CURSE OF SHADOWS

This fantasy sequel introduces higher stakes, bloodier encounters, and a prophecy to end all prophecies.

Marcus Adicio—alongside his best friend and journey recorder, Ash, and his retinue—is back in Baiseen, dealing with the aftermath of a battle there and trying to rebuild the realm. On the world of Amassia, Marcus is a “savant,” who can raise a “phantom” of his subconscious self. He is no longer the heir to the Throne of Baiseen, having lost it to his nonsavant brother, Petén. Ash, a nonsavant, is still recovering from a mysterious illness that has left her with severe gaps in her memory and unable to listen to her inner voice (or to communicate mentally with her beloved, sailor Kaylin). When the second sun rises on the horizon, the group knows it heralds the next Great Dying, which, according to a prophecy, means that the end of the world is approaching. When the prognosticating “Bone Thrower” consults the bones for the next steps to take, he names Marcus the Bone Gatherer. The soothsayer sends Marcus and his friends on a quest all over Amassia to gather the original 12 whistle bones from their sanctuaries and rebuild the “crown of bones,” as “whoever holds the crown, holds the future of all the realms in their hands.” Their journey is one of danger, with enemies tracking them, betrayal lurking around every corner, and unexpected allies rising from the deep sea. And as Marcus continues to struggle with his phantom De’ral’s unruly ways and Kaylin keeps his own secrets under lock and key, Ash learns more about who she really is—and what her rightful place is in the grand scheme of things. This sequel builds on a solid foundation to develop its engrossing, twisty story even further, with a plethora of intriguing characters sharing the narrator role. Wilder’s worldbuilding is full of dense and complex lore, and as the characters learn more about their histories, politics, and magic, important questions are raised; compelling subplots surface; and the tale feels richer. The volume is full of surprises, romance, and adventure, building to a bombastic cliffhanger that beautifully sets the stage for the next entry and avoids sequel pitfalls.

A well-crafted, engaging tale that advances a promising fantasy series.