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Heroes of the Empire #2
The General
The adventure continues in this heart-pounding second installment . . .
THE EMPIRE IS CRUMBLING, AND THE
FATE OF A KINGDOM RESTS IN THEIR HANDS.
Mordon dedicated his life to his father; his only dream was to prove himself worthy of Verin's general. But with the ruthless Tariqin attack comes a brutal awakening. Captured by enemy forces and dragged into a war camp full of the people he was trained to kill, his hopes of proving himself worthy are dashed to pieces. When the enemy offers him a chance for a grand future, he's faced with a test that stretches him beyond his limits.
Coralie's burden has never been heavier. After the Dark Lord Prolus's recent assault and her uncle's declining health, it is up to her to keep her kingdom together. The inevitable return of the Tariqin army lurks at their doorstep and her time is running short. Coralie turns to the newest residents of Verintown for assistance. Branded traitors and hated by many in the castle, they may very well be her downfall. Using their pledge for change in her favor, she tasks them with a mission most would consider a death sentence.
Two determined warriors separated by a river of blood. Mordon must risk everything to become the man he yearns to be, and Coralie must fight to become the queen she was born to be.
THE EMPIRE IS CRUMBLING, AND THE
FATE OF A KINGDOM RESTS IN THEIR HANDS.
Mordon dedicated his life to his father; his only dream was to prove himself worthy of Verin's general. But with the ruthless Tariqin attack comes a brutal awakening. Captured by enemy forces and dragged into a war camp full of the people he was trained to kill, his hopes of proving himself worthy are dashed to pieces. When the enemy offers him a chance for a grand future, he's faced with a test that stretches him beyond his limits.
Coralie's burden has never been heavier. After the Dark Lord Prolus's recent assault and her uncle's declining health, it is up to her to keep her kingdom together. The inevitable return of the Tariqin army lurks at their doorstep and her time is running short. Coralie turns to the newest residents of Verintown for assistance. Branded traitors and hated by many in the castle, they may very well be her downfall. Using their pledge for change in her favor, she tasks them with a mission most would consider a death sentence.
Two determined warriors separated by a river of blood. Mordon must risk everything to become the man he yearns to be, and Coralie must fight to become the queen she was born to be.
Unknown Binding
First published November 23, 2023
6 people are currently reading
4132 people want to read
About the author
Israh Azizi
4 books170 followersIsrah Azizi resides in the land of ten thousand lakes with her family and five cats. Since she was a little girl she has been a lover of words and fanciful tales. It was her dream to one day share a story of her own with the world. With sheer determination, lots of love, and a decent amount of caffeine, she managed to make that dream come true. Besides reading and writing, she has a dizzying number of hobbies, some of which include bossing around her younger siblings, experimenting with new baking recipes, and playing board games with her family and close friends. When life’s plot twists don’t cross her path and her fingers aren’t dancing across the keyboard building a fantastical adventure, she can usually be found in a quiet corner with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 11, 2024
Feels like the classic fantasy's I would read in my childhood. Deeply imagined medieval world filled with morally gray characters and unguessable plot twists. Politics and war, love and sacrifice intertwining with the complex histories of the people. Great development of the magic system and the interconnecting of all the regions of the map including outside of the Empire. Some of my favorite parts of the book were the characters back stories and the tales of legends. Great Adventure series!
November 13, 2023
I am in love!!! Huge fan of the slow burn! The book picks up where we left off in The Cavalier and it is a nonstop adventure (chefs kiss). Mordon is my absolute favorite character. His story is a tearjerker, a heart burner and a triumph rolled into one (more than obsessed at this point). I might have stared at the cover a little too long haha😅. Loved the rumloks🐺. There was so much more information on these unique creatures💖. Draven and Kasdeya, well I don't know it says about me, but their moments in this book were sick in an awesome way! This story is so layered and so deep, really great writing by the author for sure. Creative world with an updated map for book two. Great character development and dynamics. I can't forget to mention General Zenrelius... something more is going on with him. Bad ass Coralie was awesome, Velamir the Hero from the first book stole my heart again, Natassa was as inspirational as always and Jax...let's just say my heart is crying. Really enjoyed this book❤️🔥. Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Looking forward to the next installment.
January 21, 2024
Once again, I had a fun time buddy reading with my wife. I'm pretty sure she read with me because I bought her a coffee each time. I believe that's why our reading pace was so slow. My wife said it was because of all my unrelenting fan based questions, and I cannot deny that I have a thirst for details. I was so excited for book two's journey and really enjoyed it. Probably even more than book one, but it's too close to call. Excellent action and epic battles along with great banter and character development. Mordon was very cool. Definitely wouldn't want to be up against him in battle. Loved Lissa, flipping over Jax, wide eyed over Draven and mouth dropped at Kasdeya. If you read about them, you know what I mean. Might have cried but, that's just a rumor. Overall, The General was a really cool continuation of the adventure from book one. If I had money, I would make this into a movie. I should probably stop buying coffees. If you like fantasy adventure, this series is calling your name!
November 11, 2023
Continuing the adventure with the second book of the Heroes of the Empire young adult fantasy series. Full of action and adventure, this book did not disappoint. Heart is on fire with the slow burn relationships and morally grey characters. Great lore being developed and loved the medieval world and the unique aesthetics. Rooted for some characters that I probably shouldn't have and entranced by some other unscrupulous characters but, maybe I'm being affected by a Lure ;) Fast paced read that kept me hooked until the end and wanting more.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2023
LOVED Book Two! It starts off with a bang and doesn't stop. Filled with conflicted characters and their compelling stories. Loved how the author spotlighted a different "Hero of the Empire" while maintaining the story's flow with the same characters from book 1. The details in the lives of the characters, their backstories and the way they all connected is just amazing. This book will be a definite reread for me. The author made me literally cry, laugh and root for characters I didn't expect to enjoy so much. There is a great world map and character guide which is placed at the beginning. The world building expanded as well as an engaging "search for the golden crown/prophecy fulfillment" plot. Revenge, medieval battles, overcoming ones faults, slow burn romance, unique magic system, and finding ones place in all this themes. I could recommend this book to any lover of ya fiction, fantasy or adventure. I bought my copy on Amazon. If you like character driven stories than this one is for you.
August 23, 2024
Author signing at Barnes and Noble and picked up books one and two of this series. One of the best literary buys of this year for me. Great story and characters set in a medieval fantasy world. Fun adventure. I can see this being made into an anime series or movie.
November 29, 2023
"Hands Down"
This one is really amazing! The story picks up right where it left off in the last one. This might be the longest review I've ever written because there's so much to appreciate.
Firstly, let's talk about the plot. It's super fresh, and I haven't read a story like this before. So, you can't guess what happens next.Now, onto the characters, from Velamir to Winston, everyone has their own story, and it's well told. Even though there are lots of characters, you won't get confused. The world-building and the storyline are strong for each person. Israh seems like a master at developing characters.
The whole book was like a roller coaster for me. I usually don't cry while reading, but that wasn't the case here. The deaths were written so well, and I cried a lot. The hidden secrets were revealed excellently. The truth about Prolus was shocking; I didn't see it coming until I noticed something and realized I was right about it. The cliffhanger was unexpected, and now I'm eagerly waiting for what happens next.
Thank you for the ARC against an honest review.
This one is really amazing! The story picks up right where it left off in the last one. This might be the longest review I've ever written because there's so much to appreciate.
Firstly, let's talk about the plot. It's super fresh, and I haven't read a story like this before. So, you can't guess what happens next.Now, onto the characters, from Velamir to Winston, everyone has their own story, and it's well told. Even though there are lots of characters, you won't get confused. The world-building and the storyline are strong for each person. Israh seems like a master at developing characters.
The whole book was like a roller coaster for me. I usually don't cry while reading, but that wasn't the case here. The deaths were written so well, and I cried a lot. The hidden secrets were revealed excellently. The truth about Prolus was shocking; I didn't see it coming until I noticed something and realized I was right about it. The cliffhanger was unexpected, and now I'm eagerly waiting for what happens next.
Thank you for the ARC against an honest review.
January 19, 2024
This is book two in the Heroes of the Empire series and I’m here to tell you that I enjoyed it just as much as book one. It’s an epic fantasy with multi-POV and a slowwwwburn romance filled with SO MUCH angst…which we love 😍 it’s got the academy setting a la An Ember in the Ashes & Fourth Wing, and is perfect for fans if We Hunt the Flame.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 29, 2024
Recommend this book for those who like
Medieval Setting
Slow Burn
Action/Adventure
Plot Twists
Morally Gray
Chosen One/ Prophecy
Character Driven
Wolves
Emerging Powers
Right v Wrong
Finding Oneself
❤❤❤❤❤❤Love this Series
this is book 2 guys
Medieval Setting
Slow Burn
Action/Adventure
Plot Twists
Morally Gray
Chosen One/ Prophecy
Character Driven
Wolves
Emerging Powers
Right v Wrong
Finding Oneself
❤❤❤❤❤❤Love this Series
this is book 2 guys
July 21, 2024
Once again, the characters are just amazing! I buddy read this book and it was really enjoyable reading with someone who could geek out about this series with me. The book stared with a great detailed map and pronunciation/character guide as well as a guide for important locations and terms.
The struggle is real for these characters as we continued the story from where it left off in The Cavalier. Mordon's broken heart, Coralie's resilience, Natassa's motivation, Velamier's perfectness, Kasdeya's power struggle, Draven's wickedness, Boltrex's depression, Winston's mistakes, Zenrelious's mysterious ways, Vykus I got my eye on you, Jax's dedication, Honzio's inner struggle.....I could go on, and on. Love, Love, Love these characters.
Learning a lot more details through back stories and fantasy lore of the regions in the world Ms. Azizi built, were an absolute winner for me. The story of the legendary king of Savoria, Rasdor was so perfect in the struggle for courage. The Song of Eshelor, I wish I could hear it being sung. The Fountain of Oaths, what a great symbolic happening. The royal chalices, the sirchoba, the Uluzar ways...
For those who like wolflike beasts (rumloks) there is plenty of these in the story. In fact, they were one of my favorite parts. There is also a lot of medieval action and battles. Unguessable plot twists and heart-breaking moments, as well as never giving up hope. Great dynamics throughout.
So, this was the second book in the series, and I recommend reading the first because you really don't want to miss out on this adventure. I still believe the main objectives of the series are the fulfillment of a prophecy and to acquire the golden crown of immortally. I CAN'T wait for book 3 to reveal more about this.
As for now, I'm looking up at the pembin moon, twisting his ring around my finger, eagerly waiting for more!
The struggle is real for these characters as we continued the story from where it left off in The Cavalier. Mordon's broken heart, Coralie's resilience, Natassa's motivation, Velamier's perfectness, Kasdeya's power struggle, Draven's wickedness, Boltrex's depression, Winston's mistakes, Zenrelious's mysterious ways, Vykus I got my eye on you, Jax's dedication, Honzio's inner struggle.....I could go on, and on. Love, Love, Love these characters.
Learning a lot more details through back stories and fantasy lore of the regions in the world Ms. Azizi built, were an absolute winner for me. The story of the legendary king of Savoria, Rasdor was so perfect in the struggle for courage. The Song of Eshelor, I wish I could hear it being sung. The Fountain of Oaths, what a great symbolic happening. The royal chalices, the sirchoba, the Uluzar ways...
For those who like wolflike beasts (rumloks) there is plenty of these in the story. In fact, they were one of my favorite parts. There is also a lot of medieval action and battles. Unguessable plot twists and heart-breaking moments, as well as never giving up hope. Great dynamics throughout.
So, this was the second book in the series, and I recommend reading the first because you really don't want to miss out on this adventure. I still believe the main objectives of the series are the fulfillment of a prophecy and to acquire the golden crown of immortally. I CAN'T wait for book 3 to reveal more about this.
As for now, I'm looking up at the pembin moon, twisting his ring around my finger, eagerly waiting for more!
February 7, 2024
I recently read the first book in this series, “Heroes of the Empire Book 1: The Cavalier” because I thought it looked interesting and I was right, it was phenomenal. I was, therefore, so excited to be asked to review the second book in this series by Israh Azizi and I have to say I was in no way disappointed. The second book is even better than the first and I loved every single page of it.
“Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General” brings back all our favorite characters as they continue on their quest to save the kingdom. In this installment, while all the characters are included (thank goodness), the story revolves mostly around two of them. First, there is Mordon, a man who spent his entire life trying to live up to his father’s expectations and suddenly learns this man he always wanted to impress is not who Mordon thought he was. As Mordon is captured by the enemy he is forced to test everything he believes in.
Then there is Coraline, a princess who is trying to keep her kingdom and its people together as they are attacked by the enemy. As she attempts to deal with her grief over the death of her beloved uncle and is thrust into being Queen, holding the responsibility for all of these people in her hands, Coraline turns to those people inside her castle whom everyone despises and believes are conspiring against them. Coraline sends them on a journey that may turn the course of the war or may kill them all.
I must say, before anything else, that to really understand what is going on then you must read book one first. The second in the series picks up right where the first book left off and you will want to be familiar with the characters and the storyline before delving into this installment. “Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General” starts off full of action from the very beginning and never stops. The writing in the story is outstanding. This author really knows how to create a world for her readers to enjoy. The writing is descriptive and well done. You will feel as though you are there in the enemy camp, in the castle, or in the woods facing evil right along with the characters. I love the dialogue, the storyline, and the slow building of various romances between the characters even as they focus on surviving and winning.
Each of the characters in this story is so well-developed. All the stories that begin in the first installment surrounding the lives of each of these characters are expanded in book 2 and they are even more flushed out and real to the reader. Each character has a backstory which is explained to the reader with just the right amount of detail. When those backstories implode, as some of them do right at the beginning of book two, watching the characters attempt to figure out who they really are and what they really believe in is just a thrill. The men and women are complex, well-written, and people that the reader will really come to care about.
I cannot recommend “Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General” highly enough to readers who love a strong fantasy story. It will not matter if you are an adult or a young adult, this storyline and the characters will wrap themselves around you and pull you right in. I cannot tell you how excited I am to read the next in this series to see what happens. I hope this wonderful writer is working diligently for all her new fans and we will see the next book very soon (no pressure at all is intended). Definitely 5 Stars!!
“Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General” brings back all our favorite characters as they continue on their quest to save the kingdom. In this installment, while all the characters are included (thank goodness), the story revolves mostly around two of them. First, there is Mordon, a man who spent his entire life trying to live up to his father’s expectations and suddenly learns this man he always wanted to impress is not who Mordon thought he was. As Mordon is captured by the enemy he is forced to test everything he believes in.
Then there is Coraline, a princess who is trying to keep her kingdom and its people together as they are attacked by the enemy. As she attempts to deal with her grief over the death of her beloved uncle and is thrust into being Queen, holding the responsibility for all of these people in her hands, Coraline turns to those people inside her castle whom everyone despises and believes are conspiring against them. Coraline sends them on a journey that may turn the course of the war or may kill them all.
I must say, before anything else, that to really understand what is going on then you must read book one first. The second in the series picks up right where the first book left off and you will want to be familiar with the characters and the storyline before delving into this installment. “Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General” starts off full of action from the very beginning and never stops. The writing in the story is outstanding. This author really knows how to create a world for her readers to enjoy. The writing is descriptive and well done. You will feel as though you are there in the enemy camp, in the castle, or in the woods facing evil right along with the characters. I love the dialogue, the storyline, and the slow building of various romances between the characters even as they focus on surviving and winning.
Each of the characters in this story is so well-developed. All the stories that begin in the first installment surrounding the lives of each of these characters are expanded in book 2 and they are even more flushed out and real to the reader. Each character has a backstory which is explained to the reader with just the right amount of detail. When those backstories implode, as some of them do right at the beginning of book two, watching the characters attempt to figure out who they really are and what they really believe in is just a thrill. The men and women are complex, well-written, and people that the reader will really come to care about.
I cannot recommend “Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General” highly enough to readers who love a strong fantasy story. It will not matter if you are an adult or a young adult, this storyline and the characters will wrap themselves around you and pull you right in. I cannot tell you how excited I am to read the next in this series to see what happens. I hope this wonderful writer is working diligently for all her new fans and we will see the next book very soon (no pressure at all is intended). Definitely 5 Stars!!
January 17, 2024
Wow! I loved the first book in this series, which took me by surprise, but I love the second book even more.
The characters have such great depth to them and each one is battling demons from their past, which lead to some regretful decisions and some very testing moments for each.
Israh manages to weave in the most intricate details from the past, that we find pop up later on in the story and make you think oh! What’s going to happen now? What will they do? Who’s going to find out?
Let alone some of the surprising twists along the way. I have to admit I didn’t actually see the twist with Prolus and I loved it.
I won’t spoil anything.
This is turning into one of my favourite series, I cannot wait to read what happens next, I am fully invested in this.
The characters have such great depth to them and each one is battling demons from their past, which lead to some regretful decisions and some very testing moments for each.
Israh manages to weave in the most intricate details from the past, that we find pop up later on in the story and make you think oh! What’s going to happen now? What will they do? Who’s going to find out?
Let alone some of the surprising twists along the way. I have to admit I didn’t actually see the twist with Prolus and I loved it.
I won’t spoil anything.
This is turning into one of my favourite series, I cannot wait to read what happens next, I am fully invested in this.
November 22, 2023
A page turning adventure! Was eager to continue the Heroes of the Empire journey and was not disappointed. Enjoyable character driven story involving awesome political and family dynamics filled with conflict and struggles. Plenty of gripping action and combat layered with morally grey decisions. Overall, an addictive and re-readable YA Fantasy. Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me to ARC read the book for an honest review.
July 18, 2024
Making it a tradition to buddy read this ya fantasy adventure series with RiverReads. Second book in the Heroes of the Empire series by Israh Azizi. New adventure party, great plot twists, on the verge of fulfilling a prophecy, high stakes throne claiming and still searching for a golden crown of immortality. Highly recommended five star read.
November 11, 2023
The General is the second book in the Heroes of the Empire series by author Israh Azizi. This sequel is quite possibly my most anticipated read for this year. I could not access it on Netgalley this time, but I managed to obtain an ARC from the author.
First things first, the prose. The author's writing had grown substantially as I noticed the difference between this book and the first one. I commend the author for that growth.
Now, on to the pros and cons. Negative news first, as always.
Multiple points of view are my favorite type of book to read because the reader is able to see into more than one character's mind. As this was not a negative for me, some readers may be distracted by the number of characters especially if they are not familiar with fantasy literature. There were many characters in this book, but a useful character guide is found at the beginning and can be easily referred to for those readers who have difficulty remembering.
There was character loss and of course it affected me, which is another nod to the authors writing. And although, it was saddening to see them leave the series because of the deep attachment the author sold me on, it was satisfying to see some meet their demise.
The book ends on a cliffhanger. Although, it isn't as drastic of an ending as the first book, but it still has you holding tight to your seat.
Pros
The character development was fascinating to read. I enjoyed learning more about the characters, even the villains who may have been the greatest aspects of the book.
I also relished the world building. I feel a deeper connection to the world as the characters share tales of old with each other, truly can't express how much this extra reminiscing made this book feel like a fantasy from my youth. The poetic impact of the pembin moon was a fantastic addition as well as the Sovorian tale of Rasdor.
Speaking previously of cliffhangers, nearly every chapter ended in one, propelling me to continue reading. It was a masterful tactic by the author which I enjoyed.
I am now drawn into this series and eagerly awaiting the next installment, or any future novel produced by this author.
Much gratitude to the author for the ARC in return for genuine feedback.
First things first, the prose. The author's writing had grown substantially as I noticed the difference between this book and the first one. I commend the author for that growth.
Now, on to the pros and cons. Negative news first, as always.
Multiple points of view are my favorite type of book to read because the reader is able to see into more than one character's mind. As this was not a negative for me, some readers may be distracted by the number of characters especially if they are not familiar with fantasy literature. There were many characters in this book, but a useful character guide is found at the beginning and can be easily referred to for those readers who have difficulty remembering.
There was character loss and of course it affected me, which is another nod to the authors writing. And although, it was saddening to see them leave the series because of the deep attachment the author sold me on, it was satisfying to see some meet their demise.
The book ends on a cliffhanger. Although, it isn't as drastic of an ending as the first book, but it still has you holding tight to your seat.
Pros
The character development was fascinating to read. I enjoyed learning more about the characters, even the villains who may have been the greatest aspects of the book.
I also relished the world building. I feel a deeper connection to the world as the characters share tales of old with each other, truly can't express how much this extra reminiscing made this book feel like a fantasy from my youth. The poetic impact of the pembin moon was a fantastic addition as well as the Sovorian tale of Rasdor.
Speaking previously of cliffhangers, nearly every chapter ended in one, propelling me to continue reading. It was a masterful tactic by the author which I enjoyed.
I am now drawn into this series and eagerly awaiting the next installment, or any future novel produced by this author.
Much gratitude to the author for the ARC in return for genuine feedback.
April 19, 2024
Israh is a real mage
Magic flows in her veins
Then through her mind
To her books
She's broken a part of me and I love her for it..
Hats of to Israh, she did it again!
Magic flows in her veins
Then through her mind
To her books
She's broken a part of me and I love her for it..
Hats of to Israh, she did it again!
March 25, 2024
If you know me, you'll know that I'm a huge fan of several things: character-driven books, more nuanced villainous characters, political intrigue, and YA books that aren't afraid to tackle deeper topics. And bonus - this one is indie and diverse!
This delivers a gripping second installment that propels readers deeper into a world fraught with betrayal, secrets, and political intrigue. Building upon the foundations laid in the first book, Azizi deftly navigates the complexities of power, loyalty, and the effects of war on the human condition, weaving a narrative that is as compelling as it is thought-provoking. Azizi masterfully maintains a sense of tension and suspense throughout, ensuring that the pace is consistent throughout. She wastes no time in thrusting her characters into the heart of the action and keeping us there.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its characters, who are portrayed with depth, nuance, and authenticity. Each character is imbued with their own motivations, flaws, and vulnerabilities, making them feel both relatable and compelling. Azizi's portrayal of the characters' emotional responses feels authentic and grounded in their experiences. Even if we don't actually LIKE that character, we can understand them and we can FEEL for them. They all feel like fully realized individuals whose actions and decisions carry weight and consequence. Despite the challenges inherent in juggling numerous POVs, Azizi manages to strike a delicate balance, ensuring that each character receives the attention and development they deserve.
This is an incredibly emotionally resonant novel that showcases Israh Azizi's talent for crafting compelling characters and intricate plots. I am reeling and need the next book asap, please.
This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary. Thanks to the author, the publisher, and R&R Booktours.
This delivers a gripping second installment that propels readers deeper into a world fraught with betrayal, secrets, and political intrigue. Building upon the foundations laid in the first book, Azizi deftly navigates the complexities of power, loyalty, and the effects of war on the human condition, weaving a narrative that is as compelling as it is thought-provoking. Azizi masterfully maintains a sense of tension and suspense throughout, ensuring that the pace is consistent throughout. She wastes no time in thrusting her characters into the heart of the action and keeping us there.
One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its characters, who are portrayed with depth, nuance, and authenticity. Each character is imbued with their own motivations, flaws, and vulnerabilities, making them feel both relatable and compelling. Azizi's portrayal of the characters' emotional responses feels authentic and grounded in their experiences. Even if we don't actually LIKE that character, we can understand them and we can FEEL for them. They all feel like fully realized individuals whose actions and decisions carry weight and consequence. Despite the challenges inherent in juggling numerous POVs, Azizi manages to strike a delicate balance, ensuring that each character receives the attention and development they deserve.
This is an incredibly emotionally resonant novel that showcases Israh Azizi's talent for crafting compelling characters and intricate plots. I am reeling and need the next book asap, please.
This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary. Thanks to the author, the publisher, and R&R Booktours.
February 28, 2025
Thank you so much to Israh Azizi and R&R Book Tours for the gifted and signed copy of this book.
I LOVE this series. It's classic epic fantasy with beautifully complex characters and non stop adventure!
The General picks up from where we were left in Book 1, The Cavalier, but this time our focus is on Mordon.
I adored Mordon in the first book, so I was super excited that we got to follow more of his journey in this book! On the surface, Mordon is just a soldier whose only goal was to please his father, but he's so much more than that. Captured by the enemy and the future he planned for all but gone, Mordon faces his greatest challenge yet...
This series is a classic epic fantasy for me: non stop action and epic battles in which our characters are tested to their limits, with themes of honour, love and friendship...I couldn't put it down!!
Izrah Azizi is wonderful at bringing her characters to life, weaving in their backstories so expertly that when we realise how they are connected, it feels like our own discovery.
The slow burn romance was fantastic and I loved the unique magic system. The Rumloks are a personal favourite of mine, I couldn't get enough of them!
The General has some absolutely heart-breaking moments, plot twists I didn't see coming and an overarching theme about finding your place in the world and never losing hope. I adored it. This series is a must read for any epic fantasy fan.
I LOVE this series. It's classic epic fantasy with beautifully complex characters and non stop adventure!
The General picks up from where we were left in Book 1, The Cavalier, but this time our focus is on Mordon.
I adored Mordon in the first book, so I was super excited that we got to follow more of his journey in this book! On the surface, Mordon is just a soldier whose only goal was to please his father, but he's so much more than that. Captured by the enemy and the future he planned for all but gone, Mordon faces his greatest challenge yet...
This series is a classic epic fantasy for me: non stop action and epic battles in which our characters are tested to their limits, with themes of honour, love and friendship...I couldn't put it down!!
Izrah Azizi is wonderful at bringing her characters to life, weaving in their backstories so expertly that when we realise how they are connected, it feels like our own discovery.
The slow burn romance was fantastic and I loved the unique magic system. The Rumloks are a personal favourite of mine, I couldn't get enough of them!
The General has some absolutely heart-breaking moments, plot twists I didn't see coming and an overarching theme about finding your place in the world and never losing hope. I adored it. This series is a must read for any epic fantasy fan.
February 9, 2024
ℍ𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕖: 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝟙: 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕒𝕧𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕣
𝔹𝕪 𝕀𝕤𝕣𝕒𝕙 𝔸𝕫𝕚𝕫𝕚
💡📖🚨Make sure to read Heroes of the Empire: Book 1: The Cavalier
By Israh Azizi
There is a map of the world the author created. (for books 1 and 2) Follow along an epic adventure with the characters in the book through the Karalik Empire.
At the beginning of the book, there's a pronunciation and character guide for reference. I love that the author included this page in the book. The guide helped me stay on track in case I needed to refresh my mind about a certain character.
𝓜𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
💭🗣️Wow!! I was not ready for all the plot twists and unexpected events that occurred in Heroes of the Empire #2 (book 2) The General by Israh Azizi.
💭📖I picked up where I left off from book 1, just as I remembered. I'll make this review brief so more readers will read this amazing book series of Heroes of the Empire!! I recommend reading book 1 first!! I was heartbroken, shocked, sad, and angry, I was feeling all the emotions reading this book. Natassa is a badass!! She’s my ultimate favorite character. Courage is abundant in these characters. They are warriors who represent pride, love, and power!! There were sacrifices made, unexpected deaths, betrayal, romance, and a whole lotta combat!! I felt like I was immersed in the medieval era. As if I was transported to a whole new world built in fantasy, the Dark Ages. A world I imagine myself being part of with all the amazing characters in it.
I highly recommend reading this book!! Heroes of the Empire: Book 2: The General By Iz is one of the most intriguing and heart-stoppingly exciting, and thrilling YA fantasy books I've read. A 5-star read for me!!
✨🤩✨💯🙌🎊
𝓒𝓻𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓼:
🌟Thank you author Israh Azizi, for the opportunity to read the ARC digital e-book copy.
🌟Thank you @lovebooktours for the digital e-book copy.
Instagram
@israh_azizi
@lovebookstours
#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeReview
TikTok
@israhazizi
@lovebookstours
Heroes of the Empire #2 The General by Israh Azizi
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: Digital e-book
Shop: Amazon e-book, kindle, paperback or hardcover.
Pages: 488
Publication date: November 22, 2023
📖𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖑𝖚𝖗𝖇:
THE EMPIRE IS CRUMBLING, AND THE
FATE OF A KINGDOM RESTS IN THEIR HANDS.
Mordon dedicated his life to his father; his only dream was to prove himself worthy of Verin's general. But with the ruthless Tariqin attack comes a brutal awakening. Captured by enemy forces and dragged into a war camp full of the people he was trained to kill, his hopes of proving himself worthy are dashed to pieces. When the enemy offers him a chance for a grand future, he's faced with a test that stretches him beyond his limits.
Coralie's burden has never been heavier. After the Dark Lord Prolus's recent assault and her uncle's declining health, it is up to her to keep her kingdom together. The inevitable return of the Tariqin army lurks at their doorstep and her time is running short. Coralie turns to the newest residents of Verintown for assistance. Branded traitors and hated by many in the castle, they may very well be her downfall. Using their pledge for change in her favor, she tasks them with a mission most would consider a death sentence.
Two determined warriors separated by a river of blood. Mordon must risk everything to become the man he yearns to be, and Coralie must fight to become the queen she was born to be.
🌟𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣:
Israh Azizi resides in the land of ten thousand lakes with her family and five cats. Since she was a little girl she has been a lover of words and fanciful tales. It was her dream to one day share a story of her own with the world. With sheer determination, lots of love, and a decent amount of caffeine, she managed to make that dream come true. Besides reading and writing, she has a dizzying number of hobbies, some of which include bossing around her younger siblings, experimenting with new baking recipes, and playing board games with her family and close friends. When life’s plot twists don’t cross her path and her fingers aren’t dancing across the keyboard building a fantastical adventure, she can usually be found in a quiet corner with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee.
𝔹𝕪 𝕀𝕤𝕣𝕒𝕙 𝔸𝕫𝕚𝕫𝕚
💡📖🚨Make sure to read Heroes of the Empire: Book 1: The Cavalier
By Israh Azizi
There is a map of the world the author created. (for books 1 and 2) Follow along an epic adventure with the characters in the book through the Karalik Empire.
At the beginning of the book, there's a pronunciation and character guide for reference. I love that the author included this page in the book. The guide helped me stay on track in case I needed to refresh my mind about a certain character.
𝓜𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀:
💭🗣️Wow!! I was not ready for all the plot twists and unexpected events that occurred in Heroes of the Empire #2 (book 2) The General by Israh Azizi.
💭📖I picked up where I left off from book 1, just as I remembered. I'll make this review brief so more readers will read this amazing book series of Heroes of the Empire!! I recommend reading book 1 first!! I was heartbroken, shocked, sad, and angry, I was feeling all the emotions reading this book. Natassa is a badass!! She’s my ultimate favorite character. Courage is abundant in these characters. They are warriors who represent pride, love, and power!! There were sacrifices made, unexpected deaths, betrayal, romance, and a whole lotta combat!! I felt like I was immersed in the medieval era. As if I was transported to a whole new world built in fantasy, the Dark Ages. A world I imagine myself being part of with all the amazing characters in it.
I highly recommend reading this book!! Heroes of the Empire: Book 2: The General By Iz is one of the most intriguing and heart-stoppingly exciting, and thrilling YA fantasy books I've read. A 5-star read for me!!
✨🤩✨💯🙌🎊
𝓒𝓻𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓼:
🌟Thank you author Israh Azizi, for the opportunity to read the ARC digital e-book copy.
🌟Thank you @lovebooktours for the digital e-book copy.
@israh_azizi
@lovebookstours
#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeReview
TikTok
@israhazizi
@lovebookstours
Heroes of the Empire #2 The General by Israh Azizi
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: Digital e-book
Shop: Amazon e-book, kindle, paperback or hardcover.
Pages: 488
Publication date: November 22, 2023
📖𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖑𝖚𝖗𝖇:
THE EMPIRE IS CRUMBLING, AND THE
FATE OF A KINGDOM RESTS IN THEIR HANDS.
Mordon dedicated his life to his father; his only dream was to prove himself worthy of Verin's general. But with the ruthless Tariqin attack comes a brutal awakening. Captured by enemy forces and dragged into a war camp full of the people he was trained to kill, his hopes of proving himself worthy are dashed to pieces. When the enemy offers him a chance for a grand future, he's faced with a test that stretches him beyond his limits.
Coralie's burden has never been heavier. After the Dark Lord Prolus's recent assault and her uncle's declining health, it is up to her to keep her kingdom together. The inevitable return of the Tariqin army lurks at their doorstep and her time is running short. Coralie turns to the newest residents of Verintown for assistance. Branded traitors and hated by many in the castle, they may very well be her downfall. Using their pledge for change in her favor, she tasks them with a mission most would consider a death sentence.
Two determined warriors separated by a river of blood. Mordon must risk everything to become the man he yearns to be, and Coralie must fight to become the queen she was born to be.
🌟𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣:
Israh Azizi resides in the land of ten thousand lakes with her family and five cats. Since she was a little girl she has been a lover of words and fanciful tales. It was her dream to one day share a story of her own with the world. With sheer determination, lots of love, and a decent amount of caffeine, she managed to make that dream come true. Besides reading and writing, she has a dizzying number of hobbies, some of which include bossing around her younger siblings, experimenting with new baking recipes, and playing board games with her family and close friends. When life’s plot twists don’t cross her path and her fingers aren’t dancing across the keyboard building a fantastical adventure, she can usually be found in a quiet corner with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee.
June 5, 2024
I received book one The Cavalier from NetGalley and loved it. Needless to say, I was really excited to get my hands on the next book. Great continuation of the series, full of action, twists and turns and unexpected surprises. More details into the world and peoples. Great " finding oneself" struggles and trying to figure out what is right and wrong. Extremely deep, complex and so real. Definite five stars from me again. Fantasy adventure character driven book.
February 4, 2024
Excellent second book in this fantasy adventure series!
December 2, 2023
Exciting and Fast Paced Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
Quote:📖
Yellow flags wafted in the air. And with the rising sun, the Ondalarians came.
Thoughts: 💡
This was a fun and exciting book filled with action and drama. There were multiple POVs which gave a lot of insight into the complicated dilemmas in this story. I loved the way the characters related to one another and the snarky relationships between them. This is a very exciting and well written story with great banter.
Writing Mechanics: ✍️
The characters are richly developed with extensive backstories and motivations. The plot drives the story forward and is flushed out with multiple perspectives. The book is well edited and easy to read while being fast paced with high action sequences that left me on the edge of my seat.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Tragic
⚜️ Rich Backstories
⚜️ Exciting Battles & Fights
⚜️ Close Friendships
Important Note:✨
This is book 2 and has POVs from the MCs in book 1.
Full Content Warning:⚠️
War, Violence & Gore, Death
Stats:📊
Young Adult
Character Dev: 5 💙💙💙💙💙/5
Genre: Epic Fantasy📕
Tropes: Swords & Sorcery, Coming of Age, Royal Dilemmas, Comrades in Arms📘
POV: Multi💃🏻🕺
Quote:📖
Yellow flags wafted in the air. And with the rising sun, the Ondalarians came.
Thoughts: 💡
This was a fun and exciting book filled with action and drama. There were multiple POVs which gave a lot of insight into the complicated dilemmas in this story. I loved the way the characters related to one another and the snarky relationships between them. This is a very exciting and well written story with great banter.
Writing Mechanics: ✍️
The characters are richly developed with extensive backstories and motivations. The plot drives the story forward and is flushed out with multiple perspectives. The book is well edited and easy to read while being fast paced with high action sequences that left me on the edge of my seat.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Tragic
⚜️ Rich Backstories
⚜️ Exciting Battles & Fights
⚜️ Close Friendships
Important Note:✨
This is book 2 and has POVs from the MCs in book 1.
Full Content Warning:⚠️
War, Violence & Gore, Death
Stats:📊
Young Adult
Character Dev: 5 💙💙💙💙💙/5
Genre: Epic Fantasy📕
Tropes: Swords & Sorcery, Coming of Age, Royal Dilemmas, Comrades in Arms📘
POV: Multi💃🏻🕺
February 16, 2024
Must read fantasy adventure! Great sequel!
November 5, 2024
The General picks up right where The Cavalier left off.
📖 I enjoyed the plot a lot. It's full of adventure with twists and turns, surprising and even one shocking reveal. It has so much heart with all the emotions wrapped up in battle weathered leather. The delicate way the story is layered and interconnected makes for a beautifully woven story.
✍️🏼 The General is well written and easy to read. Azizi writes smoothly, with rich descriptions and fun turns of phrases. I love that she gives the reader different ways of looking at things, both in a literal sense and figurative.
Dialogue reads and feels natural. I love the occasional humorous quip we get, ensuring the heavy topics don't get too heavy. It was a struggle to pull quotes for this one, there were just too many great lines.
🗺 Since this is the second book in a series, world building is focused on expanding and enriching.
🔮 The magic system is expanded and enriched a bit. I enjoyed and appreciated the take on birthmarks as an indicator of magic. Taking something that so many people are looked down upon, for something they're born with and have no control over and making it something that sets you apart, gives you powers that non-birthmarked people don't have.
⏳️ With shorter chapters, multi-POV with different storylines, plus action and tension, the pace is great. It's on the faster side, and keeps you turning those pages.
👥 If you're a character focused reader, like me, you'll fall in love with these characters (except for a couple that you'll hate with a burning passion 😆).
The diverse cast of characters are another aspect that's enriched and expanded. Backstories are expanded upon, new information revealed (some of it shocking).
💞 There's more romance in this than The Cavalier, definitely slow burn and well done. However, the romances aren't the main focus. I appreciate that, but if you're looking for a romance centered series, this may not be it. With multiple POVs and storylines, you're treated to a couple different romances.
🤔 The book provides a map (😍) and a list of characters, with pronunciations and basic relation info. However, a couple characters have a different name that's revealed in the book (but not used much). On the few occasions they were used after the reveals, it took me a second to connect who they were talking about. It was just long enough to break immersion. It very well could just be a "me" thing. 1
The other thing, and this definitely could also just be me, but the prophecy is going somewhere, I'm sure, but I still really don't know where. I kept expecting something big to occur that was related to it, but it didn't.
Being book 2, I expected more progress with it. Or it could be that I didn't catch the progress. I think it's a slow burn type situation, so my rating may end up changing once I read book 3. I still loved the book and had a great time reading it, loved the way it progressed the story otherwise. I'm excited to read book 3.
📚 If you enjoyed: Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson), An Ember in the Ashes (Sabaa Tahir)
📖 I enjoyed the plot a lot. It's full of adventure with twists and turns, surprising and even one shocking reveal. It has so much heart with all the emotions wrapped up in battle weathered leather. The delicate way the story is layered and interconnected makes for a beautifully woven story.
✍️🏼 The General is well written and easy to read. Azizi writes smoothly, with rich descriptions and fun turns of phrases. I love that she gives the reader different ways of looking at things, both in a literal sense and figurative.
Dialogue reads and feels natural. I love the occasional humorous quip we get, ensuring the heavy topics don't get too heavy. It was a struggle to pull quotes for this one, there were just too many great lines.
🗺 Since this is the second book in a series, world building is focused on expanding and enriching.
🔮 The magic system is expanded and enriched a bit. I enjoyed and appreciated the take on birthmarks as an indicator of magic. Taking something that so many people are looked down upon, for something they're born with and have no control over and making it something that sets you apart, gives you powers that non-birthmarked people don't have.
⏳️ With shorter chapters, multi-POV with different storylines, plus action and tension, the pace is great. It's on the faster side, and keeps you turning those pages.
👥 If you're a character focused reader, like me, you'll fall in love with these characters (except for a couple that you'll hate with a burning passion 😆).
The diverse cast of characters are another aspect that's enriched and expanded. Backstories are expanded upon, new information revealed (some of it shocking).
💞 There's more romance in this than The Cavalier, definitely slow burn and well done. However, the romances aren't the main focus. I appreciate that, but if you're looking for a romance centered series, this may not be it. With multiple POVs and storylines, you're treated to a couple different romances.
🤔 The book provides a map (😍) and a list of characters, with pronunciations and basic relation info. However, a couple characters have a different name that's revealed in the book (but not used much). On the few occasions they were used after the reveals, it took me a second to connect who they were talking about. It was just long enough to break immersion. It very well could just be a "me" thing. 1
The other thing, and this definitely could also just be me, but the prophecy is going somewhere, I'm sure, but I still really don't know where. I kept expecting something big to occur that was related to it, but it didn't.
Being book 2, I expected more progress with it. Or it could be that I didn't catch the progress. I think it's a slow burn type situation, so my rating may end up changing once I read book 3. I still loved the book and had a great time reading it, loved the way it progressed the story otherwise. I'm excited to read book 3.
📚 If you enjoyed: Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson), An Ember in the Ashes (Sabaa Tahir)
November 3, 2024
Following the events of The Cavalier this jumps straight back into the high stakes action and dramatic revelation of Winston's betrayal, and Velamir and Mordon are confronted with tragic truths about their identities.
This is packed full of action, scheming and powerful ambitions, and dark paths emerging that test all the characters.
This had so many creative revelations that are shifting up the dynamics and making the lines blur for who can be trusted as they are tempted by power or revenge.
The multiple POV helps you get into the mindset of everyone including the villains, and I loved the romantic developments in this one and the moments of vulnerability shown.
It was intense, emotional, filled with loss and grief, and themes of sacrifice and protection. This is a layered epic fantasy that doesn't let the characters have a moments peace and constantly tests them. Excited for book 3!
🛡️ "Let me go. Or kill me. Because if you don't, I will be your nightmare"
🛡️ "We all serve someone, Velamir. If not a person, then a cause"
🛡️ "It's better to trust in yourself than to rely on others because, sooner or later, they will let you down"
🛡️ "He'd fought against the dark side of himself for too long. Maybe it was time to stop. Maybe it was time to accept it"
🛡️ "I'm with you, even if it's to the grave"
🛡️ "You are the greatest schemer I've ever known. Perhaps I have plans, goals, but so does everyone. Perhaps I am rotten inside, but deep down, everyone is"
🛡️ "You are my solace in this darkness, my hope in this mess of lies"
🛡️ "A palace is a prison to me. Riches are chains. Anywhere we live, it will be home as long as you're there"
This is packed full of action, scheming and powerful ambitions, and dark paths emerging that test all the characters.
This had so many creative revelations that are shifting up the dynamics and making the lines blur for who can be trusted as they are tempted by power or revenge.
The multiple POV helps you get into the mindset of everyone including the villains, and I loved the romantic developments in this one and the moments of vulnerability shown.
It was intense, emotional, filled with loss and grief, and themes of sacrifice and protection. This is a layered epic fantasy that doesn't let the characters have a moments peace and constantly tests them. Excited for book 3!
🛡️ "Let me go. Or kill me. Because if you don't, I will be your nightmare"
🛡️ "We all serve someone, Velamir. If not a person, then a cause"
🛡️ "It's better to trust in yourself than to rely on others because, sooner or later, they will let you down"
🛡️ "He'd fought against the dark side of himself for too long. Maybe it was time to stop. Maybe it was time to accept it"
🛡️ "I'm with you, even if it's to the grave"
🛡️ "You are the greatest schemer I've ever known. Perhaps I have plans, goals, but so does everyone. Perhaps I am rotten inside, but deep down, everyone is"
🛡️ "You are my solace in this darkness, my hope in this mess of lies"
🛡️ "A palace is a prison to me. Riches are chains. Anywhere we live, it will be home as long as you're there"
October 3, 2024
The second book in the Heroes of the Empire series did not disappoint.
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book continued to be well thought out and diverse. Full of description and accompanied with a wonderful map.
Characters
Once again the highlight of the series has got to be the characters. I absolutely loved the characters. Very relatable with great arc development only to be enhanced by their backstories and lore. As with book one, the second had multiple POV's which is a plus for me.
Pacing
The General had a faster pace than the first since I was already familiar with the characters and fantasy world. Due to the plot twists and the intriguing writing style it was hard to find a chapter to take a break on. Needless to say I finished the book sooner than I thought.
Magic System
Can't get enough of the Shadow Manos and their abilities. Great story expansion on this system which I could see being nonfantastical and being applied to real life.
Looking forward to Book 3!
My rating: 5 stars Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General
Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding in this book continued to be well thought out and diverse. Full of description and accompanied with a wonderful map.
Characters
Once again the highlight of the series has got to be the characters. I absolutely loved the characters. Very relatable with great arc development only to be enhanced by their backstories and lore. As with book one, the second had multiple POV's which is a plus for me.
Pacing
The General had a faster pace than the first since I was already familiar with the characters and fantasy world. Due to the plot twists and the intriguing writing style it was hard to find a chapter to take a break on. Needless to say I finished the book sooner than I thought.
Magic System
Can't get enough of the Shadow Manos and their abilities. Great story expansion on this system which I could see being nonfantastical and being applied to real life.
Looking forward to Book 3!
My rating: 5 stars Heroes of the Empire Book 2: The General
July 6, 2024
Back into the adventure with another five stars. Clean romance and exciting action. Great story and characters.
July 2, 2025
If the main thing you look for in a medieval fantasy is non-stop action, shocking plot twists, and characters who simply canNOT catch a break, then you will LOVE the Heroes of the Empire series. But although I enjoyed those elements, I tend to look for more than that in my books...
First, let's talk about what worked well, because Azizi's writing has noticeably improved since book 1, and many of the plot elements are downright impressive.
✅ Action. I think this is the most non-stop book I've ever read. While many lengthy fantasy books struggle to keep a compelling pace, this one doesn't slow down from page 1. Sword fights, betrayal, kidnapping, torture, daring escapes--this book literally has all that and more.
✅ Plot twists. I'm 50/50 on these being well-done or a bit overdone. There were definitely a lot of shocking surprises, and some of them were foreshadowed adequately and added real weight to the plot and character arcs. Others felt unnecessary, and like they'd been added for shock value alone.
✅ World building. I liked the world more in this sequel than in the first installment. It's clearly a lot more fleshed out, and the lore feels richer and more seamless in its incorporation. I genuinely love some of the phrases characters use, like the mourning consolation, "His pain is no more, his glory remembered." That goes hard.
✅ Drama. I don't typically read a book for sheer reality TV factor, there is no denying how addictive and juicy the drama is in this book. The amount of *gasps* "No he didn't!!!" moments numbered in the dozens for me. 😂 And did I mention that in the first chapter alone TWO characters find out their fathers were different men than they grew up believing!? It was wild but I ate👏it👏up👏
✅ Velamir and Natassa. These two have the sweetest romance and I genuinely enjoyed their scenes together. If you love tortured heroes coming together to heal each other's emotional scars, you will ADORE these two. My only complaint would be that we didn't get to watch their relationship grow as much as we could have, so it felt a little like "insta-love" sometimes.
✅ TELEPATHIC WOLVES!!! (need I say more?)
Ok, so all that being said, you might guess some of my issues with the story, but these are the main things that didn't work for me.
❎ Flat villains. I'm not one of those people who believes every villain has to be redeemable or sympathetic, but sometimes the villains in this book, especially the emperor, just felt cartoonishly evil. Other than a general lust for power, I didn't understand many of their motivations or how they corrupted so much from the people they supposedly used to be. Draven is the only exception to this rule, but he's so vile I didn't find his backstory giving me much hope...
❎ So. Much. Violence and Gore. Don't get me wrong, a stabby medieval fantasy with THIS many make-or-break battles definitely needs good fight scenes, but I found the number of violent and gruesome confrontations unsettling, personally. I skimmed several scenes because I don't enjoy reading about blood spurting or people getting mercilessly tortured. 🙃
❎ Too many POVs. As a writer myself, I'm impressed at how well Azizi balanced all those views (6 primary POVs and 2-3 secondary ones) to create a cohesive plot and very tense pacing, but as a reader I just wanted to spend more time with some of the characters. A lot of big moments for the characters' personal growth seemed sudden because I hadn't gotten to see them reach that decision, and the romance felt rushed sometimes. And the magic system, which I would have liked to learn more about, got soooo little page time.
❎ Deaths. Killing a character here and there to emphasize stakes or increase the protag's motivation is understandable, but I had to use two hands to count the number of named and sometimes even POV characters who got killed in this book! It began to feel tiresome and combined with the brutality and devastating circumstances, I ended up feeling really bummed out by the end of the book. (And on a slightly related note, two of the most tortured and mistreated characters in this series only continued to have worse and worse things happen to them, including my favorite sidekick Jax. 😭)
❎ Problematic relationship. I mentioned these two in my review for book 1, but Mordon gives off some major red flags that Coralie seems totally oblivious to. I get really uncomfortable when a violent and immature man with anger issues claims to be soft for one woman only, because this kind of thinking gets vulnerable women into abusive relationships every day, and it should not be glorified or represented as romantic by fiction, especially fiction aimed at young adults. Mordon did have some growth throughout the book and by the end demonstrated exactly one (1) promising trait, but that wasn't enough to overcome the past problems... At least Coralie has a good head on her shoulders.
I already ordered book 3, and I think after a break from this devastating world, I'll be able to finish out the trilogy. Either way, Azizi knows how to write characters I want to see more of, and that is ultimately an author's greatest achievement.
First, let's talk about what worked well, because Azizi's writing has noticeably improved since book 1, and many of the plot elements are downright impressive.
✅ Action. I think this is the most non-stop book I've ever read. While many lengthy fantasy books struggle to keep a compelling pace, this one doesn't slow down from page 1. Sword fights, betrayal, kidnapping, torture, daring escapes--this book literally has all that and more.
✅ Plot twists. I'm 50/50 on these being well-done or a bit overdone. There were definitely a lot of shocking surprises, and some of them were foreshadowed adequately and added real weight to the plot and character arcs. Others felt unnecessary, and like they'd been added for shock value alone.
✅ World building. I liked the world more in this sequel than in the first installment. It's clearly a lot more fleshed out, and the lore feels richer and more seamless in its incorporation. I genuinely love some of the phrases characters use, like the mourning consolation, "His pain is no more, his glory remembered." That goes hard.
✅ Drama. I don't typically read a book for sheer reality TV factor, there is no denying how addictive and juicy the drama is in this book. The amount of *gasps* "No he didn't!!!" moments numbered in the dozens for me. 😂 And did I mention that in the first chapter alone TWO characters find out their fathers were different men than they grew up believing!? It was wild but I ate👏it👏up👏
✅ Velamir and Natassa. These two have the sweetest romance and I genuinely enjoyed their scenes together. If you love tortured heroes coming together to heal each other's emotional scars, you will ADORE these two. My only complaint would be that we didn't get to watch their relationship grow as much as we could have, so it felt a little like "insta-love" sometimes.
✅ TELEPATHIC WOLVES!!! (need I say more?)
Ok, so all that being said, you might guess some of my issues with the story, but these are the main things that didn't work for me.
❎ Flat villains. I'm not one of those people who believes every villain has to be redeemable or sympathetic, but sometimes the villains in this book, especially the emperor, just felt cartoonishly evil. Other than a general lust for power, I didn't understand many of their motivations or how they corrupted so much from the people they supposedly used to be. Draven is the only exception to this rule, but he's so vile I didn't find his backstory giving me much hope...
❎ So. Much. Violence and Gore. Don't get me wrong, a stabby medieval fantasy with THIS many make-or-break battles definitely needs good fight scenes, but I found the number of violent and gruesome confrontations unsettling, personally. I skimmed several scenes because I don't enjoy reading about blood spurting or people getting mercilessly tortured. 🙃
❎ Too many POVs. As a writer myself, I'm impressed at how well Azizi balanced all those views (6 primary POVs and 2-3 secondary ones) to create a cohesive plot and very tense pacing, but as a reader I just wanted to spend more time with some of the characters. A lot of big moments for the characters' personal growth seemed sudden because I hadn't gotten to see them reach that decision, and the romance felt rushed sometimes. And the magic system, which I would have liked to learn more about, got soooo little page time.
❎ Deaths. Killing a character here and there to emphasize stakes or increase the protag's motivation is understandable, but I had to use two hands to count the number of named and sometimes even POV characters who got killed in this book! It began to feel tiresome and combined with the brutality and devastating circumstances, I ended up feeling really bummed out by the end of the book. (And on a slightly related note, two of the most tortured and mistreated characters in this series only continued to have worse and worse things happen to them, including my favorite sidekick Jax. 😭)
❎ Problematic relationship. I mentioned these two in my review for book 1, but Mordon gives off some major red flags that Coralie seems totally oblivious to. I get really uncomfortable when a violent and immature man with anger issues claims to be soft for one woman only, because this kind of thinking gets vulnerable women into abusive relationships every day, and it should not be glorified or represented as romantic by fiction, especially fiction aimed at young adults. Mordon did have some growth throughout the book and by the end demonstrated exactly one (1) promising trait, but that wasn't enough to overcome the past problems... At least Coralie has a good head on her shoulders.
I already ordered book 3, and I think after a break from this devastating world, I'll be able to finish out the trilogy. Either way, Azizi knows how to write characters I want to see more of, and that is ultimately an author's greatest achievement.
January 20, 2024
It felt so great to be back in the world of Heroes of the Empire! This is a YA series that is perfect for readers of We Hunt the Flame or An Ember in the Ashes in terms of action and slow burning romance, but that definitely leans close to the exquisite political intrigue of books such as the Daevabad trilogy.
In this sequel, I was very pleased to see that the author further distanced herself from the academy setting that characterized the beginning of the first book, and instead fully leaned into the political intricasies of her plot. There were so many betrayals and shocking twists happening from very early on in the book! The multiple POV narration allows the reader a full picture of the story, and the chance to really dive into the inner turmoils of the characters, which was especially interesting when faced with some of their more questionable actions.
Without getting into spoilers, I will say that some of my favorite characters to follow this time around were Mordon and Coralie. Mordon is a true morally gray character, constantly torn between his desire for greatness and the equally strong need to be a man worthy of Coralie. The glimpses into their first interactions were perfect! They are my favorite romance of the series.
My guilty pleasure chapters, however, were Kasdeya's and Draven's (and I fully blame my dark romance obsession for this). These two were twisted and ruthless, but so fascinating. And I have to say that Draven is revealing himself to be quite an interesting character that might reserve some surprises in the future books.
Overall, a solid sequel filled with action and political schemings! Admittedly, since the story picks up where the previous book left off, I needed time to reconnect with the plot and the characters. But once I did, the obsession returned in full force! Cannot wait for the sequel. The cliffie made me scream, be warned!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own!
In this sequel, I was very pleased to see that the author further distanced herself from the academy setting that characterized the beginning of the first book, and instead fully leaned into the political intricasies of her plot. There were so many betrayals and shocking twists happening from very early on in the book! The multiple POV narration allows the reader a full picture of the story, and the chance to really dive into the inner turmoils of the characters, which was especially interesting when faced with some of their more questionable actions.
Without getting into spoilers, I will say that some of my favorite characters to follow this time around were Mordon and Coralie. Mordon is a true morally gray character, constantly torn between his desire for greatness and the equally strong need to be a man worthy of Coralie. The glimpses into their first interactions were perfect! They are my favorite romance of the series.
My guilty pleasure chapters, however, were Kasdeya's and Draven's (and I fully blame my dark romance obsession for this). These two were twisted and ruthless, but so fascinating. And I have to say that Draven is revealing himself to be quite an interesting character that might reserve some surprises in the future books.
Overall, a solid sequel filled with action and political schemings! Admittedly, since the story picks up where the previous book left off, I needed time to reconnect with the plot and the characters. But once I did, the obsession returned in full force! Cannot wait for the sequel. The cliffie made me scream, be warned!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own!
January 2, 2024
Review 4.5 stars!
This series is perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes, it has dark fantasy elements such as war, an oppressive empire, an academy for training soldiers, rebellions and betrayals.
The story is told in multiple POV between the different characters spread out across the different kingdoms. Book 2 continues right where the first one ended and I was happy to see, that just like the first book, the fluidity and fast pace of the authors writing style shines again in the sequel! 😍 it’s not so often I find a fantasy series that is so layered, so rich and and well developed, and most importantly, the lush worldbuilding does not deter the flow of the story at all!
This series has a perfect combination of plot and characters. Even with the multiple changes of points of view between the chapters, we follow each character with gripping intensity! Natassa and Kasdeya were my favourite chapters to read. At first I had to reread the ending of book 2 to set myself again since it was some months since I read it, and I often used the glossary and map at the start of the book to remember what each name meant so I definitely recommend using those.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review
This series is perfect for fans of An Ember in the Ashes, it has dark fantasy elements such as war, an oppressive empire, an academy for training soldiers, rebellions and betrayals.
The story is told in multiple POV between the different characters spread out across the different kingdoms. Book 2 continues right where the first one ended and I was happy to see, that just like the first book, the fluidity and fast pace of the authors writing style shines again in the sequel! 😍 it’s not so often I find a fantasy series that is so layered, so rich and and well developed, and most importantly, the lush worldbuilding does not deter the flow of the story at all!
This series has a perfect combination of plot and characters. Even with the multiple changes of points of view between the chapters, we follow each character with gripping intensity! Natassa and Kasdeya were my favourite chapters to read. At first I had to reread the ending of book 2 to set myself again since it was some months since I read it, and I often used the glossary and map at the start of the book to remember what each name meant so I definitely recommend using those.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review
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