Desdemona in Embers: Book Two of the Illuminator Saga

by Heather Wohl

What would it take for you to commit treason?

Join Quistix, Twitch, Aurora and Frok as they journey through a biting winter in Evolt to deliver the knowledge-hungry esteg high in the sky to the foliage-filled floating city of Apex. While her comrades explore the elevated province, Quistix unearths her dark family history and unravels more of the mystery surrounding her wild abilities. Back on the rioting isle of Destoria, however, a power-drunk quichyrd breathes life into the dead, playing God to a rotting army of green-eyed beasts. With airborne dragons, heirloom tomes, perplexing puzzles, vicious tundra goblins, scorned mages, thieving wyls, power-hungry royalty, and the seething undead, Desdemona in Embers is a tale of hilarity, heartbreak, and adventure that will leave you with the Who is truly running Destoria?

Desdemona in Embers is the second installment of the Illuminator Saga . We recommend reading From Book One of the Illuminator Saga first.

304 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2023

About the author

Award-winning author, Heather Wohl, coordinates a growing oil field laboratory based in Casper, Wyoming. While her job is straightforward and clinical, she enjoys letting her mind wander into creative outlets. An avid storyteller since childhood, she has always enjoyed spinning fantastical tales. She is a proud supporter of chronic illness support, mental health awareness, and pitbull advocacy, considering the latter to be her furry muses. Heart and soul are poured into every page of her work, and she looks forward to the opportunity to entertain you.

Reviews

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

More Dark Fantasy/Horror than High Fantasy

I listen to a lot of fantasy books, so when the author of this Illuminator Saga series stated it was fantasy/high fantasy, I thought I knew what I was getting into. Unfortunately, that was not the case! It should actually be listed as dark fantasy and perhaps even horror. I am a fan of neither of those fiction subgenres. I found Book 1 too gruesome for my liking, but this one ups the horror factor even more. I'm not sure how much I should give away, but I certainly would like to warn any others like me who prefer, shall we say, fantasy without elements of darkness or horror. Imagine many of the good guys in the story being killed in gruesome and gratuitous ways. In fact, at some point, I was wondering who would take over from the evil dark-magic-wielding queen once she met her end. (How that exactly transpired didn't exactly make sense.) Imagine "tundra goblins" eagerly participating in cannabalism after one of their comrades falls--again described in gory, gleeful detail. Imagine also multiple armies of undead, including one of children brought back to an undead “life” by someone trying to learn how to cheat death. So much death described in vivid, gruesome detail, including beings burned until they were nothing but smoking, quivering sinews and heads bashed against walls and rocks. Yes, the author gets that graphic. And poor Frock! Did that really have to happen to the sweet young dragon?

This book shared another oddity with book one: too much reference to all things scatological, including creatures who are known to produce ripe farts (and do so regularly) and using flaming poop-tipped arrows to try to take down enemies.

We do find out in this book what the Illuminator is, and after the buildup in Book One and this one, what it ended up to be was a bit disappointing. Even though I listened to these books almost back to back—but not quite as, again, I don't have much taste for horror—I found the world and the different creatures and beings within it confusing. The author doesn't just have standard fantasy characters like elves and witches, but also creatures she's made up and given odd names. In an audiobook, it's hard to track this when there are so many different types of creatures (that can have multiple names) and even hybrid creatures (which can also have multiple names). Unlike a book, you can’t flip back through the pages to try to figure out who's who and what’s what. Unless you prefer dark fantasy or horror, I don't recommend this book or this series. I hope for future readers or listeners that the author is more honest in her book descriptions so that readers with no interest in dark fantasy or horror can avoid a book that truly is those subgenres.

I have given relatively low stars to this book, not because I dislike the subgenre, but because—even stripping away my revulsion—the story simply lacked in too many ways and was too confusing as an audiobook.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Amanda Ruzsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The immersive world that Wohl creates in this second book is described with such beauty. Once again, everything around me faded into the background as I became completely engrossed in the story. This sequel surpasses the first book in its greatness, which was already epic in its own right. Like its predecessor, "From Ashes," this story is filled with trials of determination, loyalty, and the bonds of family and friendship. It evoked a range of emotions from me - I cried, laughed, and even had moments of disbelief. I found myself both giggling and gasping at different points. The characters we encounter in this book are both extraordinary and repulsive, and we are compelled to experience their emotions alongside them, both loving and hating them. I can't even begin to count how many times I was moved to tears or felt the pain and heartbreak that the characters endured throughout this incredible journey. I have already read this book twice, and I would gladly read it again and again. The ending left me yearning for the third book immediately. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

[Erica Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an ARC copy of this and it is phenomenal. I liked it even more than the first book of the saga (From Ashes). I loved the reign of Exos and the discovery of the floating city of Apex along with the Institute of Magic. I really enjoyed learning Quistix's backstory and understanding more about the actual Illuminator. There are some heartbreaking moments and laugh out loud moments in this one. And some fantastic characters too, including Veynan, the dragon. Stellar book. I cannot wait to read Wohl's upcoming novella Call of the Wyl and I'm chomping at the bit to read book three now! Well done. Easy five stars from me. Wohl is turning me into a fantasy-lover for sure.

[Shu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! A follow on to the first in this series, From Ashes, this book follows Quistix and her newfound family across Destoria. While it may be hard to follow if you have not read the 1st in the series, this story is heart wrenching, gasp-inducing, and at times… a little dark. Some turns you expect while others hit you when you least expect them. Fantasy in the best way with world-building akin to the Witcher, Heather Wohl has a way of writing that scratches an itch in my brain, I cannot recommend this series enough.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of twists and turns I did not see coming!

Once again, we join Quistix, our blacksmith elf, along with her group of friends, heading to Apex. While there, Quistix learns quite a bit about her parents, not all of it good either. Not to mention, Quistix is exhibiting new magical abilities along the way as they fight off creature after creature. This story is full of action and battles, the plot is tight and moves right along, and all the characters are engaging, from the evil to the good. Honestly, I cannot wait to read what happens in the next installment of The Illuminator Saga.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great sequel in the Illuminator Saga with a great story, interesting character dynamics, and awesome fantasy elements. Look forward to seeing where this story goes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carla Zanghellini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fight for the good! I liked the book, although too much happens at once and it is therefore difficult to follow. It is a fight to protect the others, the friends and everyone who still wants a future.
The narrator tried hard, but seems a bit schoolmasterly and could have more personality

[Joan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The epic story continues. The story grows darker and reveals more family secrets. The pacing of this book gently guided the reader thru scenes.

Lovers of fantasy may enjoy this series.