Review Detail

WHISPERS OF SHADOW & FLAME is a fantastic second installment in the Earthsinger Chronicles. Although it is the second book, it could function as a stand-alone. The events in the book take place at approximately the same time as the first book but follows different characters in a different location. This is a world filled with magic, primarily Earthsong, which is a natural magical ability connected to life, allowing people to have some level of healing and other power. There is also blood magic, which is unnatural and, as we learn here, Nethersong, the magical ability connected to death.

The “True Father” rules the land, stealing Earthsong from his citizens in a mandatory tribute. The Keepers are working against him, and the Shadowfox is the most famous among them with his/her intense mastery and high natural ability for Earthsong. When intel reaches the True Father about where the Shadowfox will be, he has his Cantor send Kyara, known as the Poison Flame, to capture him and bring him back alive. Kyara has an ability over Nethersong that is used to kill at the True Father’s whim. She is controlled by a powerful blood spell that forces her to follow orders.

As Kyara seeks out the Shadowfox, she must infiltrate the Keepers to learn which is the Shadowfox, and in the process, she gets closer to Darvyn and learns more about them/him. At the same time, we also follow a slave/servant, Zeli, who had given tribute in the past and works in the house of one of the nobility under the True Father’s reign. Her story is somewhat disconnected from the others but also very interesting.

This series is a wonderfully strong epic fantasy series with strong world and character building. Although I was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t learn more about the characters from the first book (though they are mentioned here), these new characters became equally dear to my heart. The romance is deliciously slow-building, and I absolutely adored both Kyara and Darvyn. They all leap off the page and seem so real. Another great element of these books is that the characters are people of color, and represented as such on the cover.

The pacing in this book is perfect, and it is hard to put down. Notably, it does end with a cliffhanger, so be prepared to eagerly await the next installment. These books contain wonderful characters and a fantastic world that I cannot wait to revisit. I would also add warnings for human trafficking and physical abuse/torture. Highly recommend for people who love immersive epic fantasy with strong characters, world, and romance, including older teens and adults of all ages.