Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Iris’ friends and foes take center stage as they reconcile the impact of their choices in this follow-up to The Song of Wrath (2023). In the wake of Iris’ murder, Max, Rin, Berta, Lulu, and the larger cast of curious characters are thrust into the wrath of the other Hiva, who orchestrated Iris’ demise. Having exacted his revenge, Hiva gives humanity one year before they face destruction. The third-person narration brings readers into the minds of Max and Rin as their paths diverge: Max is set to become Hiva’s guide while Hiva searches for a reason to spare humanity, and Rin sets off to find a way to stop Hiva’s threat. In an effort to draw Iris to him and continue plotting humanity’s downfall, power-hungry Adam is focused on bringing Britain into the great war that’s brewing. Unbeknownst to all, Iris is waiting in the Earth’s core to be reborn and exact her revenge. Even as the characters’ paths converge toward a cataclysmic event, bringing forth the responsibilities they have to each other, they question loyalties and examine the purpose of life. This trilogy closer slowly unveils the cores of its diverse cast of characters, forcing them to reconcile their beliefs and in turn offering more insights into what makes them tick. There’s plenty of cryptic plotting and action to keep readers engaged as they gradually make their way toward an unpredictable conclusion. A sobering end to an unusual trilogy. (Historical fantasy. 14-18) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.