Name: A Duet of Sword and Song
ISBN: 9780648539285

Lisa Cassidy

A Duet of Sword and Song

I still really liked this book, but I don’t think that I’d want to reread this series in the future. 

Cuinn is able to run away from Azrilan and is trying to figure out how to get the throne back. Talyn has been captured, is badly injured and wakes up in a labour camp as a slave. Talyn meets Kaeri in this camp and finds out that Zamaril and Mithanis are also there. They try to figure out how to get out, but it’s not until Jasper and Saniya find Talyn that she’s able to escape, only to come back for the others. Cuinn decides that his best chance at getting the throne back is by going to the Twin Thrones where he trains as a SkyRider (because Azrilan cut his wings out) and later forces the Dumnorix to name him as regent. They work together to fight against the Firthlanders until it becomes stable enough that he can go back to Mithranar. 

I really liked all the characters in this series, but it felt like the interactions between them were pushed to the side in favour of the plot, which is fine but not for me. All the characters were great, and I liked seeing them grow from the first book, but I wanted to see more of their interactions in the few downtimes they had. 

Mithanis is a character that is constantly being referred to as the scariest and most powerful, but I didn’t see what was so different about him compared to the others. Yes, he was more ruthless, but that doesn’t have anything to do with his powers. I would be interested in reading about him and Kaeri, but at the same time, I think that it will be incredibly hard to maintain his personality while also making him see the error of his ways. I don’t know how his actions can be understandable – still trying to kill Cuinn even though the vote made it clear that Cuinn is the king. Also, it would be interesting to see how Saniya fits into their dynamic, but I wouldn’t want to read about their relationship if by the end Mithanis and Kaeri are supposed to be together. 

I liked the plot and how their plans were carried out. The events of each book definitely made me want to continue to find out what would happen next. I think my favourite scene in this book was when Talyn and her Wolves were creating a distraction and are running around, forcing the Falcons to try to catch them. 

The ending was fine, but I wasn’t fully satisfied with it. There is a reveal in the last few pages, but the book ends before all the relevant characters find out and have time to react to it – Windsong organised the criminals in the cells when Talyn was supposed to pick her recruits and he’s Cuinn father, which I did not see coming. When Zamaril said that there was something familiar about Windsong, I was just waiting for him to betray them.

I really enjoyed this series, but I wanted more of the characters interacting with each other and the end could have been a bit longer – what changes will Cuinn want to implement and how will they affect Mithranar? 

I still really liked this book, but I don’t think that I’d want to reread this series in the future. 

Cuinn is able to run away from Azrilan and is trying to figure out how to get the throne back. Talyn has been captured, is badly injured and wakes up in a labour camp as a slave. Talyn meets Kaeri in this camp and finds out that Zamaril and Mithanis are also there. They try to figure out how to get out, but it’s not until Jasper and Saniya find Talyn that she’s able to escape, only to come back for the others. Cuinn decides that his best chance at getting the throne back is by going to the Twin Thrones where he trains as a SkyRider (because Azrilan cut his wings out) and later forces the Dumnorix to name him as regent. They work together to fight against the Firthlanders until it becomes stable enough that he can go back to Mithranar. 

I really liked all the characters in this series, but it felt like the interactions between them were pushed to the side in favour of the plot, which is fine but not for me. All the characters were great, and I liked seeing them grow from the first book, but I wanted to see more of their interactions in the few downtimes they had. 

Mithanis is a character that is constantly being referred to as the scariest and most powerful, but I didn’t see what was so different about him compared to the others. Yes, he was more ruthless, but that doesn’t have anything to do with his powers. I would be interested in reading about him and Kaeri, but at the same time, I think that it will be incredibly hard to maintain his personality while also making him see the error of his ways. I don’t know how his actions can be understandable – still trying to kill Cuinn even though the vote made it clear that Cuinn is the king. Also, it would be interesting to see how Saniya fits into their dynamic, but I wouldn’t want to read about their relationship if by the end Mithanis and Kaeri are supposed to be together. 

I liked the plot and how their plans were carried out. The events of each book definitely made me want to continue to find out what would happen next. I think my favourite scene in this book was when Talyn and her Wolves were creating a distraction and are running around, forcing the Falcons to try to catch them. 

The ending was fine, but I wasn’t fully satisfied with it. There is a reveal in the last few pages, but the book ends before all the relevant characters find out and have time to react to it – Windsong organised the criminals in the cells when Talyn was supposed to pick her recruits and he’s Cuinn father, which I did not see coming. When Zamaril said that there was something familiar about Windsong, I was just waiting for him to betray them.

I really enjoyed this series, but I wanted more of the characters interacting with each other and the end could have been a bit longer – what changes will Cuinn want to implement and how will they affect Mithranar? 

Adeline

I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Lisa Cassidy did it again and gave us a perfectly thought out plot, incredibly fleshed out characters and impeccable world building. 

I love how the author took the time to resolve each conflicts presented in the precedent book without slowing down or sacrificing the plot nor the characters. So getting to that end was so satisfying to read. 

(view spoiler)[The first part Cuinn and Talyn trying to survive their situation, filled with grief, pain and despair was perfectly written by the author, you couldn’t help but feel for them and it was a joy to see them pull through. Of course, I seriously screamed with joy when they reunited. I just love these two (and all the other characters of course !!)

I have to say that Mithanis’ arc surprised me especially him getting into a arranged political marriage with Kaeri. Also I was shipping Saniya and Kaeri from the moment they first interacted so I’m happy they did ended up together it makes me wonder how would that whole Mithanis-Saniya-Kaeri is thing would work

I’m so happy that Zamaril got to partner with Talyn and that she would continue her journey as a warrior while still being married to Cuinn. (hide spoiler)]

Although this is the last book in the series revelation at the end of the books and the future of certain characters makes me hope for another book (maybe focusing on other characters?) but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. 

A absolutely perfect ending to this fantastic series.

A Duet of Sword and Song

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