Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Charlotte Sand and the Order of Guardians are openly rebelling against the tyrant Lorraine the Pure, challenging Luc de Montaigne to trust his feelings and help them. In this follow-up toLady of Steel and Straw (2024), Cardinal Lorraine continues drugging rightful heir Artus, exerting her own power. She rules with fear, but eight weeks ago, Captain Luc de Montaigne refused her orders for the first time and was imprisoned. Now, Charlotte and the Order are leading scattered rebellions as they await Artus’ coming of age in six weeks, when he can ascend the throne. Lorraine frees Luc, who pretends he’ll cooperate with her, only to murder his most loyal lieutenant when Luc won’t help her control the wraiths—souls taken from the dead, which she plans to forge into an army. Luc escapes her control and seeks out Charlotte and the Order, whom he betrayed. Still, he knows they offer the only hope of defeating Lorraine and saving Niveaux. This is a complex, nuanced story of politics, power, and how a person’s environment can twist them beyond recognition. The pacing occasionally drags due to the six different viewpoints and the large, racially diverse, and well-developed cast of characters, each requiring attention both as individuals and for their roles in the larger story. Luc and Charlotte’s dynamic continues to exhibit a push-pull tension that may test readers’ patience. Still, the rich relationships among minor characters are captivating. A heartfelt farewell to a dazzling world.(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Charlotte and Luc’s story did not end well in Lady of Steel and Straw (2024). Luc was at Charlotte’s mercy and was invited to join her fight against the Cardinal’s Watch, though he declined. Now, as Charlotte rampages across the countryside, Luc is suffering torture in prison, awaiting his likely hanging. He’s stunned, however, when Cardinal Lorraine wants him to become a necromancer and raise a fearsome army to defend the country. Unable to raise her own straw guardian, the Cardinal must steal or demand use of other people’s powers to keep her stranglehold on the country. Facing the threat of the Bone King, she will turn to the darkest powers and oldest enemies to stave off that threat. Charlotte and her band of Guardians and warriors may not stand a chance, but they’ll fight through pain and trouble to free their country—and themselves. Rodgers jumps right in to where the duology left off, so reading (or rereading!) Lady of Steel and Straw is a must to recall the array of characters and powers.

School Library Journal
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Gr 9 Up—Caught on opposite sides in the kingdom of Niveaux's power struggle, Lady Charlotte Sand and Captain Luc de Montaigne yearn to be reunited in this dense duology conclusion. Cardinal Lorraine the Pure hopes to use Luc to maintain her power while Charlotte joins the rebellion led by the Order of the Guardians, "immortal scarecrow warriors" that the Cardinal outlawed when they refused to serve her—who are intent on Prince Artus claiming the throne. Torn between what is right and what is safe, Luc must choose a side while Charlotte and the rebellion face threats within and without in this swashbuckling adventure. VERDICT Readers familiar with The Three Musketeers will appreciate the nods to the source material in this epic battle for peace and justice.