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The Strings of Fate: Book Two in the Freedom for Rhethos Series
The rebellion rising in Rhethos just got more when Will unexpectedly takes control of a towne still loyal to The Bradford, he is forced to choose between slaughtering those who oppose him and somehow turning Lorington’s rulers to his cause. The vicious Rhethosian Captain and his army are marching north, the rebel’s supplies have been destroyed, and a new complication creates a rift between Will and his estranged daughter. In the heart of the city is a mysterious digsite, full of the Armellan Goddess’ energy that is cursing many with a deadly illness.
Devaki is far from home and finds her father is keeping her at arm’s length. When an ancient form of magic calls to her from beneath Lorington’s streets, Devaki has the very core of her faith questioned. Finding her place in the fight for freedom and following her Mother may prove she has to sacrifice everything.
Back at The Forts, Joshua tries to achieve a balance between blood and faith, by training with weaponry and using his Goddess’ Touch. As his connection with Cybarys grows, outside forces from his past cause unexpected chaos. Josh finds that the Goddess has prophetic plans for him that can either save or destroy more than just Will’s rebellion . . . if he can unquestioningly obey her.
Angelyn becomes embroiled in Lorington’s struggles. She delves into the way women have been generationally abused, realizing that teaching them to own their voices holds great power. Working alongside Will and learning more about the man himself, Angelyn discovers that there is a darker side to the rebellion hidden behind closed doors and false smiles.
No matter how hard Will tries to avoid the Goddess, he finds that Cybarys is involved in his fight for freedom. When pieces of both kingdoms’ histories are exposed as lies, he risks losing his child whom he’s desperately prepared himself to meet for sixteen years. With his deepening relationship with Angelyn, Will knows that Rhethos deserves better than another monster as its ruler. Can he make the right choices and keep the love of those he holds most dear?
Devaki is far from home and finds her father is keeping her at arm’s length. When an ancient form of magic calls to her from beneath Lorington’s streets, Devaki has the very core of her faith questioned. Finding her place in the fight for freedom and following her Mother may prove she has to sacrifice everything.
Back at The Forts, Joshua tries to achieve a balance between blood and faith, by training with weaponry and using his Goddess’ Touch. As his connection with Cybarys grows, outside forces from his past cause unexpected chaos. Josh finds that the Goddess has prophetic plans for him that can either save or destroy more than just Will’s rebellion . . . if he can unquestioningly obey her.
Angelyn becomes embroiled in Lorington’s struggles. She delves into the way women have been generationally abused, realizing that teaching them to own their voices holds great power. Working alongside Will and learning more about the man himself, Angelyn discovers that there is a darker side to the rebellion hidden behind closed doors and false smiles.
No matter how hard Will tries to avoid the Goddess, he finds that Cybarys is involved in his fight for freedom. When pieces of both kingdoms’ histories are exposed as lies, he risks losing his child whom he’s desperately prepared himself to meet for sixteen years. With his deepening relationship with Angelyn, Will knows that Rhethos deserves better than another monster as its ruler. Can he make the right choices and keep the love of those he holds most dear?
514 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2024
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21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 13, 2025
I am Obsessed 😍😍😍😍😍
5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"In times of war and rebellion, Men lead with their dicks and women plan with their wits": quote by me 😅 because I am so in awe with EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER in the book...even the villains
I have said in my review of book 1 "It is so rare to come upon an Epic fantasy that is not centered around Romance written by a female author
and Lyon Delivered a Brandon Sanderson / John Gwynne level ...and not only do I stand by it, but I'll raise the bar by saying I have loved this book more than any 2nd book in an Epic Fantasy.
I also mentioned that book 1 was a bit minimal in the magic explanation, and lo and behold, book 2 gave me everything I wanted.
The Strings of Fate plays on the double sides of everything..the Yin and Yang if you wish...no one is pure evil...and no one is pure good. It is the path to which side we choose to go and how to find the balance that is important.
and this is clear with the revelation of what is the Mothe Goddess Sevaris (I hope I am pronouncing it correctly cause I was listening to the audio): neither All-good, neither All-evil. I am looking forward to find out which side She tips especially when it comes to Divaki and Josh.
Same with the goddess and magic, the idea of "the rebellion" is also challenged. I absolutely can relate to what Irvin has done (call me evil if you will). When you are facing an evil entity that is destroying your homes, killing your people, orphaning your children, and enslaving your soul. sometimes to achieve the good you have to tip a little over the edge.... what does that mean? well...I won't spoil...read the book
Although this book is not a Romance fantasy, not even a Fantasy with Romance, I did enjoy the little bit of romance between Angelyn and Will. I loved the growth of their relationship, which was based on mutual trust and understanding that they are each other's equals, not compliments.
I hope with all my heart that this book gets the credit and hype it deserves
and finally, as always, the audiobook narrator did phenomenally
5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"In times of war and rebellion, Men lead with their dicks and women plan with their wits": quote by me 😅 because I am so in awe with EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER in the book...even the villains
I have said in my review of book 1 "It is so rare to come upon an Epic fantasy that is not centered around Romance written by a female author
and Lyon Delivered a Brandon Sanderson / John Gwynne level ...and not only do I stand by it, but I'll raise the bar by saying I have loved this book more than any 2nd book in an Epic Fantasy.
I also mentioned that book 1 was a bit minimal in the magic explanation, and lo and behold, book 2 gave me everything I wanted.
The Strings of Fate plays on the double sides of everything..the Yin and Yang if you wish...no one is pure evil...and no one is pure good. It is the path to which side we choose to go and how to find the balance that is important.
and this is clear with the revelation of what is the Mothe Goddess Sevaris (I hope I am pronouncing it correctly cause I was listening to the audio): neither All-good, neither All-evil. I am looking forward to find out which side She tips especially when it comes to Divaki and Josh.
Same with the goddess and magic, the idea of "the rebellion" is also challenged. I absolutely can relate to what Irvin has done (call me evil if you will). When you are facing an evil entity that is destroying your homes, killing your people, orphaning your children, and enslaving your soul. sometimes to achieve the good you have to tip a little over the edge.... what does that mean? well...I won't spoil...read the book
Although this book is not a Romance fantasy, not even a Fantasy with Romance, I did enjoy the little bit of romance between Angelyn and Will. I loved the growth of their relationship, which was based on mutual trust and understanding that they are each other's equals, not compliments.
I hope with all my heart that this book gets the credit and hype it deserves
and finally, as always, the audiobook narrator did phenomenally
December 8, 2024
No second book slump here. The second installment in this trilogy kept me guessing as to how the main characters were going to make it through. Lyon has wonderful character develop through book two, particularly with Devaki and Will. I am so excited to see where book three takes us.
August 13, 2024
The Strings of Fate by Hannah R. Lyon is a gripping and immersive sequel that truly deepens the world and characters introduced in the first book of the Freedom for Rhethos series. As a fan of sequels, I often find myself enjoying the second book more, and this one did not disappoint.
What I loved most about this book was how it dives straight into the action, allowing us to see the characters in the thick of their struggles. Will's journey, in particular, is compelling as he tries to balance his relationship with his estranged daughter, his growing feelings for Angelyn, and his duties as a leader. His internal conflict and the difficult decisions he faces show that leadership is never easy, and sometimes, there are no clear-cut answers.
Angelyn emerges as a standout character, grappling with her evolving role as a leader while managing her feelings for Will and the complexities of Joshua's independence. Her determination to prove her worth and assert herself in a male-dominated environment is both inspiring and poignant. Angelyn’s commitment to empowering others, particularly women who have been oppressed for generations, highlights her growth and resilience.
Devaki's story was another highlight for me. Having had less focus in the first book, she comes to the forefront here, and her devotion to the goddess and the challenges she faces as an outsider among the Rhethosian rebels are explored in a meaningful way. Her attempts to connect with Will are heart-wrenching, and by the end of the book, I found myself eagerly anticipating how their relationship will evolve in the next installment.
Joshua's growth and transformation are also fascinating to witness. Freed from his mother's control, he must now learn to manage his magic and face the real-world consequences of his actions. His journey from a teenager to a man is filled with sacrifices and tough choices, making his character arc particularly engaging.
Hannah R. Lyon’s storytelling shines with vivid imagery, well-timed perspective shifts, and a richly developed world that pulls you in. The lore and magic system have surprising twists that kept me on my toes and the pacing is well-handled. The narrative especially, is expertly crafted to keep readers invested in multiple storylines without confusion. The action scenes are vividly described, offering a sense of intensity without crossing into gratuitous detail.
Overall, The Strings of Fate is a beautifully written continuation that raises the stakes and deepens the emotional complexity of the series. It’s a must-read for fans of high fantasy who enjoy rich world-building, complex characters, and a story that keeps you engaged from start to finish. I highly recommend it and can't wait to see where Lyon takes us in the next book.
What I loved most about this book was how it dives straight into the action, allowing us to see the characters in the thick of their struggles. Will's journey, in particular, is compelling as he tries to balance his relationship with his estranged daughter, his growing feelings for Angelyn, and his duties as a leader. His internal conflict and the difficult decisions he faces show that leadership is never easy, and sometimes, there are no clear-cut answers.
Angelyn emerges as a standout character, grappling with her evolving role as a leader while managing her feelings for Will and the complexities of Joshua's independence. Her determination to prove her worth and assert herself in a male-dominated environment is both inspiring and poignant. Angelyn’s commitment to empowering others, particularly women who have been oppressed for generations, highlights her growth and resilience.
Devaki's story was another highlight for me. Having had less focus in the first book, she comes to the forefront here, and her devotion to the goddess and the challenges she faces as an outsider among the Rhethosian rebels are explored in a meaningful way. Her attempts to connect with Will are heart-wrenching, and by the end of the book, I found myself eagerly anticipating how their relationship will evolve in the next installment.
Joshua's growth and transformation are also fascinating to witness. Freed from his mother's control, he must now learn to manage his magic and face the real-world consequences of his actions. His journey from a teenager to a man is filled with sacrifices and tough choices, making his character arc particularly engaging.
Hannah R. Lyon’s storytelling shines with vivid imagery, well-timed perspective shifts, and a richly developed world that pulls you in. The lore and magic system have surprising twists that kept me on my toes and the pacing is well-handled. The narrative especially, is expertly crafted to keep readers invested in multiple storylines without confusion. The action scenes are vividly described, offering a sense of intensity without crossing into gratuitous detail.
Overall, The Strings of Fate is a beautifully written continuation that raises the stakes and deepens the emotional complexity of the series. It’s a must-read for fans of high fantasy who enjoy rich world-building, complex characters, and a story that keeps you engaged from start to finish. I highly recommend it and can't wait to see where Lyon takes us in the next book.
October 14, 2024
Thank you to the author for the free audiobook.
The Strings of Fate started immediately after the ending The Rebel in Violet, so you definitely need to read the first before diving into this one.
With the same narrator as the first, I loved the accent. Again, I felt transported to Rhethos.
The story line continues on, with more magic, more spies, more secrets. I loved the continuing character growth from Will and Angelyn—and yes! There finally is a bit more romance💜—with both of them opening up and showing their vulnerabilities.
Additionally, I love the multiple points-of-view, especially getting insight into Devaki and Joshua, as they seem integral to the future of Rhethos. There are so many movign parts, I'm so excited to see where it's gonna go next.
Another interesting listen from Hannah R. Lyon and I'm hooked to see how everything will be resolved.
The Strings of Fate started immediately after the ending The Rebel in Violet, so you definitely need to read the first before diving into this one.
With the same narrator as the first, I loved the accent. Again, I felt transported to Rhethos.
The story line continues on, with more magic, more spies, more secrets. I loved the continuing character growth from Will and Angelyn—and yes! There finally is a bit more romance💜—with both of them opening up and showing their vulnerabilities.
Additionally, I love the multiple points-of-view, especially getting insight into Devaki and Joshua, as they seem integral to the future of Rhethos. There are so many movign parts, I'm so excited to see where it's gonna go next.
Another interesting listen from Hannah R. Lyon and I'm hooked to see how everything will be resolved.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews