This story is definitely going to hit you where it hurts, and I need a romantic comedy to read after finishing it! As the Shadow Rises was definitely a magnificent novel that continues to build on these stunning characters with some pretty serious expectations on their shoulders. Again, we get to see the story from five perspectives, which continues to provide phenomenal insight as to what is happening around their world and how it might shape them into heroes or fall from grace into something much darker. This is certainly not one you’ll want to miss, but I would advise if you are easily triggered by violence and murder to read this with caution. I personally loved this sequel, but it also tackles some heavier topics.
Before we get into the summary of this story, please keep in mind that this is a sequel, and although I try my best, there might be some spoilers for There Will Come A Darkness.
As the Shadow Rises picks up where There Will Come A Darkness left off. The prophet has been found, but the kingdoms are beginning to fall to a doomsday cult that will do everything they can to get their claws into the prophet. Anton is having terrifying visions of the Age of Darkness, while Jude is having trouble with his feelings toward Anton and his mission as the Keeper of the Word. Ephyra is on a journey to try and do anything to save her sister from a second death, even if it means watching the world burn. Hassan, now a prince without a home, has formed a risky alliance to try and regain his throne. Light and dark are on a collision course, and the end of the world will begin.
I’ll admit that it took me a little longer to get into the story than I thought and I think this was partially because I’ve been going through a reading slump, but also because it felt like there was a bit of set-up/retelling that was happening to get readers up to speed with everything going on. For me, it started to pick up around a quarter of the way in, and then never stopped. Boy did I love Ephyra and Beru’s perspectives in this one! All of the characters are having to do some hard growth, but these two really clinched it for me. Jude too, because of his continual issues. He’s lost his power, but in keeping his secret, he’s damaging himself more than anything.
The amount of desperation that these characters experience is palpable on a level that made me cradle this book to my chest and hope they’re going to be okay. The betrayals happening in this book feel next level at times, because it hurts so much more. Readers have already been on this journey with our characters, and watching them struggle feels like an actual blow. My heart went out to Hassan especially, because I felt like the poor prince can’t catch a break!
Let’s talk about the antagonists in this book for a second, because man, did it hit different this time. There’s no doubt that there’s some not great shenanigans afoot, but wow, did Katy twist this story up. That ending left me with SO MANY QUESTIONS, and not enough answers. One thing is for sure, we don’t have the entire picture yet, and I can’t wait to uncover it in the next book. There’s also a bit of redemption going on with one of the characters, and I can’t decide if I love it yet. But I definitely feel like it’s going on the right track.
Now the romance in this book kept kindling that blaze from the first one. Those relationships are growing, changing, and evolving into very interesting things. I’m honestly curious what will happen from here because some of them felt a little unexpected, but very right in my head. My favourite development was between Jude and Anton. I’m so ready to see what’s going to happen between those two. I probably shouldn’t ship all of our characters with who they’re with, but the romantic in me really wants to just push them together and go “just say you love each other already!!”.
Aside from a slow start, this book has really built up to an epic climax. I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the next book, but we can rest assured that Katy Rose Pool will definitely wow us with what’s to come. Go and put it on your TBR!
As The Shadow Rises is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Six of Crows meets Graceling with a dash of Winter is Coming in this second installment of the action-packed and swoon-worthy Age of Darkness series!
The Last Prophet has been found, yet he sees destruction ahead.
In this sequel to the critically-acclaimed There Will Come a Darkness, kingdoms have begun to fall to a doomsday cult, the magical Graced are being persecuted, and an ancient power threatens to break free. But with the world hurtling toward its prophesized end, Anton’s haunting vision reveals the dangerous beginnings of a plan to stop the Age of Darkness.
As Jude, Keeper of the Order of the Last Light, returns home in disgrace, his quest to aid the Prophet is complicated by his growing feelings for Anton. Meanwhile, the assassin known as the Pale Hand will stop at nothing to find her undead sister before she dies for good, even if it means letting the world burn. And in Nazirah, Hassan, the kingdom-less Prince, forms a risky pact to try to regain his throne. When the forces of light and darkness collide in the City of Mercy, old wounds are reopened, new alliances are tested, and the end of the world begins.
