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Books of the Usurper #2
Relics of Ruin
From a rising star in epic fantasy comes the captivating second novel in a trilogy featuring an unlikely team who must find a way to work together and solve an empire-spanning mystery to defend the last place they call home.
The conspiracy at the heart of the empire has been revealed. The Archivists played a key role in solving a brutal murder and uncovering one of the empire’s longest kept secrets. Now, what’s left in its wake are a series of unearthed artifacts, one shaken city, and the shocking truth not dared spoken aloud.
Just as the empire has begun to regain normalcy, another mystery unveils itself when a stolen ancient relic is found. Only no one knew that it was missing from its sacred vault in the first place. And now that the real one has been recovered, who replaced it with a fake?
With Quill and Amadea at the heart of another mystery, they will need to quickly follow the clues that all lead back to this new relic.
Because all the while, an old enemy is gathering strength beyond the Salt Wall and the Archivists might come to find there’s nowhere left for them to go but over.
"Detailed and mysterious, a place to explore and relish. Highly recommended!" ―R. A. Salvatore, author of "The Legends of Drizzt"
For more from Erin M. Evans, check
Empire of Exiles
The conspiracy at the heart of the empire has been revealed. The Archivists played a key role in solving a brutal murder and uncovering one of the empire’s longest kept secrets. Now, what’s left in its wake are a series of unearthed artifacts, one shaken city, and the shocking truth not dared spoken aloud.
Just as the empire has begun to regain normalcy, another mystery unveils itself when a stolen ancient relic is found. Only no one knew that it was missing from its sacred vault in the first place. And now that the real one has been recovered, who replaced it with a fake?
With Quill and Amadea at the heart of another mystery, they will need to quickly follow the clues that all lead back to this new relic.
Because all the while, an old enemy is gathering strength beyond the Salt Wall and the Archivists might come to find there’s nowhere left for them to go but over.
"Detailed and mysterious, a place to explore and relish. Highly recommended!" ―R. A. Salvatore, author of "The Legends of Drizzt"
For more from Erin M. Evans, check
Empire of Exiles
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2024
20 people are currently reading
939 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 13, 2024
This book is one of my most anticipated of 2024 as I absolutely adored its predecessor, the first book in Erin M Evans' Books of the Usurper series, Empire of Exiles. That book is a tough act to follow because it had everything that I am a sucker for in a fantasy read - a rich detailed history, incredibly well constructed world-building, vividly drawn characters who leap from the page, and a central mystery that keeps you transfixed as you journey to uncover the ultimate answer. So it was with a ton of excitement and eagerness that I threw myself back into this tremendous world and story.
As I got deeper into this sequel I immediately picked up on the fact that this one was going to be a bit of a slower-paced story and much more character-focused. I have no problem with this because Robin Hobb does this a lot in her series as well and she's one of my all-time favorite authors. Sometimes putting on the brakes a bit and focusing more on the characters' motivations, their struggles, and their individual backstories is an effective way to lend some more depth and increase the investment for the reader when things really start to get dicey and they get put into dangerous situations. And that's what we get in RELICS OF RUIN, a good deal more focus on how these people connect with each other and attempt to prepare to face what might be coming.
By no means do I intend to say that this story doesn't have its moments of action, because there are some brilliant instances where more mysteries need to be solved and dramatic scenes arise. There is also a brewing potential conflict emerging from one of the protectorates as separatist sentiment foments and leads us all to wonder if aside form the deadly threat posed by the changelings outside the Salt Wall, there may also be an equal threat inside the wall in the form of revolution. These tantalizing kernels that Evans deftly weaves into the plot are what made this an engrossing read for me.
I appreciated that I got some more answers with regard to the changeling threat, the world before the Salt Wall was constructed, as well as additional insight into the history that led everyone to this place in time. And I know that even more answers will be coming in the next book, which I will await with just as much anticipation as I did this one.
In the end RELICS OF RUIN was another captivating read in this series that left me wanting to keep peeling away the fantastic layers of this story. This isn't instant-gratification fantasy, it requires a certain amount of patience, time, and attention investment from the reader. These are exactly the kinds of stories that I enjoy best though because I don't feel as if I'm being told or spoon-fed a story as much as living it right along with the characters. I can't wait to find out where this is eventually headed but based on how this one wrapped up, I think its going to be one heck of a thrilling ending that cements the Books of the Usurper as a must-read fantasy series for every fantasy fan out there. I need more of this please!
As I got deeper into this sequel I immediately picked up on the fact that this one was going to be a bit of a slower-paced story and much more character-focused. I have no problem with this because Robin Hobb does this a lot in her series as well and she's one of my all-time favorite authors. Sometimes putting on the brakes a bit and focusing more on the characters' motivations, their struggles, and their individual backstories is an effective way to lend some more depth and increase the investment for the reader when things really start to get dicey and they get put into dangerous situations. And that's what we get in RELICS OF RUIN, a good deal more focus on how these people connect with each other and attempt to prepare to face what might be coming.
By no means do I intend to say that this story doesn't have its moments of action, because there are some brilliant instances where more mysteries need to be solved and dramatic scenes arise. There is also a brewing potential conflict emerging from one of the protectorates as separatist sentiment foments and leads us all to wonder if aside form the deadly threat posed by the changelings outside the Salt Wall, there may also be an equal threat inside the wall in the form of revolution. These tantalizing kernels that Evans deftly weaves into the plot are what made this an engrossing read for me.
I appreciated that I got some more answers with regard to the changeling threat, the world before the Salt Wall was constructed, as well as additional insight into the history that led everyone to this place in time. And I know that even more answers will be coming in the next book, which I will await with just as much anticipation as I did this one.
In the end RELICS OF RUIN was another captivating read in this series that left me wanting to keep peeling away the fantastic layers of this story. This isn't instant-gratification fantasy, it requires a certain amount of patience, time, and attention investment from the reader. These are exactly the kinds of stories that I enjoy best though because I don't feel as if I'm being told or spoon-fed a story as much as living it right along with the characters. I can't wait to find out where this is eventually headed but based on how this one wrapped up, I think its going to be one heck of a thrilling ending that cements the Books of the Usurper as a must-read fantasy series for every fantasy fan out there. I need more of this please!
May 9, 2024
3.0 Stars
Video Review: https://youtu.be/OqKPLv-OPAc
This was a decent fantasy sequel. For context, I liked but didn't love the first book. I wanted to give this series another opportunity to win me over wirh book two.
I find this one to have fairly good characters and plot but there is nothing about this one I found to be particularly particularly memorable. This piece of epic fantasy just felt safe. It didn't take a lot of chances or subvert the tropes. I am typically more drawn to innovative narratives and this one leaned so heavily into the basic tropes.
All that being said, I would primarily recommend this one to readers who enjoy very traditional fantasy series and are looking for another they haven't read yet.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/OqKPLv-OPAc
This was a decent fantasy sequel. For context, I liked but didn't love the first book. I wanted to give this series another opportunity to win me over wirh book two.
I find this one to have fairly good characters and plot but there is nothing about this one I found to be particularly particularly memorable. This piece of epic fantasy just felt safe. It didn't take a lot of chances or subvert the tropes. I am typically more drawn to innovative narratives and this one leaned so heavily into the basic tropes.
All that being said, I would primarily recommend this one to readers who enjoy very traditional fantasy series and are looking for another they haven't read yet.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
April 7, 2024
Uncovering a chilling conspiracy at the edges of the empire was incredibly unnerving for Amadea and the other archivists, but the silence that followed might be even worse. Imperial agents have found no further sign of incursion, and the archivists themselves have been sworn to secrecy by the empress herself about the events that happened near the wall. That order is made more difficult when the skeleton of a holy saint is discovered missing, replaced by the bones of an unknown person. Suddenly the Imperial Archives are in the middle of a heated political conflict, as ducal representatives question if the empire is still capable of leading and protecting its people. And while the archivists try to dig to the bottom of the mystery, one of their own confronts the fact that her own magical affinity may be growing too powerful for her to control.
RELICS OF RUIN is a fantastic sequel to EMPIRE OF EXILES, poking into new facets of the world while returning to old friends. Here's the easy version of this review: if you liked the first book, you should thoroughly enjoy the sequel. It was lovely to be back in the Imperial Archives, with its idiosyncratic archivists and stalwart Amadea trying to hold everything together. There's more conspiracy, more fallout from the events of book one, more people with hidden backstory. But even while I was enjoying everything that was "more," I did bump slightly against the feeling of "same."
Let's start with the good stuff: I really enjoyed exploring new corners of the world the author has created. I wrote in my last review that it felt like we'd barely scraped the surface of getting to know this world, and RELICS OF RUIN proves my point. We get to see more of the political structure in this outing, as the disappearance of the saint's body stirs up no end of political turmoil that politicians are eager to capitalize on. Meanwhile, Tunuk, who had previously been a secondary character, becomes a full POV character, allowing us to see more of the Alojan people and their culture. And lastly, we finally get to learn more about Richa's backstory, which had been previously hinted at but never fully explored.
I also really appreciated the way the third person POVs really captured the internal thoughts of characters who are struggling with various aspects of mental health. Amadea may appear to have things under control on the outside, but inside she is barely hanging on as one person after another burdens her with a weighty task or secret that she can't share with anyone else. Her grounding trick of noticing textures and colors around her is a signifier of how much she is trying to not completely spin out. Meanwhile Tunuk seems to suffer from a form of depression, always internally voicing thoughts that bitterly contemplate people's ulterior motives or dismiss the idea that anyone could simply want to just be his friend.
And then of course, there's Yinni, a character who is coming to grips with the fact that she may have more power than she's able to control. But her desire to seek help is countered by the fear that in doing so, all autonomy will be taken away from her, that she'll become a ward of the state with no say in any part of her life. All these very real concerns of our various characters really flesh them out and make for some great heartbreaking conflict as characters make assumptions about the motives of others; the readers know why certain characters are behaving the way they are, but nobody else in the room does.
I did have a few small issues with the book. One is that it's very easy to feel like the plotting of this book is in some ways repetitive. We have an archivist who has a friend implicated in a murder, and they are driven to investigate to prove their friend's innocence, much as Quill did in the first book. It makes for some familiar beats that I wish the author had steered away from.
The other issue is that I had been hoping this book would start to explore more of what's going on on the other side of the wall that divides the empire from the ruins of their homeland. (Why that matters should be familiar to readers of EMPIRE OF EXILES.) We popped open that question at the end of book one, but the focus on RELICS OF RUIN remains squarely on the drama playing out in the current empire, with brief interludes to events that happened twenty years in the past. Those interludes raise a whole host of questions without actually answering them, serving to set up stakes for book three without giving me any of the answers I so desperately crave. My only hope is that the ending point of book two means I will FINALLY get those answers in the third and final book.
Overall, RELICS OF RUIN was a welcome return to a world I have grown very fond of. While some of my questions remain unanswered (for now), it was another twisty mystery that delved into the complicated politics and history of the empire, as echoes of a past coup still cause strife in the present day. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the sequel and eagerly look forward to the finale and perhaps finally seeing what is really happening on the other side of that wall.
I was given a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
RELICS OF RUIN is a fantastic sequel to EMPIRE OF EXILES, poking into new facets of the world while returning to old friends. Here's the easy version of this review: if you liked the first book, you should thoroughly enjoy the sequel. It was lovely to be back in the Imperial Archives, with its idiosyncratic archivists and stalwart Amadea trying to hold everything together. There's more conspiracy, more fallout from the events of book one, more people with hidden backstory. But even while I was enjoying everything that was "more," I did bump slightly against the feeling of "same."
Let's start with the good stuff: I really enjoyed exploring new corners of the world the author has created. I wrote in my last review that it felt like we'd barely scraped the surface of getting to know this world, and RELICS OF RUIN proves my point. We get to see more of the political structure in this outing, as the disappearance of the saint's body stirs up no end of political turmoil that politicians are eager to capitalize on. Meanwhile, Tunuk, who had previously been a secondary character, becomes a full POV character, allowing us to see more of the Alojan people and their culture. And lastly, we finally get to learn more about Richa's backstory, which had been previously hinted at but never fully explored.
I also really appreciated the way the third person POVs really captured the internal thoughts of characters who are struggling with various aspects of mental health. Amadea may appear to have things under control on the outside, but inside she is barely hanging on as one person after another burdens her with a weighty task or secret that she can't share with anyone else. Her grounding trick of noticing textures and colors around her is a signifier of how much she is trying to not completely spin out. Meanwhile Tunuk seems to suffer from a form of depression, always internally voicing thoughts that bitterly contemplate people's ulterior motives or dismiss the idea that anyone could simply want to just be his friend.
And then of course, there's Yinni, a character who is coming to grips with the fact that she may have more power than she's able to control. But her desire to seek help is countered by the fear that in doing so, all autonomy will be taken away from her, that she'll become a ward of the state with no say in any part of her life. All these very real concerns of our various characters really flesh them out and make for some great heartbreaking conflict as characters make assumptions about the motives of others; the readers know why certain characters are behaving the way they are, but nobody else in the room does.
I did have a few small issues with the book. One is that it's very easy to feel like the plotting of this book is in some ways repetitive. We have an archivist who has a friend implicated in a murder, and they are driven to investigate to prove their friend's innocence, much as Quill did in the first book. It makes for some familiar beats that I wish the author had steered away from.
The other issue is that I had been hoping this book would start to explore more of what's going on on the other side of the wall that divides the empire from the ruins of their homeland. (Why that matters should be familiar to readers of EMPIRE OF EXILES.) We popped open that question at the end of book one, but the focus on RELICS OF RUIN remains squarely on the drama playing out in the current empire, with brief interludes to events that happened twenty years in the past. Those interludes raise a whole host of questions without actually answering them, serving to set up stakes for book three without giving me any of the answers I so desperately crave. My only hope is that the ending point of book two means I will FINALLY get those answers in the third and final book.
Overall, RELICS OF RUIN was a welcome return to a world I have grown very fond of. While some of my questions remain unanswered (for now), it was another twisty mystery that delved into the complicated politics and history of the empire, as echoes of a past coup still cause strife in the present day. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the sequel and eagerly look forward to the finale and perhaps finally seeing what is really happening on the other side of that wall.
I was given a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
October 20, 2024
the most underrated fantasy series out there… find me an author working in genre today writing characters this beautifully flawed and kind and caring. and with such a well-crafted mystery at its heart each time. the threads, the twists, the red herrings - the impact of each revelation is amplified tenfold by how much you care for these characters and the world they populate. but it’s not just the good guys - the central villain here is one of the most menacing threats i’ve ever read.
there are elements of this book that feel a bit repetitive from the first, and i would have liked a bit more to happen regarding the overarching plot by the time this wrapped up. sure.
but the ingenuity of her world and its magic, the casual representation of all kinds of folks throughout both books, a fantasy murder-mystery that executes all elements to perfection… it is a spectacular achievement, this series, and I am BEGGING you all to pick it up. you. will. not. be. disappointed.
there are elements of this book that feel a bit repetitive from the first, and i would have liked a bit more to happen regarding the overarching plot by the time this wrapped up. sure.
but the ingenuity of her world and its magic, the casual representation of all kinds of folks throughout both books, a fantasy murder-mystery that executes all elements to perfection… it is a spectacular achievement, this series, and I am BEGGING you all to pick it up. you. will. not. be. disappointed.
July 30, 2024
Even with the summary at the beginning, I was so confused at the start but the author did a great job at pulling me in again.
I really like all of these characters and we got more backstories and mysteries. Tunuq was such a fun grump and I really liked learning more about him.
The mystery we followed was also quite fun and intriguing and had me guessing, which was really nice. There also was more crumbs about the big mystery of everything that happened before the start of the story, which I really want answers to.
Very excited to wait for the third novel in this series.
I really like all of these characters and we got more backstories and mysteries. Tunuq was such a fun grump and I really liked learning more about him.
The mystery we followed was also quite fun and intriguing and had me guessing, which was really nice. There also was more crumbs about the big mystery of everything that happened before the start of the story, which I really want answers to.
Very excited to wait for the third novel in this series.
September 14, 2024
3.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed the story of this book but there's something about it that makes it almost unenjoyable to read.
May 30, 2024
This book is PHENOMENALLY good. I am blown away. I loved the first book, Empire of Exiles, but the second completely avoids the frequent "second book" curse by taking everything amazing about the first book and somehow making it even better. There are even more incredible characters. The mystery is just as engaging as the first one and has even more layers. Everything is queerer -- it went from acknowledging that queerness exists in the world to showing you the queerness in the characters (and a variety of it, as well!). The romantic complications are even more intense. And it balances it all so at NO point do I find myself with too much of any one thing. It's all perfectly balanced and I cannot WAIT for the third book at this point.
On the first book I complained about the Changelings being forces of chaos only -- and I see I was right to do so, actually, because this book addresses that directly as a piece of propaganda, and the one thing I had been a bit reluctant on is now even more interesting and exciting. It's nice to go "this seems to be very much what the characters believe, not the narrative" and then see that borne out in book 2.
I have full faith this series will stick the landing. And I will definitely be here to see it -- I did, in fact, message at least three different people telling them to go read this so I'd have someone to talk with it about!
On the first book I complained about the Changelings being forces of chaos only -- and I see I was right to do so, actually, because this book addresses that directly as a piece of propaganda, and the one thing I had been a bit reluctant on is now even more interesting and exciting. It's nice to go "this seems to be very much what the characters believe, not the narrative" and then see that borne out in book 2.
I have full faith this series will stick the landing. And I will definitely be here to see it -- I did, in fact, message at least three different people telling them to go read this so I'd have someone to talk with it about!
July 28, 2024
What a great follow-up to the last book!! I think what really makes this series special is the creativity of the world and all the races and how they interconnect. I think the world-building is so fascinating--I would love to see the spreadsheets and way Erin M Evans put all of this together and kept it all straight!! I also think the characters are wonderful and charming and they all really do have their own voice and personality. I think Tunuk really stole the show throughout, and Amedea was also a shining star!
If I were to say anything negative is there are A LOT of characters, so there is a small struggle to keep everything in my brain, but that was def not enough to keep me from reading or wanting to see what happened. Honestly, what it really makes me want is just more information about this world in the books and how everyone is connected. I could probably easily read 800 pages of this place and be utterly happy.
With all that said, I can't WAIT for the next installment!
If I were to say anything negative is there are A LOT of characters, so there is a small struggle to keep everything in my brain, but that was def not enough to keep me from reading or wanting to see what happened. Honestly, what it really makes me want is just more information about this world in the books and how everyone is connected. I could probably easily read 800 pages of this place and be utterly happy.
With all that said, I can't WAIT for the next installment!
August 8, 2024
While I enjoyed the first book in this trilogy, I remember it being a quite confusing and slow read. For some reason, this second book was the complete opposite for me! I’m very grateful that the author included a resume of book one and while I still think that the world is confusing (yet intriguing), I flew through this. I really enjoyed how character focused this story was, we learned a lot about their respective backstories and personalities, and learning about the world and its mysteries through their eyes worked very well. Erin M. Evans is really great at writing mysteries and conspiracies. Multiple times I thought I figured stuff out to be proved wrong in the next chapter. I’m really excited to see how the whole story will conclude in the next book.
If you’re looking for a highly political fantasy story with mystery and confusing, I can really recommend this series! 4 stars.
If you’re looking for a highly political fantasy story with mystery and confusing, I can really recommend this series! 4 stars.
October 17, 2024
What a sequel should be. The tone is still the same, the setting as rich, the characters still excellent, the drama great, the mystery twisty, and this is a world I look forward to returning to at haste. Evans never disappoints, except that the third book isn't out yet.
April 29, 2024
I enjoyed book one a lot and was excited for book two of this fantasy trilogy. It didn’t disappoint! It starts with an entertaining summary of book one. I needed a refresher, but you can easily skip it if you don’t. The archivists have more mysteries to solve, while an old enemy of the empire is loose on the other side of the wall that protects them. The specter of the Usurper hangs over everything. The people are growing more fearful, and one of the archivists is more powerful than they imagined and might be losing control of her power. Something might be wrong with the empress and enemies are circling. We also get to see more of what’s going on over on the other side of the wall, which was cool.
The story starts as a slow burn and then really picks up the pace! Things keep falling into place. Buried secrets are threatening to come out. The book gets deeper into the characters of this world, who are interesting, likeable, and have a unique system of magic. The end was sooooo good! I can’t wait for book three- it’s going to be amazing. I highly recommend books one and two! Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC.
The story starts as a slow burn and then really picks up the pace! Things keep falling into place. Buried secrets are threatening to come out. The book gets deeper into the characters of this world, who are interesting, likeable, and have a unique system of magic. The end was sooooo good! I can’t wait for book three- it’s going to be amazing. I highly recommend books one and two! Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the eARC.
Shelved as 'dnf'
May 27, 2024dnf
while i really liked the first book in this series, it takes a lot for me to continue with sequels. i decided to pick this up immediately because a) i was worried i'd forget everything and b) i assumed this was a duology. but this is in fact a trilogy, and i don't think i like the world enough to read two more books, unfortunately. :(
while i really liked the first book in this series, it takes a lot for me to continue with sequels. i decided to pick this up immediately because a) i was worried i'd forget everything and b) i assumed this was a duology. but this is in fact a trilogy, and i don't think i like the world enough to read two more books, unfortunately. :(
May 6, 2024
Relics of Ruin is such an epic sequel!! Amadea, Quill, and the archivists have saved the empire but they have a new mystery to solve when the bones of a saint are found.
I was so captivated by this book!! The mystery of how these bones were stolen and how they could connect to the threat from beyond the Salt Wall had me furiously turning the pages. I also really enjoyed being back in this world.
Of course I love all these characters so much! We have the POVs from Quill, Yinii, Amadea, and Richa again plus we also get Tunuk’s. They all have their personal issues during this book and I love getting to know them all better.
I already loved Tunuk so I’m really happy with his POV. He may be prickly but he’s so loyal and loves his friends. One highlight of this book was the friendship developing between Tunuk and Quill. Actually these two and Yinii make an amazing team.
We get hints of romance in this book but the friendships are what makes this book! All the main characters plus the other archivists and even the consort-prince have such incredible bonds.
I wouldn’t say this ends in an exact cliffhanger but it definitely is shocking and has me so excited for book 3!!
This book has:
⚔️ mysteries, conspiracies, & politics
✒️ found family vibes
⚔️ complex fantasy world with magic
I was so captivated by this book!! The mystery of how these bones were stolen and how they could connect to the threat from beyond the Salt Wall had me furiously turning the pages. I also really enjoyed being back in this world.
Of course I love all these characters so much! We have the POVs from Quill, Yinii, Amadea, and Richa again plus we also get Tunuk’s. They all have their personal issues during this book and I love getting to know them all better.
I already loved Tunuk so I’m really happy with his POV. He may be prickly but he’s so loyal and loves his friends. One highlight of this book was the friendship developing between Tunuk and Quill. Actually these two and Yinii make an amazing team.
We get hints of romance in this book but the friendships are what makes this book! All the main characters plus the other archivists and even the consort-prince have such incredible bonds.
I wouldn’t say this ends in an exact cliffhanger but it definitely is shocking and has me so excited for book 3!!
This book has:
⚔️ mysteries, conspiracies, & politics
✒️ found family vibes
⚔️ complex fantasy world with magic
February 6, 2024
The strong sequel to Empire of Exiles picks up shortly after the events of that tumultuous ending and follows the same cast of characters. Quill is learning to navigate his new job at the Archives when he and Richa stumble upon another murder, which ultimately leads them to discover the bones of a saint. Baffled that a relic could disappear from the Archives without them knowing of it, they turn to Amadea for help. Matters are further complicated when they realize that Tunuk, their brooding bone specialist, is clearly hiding something.
The strengths of the first book continue in the second one, with sophisticated prose, a richly detailed world, a clandestine and conspiratorial atmosphere, and fascinating elemental magic. This is as much an epic fantasy novel as it is an intricately plotted multilayered murder mystery, and the intrigue reads like a delicate dance between all the characters. They are a sympathetic group of people whose pasts are determined to come back to haunt them, upping the stakes as they pick apart a grand puzzle that jeopardizes the safety of the empire. Great for fans of Richard Swan.
(This review was originally written for Library Journal magazine.)
The strengths of the first book continue in the second one, with sophisticated prose, a richly detailed world, a clandestine and conspiratorial atmosphere, and fascinating elemental magic. This is as much an epic fantasy novel as it is an intricately plotted multilayered murder mystery, and the intrigue reads like a delicate dance between all the characters. They are a sympathetic group of people whose pasts are determined to come back to haunt them, upping the stakes as they pick apart a grand puzzle that jeopardizes the safety of the empire. Great for fans of Richard Swan.
(This review was originally written for Library Journal magazine.)
March 18, 2024
I love love LOVE this series and everything that the author is doing with it, I will scream from the rooftops about how more people should be talking about it.
I adore the way Evans writes, her prose is excellent and her character voices are always so clear, whether through dialogue or inner monologue. There isn't a single POV I don't enjoy, and that's definitely rare in a book for me. I loved getting to return to this world and see more of these characters, especially the few who got POV for the first time in this book. Amadea remains my favourite character, I'd follow her anywhere.
The world is so rich and the mystery kept me on my toes as much as the first book. I found this one much harder to predict and it kept me so engaged I had to devour it. I was eager to see some of the loose ends from book one start to resolve and to dive deeper into the back story of this failed rebellion, and I'm so excited to see where the story continues to go from here!
Simply everything is perfect, and I think everyone who loves deep fantasy worlds and intriguing mystery needs this series in their life. I'm already SO excited for the sequel, and the wait will be excruciating.
I adore the way Evans writes, her prose is excellent and her character voices are always so clear, whether through dialogue or inner monologue. There isn't a single POV I don't enjoy, and that's definitely rare in a book for me. I loved getting to return to this world and see more of these characters, especially the few who got POV for the first time in this book. Amadea remains my favourite character, I'd follow her anywhere.
The world is so rich and the mystery kept me on my toes as much as the first book. I found this one much harder to predict and it kept me so engaged I had to devour it. I was eager to see some of the loose ends from book one start to resolve and to dive deeper into the back story of this failed rebellion, and I'm so excited to see where the story continues to go from here!
Simply everything is perfect, and I think everyone who loves deep fantasy worlds and intriguing mystery needs this series in their life. I'm already SO excited for the sequel, and the wait will be excruciating.
June 15, 2024
This was so goooood! Jumps right in after the first one (with a charming little in-character recap narrative) and immediately hits the ground running with a new mystery, increased political tangles, deep character twists in new perspectives and old alike. (We're still enjoying Amadea, Quill, Yinii, but this time we also get to dive further into Richa and Tunuk and it's simply delightful.) The layering of all of these elements - across and through and enhancing each other, and drawing up more of the rich world all the while - is nuanced and masterful, giving the illusion of a gentle exploration while actually constantly turning the intricacy to show new facets. I loved every single moment of this book and am absolutely wild for more.
May 7, 2024
5/5 stars.
I loved the first book and can say the sequel has not let me down. The characters and worldbuilding are easily the best part of this book, though I think everything is excellent. The way Evans has constructed this world and the different people who live in it is masterful. Unlike a lot of fantasy with multiple races where you have humans, elves (sexy humans that live longer), and some sort of evil race, the fantasy races in this series feel unique and different and fleshed out.
I also love fantasy mysteries and political intrigue. God what a good series this is I’m just upset I need to wait another year or two for the next one.
I loved the first book and can say the sequel has not let me down. The characters and worldbuilding are easily the best part of this book, though I think everything is excellent. The way Evans has constructed this world and the different people who live in it is masterful. Unlike a lot of fantasy with multiple races where you have humans, elves (sexy humans that live longer), and some sort of evil race, the fantasy races in this series feel unique and different and fleshed out.
I also love fantasy mysteries and political intrigue. God what a good series this is I’m just upset I need to wait another year or two for the next one.
July 20, 2024
Look, I knew this was going to be a big hit because I loved the first book so much. Sure, I'm a little confused by the scenes from the past and how everything fits in. But these books are just crafted so incredibly well with reveals and twists. And I adore all of these characters so much!!! I cannot wait for the next installment.
TW: abandonment, murder, death, blood, injury/ injury detail, emotional abuse, grief, death of a parent, kidnapping, toxic relationship, violence, explosions/ bombs
TW: abandonment, murder, death, blood, injury/ injury detail, emotional abuse, grief, death of a parent, kidnapping, toxic relationship, violence, explosions/ bombs
March 20, 2024
OMG this was so good. Warning it does end in a sort of cliffhanger, so be aware of that.
I was so happy to get an ARC of this. I love these characters and this world. I love the complex worldbuilding. SO GOOD.
I was so happy to get an ARC of this. I love these characters and this world. I love the complex worldbuilding. SO GOOD.
May 26, 2024
Rating : 4,5 ⭐
This was a great sequel, the mystery built up on the plot of the first one but still took me on an unexpected journey. I enjoyed the character development, and I can't wait to read the next one.
This was a great sequel, the mystery built up on the plot of the first one but still took me on an unexpected journey. I enjoyed the character development, and I can't wait to read the next one.
July 19, 2024
Just like its predecessor, I gotta say....damn. What a followup. Four stars
Even though the crime (theft) seems lesser than the previous book's crime, don't be mistaken. The stakes get properly ramped up. Hell, I'd say this didn't give me middle novel syndrome, where I felt like its sole purpose was setting up for the next book. It's honestly refreshing.
Like my previous review, I'm not going to delve too much into the plot here because it's honestly just batshit. For the first 3/4ths, I felt like I could follow along pretty easily. I'd gotten used to the insanity that was the previous book and I understood how the world worked. The one thing that made me sort of falter was the last 1-4th. Shit got out of hand quickly, and I felt like things got too convoluted way too fast. New (sort of) characters are being thrown at us, everyone's moving everywhere, and I felt like the description for one of the scenes felt vague. However, the stakes for the next book have been properly set up, which I believe is the conclusion.
So, let's talk about the characters.
First of all I'd like to get this out of the way: it's two books in, and there are ZERO LBT+ women. We have three gay men, two of which are married to each other and one of which who plays a more antagonistic role, one bisexual man, and an aromantic/asexual man. I usually don't like saying you have to include every type of sexuality in your books but like...it always makes me raise an eyebrow when the men are allowed to be diverse in sexuality but women are always cishet. Maybe the last book will prove me wrong? Not sure.
Tunuk is the breakout star in this book. I honestly laughed him off in book one but here? I got way to attached to the funny bird man. He also joins Hollyhock from Bojack Horseman in the "8 parental units" club, but one of them got murked last book I guess, so he's down to 7. His development from just a grouchy bone specialist to an actual nuanced character who plays a big part in solving the mystery, growing, and changing was genuinely so much fun (even if some bits got a little repetitive). His mini struggle with his lack of romantic feelings for anyone was also really refreshing for fantasy, and his insecurities surrounding Yinii leaving him for her crush on Quill hit way too hard for me.
Speaking of, Yinii is still my little goat girl who i want to hug oh so tightly. Her plot revolves around a mini-revelation that she may or may not be a sorcerer! There are so many good bits about being terrified of learning who you are and what you do when you step into that role. I hope the last book doesn't reduce her to being Quill's girlfriend, but it might be the other way around.
I said in my review of Empire of Exiles that Richa was the weakest of the core crew. Yeah, that's 100% not the case here. We finally get his backstory and why he is the way he is. And while his criminal turned cop/detective backstory isn't the most original, his relationship with his ex-boyfriend is incredibly interesting. not to mention the parallels we get with him and Amadea about hidden pasts and relationships we'd like to keep buried.
Amadea...this feels so mean, but I'm kinda bored of her. I'm all for hot middle-aged women being seen as worthy romantic interests, but her weird love triangle between her, Richa, and Ibramo feels both underdeveloped and too played out. Like I sort of went back and forth with myself last book because I felt that both love interests had an equal chance of working out, but now there's a clear winner. Not to mention her whole thing as a maybe/maybe not grave spurned princess ALSO feels dragged out, but I guess it makes sense? I dunno.
Quill took a major back seat in this book, but he deserved it after the trauma he experienced in book one. I still liked him, though, and he served as a great anchor for Tunuk and Yinii. But honestly
The villains were...whatever, I guess? I dunno. I actually like that we don't know if Redolfo is alive because the flashbacks were so vague about it, but he also wasn't the villain!!! I was proven wrong! Instead, a rando was introduced in this book and had a vague reason for their motive. it does go back to the last 1/4th being kinda rushed and confusing.
I will still be 100% sat for the next book (which is rumored to be released later this year...however rumors are rumors) and am still including this series in one of my favorites.
Even though the crime (theft) seems lesser than the previous book's crime, don't be mistaken. The stakes get properly ramped up. Hell, I'd say this didn't give me middle novel syndrome, where I felt like its sole purpose was setting up for the next book. It's honestly refreshing.
Like my previous review, I'm not going to delve too much into the plot here because it's honestly just batshit. For the first 3/4ths, I felt like I could follow along pretty easily. I'd gotten used to the insanity that was the previous book and I understood how the world worked. The one thing that made me sort of falter was the last 1-4th. Shit got out of hand quickly, and I felt like things got too convoluted way too fast. New (sort of) characters are being thrown at us, everyone's moving everywhere, and I felt like the description for one of the scenes felt vague. However, the stakes for the next book have been properly set up, which I believe is the conclusion.
So, let's talk about the characters.
First of all I'd like to get this out of the way: it's two books in, and there are ZERO LBT+ women. We have three gay men, two of which are married to each other and one of which who plays a more antagonistic role, one bisexual man, and an aromantic/asexual man. I usually don't like saying you have to include every type of sexuality in your books but like...it always makes me raise an eyebrow when the men are allowed to be diverse in sexuality but women are always cishet. Maybe the last book will prove me wrong? Not sure.
Tunuk is the breakout star in this book. I honestly laughed him off in book one but here? I got way to attached to the funny bird man. He also joins Hollyhock from Bojack Horseman in the "8 parental units" club, but one of them got murked last book I guess, so he's down to 7. His development from just a grouchy bone specialist to an actual nuanced character who plays a big part in solving the mystery, growing, and changing was genuinely so much fun (even if some bits got a little repetitive). His mini struggle with his lack of romantic feelings for anyone was also really refreshing for fantasy, and his insecurities surrounding Yinii leaving him for her crush on Quill hit way too hard for me.
Speaking of, Yinii is still my little goat girl who i want to hug oh so tightly. Her plot revolves around a mini-revelation that she may or may not be a sorcerer! There are so many good bits about being terrified of learning who you are and what you do when you step into that role. I hope the last book doesn't reduce her to being Quill's girlfriend, but it might be the other way around.
I said in my review of Empire of Exiles that Richa was the weakest of the core crew. Yeah, that's 100% not the case here. We finally get his backstory and why he is the way he is. And while his criminal turned cop/detective backstory isn't the most original, his relationship with his ex-boyfriend is incredibly interesting. not to mention the parallels we get with him and Amadea about hidden pasts and relationships we'd like to keep buried.
Amadea...this feels so mean, but I'm kinda bored of her. I'm all for hot middle-aged women being seen as worthy romantic interests, but her weird love triangle between her, Richa, and Ibramo feels both underdeveloped and too played out. Like I sort of went back and forth with myself last book because I felt that both love interests had an equal chance of working out, but now there's a clear winner. Not to mention her whole thing as a maybe/maybe not grave spurned princess ALSO feels dragged out, but I guess it makes sense? I dunno.
Quill took a major back seat in this book, but he deserved it after the trauma he experienced in book one. I still liked him, though, and he served as a great anchor for Tunuk and Yinii. But honestly
The villains were...whatever, I guess? I dunno. I actually like that we don't know if Redolfo is alive because the flashbacks were so vague about it, but he also wasn't the villain!!! I was proven wrong! Instead, a rando was introduced in this book and had a vague reason for their motive. it does go back to the last 1/4th being kinda rushed and confusing.
I will still be 100% sat for the next book (which is rumored to be released later this year...however rumors are rumors) and am still including this series in one of my favorites.
April 18, 2024
The tl;dr: Relics of Ruin has a very different vibe from its predecessor, Empire of Exiles. This means that it takes a bit to warm up to the slower paced, thoughtful, and more character-driven stylings of this sequel. However, once you settle into the rhythms of Relics, you are rewarded with a book that is more interested in exploring the characters of this world than a fast-paced, frantic solving of its mysteries. The second half of the book puts things into overdrive as the many pieces start to fall into place. Sometimes the plot and mystery are a bit convoluted, but I love this world and don't want to see it end in the next book!
My full review:
Relics of Ruin was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 after Empires of Exile knocked my socks off and became one of my top reads of 2023. I couldn't wait to return to this world of shape-shifting changelings, social turmoil, political conflicts, dangerous magic, and clever mystery/fantasy genre mashups. While Relics of Ruin did not quite reach my lofty expectations, it is still an exciting and profoundly satisfying read that only works to confirm that this series should be near the top of your TBR.
Relics of Ruin had a tough job in front of it. As the second book in a trilogy, it has the responsibility of raising the stakes of the over-arching narrative without spinning its own wheels, and it also has to introduce a brand new mystery that somehow matches the mysterious fun of Empire of Exile's gruesome murder. It does both of these admirably, if a tad imperfectly.
The main impetus for the conflict in Relics of Ruin is the theft of a sacred wooden replica of the bones of a culturally significant saint. This mystery didn't grab me as immediately as Empire's murder, and I think this came down to a couple of things. A theft is not as "hooky" as a murder, and this problem was slightly exacerbated by the fact that the stakes of the theft were not immediately made apparent to the reader. I don't know if this was a slight worldbuilding issue or just me forgetting things from the first book, but it took a bit too long for Evans to clearly convey what these wooden bones are, who they represented, and why the theft was significant to the plot. This had a bit of the unintended consequence of making the the first half of Relics feel insular; the connection of the theft to the larger over-arching plot was not apparent and the theft for a long section of the book felt a bit like a side-quest. This was all made slightly worse by how complicated and convoluted the mystery actually was, but luckily Evans takes a step back many times in the narrative to "sum up" all of the clues and revelations.
Because the mystery in relics is more complicated than the murder in the first book, the book does move at a much slower pace. It took me a bit to match Evans' rhythm, but once I did I really enjoyed the slower and more assured pacing of this book. I loved Empires of Exiles because it moved - introducing new characters, magics, mysteries, and more at a runaway pace. I liked Relics because it was able to slow down and sit a bit with the characters. The characters came alive and felt more well-rounded this time around, and their individual motivations, histories, and personalities felt more real and vibrant than ever before. I realized when starting with Relics that the mystery and worldbuilding of Empire of Exiles really stuck with me, but that the characters didn't penetrate my mind. However, after this second outing I was more fully invested with these people, and this time around the characters are what are sticking with me much more than any of the plot. The more character-oriented rhythm ultimately worked for me, but it does mean that Relics of Ruin has quite a different vibe from Empire.
Once you cross approximately the halfway point of the book, it starts to feel a bit more like Empire as well. The larger plot machinations start to take center stage once again, the it becomes clearer how the individual mystery here starts to fit into the larger narrative that Evans is weaving throughout the entire trilogy. In many ways this series is structured like a three season TV series, where each season is relatively self-contained, and you only get glimpses of how everything fits together until you approach the climax, and everything starts to fall into place. While the first half of the book may seem like this is an episodic adventure, there are some MAJOR ramifications for what is coming later!
I will always want to spend more time in this world, and now that we have settled into the magic systems, politics, and more, I am eagerly anticipating the grand conclusion of this series (which I think is scheduled for later this year in November?). As Relics of Ruin ends, it simultaneously feels like we are crashing into the conclusion and that there is so much of this universe and these characters to explore. Evans has a tendency to zag when I think they are going to zig, and so I have no clue what is coming next!
My full review:
Relics of Ruin was one of my most anticipated books of 2024 after Empires of Exile knocked my socks off and became one of my top reads of 2023. I couldn't wait to return to this world of shape-shifting changelings, social turmoil, political conflicts, dangerous magic, and clever mystery/fantasy genre mashups. While Relics of Ruin did not quite reach my lofty expectations, it is still an exciting and profoundly satisfying read that only works to confirm that this series should be near the top of your TBR.
Relics of Ruin had a tough job in front of it. As the second book in a trilogy, it has the responsibility of raising the stakes of the over-arching narrative without spinning its own wheels, and it also has to introduce a brand new mystery that somehow matches the mysterious fun of Empire of Exile's gruesome murder. It does both of these admirably, if a tad imperfectly.
The main impetus for the conflict in Relics of Ruin is the theft of a sacred wooden replica of the bones of a culturally significant saint. This mystery didn't grab me as immediately as Empire's murder, and I think this came down to a couple of things. A theft is not as "hooky" as a murder, and this problem was slightly exacerbated by the fact that the stakes of the theft were not immediately made apparent to the reader. I don't know if this was a slight worldbuilding issue or just me forgetting things from the first book, but it took a bit too long for Evans to clearly convey what these wooden bones are, who they represented, and why the theft was significant to the plot. This had a bit of the unintended consequence of making the the first half of Relics feel insular; the connection of the theft to the larger over-arching plot was not apparent and the theft for a long section of the book felt a bit like a side-quest. This was all made slightly worse by how complicated and convoluted the mystery actually was, but luckily Evans takes a step back many times in the narrative to "sum up" all of the clues and revelations.
Because the mystery in relics is more complicated than the murder in the first book, the book does move at a much slower pace. It took me a bit to match Evans' rhythm, but once I did I really enjoyed the slower and more assured pacing of this book. I loved Empires of Exiles because it moved - introducing new characters, magics, mysteries, and more at a runaway pace. I liked Relics because it was able to slow down and sit a bit with the characters. The characters came alive and felt more well-rounded this time around, and their individual motivations, histories, and personalities felt more real and vibrant than ever before. I realized when starting with Relics that the mystery and worldbuilding of Empire of Exiles really stuck with me, but that the characters didn't penetrate my mind. However, after this second outing I was more fully invested with these people, and this time around the characters are what are sticking with me much more than any of the plot. The more character-oriented rhythm ultimately worked for me, but it does mean that Relics of Ruin has quite a different vibe from Empire.
Once you cross approximately the halfway point of the book, it starts to feel a bit more like Empire as well. The larger plot machinations start to take center stage once again, the it becomes clearer how the individual mystery here starts to fit into the larger narrative that Evans is weaving throughout the entire trilogy. In many ways this series is structured like a three season TV series, where each season is relatively self-contained, and you only get glimpses of how everything fits together until you approach the climax, and everything starts to fall into place. While the first half of the book may seem like this is an episodic adventure, there are some MAJOR ramifications for what is coming later!
I will always want to spend more time in this world, and now that we have settled into the magic systems, politics, and more, I am eagerly anticipating the grand conclusion of this series (which I think is scheduled for later this year in November?). As Relics of Ruin ends, it simultaneously feels like we are crashing into the conclusion and that there is so much of this universe and these characters to explore. Evans has a tendency to zag when I think they are going to zig, and so I have no clue what is coming next!
December 24, 2024
Thank you to Orbit and Angela Man for sending me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: blood, gore, murder, violence
I read the first book in this series last year, and loved it. When I saw that the next book in the trilogy was available, I couldn’t wait to get a copy. Unfortunately, it took me 8 months to get around to reading it, but it was well worth the wait. I read this in a combination of audiobook and hard copy format.
This book starts out in the best possible way—with a summary of book 1. While I often do a quick reread of books in a series before starting the newest one, this was a heavy, complex, and very involved story, so the summary was comprehensive. I quickly discovered that this is the kind of book I struggle with on audio, and wound up reading this mostly in the hard copy format.
The plot picks up shortly after the events of the last book, and fills us back in on what our characters have been doing, and they’re all up to something besides the main mystery. There are flashbacks to Amadea’s upbringing, and how she is coping with all of the links to her past. Quill and Richa are both struggling with an attraction to someone they work with, while Yinii is struggling to avoid the spiral and be able to work with ink again, and meeting with a sorcerer to see if her questions can be answered. Tunuk is struggling in his own way, staying away from family and friends as he focuses on uncovering truths he isn’t sure he wants to know. These are the main characters, and we get to see POV chapters from them. I loved the POV switches, since it lets us learn more about all of the characters by seeing them in a different light. And Evans is fantastic at writing characters, because the voice is so easy to determine in each chapter, and they’re all so unique that there isn’t a lot of overlap in personality.
This is a book with inherent diversity, and it feels so natural to see people of different appearance and backgrounds well-represented in the story. As an empire, Semilla has absorbed people from all of its protectorates, leading to a diverse society like you’d find in any large metropolitan location (or empire capital). There are characters who are explicitly Black, while Quill is Asian-coded, and there are people who are bisexual, poly, and either asexual or aromantic. I particularly liked how differentiated each of the ethnicities are written—Tunuk’s people live in a poly family situation, with responsibilities being shared and the group being very close, causing his family consternation about his lack of interest in romantic or sexual attachments.
As a complex and multilayered story, there is a lot going on in the empire, the archives, and the life of each character. The main plot is figuring out what the deal is with the missing bones, but that leads into more questions as the archivists race to find out how the bones were stolen, and determine whose skeleton replaced the saint’s bones. Yinii is trying to figure out how someone knows they are a sorcerer, and working with an imprisoned sorcerer in an effort to get answers, for the most part unsuccessfully. The clan chiefs and Empress are ready to go to war, and the archivists are navigating potential new romances as they work on this main mystery.
Book two delves much more deeply into Semillan society. Readers learn a lot more about the clans and how they work, as well as exploring the magic system of affinities, sorcerers, and spirals. I felt as though this helped avoid the feeling of info dumps, as the author slowly leaks new information through the pages of the story. I especially liked that it wasn’t all shared in the first book, so we get to discover new aspects of society as they came up.
Overall, this was an outstanding book. I took my time with it, and it is a chonk, but it was so interesting and well-paced that it didn’t have any periods where the story or plot lagged. In fact, the plot stays upfront throughout the story, while the subplots and side stories never took away from the genius of this book. There is a cliffhanger ending that makes me need the next book to be written and made available soon, but hopefully I won’t have to wait too long. I recommend this one to anyone who likes epic fantasy, political subplots, intricate stories, and fantasy where the author isn’t afraid to get complex or write an expansive story.
CONTENT WARNING: blood, gore, murder, violence
I read the first book in this series last year, and loved it. When I saw that the next book in the trilogy was available, I couldn’t wait to get a copy. Unfortunately, it took me 8 months to get around to reading it, but it was well worth the wait. I read this in a combination of audiobook and hard copy format.
This book starts out in the best possible way—with a summary of book 1. While I often do a quick reread of books in a series before starting the newest one, this was a heavy, complex, and very involved story, so the summary was comprehensive. I quickly discovered that this is the kind of book I struggle with on audio, and wound up reading this mostly in the hard copy format.
The plot picks up shortly after the events of the last book, and fills us back in on what our characters have been doing, and they’re all up to something besides the main mystery. There are flashbacks to Amadea’s upbringing, and how she is coping with all of the links to her past. Quill and Richa are both struggling with an attraction to someone they work with, while Yinii is struggling to avoid the spiral and be able to work with ink again, and meeting with a sorcerer to see if her questions can be answered. Tunuk is struggling in his own way, staying away from family and friends as he focuses on uncovering truths he isn’t sure he wants to know. These are the main characters, and we get to see POV chapters from them. I loved the POV switches, since it lets us learn more about all of the characters by seeing them in a different light. And Evans is fantastic at writing characters, because the voice is so easy to determine in each chapter, and they’re all so unique that there isn’t a lot of overlap in personality.
This is a book with inherent diversity, and it feels so natural to see people of different appearance and backgrounds well-represented in the story. As an empire, Semilla has absorbed people from all of its protectorates, leading to a diverse society like you’d find in any large metropolitan location (or empire capital). There are characters who are explicitly Black, while Quill is Asian-coded, and there are people who are bisexual, poly, and either asexual or aromantic. I particularly liked how differentiated each of the ethnicities are written—Tunuk’s people live in a poly family situation, with responsibilities being shared and the group being very close, causing his family consternation about his lack of interest in romantic or sexual attachments.
As a complex and multilayered story, there is a lot going on in the empire, the archives, and the life of each character. The main plot is figuring out what the deal is with the missing bones, but that leads into more questions as the archivists race to find out how the bones were stolen, and determine whose skeleton replaced the saint’s bones. Yinii is trying to figure out how someone knows they are a sorcerer, and working with an imprisoned sorcerer in an effort to get answers, for the most part unsuccessfully. The clan chiefs and Empress are ready to go to war, and the archivists are navigating potential new romances as they work on this main mystery.
Book two delves much more deeply into Semillan society. Readers learn a lot more about the clans and how they work, as well as exploring the magic system of affinities, sorcerers, and spirals. I felt as though this helped avoid the feeling of info dumps, as the author slowly leaks new information through the pages of the story. I especially liked that it wasn’t all shared in the first book, so we get to discover new aspects of society as they came up.
Overall, this was an outstanding book. I took my time with it, and it is a chonk, but it was so interesting and well-paced that it didn’t have any periods where the story or plot lagged. In fact, the plot stays upfront throughout the story, while the subplots and side stories never took away from the genius of this book. There is a cliffhanger ending that makes me need the next book to be written and made available soon, but hopefully I won’t have to wait too long. I recommend this one to anyone who likes epic fantasy, political subplots, intricate stories, and fantasy where the author isn’t afraid to get complex or write an expansive story.
November 1, 2024
This one is a bit humbling for me. I’m absolutely in awe of the level of worldbuilding in here, and of course the fact that so much of it centers on culture and cultural institutions! And yet…the amount of characters and the twistiness of the plot could be more than confusing. I found myself a bit distanced from things sometimes.
This is book two of the series, and my recollection is that book one, EMPIRE OF EXILES, was a little more compact. The Redolfo chapters, which are removed from the rest of the narrative, was more compelling when it was simply a drawn-out conversation with his brother. Here, there is a journey to distant lands and magical forests, which felt more aesthetic than centered.
Gotta give Evans props, though, for creating a summary of book one as a report from one of the archivists. The fact that he’s voicey, of course, also lends to the art of it all.
My summary is that we’re in a secondary world where a bunch of humanoid and human creatures are inhabiting a small part of their continent together because everywhere else has been overrun by “changelings.” These different groups find ways to coexist, theoretically, and at the center of this is a magical archives that takes care of their disparate treasures from around the world. Specialists have unique affinities for ink, bones, etc, which can also lead well into, say, a murder mystery plot. :P
Book two is also about a murder mystery plot, but it’s less engaging. In book one, our protagonist, Quill’s, BFF is set up as a murderer who is ultimately killed. We can palpably feel his pain about this. In book two, we’re following the theft of wooden replica bones of a sacred saint. Not quite as personable, even when an MC gets embroiled by way conjecture about old guardians being involved.
The characters muddle through the importance and broader political implications of what’s going on. The MCs remain loveable—I remain invested in Evans’s focus on anxiety-magic and empathetic care amongst the archival staff—but they could get lost in the mire sometimes. Following multiple POVs could be about interior journeys, but it also gives Evans more of an excuse for a convoluted plot. As much respect as I have for her following all of these threads, it was too academic for me to fully fangirl.
Amadea, arguably my favorite character, is still around! But I’m not sure there was much evolution to her arc, beyond Evans throwing even more quantities of the same at her. Developments at the end meant more people knew her secret, and her life was newly imperiled due to political stuff. I still liked her, but maybe it was more fun to follow the budding romance between earnest Quill and standoffish Tunuk. :P I also like how Yinii fit into that equation, but otherwise her story progression felt much like Amadea’s. (We also follow Richa, who is mostly around in a detective role, but he does have some personal backstory, too.) Granted, maybe I skimmed over some intricacies of character as they peeked out amidst baroque plot points.
And again, academically, I have massive respect and maybe even restrained nerdy feelings for the complexities of how these magical societies are put together. There’s so many players with different agendas, different heritages that inform them. (Though on the opposite side of the coin, it can be a morass of confusion to sift through so many named secondary characters that Evans requires a “dramatis personae” at the beginning of the book.) Redolfo’s megalomania, fueled by sorcerers and other illicit magic, feels cheap in comparison, but also easier to follow. Up to a point, anyway. Evans still wants some clouds of mystery. :P
I’m absolutely returning to this world when the third book comes out. Maybe I should be smart and do a readathon with other people, in order to get more out of everything. On my own I remain impressed, but a little befuddled and removed.
This is book two of the series, and my recollection is that book one, EMPIRE OF EXILES, was a little more compact. The Redolfo chapters, which are removed from the rest of the narrative, was more compelling when it was simply a drawn-out conversation with his brother. Here, there is a journey to distant lands and magical forests, which felt more aesthetic than centered.
Gotta give Evans props, though, for creating a summary of book one as a report from one of the archivists. The fact that he’s voicey, of course, also lends to the art of it all.
My summary is that we’re in a secondary world where a bunch of humanoid and human creatures are inhabiting a small part of their continent together because everywhere else has been overrun by “changelings.” These different groups find ways to coexist, theoretically, and at the center of this is a magical archives that takes care of their disparate treasures from around the world. Specialists have unique affinities for ink, bones, etc, which can also lead well into, say, a murder mystery plot. :P
Book two is also about a murder mystery plot, but it’s less engaging. In book one, our protagonist, Quill’s, BFF is set up as a murderer who is ultimately killed. We can palpably feel his pain about this. In book two, we’re following the theft of wooden replica bones of a sacred saint. Not quite as personable, even when an MC gets embroiled by way conjecture about old guardians being involved.
The characters muddle through the importance and broader political implications of what’s going on. The MCs remain loveable—I remain invested in Evans’s focus on anxiety-magic and empathetic care amongst the archival staff—but they could get lost in the mire sometimes. Following multiple POVs could be about interior journeys, but it also gives Evans more of an excuse for a convoluted plot. As much respect as I have for her following all of these threads, it was too academic for me to fully fangirl.
Amadea, arguably my favorite character, is still around! But I’m not sure there was much evolution to her arc, beyond Evans throwing even more quantities of the same at her. Developments at the end meant more people knew her secret, and her life was newly imperiled due to political stuff. I still liked her, but maybe it was more fun to follow the budding romance between earnest Quill and standoffish Tunuk. :P I also like how Yinii fit into that equation, but otherwise her story progression felt much like Amadea’s. (We also follow Richa, who is mostly around in a detective role, but he does have some personal backstory, too.) Granted, maybe I skimmed over some intricacies of character as they peeked out amidst baroque plot points.
And again, academically, I have massive respect and maybe even restrained nerdy feelings for the complexities of how these magical societies are put together. There’s so many players with different agendas, different heritages that inform them. (Though on the opposite side of the coin, it can be a morass of confusion to sift through so many named secondary characters that Evans requires a “dramatis personae” at the beginning of the book.) Redolfo’s megalomania, fueled by sorcerers and other illicit magic, feels cheap in comparison, but also easier to follow. Up to a point, anyway. Evans still wants some clouds of mystery. :P
I’m absolutely returning to this world when the third book comes out. Maybe I should be smart and do a readathon with other people, in order to get more out of everything. On my own I remain impressed, but a little befuddled and removed.
May 31, 2024
***Thank you to Orbit Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***
I hate that I didn't love Relics of Ruin as much as its predecessor. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why this book didn't work as well for me because it had so many of the same elements as Empire of Exiles. There was a twisty mystery, political machinations, and plenty of magical shenanigans. Maybe the problem was that it was too similar to the first book? I don't know.
The pacing in Relics of Ruin made me dread picking it up at times. There were a lot of things going on, but somehow, I was still bored for large swaths of the book. It didn't help that the mystery was quite convoluted and felt too much like a side quest by the end. I wanted way more progression of the main plot points, especially the conflict with the usurper, but the major things happening in this book were only tangentially related to that conflict, at best.
Despite most of the story taking place within the capital of the Empire, Relics of Ruin did manage to meaningfully add to the world-building. There was more politics in this book than the first, and I liked getting to see how the different ducal states and the imperial authorities worked together to govern the territory. There were even a few glimpses of things beyond the Empire, and I'm hoping the last book will explore the abandoned homelands even more. The story in this book also provided opportunities to learn more about the different races/cultures, which I loved getting to know better.
The character journeys were my favorite thing about Relics of Ruin. Tunuk and Richa really shined in this story, and I loved learning more about them. They both had to come to terms with some secrets from their past. I especially appreciated seeing the growth in Tunuk. He became more aware of how his attachment issues impacted his current relationships, and I loved that he, Quill, and Yinii became closer once he started letting his walls down a little. There were so many great character moments in this book, and I've now become even more attached to this crew than I was before.
Unfortunately, the focus on character in Relics of Ruin slowed things down a bit too much for me. It seemed almost like the story was crafted just to let the reader learn the backgrounds of Tunuk and Richa before moving on to more important things in the next book. That is how it felt to me, at least. While I enjoyed learning more about the characters, I wish it hadn't come at the cost of effectively side-lining the main antagonist of the series for most of the story. Therefore, I give Relics of Ruin a rating of 3.75 out of 5 stars.
See more of my reviews and other bookish content on my blog.
I hate that I didn't love Relics of Ruin as much as its predecessor. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why this book didn't work as well for me because it had so many of the same elements as Empire of Exiles. There was a twisty mystery, political machinations, and plenty of magical shenanigans. Maybe the problem was that it was too similar to the first book? I don't know.
The pacing in Relics of Ruin made me dread picking it up at times. There were a lot of things going on, but somehow, I was still bored for large swaths of the book. It didn't help that the mystery was quite convoluted and felt too much like a side quest by the end. I wanted way more progression of the main plot points, especially the conflict with the usurper, but the major things happening in this book were only tangentially related to that conflict, at best.
Despite most of the story taking place within the capital of the Empire, Relics of Ruin did manage to meaningfully add to the world-building. There was more politics in this book than the first, and I liked getting to see how the different ducal states and the imperial authorities worked together to govern the territory. There were even a few glimpses of things beyond the Empire, and I'm hoping the last book will explore the abandoned homelands even more. The story in this book also provided opportunities to learn more about the different races/cultures, which I loved getting to know better.
The character journeys were my favorite thing about Relics of Ruin. Tunuk and Richa really shined in this story, and I loved learning more about them. They both had to come to terms with some secrets from their past. I especially appreciated seeing the growth in Tunuk. He became more aware of how his attachment issues impacted his current relationships, and I loved that he, Quill, and Yinii became closer once he started letting his walls down a little. There were so many great character moments in this book, and I've now become even more attached to this crew than I was before.
Unfortunately, the focus on character in Relics of Ruin slowed things down a bit too much for me. It seemed almost like the story was crafted just to let the reader learn the backgrounds of Tunuk and Richa before moving on to more important things in the next book. That is how it felt to me, at least. While I enjoyed learning more about the characters, I wish it hadn't come at the cost of effectively side-lining the main antagonist of the series for most of the story. Therefore, I give Relics of Ruin a rating of 3.75 out of 5 stars.
See more of my reviews and other bookish content on my blog.
May 21, 2024
The second of the Books of the Usurper, Relics of Ruin is a solid continuation of the series that doesn’t quite reach the heights of book one, but still has a well-executed mystery carrying the story. I was a little worried going into this book that it would be hard to follow, since I read the first one over a year ago and this is a very different and complex world. That fear was overstated though, since the characters drive this book, and with a decent recap at the start of the story I never felt too lost in what was going on.
There were still some rough points- even major characters I struggled at times to recall the race of (Tunuk I thought was one of the people with tentacles for a lower body, but then later on it mentioned the boots he was wearing so I’m pretty sure I was off there), and when events escalate up the political food chain, this got overwhelming. I wasn’t always clear on which supporting players wanted what outcome and why, so even when a conspiracy began to point to a rather prominent political figure, I was struggling to recall who that was. This probably wouldn’t have been insanely hard to follow along with if I was willing to look back to the cast of characters listed at the start of the book, but that’s rarely the type of reader I am.
This degree of difficulty could have been overwhelming in other writers hands, but Evans is able to pull it off because she has written a strong group of characters that pull you along through the narrative. While it could be said that all of the POVs that we follow are working together to unravel the mystery, each one of them has their own goals that often don’t align with the others. It is a good dynamic where the story is always being driven forward, there are no tangents into irrelevant details, but it also matters who we are following at a given time, since each character would react to a new piece of information differently. It's an excellent blend of plot and character.
The ending here was a little unsatisfying, while it ends the mystery and sets a clear direction for where the story and characters are going from here (and it is a direction that I am excited about), it does seem a bit abrupt. If this is a trilogy, in general terms I think the end of book two should be where the story truly explodes in scope, and while it seems to certainly be trending that way, here we come up maybe 50 pages short of that point. I suppose this is preferable to the series going in a direction I don’t like though, and I surely will be on the lookout for the next book in the series whenever that arrives. (Grade:7.5/10)
There were still some rough points- even major characters I struggled at times to recall the race of (Tunuk I thought was one of the people with tentacles for a lower body, but then later on it mentioned the boots he was wearing so I’m pretty sure I was off there), and when events escalate up the political food chain, this got overwhelming. I wasn’t always clear on which supporting players wanted what outcome and why, so even when a conspiracy began to point to a rather prominent political figure, I was struggling to recall who that was. This probably wouldn’t have been insanely hard to follow along with if I was willing to look back to the cast of characters listed at the start of the book, but that’s rarely the type of reader I am.
This degree of difficulty could have been overwhelming in other writers hands, but Evans is able to pull it off because she has written a strong group of characters that pull you along through the narrative. While it could be said that all of the POVs that we follow are working together to unravel the mystery, each one of them has their own goals that often don’t align with the others. It is a good dynamic where the story is always being driven forward, there are no tangents into irrelevant details, but it also matters who we are following at a given time, since each character would react to a new piece of information differently. It's an excellent blend of plot and character.
The ending here was a little unsatisfying, while it ends the mystery and sets a clear direction for where the story and characters are going from here (and it is a direction that I am excited about), it does seem a bit abrupt. If this is a trilogy, in general terms I think the end of book two should be where the story truly explodes in scope, and while it seems to certainly be trending that way, here we come up maybe 50 pages short of that point. I suppose this is preferable to the series going in a direction I don’t like though, and I surely will be on the lookout for the next book in the series whenever that arrives. (Grade:7.5/10)
Read
December 30, 2024This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I was utterly floored by Empire of Exiles and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. And, wow, did a lot happen! There’s a possible coup in the making and murderers on the loose. And yet, that isn’t the crux of the story. It isn’t what drives the narrative. What makes Relics of Ruin stand out are the characters and what they struggle with. Sometimes a book just grips me, and that was the case here. I was enthralled from page one.
Yiini and Amadea are both silently scared, terrified of who they are and what it might mean. Tunuk is learning that the people he looked up to might not be what he thought, and is coming to grips with how that affects him. I really wanted to give him a hug, poor guy. Quill is trying to navigate his new duties, his budding friendships, and his ongoing grief over the events in Empire of Exiles. And, at the heart of all that, is the anxiety that each of them faces alone, the questions: What if I’m not good enough? What if all of me, the true me, isn’t worth caring for?
That worry, that ache, made these characters believable. Who hasn’t asked themselves these questions at some point? The way they handle these questions are also incredibly relatable. Insecurity divides the group as the each grapple with their own obstacles. This added an extra level of danger, as there were separate puzzle pieces that couldn’t fit into a whole unless each character was able to share everything about themselves with the others.
There isn’t a slow moment in Relics of Ruin. There is always something happening, and I was instantly caught up in the narrative. From mysterious deaths, the possible return of an old enemy, and a reckoning a long time in the making, it would be easy for things to become convoluted or overwhelming. But they never do. The author navigates the complexities of her plot with great skill and assurance.
The ending adds an extra level of “wow”, although I don’t know how that’s possible. I am desperate to see what happens next. Relics of Ruins is astounding, a worthy continuation to what is amping up to be a new favorite series.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Angela Man for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Yiini and Amadea are both silently scared, terrified of who they are and what it might mean. Tunuk is learning that the people he looked up to might not be what he thought, and is coming to grips with how that affects him. I really wanted to give him a hug, poor guy. Quill is trying to navigate his new duties, his budding friendships, and his ongoing grief over the events in Empire of Exiles. And, at the heart of all that, is the anxiety that each of them faces alone, the questions: What if I’m not good enough? What if all of me, the true me, isn’t worth caring for?
That worry, that ache, made these characters believable. Who hasn’t asked themselves these questions at some point? The way they handle these questions are also incredibly relatable. Insecurity divides the group as the each grapple with their own obstacles. This added an extra level of danger, as there were separate puzzle pieces that couldn’t fit into a whole unless each character was able to share everything about themselves with the others.
There isn’t a slow moment in Relics of Ruin. There is always something happening, and I was instantly caught up in the narrative. From mysterious deaths, the possible return of an old enemy, and a reckoning a long time in the making, it would be easy for things to become convoluted or overwhelming. But they never do. The author navigates the complexities of her plot with great skill and assurance.
The ending adds an extra level of “wow”, although I don’t know how that’s possible. I am desperate to see what happens next. Relics of Ruins is astounding, a worthy continuation to what is amping up to be a new favorite series.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Angela Man for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 11, 2024
Most of my annotations for this book are "no no no no no no go away"...
Relics of Ruin was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and I am so glad that I got to read it early. I loved the first book and I was super excited to return to the archives and mysteries. While I still enjoyed this one, I will admit that I think I liked the first one better.
While the first book focused on a murder mystery, this one is about theft (which isn't as fun of a crime, in my opinion). The mystery was good and I really liked the additional POVs that we got this time. I also think it will make more sense when I inevitably reread it because some of the dots didn't connect right away. I didn't call the main "plot twist," but I did enjoy just riding along with the flow of the books. I think my favorite parts were probably the scenes with Richa, Amadea, and Ibramo at about the 85% mark, just because they were the closest to the danger from the end of the previous book.
This series excels at making me care more about characters than I should. I'm still not sold on Ibramo, but I think he was the only main character I didn't like. I had issues with Tunuk at first but he grew on me. Quill is still my favorite, and I was kind of sad we didn't get as much of him as in the first book, but it looks like that might change in book three? Yinii and the other archivists are still very interesting to be and I love their dynamic. But Richa and Amadea? I love them so much, mostly Richa. We got more of his backstory and let me just say that if Stellano Zezurin shows his nasty little face again, I will personally find a way to enter the book and punch him so hard. I hate him.
Even though I found it to be a little less fast-paced than Empire of Exiles, Relics of Ruin still packs a great mystery with lots of twists and some really great found family dynamics. I don't want to wait for book three.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
Relics of Ruin was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and I am so glad that I got to read it early. I loved the first book and I was super excited to return to the archives and mysteries. While I still enjoyed this one, I will admit that I think I liked the first one better.
While the first book focused on a murder mystery, this one is about theft (which isn't as fun of a crime, in my opinion). The mystery was good and I really liked the additional POVs that we got this time. I also think it will make more sense when I inevitably reread it because some of the dots didn't connect right away. I didn't call the main "plot twist," but I did enjoy just riding along with the flow of the books. I think my favorite parts were probably the scenes with Richa, Amadea, and Ibramo at about the 85% mark, just because they were the closest to the danger from the end of the previous book.
This series excels at making me care more about characters than I should. I'm still not sold on Ibramo, but I think he was the only main character I didn't like. I had issues with Tunuk at first but he grew on me. Quill is still my favorite, and I was kind of sad we didn't get as much of him as in the first book, but it looks like that might change in book three? Yinii and the other archivists are still very interesting to be and I love their dynamic. But Richa and Amadea? I love them so much, mostly Richa. We got more of his backstory and let me just say that if Stellano Zezurin shows his nasty little face again, I will personally find a way to enter the book and punch him so hard. I hate him.
Even though I found it to be a little less fast-paced than Empire of Exiles, Relics of Ruin still packs a great mystery with lots of twists and some really great found family dynamics. I don't want to wait for book three.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
April 2, 2025
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5
Almost all I remember from reading Empire of Exiles over two years ago was that I wanted more Tunuk and my wishes were granted in this one. I also very much appreciate the quick refresher at the start of this book because like I said, my memory was Not Great. I also think that my enjoyment of this might have been limited if I had reread the first book directly before going into this because the plots feel very similar. This is a bit slower and more focused on the characters, but the mysteries themselves never really blow me away though I'm not sure they're intended to. What is so fun about this series is the characters and the worldbuilding. The characters are snarky and loveable and I love that the magic system is basically an anxiety spiral. And the world takes a lot of classic fantasy elements and slightly subverts them. For me, this has the solid mystery with weird what's beyond the wall elements of Robert Jackson Bennett's The Tainted Cup or Marina Lostetter's The Helm of Midnight. I think this is a solid series and look forward to seeing how it ends. I also recommend the audiobooks, narrated by Imogen Church.
3.5
Almost all I remember from reading Empire of Exiles over two years ago was that I wanted more Tunuk and my wishes were granted in this one. I also very much appreciate the quick refresher at the start of this book because like I said, my memory was Not Great. I also think that my enjoyment of this might have been limited if I had reread the first book directly before going into this because the plots feel very similar. This is a bit slower and more focused on the characters, but the mysteries themselves never really blow me away though I'm not sure they're intended to. What is so fun about this series is the characters and the worldbuilding. The characters are snarky and loveable and I love that the magic system is basically an anxiety spiral. And the world takes a lot of classic fantasy elements and slightly subverts them. For me, this has the solid mystery with weird what's beyond the wall elements of Robert Jackson Bennett's The Tainted Cup or Marina Lostetter's The Helm of Midnight. I think this is a solid series and look forward to seeing how it ends. I also recommend the audiobooks, narrated by Imogen Church.
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