I have been dying for the sequel to Captive and Crown and Splinter and Soul did not disappoint! The story starts a few weeks after the first book ends and the action is immediate. I was instantly immersed back into this world and could not put the book down. I loved seeing a new part of the world and how it all connected to Kaia. I enjoyed meeting new people and seeing how the land of Eyre works and the political issues they have.

The struggles they faced when there were not always as high stakes as in the first book (except for Kaia's) but it also broke my heart in so many ways for not only Kaia and Leander but also Aksel. I have so many questions now and of course the book ended on a cliff hanger and now I am anxiously awaiting the next book in 2027 to see what happens to Eyre and Leander and Kaia! I feel like I have so much more to say but I don't want to spoil anything either!

I would suggest reading the first book Captive and Crown before Splinter and Soul to have a full understanding of what is going on and the characters, you will not be disappointed and you will soon be hooked to the Heartweaver Series, like me!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Picking up just weeks after Captive and Crown, this sequel wastes no time throwing Kaia back into danger, this time wielding a telepathy she never thought she'd have. She's barely had a chance to breathe before she's sent into the Wilds, caught in the ongoing stalemate with Kadaron, and later tasked with carrying the Egonite to the new nation of Eyre. Her reunion with Leander is one of the sweeter threads here, a brief chance to imagine life after the war, but Eyre turns out to have its own tangled politics waiting for them. The new setting is genuinely fun to explore, adding fresh texture to the world without losing the thread of Kaia's story, and the emotional beats hit harder than expected, especially for Kaia, Leander, and Aksel. The stakes feel a touch lower than the first book at times, but the characters carry it. It closes on a cliffhanger sharp enough to leave you counting down to book three. A worthy follow-up that rewards readers who came in from Captive and Crown, and deepens what's shaping up to be a really compelling series.

Splinter and Soul is a solid, compelling follow-up that picks up after the chaotic end of Captive and Crown. While the overall pacing slows down a bit and the stakes don't always feel as sky-high as the first book, the character dynamics completely pull it through.

The highlight is undeniably Kaia and Leander—their reunion and emotional growth offer a sweet, grounded breather amidst all the turmoil. Expanding the map to include the new realm of Eyre adds fantastic texture and fresh political intrigue to the world-building, even if the ending leaves you with a pile of unanswered questions and a brutal cliffhanger!

It’s an emotional, worthwhile continuation of the Heartweaver series that really rewards returning readers. Definitely make sure you read Captive and Crown first to fully appreciate the journey.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!