Carving shadows into gold

Kemmerer's expert character-building skills and tension-filled storytelling shine in this second novel in the Forging Silver into Stars series. Tycho's, Jax's, and Callyn's lives have been dramatically changed after the events of the first book: Tycho, the courier to the King, made a dangerous bargain that just might lead to destruction. Jax, meanwhile, escaped a small village and a tumultuous past to head to Emberfall with Tycho, and as their connection grows throughout their journey, the romance between them genuinely shines. Callyn, who recently discovered her magic, finds herself in an unexpected environment as the queen's companion; it's especially uncomfortable, since she has shunned anything having to do with royalty or love, after an affair left her heartbroken and scarred. Kemmerer's sequel is just as engaging as the first book in the series. She fills in ample backstory and vividly describes the characters, the stakes, and the emotional landscape, especially as many dark secrets behind the kingdom's political choices are revealed. Perfectly paced from start to finish, this intricately layered fantasy novel focuses as much on relationships as it does on world building. With thrilling action and meaningful themes of the power of surprising human connection, this lush fantasy romance is sure to enchant fans of the popular genre.

Following a royal kidnapping and amid widespread fear of magic, the tenuous alliance between Emberfall and Syhl Shallow is tested by violent attacks on both sides of the border. In this sequel to 2022'sForging Silver Into Stars, the three narrators are separated, and the stakes are even higher. Callyn, now a lady-in-waiting at the Crystal Palace, gradually embraces her own newly discovered abilities in secret. She reluctantly becomes the queen's liaison to the arrogant Lord Alek, her one-time lover whose loyalty to the queen is matched only by his hatred of magic. Jax, a skilled archer and blacksmith, hoped his new job at Ironrose Castle would deepen his discreet romance with King's Courier Tycho, but he finds himself alone and dependent on the few Emberish speakers after Tycho's duties force his return to Syhl Shallow. Tycho, whose magic has been flaring due to past traumas, struggles to regulate his emotions--and his power--under the guidance of the scraver Nakiis, a magical winged being whose harrowing past helps explain why scravers are leaving the ice forests of Iishellasa to attack humans. Kemmerer thoughtfully structures each protagonist's narrative arc, balancing plot-driving action with the exploration of resonant questions of loyalty, trust, and forgiveness that deftly model the often-uncomfortable process of reevaluating core beliefs when presented with new perspectives. Main characters read white; Jax walks with crutches before he's fitted for a prosthetic foot. Action-packed yet intimate; sets the stage for a truly epic next installment. (maps, character list)(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.