighter and more inspired, the characters and their struggles lingering in my mind long after the final words were spoken.

J.M. Miro has solidified this trilogy as a modern masterpiece, and I can’t wait to see where this journey leads next. If the series so far is any indication, the final installment will be nothing short of extraordinary. For audiobook lovers, this is a must-listen—you won’t regret a single moment spent in this dark, mesmerizing world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

In this gripping second book, Charlie is trying to find our lost Marlowe while the other talents attempt to find a second orsine after the destruction of the one at Cairndale. With our full cast of characters, along with some new faces, we are thrust back into the world of Talents as our young heroes attempt to save a friend, fight an enemy, and keep from dying.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I love the atmosphere, I love the horror, I love the thrill! This book had my heart POUNDING every chapter. It was definitely a step up from the first book and it was amazing every second. I love the characters so much. I want the best for them after every bad hand they’ve been dealt. I don’t know what else to say about this book other than I just need to stare at a wall for the next 24 hours in attempts to process what in the world just happened. UUUUGGGGHHHH. Read this book!!

The narrator was amazing in this audiobook edition! My only rub is his voice for women characters. They all start sounding a bit similar. Other than that, his voice REALLY amps up the emotions and overall feel of this book!

I enjoyed this audiobook, the narrator was great, and the story was enjoyable. J. M. Miro does a great job at keeping the reader captivated and entertained throughout the entire story. Thank you for the opportunity!

We are back where we left off in Ordinary Monsters. I found this book to be a decent installment of the franchise. I wished it wasn't as long as it was. I Though I found the reveals to be satisfying it was way to slow-paced for me. I can't wait to see what the last book will bring.

I enjoyed the first book despite its flaws but this one had way too much breadth to make listening an enjoyable expeirence.

Overall I liked the narrator, but his southern accent is terrible.

I have been waiting for this book since I finished Ordinary Monsters in 2022...it did not disappoint! This book didn't do so much introduction of characters, as we met most of the cast in the first book, but it did expand the world building and magic system which is greatly appreciated.

I enjoyed this sequel much better than the first book in the trilogy. Where I felt the first book was slow and took too long to build to the plot, this book picked up right away and we were immediately engaged with the characters.

I really like the world that Miro has created here. His characters are interesting, the theme of found and chosen family, a layered plot, and the atmospheric experience that is heightened by the dark and sinister forces that are cosing in on our favourites. This is a chunky read, but the twists and the world and the characters that Miro writes kept me turning the pages. We are rooting for the good guys but we also want to learn the backstory of the villains. What is motivating their actions and can our little family prevail? Be prepared for loss and some body horror, but also keep an eye out for the tender moments between our favourites. We all need someone in our corner and the family we choose to make can give us hope in dark times.

This series is so much more than meets the eye. It has an intricate story full of characters that are as unique as their talents, aka their gifts. The world building as well as the story itself keeps you entranced in this world that is gritty, dark and unforgiving. There is action, heartbreak, monsters and profound grief that leaves you gutted by the ending. I cannot wait to see what happens in the last book!!

Also worth mentioning is the narration. Probably one of the best narrated book series that I have listened to. Ben Onwukwe does an amazing job and brings all of the characters to life.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️