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Remnants of Blood #2
Remnants of Power
"You're sure about this?"
"Absolutely not, but let's do it anyway."
Banished from the only home she has ever known and still reeling from the knowledge of what she truly is, and just how many people want to kill her, Tannin has no choice but to ally with dangerous figures from her past to survive. In a stronghold ruled by wargs, Tannin must learn to step up and claim her blood heritage. As her own monstrous abilities develop, Tannin finds that she likes the taste of power. But she isn't the only one hungering for it.
Desperate to correct her past mistakes, Ava - along with Tannin's old friend Flint - leaves the safety of Armodan to follow the wargs. With her fledgling skills as a druidic healer, Ava strives to prove herself useful and earn her place in Tannin's new life. Finally free of the constraints of royal life, Ava discovers that she has only scratched the surface of her own darker powers.
But power never comes without a price.
The rise of a queen.
A cruel betrayal.
And a nation on the brink of tearing itself apart.
Schemes and treacheries are brewing and boiling over on all sides. Unravelling them seems impossible. Perhaps surviving them is too.
"Absolutely not, but let's do it anyway."
Banished from the only home she has ever known and still reeling from the knowledge of what she truly is, and just how many people want to kill her, Tannin has no choice but to ally with dangerous figures from her past to survive. In a stronghold ruled by wargs, Tannin must learn to step up and claim her blood heritage. As her own monstrous abilities develop, Tannin finds that she likes the taste of power. But she isn't the only one hungering for it.
Desperate to correct her past mistakes, Ava - along with Tannin's old friend Flint - leaves the safety of Armodan to follow the wargs. With her fledgling skills as a druidic healer, Ava strives to prove herself useful and earn her place in Tannin's new life. Finally free of the constraints of royal life, Ava discovers that she has only scratched the surface of her own darker powers.
But power never comes without a price.
The rise of a queen.
A cruel betrayal.
And a nation on the brink of tearing itself apart.
Schemes and treacheries are brewing and boiling over on all sides. Unravelling them seems impossible. Perhaps surviving them is too.
698 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 19, 2023
I recieved an ARC of Remnants of Power in exchange for an honest review.
I've been waiting for this book ever since I was a few chapters into Remnants Of Blood, and marked my calendar with the release date as soon as it was announced. The series is that good.
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, unique species and worldbuilding, sarcasm, bloody action scenes, multiple POVs, and a well-paced storyline, then I highly recommend this series! The characters are relateable, and the relationship building was so fun to read. I loved that we got to see more of Tannin as well as a POV from Ava, which made her character even more likeable and brought a whole new perspective into the story.
I've been getting into the fantasy genre more and more the past few years, and have quite a few well-known series under my belt. Some older classics, some modern with definite trends. What I love about Remnants of Power is that it feels unique, even within such a saturated genre. This is one of the better female-led series that I've had the pleasure of reading. Also, I love when authors concentrate on making their characters real - they struggle and are often morally grey, make mistakes, grow. Cunningham pulls this off very well.
I do suggest that you read Remnants of Power closely following Remnants of Blood, as the book takes off with events directly after the ending of Book 1. Unless you have a great memory, a refresh of the storyline and worldbuilding will make all the difference.
I've been waiting for this book ever since I was a few chapters into Remnants Of Blood, and marked my calendar with the release date as soon as it was announced. The series is that good.
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers, unique species and worldbuilding, sarcasm, bloody action scenes, multiple POVs, and a well-paced storyline, then I highly recommend this series! The characters are relateable, and the relationship building was so fun to read. I loved that we got to see more of Tannin as well as a POV from Ava, which made her character even more likeable and brought a whole new perspective into the story.
I've been getting into the fantasy genre more and more the past few years, and have quite a few well-known series under my belt. Some older classics, some modern with definite trends. What I love about Remnants of Power is that it feels unique, even within such a saturated genre. This is one of the better female-led series that I've had the pleasure of reading. Also, I love when authors concentrate on making their characters real - they struggle and are often morally grey, make mistakes, grow. Cunningham pulls this off very well.
I do suggest that you read Remnants of Power closely following Remnants of Blood, as the book takes off with events directly after the ending of Book 1. Unless you have a great memory, a refresh of the storyline and worldbuilding will make all the difference.
April 26, 2023
Intense Adventure!
Tannin is coming to terms with who she really is when she learns she isn't the only one who wants power. At her side, Ava is desperate to prove she has a place with Tannin and can be more to her.
I was on the edge of my seat for most of this. You will definitely benefit from reading the first book in the series to understand who the characters are and how they've gotten to this point. Revelations that Tannin was going to have to deal with more than just coming to terms with who she really is, but also the battle to earn her heritage and power made it so intense. Learning more about Tannin was fascinating. There was so much she had to learn to control but also a vulnerability until she did that made her a target. The basis of this story is so imaginative, and the descriptions really brought Tannin and her adventure to life vividly.
I loved her and Ava's connection. It was built upon from the first book, deepening their connection and strengthening their relationship. Everything they both went through presented challenges and difficult decisions, so it was great they always had each other for support. So many threats lay in wake as they struggled through, and learned all that fate had in store for them.
Another great part of Tannin and Ava's story and excited for more!
Tannin is coming to terms with who she really is when she learns she isn't the only one who wants power. At her side, Ava is desperate to prove she has a place with Tannin and can be more to her.
I was on the edge of my seat for most of this. You will definitely benefit from reading the first book in the series to understand who the characters are and how they've gotten to this point. Revelations that Tannin was going to have to deal with more than just coming to terms with who she really is, but also the battle to earn her heritage and power made it so intense. Learning more about Tannin was fascinating. There was so much she had to learn to control but also a vulnerability until she did that made her a target. The basis of this story is so imaginative, and the descriptions really brought Tannin and her adventure to life vividly.
I loved her and Ava's connection. It was built upon from the first book, deepening their connection and strengthening their relationship. Everything they both went through presented challenges and difficult decisions, so it was great they always had each other for support. So many threats lay in wake as they struggled through, and learned all that fate had in store for them.
Another great part of Tannin and Ava's story and excited for more!
March 29, 2023
I was given an arc in exchange for an honest review ( Huge thanks to the author)
Note: Please check for trigger warnings
This book is easily a 5 star rating for me. It was quite a fun read , I really love the character development of the cast of characters. I fell even more in love with Ava and Tannin (both individual and together). The pacing was a bit slow for me but still I enjoyed every second of it since it shows more of the world building. The ending got me wanting for more, can't wait for book 3.
Note: Please check for trigger warnings
This book is easily a 5 star rating for me. It was quite a fun read , I really love the character development of the cast of characters. I fell even more in love with Ava and Tannin (both individual and together). The pacing was a bit slow for me but still I enjoyed every second of it since it shows more of the world building. The ending got me wanting for more, can't wait for book 3.
April 7, 2023
first off i want to say a big thank you to the author for providing me with an arc for this book!! and whilst it was probably the biggest mistake i have ever made because now i have to wait for the next book i am still eternally grateful!
now we can get into the review which will probably contain slight spoilers but nothing that would ruin anything:
by god i love this series so much. the authors writing style is incredible, the story is so incredibly well thought out and thorough, the characters have so much depth and life to them that they feel real. if i could inhale the words of the page and survive solely on them, alone, i would.
this book picks up exactly where the last one left off and we then follow tannin and ava through the highs and lows of warg court and politics. and when i say “and ava” i mean and ava. she gets her own POV in this book and i was so happy. i’m not often a fan of books which introduce POV changes in the second or third book but here it just slots in perfectly and ava’s narrative makes for such a great addition. her perspective and having access to her thoughts was so incredibly delectable, i devoured every word.
speaking of words; this book maintains the flare and absolute beautiful comedy that the first one has. the dialogue between the characters is everything a reader could dream of and more. the humour in this book is perfect; it’s never cringy or overdone. most of it has such a sarcastic flair and as a Brit it is absolutely my type of comedy. the big thing for me was tannin and ava’s flirting; it had me kicking my feet and giggling like a little girl. and if i could i would spend all day talking about them and how they’re my children and can do no wrong so alas i must move on before i become side tracked.
i mentioned this in my review for the last book but it remains relevant here. STAKES! this author knows how to write them. there was one particular moment in this book where my heart was physically aching because of what was happening on page. i’d told myself i would stop reading and then /that/ happened and i then had to finish the book because i had to know what was going to happen. the author does not shy away from putting the characters in dire situations and she definitely doesn’t shy away from making things dark and gruesome. the characters are equally power balanced too. no one is running around and able to defeat every “bad guy” things happen, stakes change, people get hurt. no one is invincible. and that is what makes this series so good because once you’re invested it’s like being sucked into a black hole. you just cannot put this book down.
whilst this book is definitely more politics based, the action is still there and it’s all blended together very well. i find it difficult to read very politics heavy books but the author does a stellar job of spoon feeding us the information as and when we need it rather than throwing it at us within the first 100 pages and then expecting us to still be following. that really helps with the pacing of this book and it helps create this perfect melange of politics and action.
the characters are written perfectly in this book. and i can’t say much about one of them because it would be quite a large spoiler but the way the author writes them and their motives is so delicious in this book and i hated the character for the entire time they were on page. it truly takes a lot to be able to write such a good character, have the reader hate them, yet the reader cannot help but appreciate them because they were so well written.
i truly did devour this book once i got started with it. and i would do anything for ava and tannin. anything. the ending of this book had me eating my own eyeballs, i’m going to festering in my own misery because of it now. i cannot believe i’m going to have to wait an undefined amount of time before i get my babies back to me again. this series is shaping up to be one for the ages and i cannot wait to see what the author does with the next one.
one again thank you so so much to the author for the chance to review this book in exchange for the arc!!
now we can get into the review which will probably contain slight spoilers but nothing that would ruin anything:
by god i love this series so much. the authors writing style is incredible, the story is so incredibly well thought out and thorough, the characters have so much depth and life to them that they feel real. if i could inhale the words of the page and survive solely on them, alone, i would.
this book picks up exactly where the last one left off and we then follow tannin and ava through the highs and lows of warg court and politics. and when i say “and ava” i mean and ava. she gets her own POV in this book and i was so happy. i’m not often a fan of books which introduce POV changes in the second or third book but here it just slots in perfectly and ava’s narrative makes for such a great addition. her perspective and having access to her thoughts was so incredibly delectable, i devoured every word.
speaking of words; this book maintains the flare and absolute beautiful comedy that the first one has. the dialogue between the characters is everything a reader could dream of and more. the humour in this book is perfect; it’s never cringy or overdone. most of it has such a sarcastic flair and as a Brit it is absolutely my type of comedy. the big thing for me was tannin and ava’s flirting; it had me kicking my feet and giggling like a little girl. and if i could i would spend all day talking about them and how they’re my children and can do no wrong so alas i must move on before i become side tracked.
i mentioned this in my review for the last book but it remains relevant here. STAKES! this author knows how to write them. there was one particular moment in this book where my heart was physically aching because of what was happening on page. i’d told myself i would stop reading and then /that/ happened and i then had to finish the book because i had to know what was going to happen. the author does not shy away from putting the characters in dire situations and she definitely doesn’t shy away from making things dark and gruesome. the characters are equally power balanced too. no one is running around and able to defeat every “bad guy” things happen, stakes change, people get hurt. no one is invincible. and that is what makes this series so good because once you’re invested it’s like being sucked into a black hole. you just cannot put this book down.
whilst this book is definitely more politics based, the action is still there and it’s all blended together very well. i find it difficult to read very politics heavy books but the author does a stellar job of spoon feeding us the information as and when we need it rather than throwing it at us within the first 100 pages and then expecting us to still be following. that really helps with the pacing of this book and it helps create this perfect melange of politics and action.
the characters are written perfectly in this book. and i can’t say much about one of them because it would be quite a large spoiler but the way the author writes them and their motives is so delicious in this book and i hated the character for the entire time they were on page. it truly takes a lot to be able to write such a good character, have the reader hate them, yet the reader cannot help but appreciate them because they were so well written.
i truly did devour this book once i got started with it. and i would do anything for ava and tannin. anything. the ending of this book had me eating my own eyeballs, i’m going to festering in my own misery because of it now. i cannot believe i’m going to have to wait an undefined amount of time before i get my babies back to me again. this series is shaping up to be one for the ages and i cannot wait to see what the author does with the next one.
one again thank you so so much to the author for the chance to review this book in exchange for the arc!!
April 12, 2023
Having enjoyed Remnants of Blood, the first book in the series, I was delighted to receive an email asking if I (and, admittedly several others) would be interested in reviewing the second. I wasn’t disappointed.
As much fun as the first novel was, the second really spreads its wings - the author and main character both coming into their own, and it was wonderful to see more of the world we were introduced to. It’s always a comforting feeling to come back to a world an author has created, and this was no exception. I realised I had missed the back and forth of Tannin and Ava’s relationship and Tannin’s camaraderie with Flint, and the introduction of new characters who fitted in just perfectly with the already established dynamics was a true delight. The combination of setting and a modern sense of wit and humour put me in mind of the Locked Tomb series, grounding the characters in a way that doesn’t always happen not only in fantasy but in novels in general. There is nothing worse than reading a sentence only to immediately think that no one actually talks like that.
I found that every time I thought of an issue with the novel - the primary example being that Tannin was being touted as a leader but not actually displaying any leadership qualities nor being trained in such - the very next chapter would answer this, and not always in a way that I had anticipated. I do love not being able to anticipate where a story is headed, but at the same time it’s wonderful to have gut feelings vindicated. There is a fine balance between being unpredictable and being just predictable enough and Remnants of Power walks that line admirably. After all, one of the most enjoyable parts of genre fiction are the tropes and how they will be used or twisted to suit the story.
The bloody battles and fights were a visceral delight to read. At first I was uncertain about a rule through fear, particularly as the monarchy in general is somewhat antithetical to my personal beliefs but then I remembered how much fun it is to read about someone in a fantasy novel brutally murdering all their enemies (who are always unequivocally evil of course) and so it was easy to put aside any initial qualms brought about by bloody and seeming unnecessary executions. This is, after all, a book about werewolves and if there wasn’t at least one dismemberment then I would be complaining about that instead.
Even after all these years of reviewing I feel like there is still very much a push for queer media to be serious and representative and deal with meaningful issues - if it’s not a foreign language film about tragic gays then it’s not worth putting out into the public sphere. Remnants of Power is not that, rather it is something much more important. It is exciting and imaginative and most emphatically, it is fun. The role of fantasy is to be just that - fantasy and escape from the mundanity of everyday life, a moment to pause and dream of how things could be. I enjoyed reading Remnants of Power and as far as I’m concerned that’s the only thing that really means anything.
I received an ARC of Remnants of Power from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As much fun as the first novel was, the second really spreads its wings - the author and main character both coming into their own, and it was wonderful to see more of the world we were introduced to. It’s always a comforting feeling to come back to a world an author has created, and this was no exception. I realised I had missed the back and forth of Tannin and Ava’s relationship and Tannin’s camaraderie with Flint, and the introduction of new characters who fitted in just perfectly with the already established dynamics was a true delight. The combination of setting and a modern sense of wit and humour put me in mind of the Locked Tomb series, grounding the characters in a way that doesn’t always happen not only in fantasy but in novels in general. There is nothing worse than reading a sentence only to immediately think that no one actually talks like that.
I found that every time I thought of an issue with the novel - the primary example being that Tannin was being touted as a leader but not actually displaying any leadership qualities nor being trained in such - the very next chapter would answer this, and not always in a way that I had anticipated. I do love not being able to anticipate where a story is headed, but at the same time it’s wonderful to have gut feelings vindicated. There is a fine balance between being unpredictable and being just predictable enough and Remnants of Power walks that line admirably. After all, one of the most enjoyable parts of genre fiction are the tropes and how they will be used or twisted to suit the story.
The bloody battles and fights were a visceral delight to read. At first I was uncertain about a rule through fear, particularly as the monarchy in general is somewhat antithetical to my personal beliefs but then I remembered how much fun it is to read about someone in a fantasy novel brutally murdering all their enemies (who are always unequivocally evil of course) and so it was easy to put aside any initial qualms brought about by bloody and seeming unnecessary executions. This is, after all, a book about werewolves and if there wasn’t at least one dismemberment then I would be complaining about that instead.
Even after all these years of reviewing I feel like there is still very much a push for queer media to be serious and representative and deal with meaningful issues - if it’s not a foreign language film about tragic gays then it’s not worth putting out into the public sphere. Remnants of Power is not that, rather it is something much more important. It is exciting and imaginative and most emphatically, it is fun. The role of fantasy is to be just that - fantasy and escape from the mundanity of everyday life, a moment to pause and dream of how things could be. I enjoyed reading Remnants of Power and as far as I’m concerned that’s the only thing that really means anything.
I received an ARC of Remnants of Power from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2023
Remnants of Power is the second in Cunningham’s series. It follows Tannin and Ava, a Skirt rat and princess who are more than they initially seem.
The second book opens on Tannin’s escape from Armodan, after her loss in battle to The Golden Queen, Sommer. She’s dying and broken as her and her companions continue to dodge assassins, guards, and so much more. Tannin’s also dealing with the betrayal of Ava, who left her in a cell to rot, only to have a change of heart.
They both struggle with this betrayal in different ways as Ava patches Tannin up and continues with the group to a new outpost, Dunoak. The Wargs take over quickly, and Tannin heals. She takes up training, hoping to become the Queen they need her to be.
This book has it all. Deception, betrayal, hurt, love, kinship, and a sense of finding where you belong. A sense of vicious right and wrong, of loyalty hard won.
Though much of the first half of the book was building tension, not as much action as the first book, or the second half of this book, I was drawn in from the first page. The characters are flawed, and messy, sometimes unlikeable. Others seem so perfect, but show the true grief of people struggling with who they are, what’s happened to them, and accepting what they have to do.
The love between Tannin and Ava was well written, and I enjoyed their moments together. Even more though, I loved seeing them together as rulers in their own right. Ava was so strong in the first book, intellectual, and so in control. It was nice getting to see a different side of her. She had all those things, but she grew even more and it was amazing to see. Tannin, starting to accept who she is, finding out how she wants to rule, and also going slightly crazed. It was a true testament to Cunningham’s writing to show exactly what a Warg is made of, but still make Tannin loveable, despite the cunning and viciousness. (While still maintaining her quirky personality from the first book.)
Lastly, I just have to mention the relationship between Flint and Tannin. I love romance, but I feel it’s harder to showcase a true connection, a deep love, between friends. Cunningham’s done it here. I loved every moment between Tannin and Flint. I hope to see much more of them together.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Fantasy with, as Cunningham puts it, “hopeless lesbians, a smartass princess, and a dumbass peasant with monster powers.”
*** I received an ARC copy and this is my honest opinion. Thank you H.F. Cunningham!***
The second book opens on Tannin’s escape from Armodan, after her loss in battle to The Golden Queen, Sommer. She’s dying and broken as her and her companions continue to dodge assassins, guards, and so much more. Tannin’s also dealing with the betrayal of Ava, who left her in a cell to rot, only to have a change of heart.
They both struggle with this betrayal in different ways as Ava patches Tannin up and continues with the group to a new outpost, Dunoak. The Wargs take over quickly, and Tannin heals. She takes up training, hoping to become the Queen they need her to be.
This book has it all. Deception, betrayal, hurt, love, kinship, and a sense of finding where you belong. A sense of vicious right and wrong, of loyalty hard won.
Though much of the first half of the book was building tension, not as much action as the first book, or the second half of this book, I was drawn in from the first page. The characters are flawed, and messy, sometimes unlikeable. Others seem so perfect, but show the true grief of people struggling with who they are, what’s happened to them, and accepting what they have to do.
The love between Tannin and Ava was well written, and I enjoyed their moments together. Even more though, I loved seeing them together as rulers in their own right. Ava was so strong in the first book, intellectual, and so in control. It was nice getting to see a different side of her. She had all those things, but she grew even more and it was amazing to see. Tannin, starting to accept who she is, finding out how she wants to rule, and also going slightly crazed. It was a true testament to Cunningham’s writing to show exactly what a Warg is made of, but still make Tannin loveable, despite the cunning and viciousness. (While still maintaining her quirky personality from the first book.)
Lastly, I just have to mention the relationship between Flint and Tannin. I love romance, but I feel it’s harder to showcase a true connection, a deep love, between friends. Cunningham’s done it here. I loved every moment between Tannin and Flint. I hope to see much more of them together.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Fantasy with, as Cunningham puts it, “hopeless lesbians, a smartass princess, and a dumbass peasant with monster powers.”
*** I received an ARC copy and this is my honest opinion. Thank you H.F. Cunningham!***
April 20, 2023
Thank you to H. F. Cunningham for providing me with an e-arc to read and review.
I'll start this review in much the same fashion as Remnants of Blood- listen, I'm not saying you need this series in your life or anything but... that is. Exactly. What. I'm. Saying. Once again Cunningham has produced an incredibly well crafted piece of work that sent me on an emotional rollercoaster.
Remnants of Power starts straight from where Remnants of Blood left off, meaning the reader is immediately drawn back into familiar territory. I'm a big fan of the introduction of Ava's POV in this book. I found it so interesting and at times heartbreaking to see not only Ava's internal struggles but also the parallels between Ava's and Tannin's thoughts, particularly their shared grief (if you know, you know- I will never get over it).
In Remnants of Power, Cunningham delves much more into the politics of the world and the power structures that Tannin finds herself thrown into. This aspect balanced with great action scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, top tier banter, and the darkly comedic element I've come to know and love with Cunningham's writing made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Tannin's character development in this book is simply brilliant. She swiftly became one of my favourite YA fantasy protagonists when I read book 1 and in Remnants of Power, she really comes into her own. With her dry sarcasm, ruthlessness and her fierce protective streak when it comes to those she loves (and of course, all the hilarious puns), Tannin is such an amazing character and a delight to go on a journey with.
At this point what are you waiting for? Pick up Remnants of Blood if you haven't already. If you have read the first book, just know you have a real treat in store with the sequel.
P. S. The way this book ended was very mean. I need book 3. Now.
I'll start this review in much the same fashion as Remnants of Blood- listen, I'm not saying you need this series in your life or anything but... that is. Exactly. What. I'm. Saying. Once again Cunningham has produced an incredibly well crafted piece of work that sent me on an emotional rollercoaster.
Remnants of Power starts straight from where Remnants of Blood left off, meaning the reader is immediately drawn back into familiar territory. I'm a big fan of the introduction of Ava's POV in this book. I found it so interesting and at times heartbreaking to see not only Ava's internal struggles but also the parallels between Ava's and Tannin's thoughts, particularly their shared grief (if you know, you know- I will never get over it).
In Remnants of Power, Cunningham delves much more into the politics of the world and the power structures that Tannin finds herself thrown into. This aspect balanced with great action scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, top tier banter, and the darkly comedic element I've come to know and love with Cunningham's writing made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Tannin's character development in this book is simply brilliant. She swiftly became one of my favourite YA fantasy protagonists when I read book 1 and in Remnants of Power, she really comes into her own. With her dry sarcasm, ruthlessness and her fierce protective streak when it comes to those she loves (and of course, all the hilarious puns), Tannin is such an amazing character and a delight to go on a journey with.
At this point what are you waiting for? Pick up Remnants of Blood if you haven't already. If you have read the first book, just know you have a real treat in store with the sequel.
P. S. The way this book ended was very mean. I need book 3. Now.
March 28, 2023
Thank you to the author who provided me with an ARC of this book 😊
It may be a bit of a cliché, but the sequel really can be a make or break moment for series. The characters have been created, the plot pieces set in motion, the intrigues began. But it’s the second go around that’s when things can be fleshed out and developed - or, in some cases, completely messed up. I’m very glad to say that Remnants of Power is firmly in the former camp.
Picking up more or less immediately after the first instalment, the story follows Tannin and Ava dealing with the fallout of the events of the first book and the inevitable difficult events that are to come. The pair are in a very different place than in the first novel - both literally in terms of setting, and also in terms of their position relative to other characters and their relationships with them. I’ll not go into detail to avoid spoilers, but both Tannin and Ava are given enough space to develop both individually and in their relationships with other characters (including, of course, with each other). The core uniting struggle they both seem to have is dealing with new-found power and its limitations - albeit, very different kinds of power. For Tannin, this is navigating a society very much rooted in rulers possessing great strength: for Ava, this is regarding her abilities to help others, medically and tactically, and her anxieties in being able to do so.
Remnants of Power is a bit longer than its predecessor, but the pacing is well handled and does not feel like it’s ever in a lull. One thing I think really helps this, while also being one of my favourite aspects of the book, is that chapters are now split between the two POVs of Tannin and Ava. They both have very different voices and even when their stories are closely intertwined, their differing perspectives lends a lot to the engagement of the story.
Ultimately, Remnants of Blood set up all the pieces on the board, and Remnants of Power began to move them into an attacking position (does that metaphor make sense? Chess isn’t my forte). The characters are well developed, the pacing is great, and the story is engaging til the end. Now I just have to wait until book three.
It may be a bit of a cliché, but the sequel really can be a make or break moment for series. The characters have been created, the plot pieces set in motion, the intrigues began. But it’s the second go around that’s when things can be fleshed out and developed - or, in some cases, completely messed up. I’m very glad to say that Remnants of Power is firmly in the former camp.
Picking up more or less immediately after the first instalment, the story follows Tannin and Ava dealing with the fallout of the events of the first book and the inevitable difficult events that are to come. The pair are in a very different place than in the first novel - both literally in terms of setting, and also in terms of their position relative to other characters and their relationships with them. I’ll not go into detail to avoid spoilers, but both Tannin and Ava are given enough space to develop both individually and in their relationships with other characters (including, of course, with each other). The core uniting struggle they both seem to have is dealing with new-found power and its limitations - albeit, very different kinds of power. For Tannin, this is navigating a society very much rooted in rulers possessing great strength: for Ava, this is regarding her abilities to help others, medically and tactically, and her anxieties in being able to do so.
Remnants of Power is a bit longer than its predecessor, but the pacing is well handled and does not feel like it’s ever in a lull. One thing I think really helps this, while also being one of my favourite aspects of the book, is that chapters are now split between the two POVs of Tannin and Ava. They both have very different voices and even when their stories are closely intertwined, their differing perspectives lends a lot to the engagement of the story.
Ultimately, Remnants of Blood set up all the pieces on the board, and Remnants of Power began to move them into an attacking position (does that metaphor make sense? Chess isn’t my forte). The characters are well developed, the pacing is great, and the story is engaging til the end. Now I just have to wait until book three.
April 19, 2023
I was graciously given an ARC copy in return for an honest review, Many thanks to the Author!
A spectacular sequel to Remnants of Blood, full of twists and turns, action and intrigue. Remnants of Power sees Tannin and Ava navigate an expanded world of warring factions, mystical quandaries and troublesome relationships.
The author has a real talent for crafting engaging characters, and then confining them into more and more dangerous and complex situations while accurately portraying their reactions and resultant relationships. This book is definitely for the kind of person who can relate to compelling characters, root for them during their endeavours and appreciate when things go awry.
I found this book really easy to read, and even after having a couple of years since reading the original I was able to slip back into the story like a comfy coat. I really enjoy the sprinkling of Scottish and Celtic words and folklore which set Remnants of Blood apart from many other fantasy novels.
I would highly recommend reading Remnants of Power, reading the first book is a requirement.
A spectacular sequel to Remnants of Blood, full of twists and turns, action and intrigue. Remnants of Power sees Tannin and Ava navigate an expanded world of warring factions, mystical quandaries and troublesome relationships.
The author has a real talent for crafting engaging characters, and then confining them into more and more dangerous and complex situations while accurately portraying their reactions and resultant relationships. This book is definitely for the kind of person who can relate to compelling characters, root for them during their endeavours and appreciate when things go awry.
I found this book really easy to read, and even after having a couple of years since reading the original I was able to slip back into the story like a comfy coat. I really enjoy the sprinkling of Scottish and Celtic words and folklore which set Remnants of Blood apart from many other fantasy novels.
I would highly recommend reading Remnants of Power, reading the first book is a requirement.
June 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this adventurous fantasy! The book was so well written and had wonderful characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
April 12, 2023
Exciting times – the sequel is finally out!
If you have not read Remnants Of Blood yet, I highly recommend you do. This sequel sets off where the first book ended.
Remnants of Power - as the title indicates - is all about power. Throughout the book, we get to see different aspects of power, from the loss and fight for it to the constantly shifting distribution of it. We see female rage develop and culminate in a marvellous display of anger and vengeance. This book is not about a dull heroine who grows into a natural, even-tempered leader and lives happily ever after. No – this is a corruption arc – and a spectacular one at that! If you are tired of reading the umpteenth “feminist” story or retelling that merely summarises the female experience into “women suffer a lot”, Remnants of Power is the right book for you. The women in this book have suffered, they are pissed about it, and they are getting the revenge they deserve.
Remnants of Power is also a great example of a well-executed series continuation. As with any new series, the anticipation and anxiety of whether the second or third novel will meet the same standards as the first one is palpable. If you were hesitant about buying the first book because you wanted to wait out the reviews for the second one, I am here to tell you – BUY IT!
Remnants of Power far surpassed my expectations. It matures along with the characters; it becomes dark and the stakes for Tannin and Ava are much higher than in Remnants of Blood. I cannot wait to see what happens in book three of the series. HF Cunningham set up some intriguing cliffhangers and I look forward to the elaborate schemes coming together.
More in-depth:
Power
The key theme and driving force of Remnants of Power is the struggle for power. The narrative follows the characters as they hurtle to unpredictable, dangerous situations in their attempts to grapple with the ever-shifting power dynamics around them. The fight for power is shown in the challenges faced by Tannin and Ava, in the rise and fall of leaders and rulers of the surrounding factions and in the power struggles that arise between the different characters. Above all, the book demonstrates the destructive nature of power, and how the desire for it can lead to conflict and chaos, even when power is wielded with good intentions. Finally, the loss of power forms a central driving force of the narrative.
Rage
Remnants of Power captures the essence of female rage and allows it to develop from a position of helplessness into fully-fledged raging anger and power. The narrative follows Tannin as she experiences this transformation first-hand. Initially, her rage is tied to the feeling of helplessness and powerlessness in the face of life-threatening danger, coupled with a complete loss of control over her situation. However, as the story progresses, and as Tannin grows in strength and power, her rage reaches its pinnacle when
Female Collaboration
Another important storyline, besides rage and power on their own, is that of female collaboration. We already got to see Tannin and Ava reluctantly collaborating in Remnants of Blood and we get to see so much more collaboration in the second book. While we have our familiar pair of Tannin and Ava, throughout the book we also get to see other enemies set aside differences and become allies working against a common enemy.
Character development
For those of you who have read the first book and want to know how the characters develop in the second one, I have good news! Tannin continues to be a dumbass who barges into situations without planning them, but she is learning the hard way, that this approach does not always work out well for her. She also comes to realise, that she might enjoy power and attention just a little bit and will fight to keep it once she has it. Ava continues to be a sneaky plotter but has to learn that planning, spying and plotting can only take her this far and that someone will always interfere.
Structure
Interestingly, the second book in the Remnants Series switches to a dual POV. I think it helps with the pacing of the book. While both characters experience downtime, the novel has them alternate in action and allows for a relatively action-rich narrative. That being said, the beginning of the book is a bit slower than the end, but the pacing mirrors Tannin’s development and highlights Tannin’s impatience with the frustratingly slow progress of her training and healing and explains her explosive nature.
If you have not read Remnants Of Blood yet, I highly recommend you do. This sequel sets off where the first book ended.
Remnants of Power - as the title indicates - is all about power. Throughout the book, we get to see different aspects of power, from the loss and fight for it to the constantly shifting distribution of it. We see female rage develop and culminate in a marvellous display of anger and vengeance. This book is not about a dull heroine who grows into a natural, even-tempered leader and lives happily ever after. No – this is a corruption arc – and a spectacular one at that! If you are tired of reading the umpteenth “feminist” story or retelling that merely summarises the female experience into “women suffer a lot”, Remnants of Power is the right book for you. The women in this book have suffered, they are pissed about it, and they are getting the revenge they deserve.
Remnants of Power is also a great example of a well-executed series continuation. As with any new series, the anticipation and anxiety of whether the second or third novel will meet the same standards as the first one is palpable. If you were hesitant about buying the first book because you wanted to wait out the reviews for the second one, I am here to tell you – BUY IT!
Remnants of Power far surpassed my expectations. It matures along with the characters; it becomes dark and the stakes for Tannin and Ava are much higher than in Remnants of Blood. I cannot wait to see what happens in book three of the series. HF Cunningham set up some intriguing cliffhangers and I look forward to the elaborate schemes coming together.
More in-depth:
Power
The key theme and driving force of Remnants of Power is the struggle for power. The narrative follows the characters as they hurtle to unpredictable, dangerous situations in their attempts to grapple with the ever-shifting power dynamics around them. The fight for power is shown in the challenges faced by Tannin and Ava, in the rise and fall of leaders and rulers of the surrounding factions and in the power struggles that arise between the different characters. Above all, the book demonstrates the destructive nature of power, and how the desire for it can lead to conflict and chaos, even when power is wielded with good intentions. Finally, the loss of power forms a central driving force of the narrative.
Rage
Remnants of Power captures the essence of female rage and allows it to develop from a position of helplessness into fully-fledged raging anger and power. The narrative follows Tannin as she experiences this transformation first-hand. Initially, her rage is tied to the feeling of helplessness and powerlessness in the face of life-threatening danger, coupled with a complete loss of control over her situation. However, as the story progresses, and as Tannin grows in strength and power, her rage reaches its pinnacle when
Female Collaboration
Another important storyline, besides rage and power on their own, is that of female collaboration. We already got to see Tannin and Ava reluctantly collaborating in Remnants of Blood and we get to see so much more collaboration in the second book. While we have our familiar pair of Tannin and Ava, throughout the book we also get to see other enemies set aside differences and become allies working against a common enemy.
Character development
For those of you who have read the first book and want to know how the characters develop in the second one, I have good news! Tannin continues to be a dumbass who barges into situations without planning them, but she is learning the hard way, that this approach does not always work out well for her. She also comes to realise, that she might enjoy power and attention just a little bit and will fight to keep it once she has it. Ava continues to be a sneaky plotter but has to learn that planning, spying and plotting can only take her this far and that someone will always interfere.
Structure
Interestingly, the second book in the Remnants Series switches to a dual POV. I think it helps with the pacing of the book. While both characters experience downtime, the novel has them alternate in action and allows for a relatively action-rich narrative. That being said, the beginning of the book is a bit slower than the end, but the pacing mirrors Tannin’s development and highlights Tannin’s impatience with the frustratingly slow progress of her training and healing and explains her explosive nature.
April 10, 2023
Outlander meet Game of Thrones meets what I wish Throne of Glass had been!
I want to thank the author for allowing me to read an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This was my most anticipated sequel on my TBR and from my rating and tag line, I hope it’s apparent how much I loved it!
Tannin will forever be one of my favorite main characters. I adore her snide, bratty banter. It is exactly the sort of petty sarcasm I live for! Additionally, the addition of Ava’s perspective in this novel allowed the reader to understand her more intimately and filled an absence I felt from Remnants of Blood. In the first book, I questioned why grief wasn’t more of a theme in the face of Tannin losing so much. Utilizing Ava’s perspective, Remnants of Power did dive into the grief of her loss and provided a balance to Tannin’s tough-on-the-outside approach.
These characters feel so alive and real to me that I found myself googling for photos of them!
While I will continually recommend this book, I do recognize its faults; the first being editing. While this book could benefit from further editing for grammar/punctuation mistakes, I think there is a level of leeway when reading self-published work.
My main complaint about this book is the reliance on the reader to know the backstory. I read Remnants of Blood almost a year ago, and it was my hope to reread it before starting the sequel but ultimately, I was unable to. Because I didn’t get the chance, I was relying on quick recaps to remember characters or plots from the first book that never came which would lead me to recommend anyone wanting to read this series to binge it rather than leave gaps between books.
I really can’t say it better than Remnants of Power is Outlander meet Game of Thrones meets what I wish Throne of Glass had been. I love the world building, the characters, and the politics and would recommend it to anyone who loves accessible fantasy.
****SPOILERS AHEAD****SPOILERS AHEAD****SPOILERS AHEAD****
I didn’t want to block my entire review because a large majority of it was non-spoilery; however, I do want to call out a few things.
I feel this book suffered from a few plot holes that left me confused and I just wanted to mention them. The first is when Tannin and the warg-bloods go on a trip for the cemetery and Tannin is betrayed. After she fights her way out, there is no follow up to Tannin’s remembering where the serum is after it is apparent there were spies in her court. This left the serum wide open for capture! I think it was an opportunity to have both camps go after the serum and a action/battle for it’s capture at the cemetery.
Another, right at the end, is how Ava became aware Mo is the assassin. By the time Tannin learns that information she’s already in the dungeon and no longer has access to the stone. This is only a mild plot hole as it might be explained away in the next book, but it definitely left me with questions.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to read an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This was my most anticipated sequel on my TBR and from my rating and tag line, I hope it’s apparent how much I loved it!
Tannin will forever be one of my favorite main characters. I adore her snide, bratty banter. It is exactly the sort of petty sarcasm I live for! Additionally, the addition of Ava’s perspective in this novel allowed the reader to understand her more intimately and filled an absence I felt from Remnants of Blood. In the first book, I questioned why grief wasn’t more of a theme in the face of Tannin losing so much. Utilizing Ava’s perspective, Remnants of Power did dive into the grief of her loss and provided a balance to Tannin’s tough-on-the-outside approach.
These characters feel so alive and real to me that I found myself googling for photos of them!
While I will continually recommend this book, I do recognize its faults; the first being editing. While this book could benefit from further editing for grammar/punctuation mistakes, I think there is a level of leeway when reading self-published work.
My main complaint about this book is the reliance on the reader to know the backstory. I read Remnants of Blood almost a year ago, and it was my hope to reread it before starting the sequel but ultimately, I was unable to. Because I didn’t get the chance, I was relying on quick recaps to remember characters or plots from the first book that never came which would lead me to recommend anyone wanting to read this series to binge it rather than leave gaps between books.
I really can’t say it better than Remnants of Power is Outlander meet Game of Thrones meets what I wish Throne of Glass had been. I love the world building, the characters, and the politics and would recommend it to anyone who loves accessible fantasy.
****SPOILERS AHEAD****SPOILERS AHEAD****SPOILERS AHEAD****
I didn’t want to block my entire review because a large majority of it was non-spoilery; however, I do want to call out a few things.
I feel this book suffered from a few plot holes that left me confused and I just wanted to mention them. The first is when Tannin and the warg-bloods go on a trip for the cemetery and Tannin is betrayed. After she fights her way out, there is no follow up to Tannin’s remembering where the serum is after it is apparent there were spies in her court. This left the serum wide open for capture! I think it was an opportunity to have both camps go after the serum and a action/battle for it’s capture at the cemetery.
Another, right at the end, is how Ava became aware Mo is the assassin. By the time Tannin learns that information she’s already in the dungeon and no longer has access to the stone. This is only a mild plot hole as it might be explained away in the next book, but it definitely left me with questions.
April 14, 2023
I received an ARC copy of Remnants of Power from the author in exchange for an honest review. A huge thanks to the author for allowing me to be a part of this a second time!
Here are my thoughts:
I will start by saying that if you haven’t read Remnant of Blood and soon to be Remnants of Power (upon publication) for some reason you should stop reading this and do so— immediately
My review will also be spoiler free for those who may be interested in the series.
I really liked that Cunningham jumped right into the story from where we were left after the first one. I have read sequels before where there is a lull before getting into the story with a sort of recap of what happened. I think that the phrase “buckle up” would be the appropriate way to describe the start of this book and in the best way. When it comes to romance in books, I’m not against it, but I often find it overdone and consuming the story when it wasn’t meant to. I don’t think I’ve ever picked up a book labeled under the genre “romance”, but I seem to find it in other ways, for example this series. I love love love how Cunningham weaves romance into a fantasy world but doesn’t let it take away from the story. It isn’t solely relying on the romance aspect of it but with Remnants of Power it adds such a marvelous touch to an already amazing story.
One thing that I’ve loved about the romance aspect of Remnant of Power is that
1) It isn’t all in your face or overdone
2) There is more to the story than just the romance
Besides the romance aspect of it, the overall story was just really good. It was hard to not read it. I already loved Tannin as a character from the first book, but I think I adore her even more now. I liked getting to explore Ava’s character as well. I think that Remnants of Blood made me want more of that and Remnants of Power did not disappoint. Character building can really make or break a book and/or series. Especially with this book being in the fantasy genre, there is a lot that goes into it to make a good story.
Fantasy is a genre that can be very difficult to write well because of all the world building that goes into it. There aren’t too many fantasy series that blew me away quite like this one. As a writer myself who has made attempts to write fantasy, I can say that it is very hard to pull off and there are so many things to consider but Cunningham really delivers and makes me want to give it another go.
Here are my thoughts:
I will start by saying that if you haven’t read Remnant of Blood and soon to be Remnants of Power (upon publication) for some reason you should stop reading this and do so— immediately
My review will also be spoiler free for those who may be interested in the series.
I really liked that Cunningham jumped right into the story from where we were left after the first one. I have read sequels before where there is a lull before getting into the story with a sort of recap of what happened. I think that the phrase “buckle up” would be the appropriate way to describe the start of this book and in the best way. When it comes to romance in books, I’m not against it, but I often find it overdone and consuming the story when it wasn’t meant to. I don’t think I’ve ever picked up a book labeled under the genre “romance”, but I seem to find it in other ways, for example this series. I love love love how Cunningham weaves romance into a fantasy world but doesn’t let it take away from the story. It isn’t solely relying on the romance aspect of it but with Remnants of Power it adds such a marvelous touch to an already amazing story.
One thing that I’ve loved about the romance aspect of Remnant of Power is that
1) It isn’t all in your face or overdone
2) There is more to the story than just the romance
Besides the romance aspect of it, the overall story was just really good. It was hard to not read it. I already loved Tannin as a character from the first book, but I think I adore her even more now. I liked getting to explore Ava’s character as well. I think that Remnants of Blood made me want more of that and Remnants of Power did not disappoint. Character building can really make or break a book and/or series. Especially with this book being in the fantasy genre, there is a lot that goes into it to make a good story.
Fantasy is a genre that can be very difficult to write well because of all the world building that goes into it. There aren’t too many fantasy series that blew me away quite like this one. As a writer myself who has made attempts to write fantasy, I can say that it is very hard to pull off and there are so many things to consider but Cunningham really delivers and makes me want to give it another go.
April 7, 2023
I got the chance to get an ARC of “Remnants of Power” in exchange for an honest review. So here it comes:
If you haven’t read “Remnants of Blood” (The first book in this series) – do it! Needless to say it is brilliant. But also, because “Remnants of Power” takes of right were the first book ended. “Remnants of Power” isn’t a sequel where you get 50-100 pages “Oh look, here is character XY, she landed here this way, here is a summary of her story.” H.F Cunningham doesn’t take the time to explain everything that happened so far, she lets you dive right into the story, and you continue straight away to follow Tannin and Ava on a wild (and bloody) ride.
After the first book you were left with “from enemies to friends to lovers” and now you spiral back to enemy to lovers once again. And I enjoyed every page of it.
The back and forth is plastered with perfect scenes. The book has it all:
A novice training to become a master/leader, 2 eejits in love, honey, a kidnapping and a rescue, a dance. Ava scratching Tannin in her Warg form behind her ears (and her purring while being brushed). And have I mentioned honey?
Next to all the comfy scenes you get betrayal, schemes within schemes and revenge. Be prepared for a wild ride written in the perfect pace, the rise and fall of a Queen – all of that plastered with body parts.
Segments that will never be forgotten [careful, spoilers ahead]:
If you haven’t read “Remnants of Blood” (The first book in this series) – do it! Needless to say it is brilliant. But also, because “Remnants of Power” takes of right were the first book ended. “Remnants of Power” isn’t a sequel where you get 50-100 pages “Oh look, here is character XY, she landed here this way, here is a summary of her story.” H.F Cunningham doesn’t take the time to explain everything that happened so far, she lets you dive right into the story, and you continue straight away to follow Tannin and Ava on a wild (and bloody) ride.
After the first book you were left with “from enemies to friends to lovers” and now you spiral back to enemy to lovers once again. And I enjoyed every page of it.
The back and forth is plastered with perfect scenes. The book has it all:
A novice training to become a master/leader, 2 eejits in love, honey, a kidnapping and a rescue, a dance. Ava scratching Tannin in her Warg form behind her ears (and her purring while being brushed). And have I mentioned honey?
Next to all the comfy scenes you get betrayal, schemes within schemes and revenge. Be prepared for a wild ride written in the perfect pace, the rise and fall of a Queen – all of that plastered with body parts.
Segments that will never be forgotten [careful, spoilers ahead]:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2023
‘Remnants of Power’ is the second instalment in Cunningham’s series and although I don’t read a lot of stories within the fantasy genre I was really excited to see what happened to Tannin and Ava: it surpassed all of my expectations. A lot of second novels within a series have that feeling of being a bridge in a storyline but Cunningham has written, for me, one of the best second novels I have read in a very long time. The plotline is dynamic and although self contained within its own quest still answers questions from novel one and leaves me wanting so much more for these characters in the next.
Without giving any spoilers I really loved how although there is a sapphic romance within the pages it isn’t the entirety of the story- Cunningham writes these complex and diverse characters beautifully and even within strange, new, environments the plotline never loses pace or interest. Personally I adored how Ava and Tannin came into their own and far outstrip their supposed roles of novel one; they both developed in so many ways and were given the space and opportunity to do that together and apart.
I cannot even fathom how an author can create a whole other fantasy world but in my opinion Cunningham is one of the best because she makes it seem effortless and as a reader you never feel like questioning anything as you are instantly pulled into the adventure. This book really has a great balance of touching moments between Tannin and Ava and their love story and some incredible (slightly gory) action sequences which I raced through as though I was watching a movie.
I really really enjoyed this story and if you haven’t read ‘Remnants of Blood’ I would urge you to do so because this series is an absolute gem and I need more people to talk about it with whilst I wait for the next instalment…
Without giving any spoilers I really loved how although there is a sapphic romance within the pages it isn’t the entirety of the story- Cunningham writes these complex and diverse characters beautifully and even within strange, new, environments the plotline never loses pace or interest. Personally I adored how Ava and Tannin came into their own and far outstrip their supposed roles of novel one; they both developed in so many ways and were given the space and opportunity to do that together and apart.
I cannot even fathom how an author can create a whole other fantasy world but in my opinion Cunningham is one of the best because she makes it seem effortless and as a reader you never feel like questioning anything as you are instantly pulled into the adventure. This book really has a great balance of touching moments between Tannin and Ava and their love story and some incredible (slightly gory) action sequences which I raced through as though I was watching a movie.
I really really enjoyed this story and if you haven’t read ‘Remnants of Blood’ I would urge you to do so because this series is an absolute gem and I need more people to talk about it with whilst I wait for the next instalment…
March 23, 2024
Phew! What a ride. I’ve just finished this after reading book 1 a month or so ago. I loved how real the characters were in it, and how they didn’t always make the ‘right’ choices just because they were the protagonists in a fantasy novel. This book continues that trend, and if I’m honest, Tannin drove me crazy in this one more than a few times by being an absolute whiny idiot… but then, that is true to her character and made it all the more real. She’s funny too, which mitigates the whining a lot.
More than anything, this series is **original**, which is a huge accomplishment. It is not easy to write fantasy that doesn’t feel like this series and that series and a combination of this trope and that one. This one has all the familiar trappings of fantasy but *does not feel like a rehash of anything else* and that is SO difficult to pull off and I’m so impressed.
The downside of that is that I’m not sure how to feel about the characters because I haven’t met ones quite like this before! I was genuinely uncomfortable rooting for the protagonists at some points because they do some really quite terrible and selfish things. It can be pretty gruesome, and has the gore, horrific realities of war and ‘no one is safe’ feel of Game of Thrones, but the sense of humour and style make it nothing like GoT at the same time. (Though Arya’s chapters from GoT might be the closest thing to something similar I can think of, so if you liked her but wished she were funnier, you’ll definitely like these books.)
Reading this is a novel experience as fantasy goes, and I am definitely looking out for the third instalment as soon as it’s available.
More than anything, this series is **original**, which is a huge accomplishment. It is not easy to write fantasy that doesn’t feel like this series and that series and a combination of this trope and that one. This one has all the familiar trappings of fantasy but *does not feel like a rehash of anything else* and that is SO difficult to pull off and I’m so impressed.
The downside of that is that I’m not sure how to feel about the characters because I haven’t met ones quite like this before! I was genuinely uncomfortable rooting for the protagonists at some points because they do some really quite terrible and selfish things. It can be pretty gruesome, and has the gore, horrific realities of war and ‘no one is safe’ feel of Game of Thrones, but the sense of humour and style make it nothing like GoT at the same time. (Though Arya’s chapters from GoT might be the closest thing to something similar I can think of, so if you liked her but wished she were funnier, you’ll definitely like these books.)
Reading this is a novel experience as fantasy goes, and I am definitely looking out for the third instalment as soon as it’s available.
March 31, 2023
I received an ARC copy of Remnants of Power from the author in exchange for an honest review. Remnants of Power is book two of the Remnants trilogy and the story starts where book 1, Remnants of Blood, ends. Tannin has been banished from Armodan, the only place she knew as home, and is now heading towards a very different future where she needs to come to terms with who she is and learn how to handle her powers. She needs to learn fast because her enemies are hunting her down! Despite Tannin’s best attempts to push Ava away, she still hasn’t forgiven her for not saving her from the hangman’s noose, Ava is determined to win back her trust and hopefully her love, even if that means giving up everything she ever knew. Tannin’s best friend Flint provides some much needed cheeky banter in what turns out to be a rollercoaster of a story, full of violence, magic, war, alliances and betrayal. There is also a lot of warmth and humour. I love how the characters of Tannin and Ava develop in Remnants of Power. Each chapter is told from either Tannin’s or Ava’s perspective and so we learn a lot more about Tannin’s growing confidence in embracing her true nature and status, and Ava’s feelings of inadequacy now that she is no longer a pampered princess in her own palace. Ava is also struggling to hone her powers to heal others, a responsibility that makes her feel very out of her depth. If you enjoyed Remnants of Blood, you will love Remnants of Power. HF Cunningham expertly builds both character and plot in this book and I can’t wait to find out what happens next
January 2, 2026
I hadn't had the best of luck with sequels in 2025 (with some exceptions), but this one, the last one I read in that year, was a great sequel. The plot was captivating with plenty of schemes and betrayals and some action scenes that were simply epic. The characters matured while staying true to their natures: Tannin was just as impulsive and reckless as in the first book, yet in a slightly less unfocused, chaotic way, if that makes sense, while Ava learned more practical skills without letting go of her scheming, sleuthing ways. And I loved their complicated, messy relationship. Learning more about the other Remnants was also very nice and I can't wait to see more of them in the next book. Speaking of the next book, the ending was a bit of a cliffhanger though not one of the really mean ones, yet it left me eager to read said last book.
As I've said, a great sequel.
As I've said, a great sequel.
April 22, 2023
This is a great follow up to the first book, Remnants of Blood, continuing Tannins story in an organic and intriguing way. A bit of a slow burn at the start, with the fallout of the previous books ending making a real impact, but being back with the characters and their banter is so wonderful! Then when things kick off, that familiar quick pace trundles us through as the world is expanded on, btw characters are introduced, new aspects of Tannins life are complicated, and she continues her journey to grow into herself and her powers.
August 4, 2023
I LIKED THIS BOOK AS THE WORLD BUILDING IS TOP NOTCH AND WELL DONE. THERE ARE SO MANY POV'S OF THE STORY BUT IT WORKS!
I LOVED THE MAPS IN THIS SERIES AND THE CHARACTERS WERE WELL DEVOLPED TOO! I LOVED AVA AND TANNIN'S RELATIONSHIP AND WAS EXCITED TO READ WHERE IT WAS HEADED. ALSO A HUGE PLUS IT WAS FUNNY IN SOME PLACES TOO, I LOVE HAVING A LITTE HUMOR IN THE BOOKS I READ:)
THIS BOOK HAS ALOT TO DO WITH POLITICS BUT THERE IS ALOT OF ACTION LIKE IN THE FIRST BOOK ALSO!
IF YOU LIKE ENEMIES TO LOVERS, CHECK OUT THIS BOOK FOLKS!
I LOVED THE MAPS IN THIS SERIES AND THE CHARACTERS WERE WELL DEVOLPED TOO! I LOVED AVA AND TANNIN'S RELATIONSHIP AND WAS EXCITED TO READ WHERE IT WAS HEADED. ALSO A HUGE PLUS IT WAS FUNNY IN SOME PLACES TOO, I LOVE HAVING A LITTE HUMOR IN THE BOOKS I READ:)
THIS BOOK HAS ALOT TO DO WITH POLITICS BUT THERE IS ALOT OF ACTION LIKE IN THE FIRST BOOK ALSO!
IF YOU LIKE ENEMIES TO LOVERS, CHECK OUT THIS BOOK FOLKS!
February 17, 2026
Why the hell is this not the last book in the series? I always do this to myself, I start these series when they aren't finished and am forced to wait in agony. I honestly know I am going to forget about this series, and that's what's pissing me off the most. I should have known it was going to shit when the lesbians were happy.
This plot seems so pointless to me, but I couldn't stop reading it. Yet, you can easily skim this entire book and not get lost at all.
Ava being stuck as a sidekick is really pissing me off, so she better have a cool ass arc in the next book.
Tannin is cunt.
This plot seems so pointless to me, but I couldn't stop reading it. Yet, you can easily skim this entire book and not get lost at all.
Ava being stuck as a sidekick is really pissing me off, so she better have a cool ass arc in the next book.
Tannin is cunt.
July 31, 2023
The mc in this makes me love the book so much more shes so badass which is rare for me to find an mc that i love so much. Again the world-building and plot while being in depth was still easy and amazing to follow. One of my favourite things about the style of writing is that the book takes place over a long period of time but its still full of detail while being not a massive book. 10/10 you should definitely read this book.
February 23, 2024
i don’t think the 2nd book was better than the first one, but still it was really good! sometimes it felt like not a lot has happened and it really didn’t lol if u compare to the number of pages… which was not necessarily in my opinion but great sequence, i’m waiting for the third now
June 4, 2024
I NEED BOOK THREE NOW. WHERE IS IT? CHOP CHOP OH MY GOD
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