Sherry Thomas

Iolanthe and Titus continue their mission to defeat the Bane in this striking sequel to The Burning Sky—perfect for fans of Cinda Williams Chima and Kristin Cashore—which Publishers Weekly called "a wonderfully satisfying magical saga" in a starred review and Kirkus Reviews said "bids fair to be the next big epic fantasy success." After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in. Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that throws into question everything he believed about their mission. Faced with this revelation, Iolanthe struggles to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—or forging a divergent path to an unknowable future.

The Perilous Sea

A bit slower than the first, mainly due to the narrative. As enjoyable as the first, still with some angst. 

Alejandra Bran

My gods! This book got me crazy! I need to breathe a little…
I’ve been trying to read this book since January this year (2018), but I just couldn’t get into it. The first book “The Burning Sky” was not really memorable my review went like this:


  "It was an okay book. It did not wow me I feel it was lacking of something, but was still enjoyable. I will read the next book."


I tried a second time because I really hate not finishing stories, so I pushed myself. I restarted it from the beginning and made it, I’m so happy I did. The story got 1000% better. If you didn’t like the first book don’t give up, be patient the story will pick up I promise.

The narrative was kind of tricky, I’m not sure if it’s some type of circular narrative or flashback. That last one doesn’t makes sense because it’s not in the past is in the future, but it could depend on how the reader sees it. Like I said it’s sort of tricky. I think this is what it was throwing me off since I’d never read this type of narrative, but at the end is what it was making more exited.

Depending on how you see it, the book starts almost right where it was left off on the first book, or several months after with flashbacks of what happened after the end of the burning sky. Two mages find themselves in the Sahara desert no memories and one of them is badly injured, one is a girl and the other one a boy. Next this storyline Titus is going back to the academy in England not knowing if Fairfax (Iolanthe) made it safely.

The story moves slowly at the beginning even though a lot is happening the way Thomas writes makes it boring sometimes, did anyone think this too or just me? Also you have to be aware that the strength of the story lays on past events that will help to determine a future were a villain will be defeated by a great mage and not in the world building. 

The world building reminds me of Harry Potter a bit, since their magic world exists within ours, and that kids go to academies to learn to control it. This is the extent on WB mentioned on story. I really don’t mind about the similarities with HP, I like the characters a lot. On the romantic aspect I loved more the attraction that develops between the desert characters than what Iolanthe and Titus have since the first book. It feels more organic, more natural.

I will say though that a very important part of the plot was so easy to figure out; that when the big reveal came, I was like “Bish I’ve known it for a while already” that killed the emotions that should have emerged with the big reveal. Still the end was so good that this time I really can’t wait to start the last book.