Valendi

by Liz Highland

An ocean lies between them.

Rowan must learn to make a life in Wintersea Castle and find her place as a noblewoman and daughter of a revolutionary.

Quinn must face the consequences of betraying his family and figure out how to repair the kingdom that he broke.

With Wintersea and Thuedal on the brink of war, they each have to decide where their loyalties lie--to each other, to the legacies of their fathers, or to their people.

Magic abounds in this second installment of the Wintersea Trilogy.

Genres: Fantasy Romance, Fantasy

429 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Liz Highland writes speculative novels for adults and young adults, as well as middle grade readers. She also writes picture books under another name. She lives in the hills of Vermont with her husband, kids, and whatever animals they’ve adopted at the time, and when she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, playing in the garden, or getting lost in the stacks at the library.

Reviews

[Bethany Arliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valendi, the second installment in the Wintersea Series by Liz Highland, continues the captivating journey of Rowan and Quinn after they escape persecution. Having cherished the first book, Wintersea, I eagerly anticipated Valendi's release, and it proved to be well worth the wait! While I found Wintersea to be slightly more to my liking, Valendi's narrative flourished with each passing page. By the time I reached the last quarter of the book, I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down. And, of course, it left me anxiously awaiting the third installment.

Valendi is a fantastic work of fantasy, populated by characters who don't yearn for more; they actively strive to become better, embarking on journeys of self-discovery and growth. Moreover, they aspire to create a superior world not just for themselves but for all. I wholeheartedly recommend Valendi to anyone who revels in the enchantment of magic, the intrigue of royalty, and the drama of courtly life. Dive into this enchanting world and lose yourself in its spellbinding narrative!

[Jenny Sandiford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is a wonderful mix of magic, court drama, romance, and adventure.
Rowan’s journey continues over in Wintersea, where she must navigate court politics in an unfamiliar palace with all sorts of new challenges.
There are so many amazing new characters introduced in this book, as well as the old favourites. Quinn’s chapters were my favourites. With him and Rowan stuck on different sides of a war, it was cool to see it from both of their perspectives.
I enjoyed seeing Rowan’s magical abilities grow, especially as she learns more about the darker side of her powers.
I’m already hanging out for the next book!

[Ira Kamu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m currently at 70% of this book and it has me hooked. The first book in the series was already great, but the second one gets even better. A solid 4.5 star rating.

[Catherine Couture · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.My.God.
Could I BE hating the end more🫠