L. Penelope

Born with a deadly magic she cannot control, Kyara is forced to become an assassin. Known as the Poison Flame, 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 notorious 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. As forbidden desire ignites their hearts, Kyara and Darvyn grapple with betrayal, old promises, and older prophecies - all while trying to stop a war. And when a new threat emerges, the cost of their love might just be too high. WHISPERS OF SHADOW & FLAME is the second in the fantasy romance series EARTHSINGER CHRONICLES.

Earthsinger Chronicles

Whispers of Shadow & Flame

Lauren Sullivan

Content warnings: (view spoiler)[suicidal ideation, depression, PTSD, fantasy violence and death, slavery (including assumed rape, off-page), torture (hide spoiler)]

Moving on in my reread, to my favorite so far of the Earthsinger Chronicles – assassin vs her target! I’m not sure what it is about that trope that really pulls me, but it’s also one that can go wrong so quickly if the betrayal aspect isn’t handled well. That’s not an issue with this book, so I’m a huge fan of Kyara and Darvyn. While this is the second in the series, the events happen parallel to the first book, so it could be read on its own.

Kyara is the Poison Flame, the True Father’s assassin, capable of rapidly killing her victims – and, well, anyone around her – by using her magical powers, called Nethersong. Feared by the citizens of Lagrimar, what they don’t know is that she’s controlled by a magical binding, forced to do whatever the Cantor – the left-hand magician to the True Father – orders. She hates herself, her role, and her powers, but it’s only when she’s ordered to kill a legendary rebel, the Shadowfox, that things begin to unravel. Darvyn has been assisting the rebel Keepers since he was four years old, and his powers as an Earthsinger set him apart from even the rest of the rebels. When he receives word that the Mantle – the only thing keeping the True Father from invading neighboring Elsira – will collapse soon, his only hope is preparing the Elsiran and the Keepers for the upcoming conflict. He certainly doesn’t need the added complication of his attraction to Kyara, the mysterious woman who suddenly joined the rebellion, nor does Kyara need any distractions from figuring out the identity of the Shadowfox.

“The power she held was fascinating. Part of him feared the unknown magic, but part of him was excited to learn of something new, even if it was lethal. He well knew the hazards encountered by someone who bore a power that few could understand. He knew how it felt to be different.”

The rebel wunderkind – who’s known for making farmland out of desert – and the evil king’s assassin may seem like they don’t have a lot in common on the surface. What binds them at first, though, is their guilt – hers for taking so many lives, both under the magical binding and through lack of control of her powers, and his for being the reason so many lives were sacrificed to protect him. In a lot of ways, the book, especially Kyara’s POV, is quite bleak. At the beginning, her only hope is that she’ll get killed somehow and all of this will be over. The Keepers and the other rebels, including Darvyn, seem childishly optimistic to her. Having personal experience with the True Father, she knows exactly how he crushes any attempt at rebellion. But as she spends time with Darvyn and the other Keepers, she realizes that perhaps she does have something to live for. What I appreciated most is that while a good chunk of that is for Darvyn, she also learns to appreciate herself and her own worth. While their chemistry is instant, the romance between Kyara and Darvyn is slow burn by necessity (you know, betrayal and all). I was especially touched by the way the betrayal was handled and Darvyn’s response to it. I fully bought in to their relationship.

“No one had endured more contact with the Queen Who Sleeps than Darvyn, and no one trusted Her less.”

The world building is expanded even farther in this book. I was especially interested in the the Lagrimari folktales of the nine houses – supposedly the first nine Earthsingers – and how they connected to Darvyn’s and Oola’s heritage, though a lot is left tantalizingly vague. There’s more background on calderas and the Cave Folk, as well as some interesting new players – the Avinid and the Yalyish. The plot is fast-paced and non-stop, which made it very hard to put down the book for things like, oh, food and sleep. This ends very much on a cliff-hanger, so while this is romance, it’s definitely a to-be-continued sort.

Overall, this is another strong entry in the series and one that very much leaves me impatient for more!

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.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Author: L. Penelope

Book Series: Earthsinger Chronicles Book 2

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: October 1, 2019

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, some violence, some gore)

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Synopsis: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.

Review:I thought this was a really cool concept to continue the story with two new characters. I thought they had really good development and the story continued well. The plot was better and the pacing was great too! I devoured this book as well.

My only issue is the romance (again, personal preference) and that it ends on a cliffhanger! I might need to buy the third!

Verdict: So great! Definitely recommend.

Ashlee

I absolutely love L. Penelope’s work and this book really adds to her Earthsinger Chronicles and the incredibly detailed fantasy world she’s created. Fantasy or not, this is a world with realistic emotions, motivations and (steamy) romance. 

I’ve been really looking forward to getting to know Darvyn, after his first mention in Song of Blood & Stone, and this book did not disappoint! In addition to his character, we meet new ones Kyara, Zeli, Ulani and Tana. I loved everyone - they’re all incredibly different but each plays a pivotal role in the plot. There’s also a handful of characters with not so benevolent intentions and it’s up to the reader to weed them out as the story progresses. Innocence is shattered, friendships are broken and alliances are forged. 

Additionally, this story takes place during the same time as Song of Blood & Stone, therefore we get occasional mention of what Jack & Jasminda (😍) are up to and what’s happening over the border in Elsira. You get the feeling that soon, everyone will have to come together and the story is building toward that point. 

I really love these books and cannot wait for more. It left some characters in precarious positions and I’m forever curious to see where L. Penelope will take them next! 

Highly recommend these books to ALL fantasy fans. L. Penelope’s writing and storytelling is masterful.

Whispers of Shadow & Flame Earthsinger Chronicles

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