Book Review: Whispers of Shadow & Flame by L. Penelope

St. Martin’s Griffin
TBP Oct. 1, 2019
496 Pages

The Mantle that separates the kingdoms of Elsira and Lagrimar is about to fall. And life will drastically change for both kingdoms.

Born with a deadly magic she cannot control, Kyara is forced to become an assassin. Known as the Poison Flame in the kingdom of Lagrimar, she is notorious and lethal, but secretly seeks freedom from both her untamed power and the blood spell that commands her. She is tasked with capturing the legendary rebel called the Shadowfox, but everything changes when she learns her target’s true identity.

Darvyn ol-Tahlyro may be the most powerful Earthsinger in generations, but guilt over those he couldn’t save tortures him daily. He isn’t sure he can trust the mysterious young woman who claims to need his help, but when he discovers Kyara can unlock the secrets of his past, he can’t stay away.

Kyara and Darvyn grapple with betrayal, old promises, and older prophecies—all while trying to stop a war. And when a new threat emerges, they must beat the odds to save both kingdoms. – Goodreads

If you haven’t read book one, you most certainly cannot read this without it. And if you haven’t checked out my review of the first book it is here.

This is rated Young Adult but I consider it New Adult. There is stuff that happens towards the end of the book that really brings that into question. But I loved this book. It took a little bit for the ball to get rolling but once it did, I couldn’t put it down.

Kyara and Darvyn are one of my favorite FAVORITE characters I have read in 2019. I loved everything about their romance but most importantly I loved them and their individual stories and how it ties together. They are genuine characters, who struggle with their duties, loyalties (and lack there of) and their need for freedom and peace. And in the mist of all the mess, they were able to forge something together and man,I have nothing but respect for that.

Kyara is that character that a reader doesn’t pity or feel any form of bad for. Why? Because she handles it. And she handles it with such conviction, the reader instantly falls in love with her. She doesn’t self pity, which is a breathe of fresh air for tormented characters. She accepts what she cannot change, however she grows and gains an understanding of not only herself but the world that was made to fear her.

Darvyn must be protected at all costs and doesn’t deserve the hurt that came his way. That sums up everything I feel about him.

The world building in this series is skillful. Nothing felt as if the author was tying to drag the story along nor was it overly complicated where the reader gets lost. It is detailed and developed with strong imagery as well as language.

The only thing about this novel that I struggled with was the different voices. Kyara and Darvyn aren’t the only characters that have a say in this novel and at some points it was a bit hard to keep up.

Other than that, I loved book two and the sly thing the author did with tying it to book one. It made the book perfect.

Overall,

4.5 Pickles