The Rising

The Branded Season #2

by Jo Riccioni

The explosive conclusion to the Branded Season two sisters harness their powers and fight for their lives, their loves and their freedom…
A fantastic read for fans of Hannah Whitten and Stacey McEwan.

Nara and her twin sister, Osha, have escaped the brutal clutches of the Citadel and the Hrossi Wastelanders and have arrived in the Shadow City of Reis.

In the Shadow City, power plays are rife and rumours abound of a Pure healer with the ability to cure the Branded. New allies emerge alongside familiar faces as the city churns with this long-awaited prophecy that many would kill to see come true – and all eyes are on Osha. Nara must protect her sister; their powers are growing stronger, and it’s vital they learn to wield them.

Before long Nara is caught between her first love and the one who’s stolen her heart but betrayed her trust. Surrounded by lies and deception she is left uncertain who she truly is and what she can believe. Dark forces are taking control across the Continent, and the Branded must rise to survive.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Audiobook, Romance, Fiction, Magic

352 pages, Paperback

Published February 11, 2025

About the author

Jo Riccioni graduated from Leeds University with a Masters in Medieval Literature. She has lived and worked around the world but finally settled in Australia where she conjures up fantasy worlds from a shed in her garden on Garigal land in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Jo’s series, The Branded Season, was inspired by a long-standing desire from uni days to see women and women’s issues at the heart of the epic fantasy canon. Jo's award-winning short fiction has been anthologised in Best Australian Stories 2010 and 2011, and her story, Can't Take the Country out of the Boy has been optioned for a short film. The Italians at Cleat's Corner Store, her first novel, was awarded the International Rubery Award for Fiction in 2015. https://www.joriccioni.com

Reviews

[Beatrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explosive is one way to describe the conclusion... felt more rushed tbh. Again, this book suffers from uneven pacing. The quest felt like we were going one step forwards, and three steps backs. I struggled to see the purpose of some of the quest for the characters and world building.

However, the events leading up to that ending is something I did not see coming and completely wrecked me!

3 ⭐

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Rising
by Jo Riccioni
The Branded Season #2
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
Angry Robot
Ages: 16+

Nara and her sister Osha are now in the Shadow City of Reis, where power plays are common and take advantage of the prophecy that a Pure healer will come with the ability to cure the Branded.

But there are lies and deception within the walls from strangers and those Nara thinks she knows.


The second book of the series begins where the first left off, at least I think it does. While the story was great, I felt lost because there was hardly any recap of the first book within the first five chapters so I only remember this and that, which didn't help and was disappointing. I shouldn't have to wait until the last few chapters of the book before; 'Oh, yeah, that's what is going on.' I was confused so I was not enjoying the story, and I should not have to re-read the previous one. (This is NOT a multi-book series, it's a duology.)

Along those lines, I felt as if it was missing the history of the world, and without a decent recap, it did start to resemble another book I recently read, which I kept having to correct myself.

It was a nice story and moved along at a great pace when I knew what was going on. As you can tell a lack of recap/history can make a big difference in how much a reader enjoys a story.

The ending was ok, but the battle(s) felt too quick and simple.

I did like the story and would recommend this to others IF they read both books back to back.

The lack of recap and history kept it from the next star.

2 Stars

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wish it was a trilogy, felt rushed. but still loved it. got rlly predictable n the battle scenes weren’t long enough

[Yari]

After leaving us with a cliffhanger, The Rising by Jo Riccioni picks up the story right we we left off. The book had a great pace, but the story itself felt rushed, this duology would have been better served as a trilogy.

Character ARCs for Nara, Osha and Brim are well developed, and the world building was phenomenal. The romance remained as a subplot and did not hijack the story (a bonus for me) and the battle scenes did not drag on (another bonus for me).

I really enjoyed this series and would be excited to read more of this wonderful world created by Jo Riccioni.

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. My opinions are my own.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
This had much potential but sadly this conclusion felt like it was a little bit too rushed.

The world building is great, the banter was killing it and I loved the characters.

Sadly, it was as though this was supposed to be a trilogy but was shrunk to a duology and in result many things were left unexplored.
The prophecy for example. It was driving the whole plot and then we never hear of it again?
Nara’s powers barely had time to develop and we never get to see their full potential.
The plot twists at the end were kinda unbelievable too
and it’s like we never get a proper battle scene. Every time the characters go to war (3 times in this) some hero or the other decides to finish the villain ahead of time.

Still really enjoyed this though, I just think a third book would’ve made all the difference.

[Sienna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aaaaa

WAIT - ADDED NOTE****
L
I don’t know what the hell happened between book one and two but this was not at all like I expected.

When the first war/siege happened so soon in the book - but also so quick?!! I was perplexed. Then to read the next war so soon after??? But in fact there was THREE?!! And literally every single one concluded in the same quick and easy way.
One person singling out the “bad guy” and then the second surprise person taking them out😑 I also must say that I genuinely have never read a “war” as lacking as these- I think I saw the FMC fight in one fight with one soldier before she gets dragged away to the “bad guy”.

And seriously what the helllllll was up with the writing this time round- I swear I was getting whiplash having to reread paragraphs just to check I didn’t miss the part where it said or just even implied what the hell was happening???????? Too many times something happened and I was like “wait- how/when/what???” Which is not at all enjoyable.

BUT THE PLOT? That was actually the saddest part for me as it was so easily predicted that I could feel myself starting to skim read just so I could mark this as read😰

*****
I FORGOT THE WEIRD INCEST PLOT THAT APPEARED AT THE END??????? THAT WAS SO UNCALLED FOR LIKE 🫨🤮 and if you’re one of those people that are like “oh but they were first cousins so techni-“ NO I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT

*****

I really absolutely wanted to love this one as much as I loved the first, but I felt like I was reading a statement rather than a story of what was happening. I was going to say only the last half but really two thirds or more was like this.

I still really like the characters- I think they were quite well rounded and whole enough that I really think the author might have had a series planned but got smushed into one final book? Prime example- book one takes place over 3ish months I think- at max. Book two? Literally 9+ months because a fucking child is conceived, born and then there is STILL ONE MORE WAR TO GO😭
I’m so disappointed actually. I think the author has great potential, just needs the budget and time🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[megzlibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to share my gratitude to NetGalley, Angry Robot and Jo Riccioni for an Advanced Reader Copy of The Rising. In exchange I will leave my honest review.

The Rising continues immediately after the events of the first book, The Branded. As there is not much of an extended recap of the events in this book, I suggest readers read the first book before starting this one. With that being said, I truly enjoyed how Jo continues the story rather than explaining what happened in the first book. It pushes the story further. As a duology, it is one that must be read together.

Much like the first book, the world building of the second really encapsulates the world and it was interesting to see a different part of this world. We get to experience the ripple effect and aftermath of The Brume and how it encourages change in another part of the world. Jo also goes into such detail with the descriptions of the tribes and cultures and gets the reader thinking. I was in such awe while learning the different cultures and how they perceive life and their way of living. I really want to commend the author for writing in such a way that transports the reader into the world, without leaving us with questions.

The characters are also well multifaceted, which did not leave me bored at all. They are all interesting in their own way and it was nice to see the development between some. I love how Jo fully expresses the emotions of her characters and lets the reader experience empathy. I felt their frustrations and when things didn't turn out the way they expected or wanted.

I am a stickler for the pacing of any written text, and did feel like it was fast paced, which could work if there is a third book coming out but in this instance I was sad to see it end too soon. There is a clear beginning, middle and end and the climax took me aback and the twists and turns were an interesting surprise.

With that being said, I really did enjoy this novel. Agin, I just wish there would be room for a third book to make it a trilogy. I think many people will enjoy The Branded Duology. I will keep an eye out for any other works by Jo Riccioni.

[Torrents · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kind of felt like it was meant to 2 books and this was meant to be a trilogy, not a duology. The pacing is super weird like a ton of plot happens in the last 30%. On top of that 2 plot twists didn’t make any sense.

Like, if Lars is the twins father, why is Brim still declaring his love for Nara?? Why is there reference to Nara and Brim having kids?? I hated how this plot twist made a lot of things super incest-y, but I hated ever more that the incest CONTINUED after they found out they were related.

On top of that, Brim betraying them was the most boring plot twist of all time. For one thing, it was super expected, all he’s done this entire series is betray them! Also, I’ve literally never given a shit about him from the first time he spouted some elitist bullshit. The author tries so hard to make you care about Brim, but he has no redeeming qualities or moments. I cared more about the damn moon pools!

Also, Nara has no character development until like the last 10% of the book. In the first book, we establish that Nara is stubborn, but in this book she just becomes an asshole and nothing else. There was so much potential for her to find strength in her vulnerability and fearless love and instead became some bitch who says “fecking” ever 3.5 seconds.

This sequel was just a disappointment at best, especially after my high hopes set by the first book.

[Lizzy Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt rush at the ending. And the middle seemed to drag. The first book had me hooked so I dived into this book excited but was bored most of the time until the last part but within the last part I felt like I wanted more. Decent duology.

[Anya Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rising delivers a powerful and satisfying conclusion to the Branded duology, showcasing the author’s remarkable ability to create a rich, immersive world in a short span. Right from the first page, readers are pulled into a society split between the ‘pure’ and the ‘branded,’ as we follow twin sisters Nara and Osha embarking on a journey across kingdoms, each confronting the boundaries of their own unique powers.

One of the standout strengths of this novel is how quickly it builds an engaging world with strong, believable characters. The dialogue is realistic and the character development is consistent and compelling, drawing you into their emotional arcs as much as the plot. For a fantasy novel, it’s relatively concise, and while some readers may feel that the ending was a bit rushed, it’s still impressive how much depth and scope the author manages to pack into just two books.

Ultimately, The Rising is a well-written, tightly crafted fantasy that balances action, emotion, and world-building without the weight of a sprawling series. It’s a great pick for anyone looking for a quality fantasy read without the commitment of multiple long volumes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointed!

I love the concept behind the tale, but the execution could have been so much better. It's too short. It quickly explains one thing, and it's done and dusted, like what else! Keep going! Tell me everything!

There were so many errors through it, too, almost like they were trying to put more words to fill more pages by doubling up.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic end to the series. Great action, great stakes, and a conclusion that feels earned. There were a few big twists that had my jaw on the floor. Highly recommend this series to anyone looking for some original and well-written fantasy.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, i gotta sit down to post a proper review later but this was so fun!!!

UPDATE 28.02.25:

This. THIS.

This honestly might be one of my new favorite books, quite frankly.
The Branded Season is a series I picked up because it looked super intriguing, and I recall reading the first instalment in a day or two because I just got sucked in and never wanted to leave.
And now this instalment was honestly even better.

It has everything I love. A protagonist that drives the story forwards instead of letting it happen to her. Side characters that feel vibrant, alive, fun, like real people that you could love. A world that is built so well I could imagine it so clearly. A plot full of twists you will not hear me spoil! And also a romantic subplot that was not the reason the story existed to begin with.

It's a tale of survival, that sort of had me reminiscing of Mad Max but also gave me Priory of the Orange Tree vibes. In it, our main character Nara fights for the survival of her people, the Branded, a people deemed "lesser" due to their skin markings and their immune system, that leaves them more vulnerable to illnesses.

Nara is headstrong, she is bold, she very much gives me Aries vibes in the sense that she goes all in and then starts thinking about if it is a good idea. She is brave, brash, but I really, really liked her. She jumps off the page and starts holding you hostage and you honestly can't help but like her for it.

And again, the plot for this had me hooked, it is so good and fun and I was anxious as heck trying to figure out HOW the story was going to end, and the conclusion was also just !!!!!!

I wish there were more books in this series. I wish we had 7 of them, instead of just two. It can literally be 5 more books of just lore or daily life of Nara and her friends and I would gobble it up and promote it to anyone with ears. (Please publisher see this because I NEED MORE!!!)

So if you get the chance to, read this. It deserves the 5 stars I'm giving it and then some!

Thank you to AngryRobot and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Dee Hancocks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final instalment but I wish the series was a trilogy. There’s a lot of political play and world-development, if this was done slower and over a more realistic timeframe then I think the pacing would have flowed so well and been epic. The story is still good with high stakes and new bonds. One thing I absolutely loved was the romance, there’s banter and plenty yearning (two of my favourite things) plus a bit of complication but not too much. We also do get to enjoy the characters together and their connection is great. I also liked the fact that despite prophecy the main character was not a natural with their magic. Nara really has to try hard and shows real personal growth. If not for her and the wrangler I would have put the book down. So ask I mentioned before if this was expanded out to another book the battles would have been absolutely epic and I would have had more connection to the other side characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

[Taylor Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in this book after enjoying the first SO much. The first half was enjoyable, but the second was so hard to get through.

The pacing was way off. The time leading up to each of the three battles was so drawn out and then underwhelming. Every battle the odds were severely stacked against the MCs, yet they won each one, and battle itself only lasted maybe one or two chapters ending the exact same way.

The FMC continued to be insufferable right up to the last third of the book when she FINALLY decided to stop being constantly willfully difficult. I stayed annoyed with her the entire time

Everything with Brim was aggravating. The first betrayal, I understood. He was swayed. The whole Star Wars incest part really threw me off. Then, the second betrayal came out of left field and made ZERO sense. If it hadn't happened within the last two chapters of the book, I would have DNFd right then.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing of this book was perfect. Just enough happening that it was never boring, and never too much.
I love that the warfare was kept brief and succinct. That the ending felt finite and tied up in a nice bow.
I love that it didn’t take an eternity to get interesting and hook me, like the first one did.
Ok so I found Nara’s approach to love to be INFURIATING, but the romantic plot was well balanced, and it was refreshing to see it was written tastefully when things got spicy, rather than vulgar and brash.
My one qualm is - why is no one talking about a cousin wanting to bang their cousin? Idk. Very weird.
Regardless, this book had me hooked. It was complex but simple at the same time, in the best way, and there was a maturity to the writing that totally showed the care and thought that went into each word, as opposed to the fast tracked, unedited, childish and sloppy books that are pumped out in this consumerist published age.
Really refreshing overall

[Jamey [Longhollow.Lore] · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️’s

Jo Riccioni’s The Rising, the concluding novel of The Branded Season duology, plunges readers back into a world divided by a rigid class system between the “branded” and the “pure.” This stark disparity forms the backbone of the story’s tension, painting a vivid picture of cultural divides that ripple across the lands. The novel ultimately reveals a profound message: what may seem like weaknesses can become the greatest sources of strength, and through perseverance and faith, unity is possible.

The story begins immediately after the cliffhanger of the first book, thrusting readers into a whirlwind of revelations and challenges. While the narrative initially feels as though it’s heading in a predictable direction, Riccioni masterfully introduces twists that deepen the lore and history of this fractured world. Secrets emerge, altering the course of the story and enriching its themes of resilience and redemption.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Rising is its exploration of the evolving relationship between Osha and Nara. In the first book, Osha’s protection seemed paramount, with the bond between the sisters framed as one of savior and protector. Yet, the sequel masterfully subverts this dynamic. Both sisters find themselves on distinct paths, and it is through their individual struggles and hardships that they emerge as true heroines. Together, they are a formidable force, but their separate journeys—marked by pain, growth, and triumph—are equally essential to their development.

Nara’s internal struggle is particularly captivating. Her journey to channel her abilities, reconcile her past, and carve out a new place in the world is a testament to her resilience. Riccioni’s portrayal of female strength shines here, not only in Nara but in the supporting characters as well. These women endure suffering, uncertainty, and sacrifice, yet they push forward, embodying the novel’s core message: unity and understanding are more powerful than division.

At its heart, The Rising is a story about rising above societal divides. The branded and the pure are pitted against each other, their differences creating rifts that threaten to consume their world. Yet, the storm that brews throughout the novel is not merely one of conflict but also of transformation. It’s a call to find common ground, to see strength in diversity, and to strive for a future built on acceptance and mutual sacrifice for the greater good.

In conclusion, Jo Riccioni delivers a powerful, thought-provoking finale to The Branded Season. By weaving themes of perseverance, faith, and unity into a richly imagined world, she leaves readers with a story that resonates long after the final page. The Rising is more than just a tale of heroism; it’s a reminder that even in the face of division, humanity’s greatest strength lies in coming together.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy; All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[briony.reads.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even have the words to fully articulate how much I love this book.

This duology has been so amazing to read & I'm so in love with Jo's world & writing.

Honestly, I need more. I want more of Nara, Nixim, Osha, Azza, all of the characters who made this series so incredibly heartwarming.

I cannot wait to see what Jo comes up with next, I will always be her biggest supporter & hype woman!

[Sunshine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This installment continues all the good and the bad from where the first book left off. However, even already knowing all characters, through the type of writing, I was less and less connected and concerned about them the more the book went on. There are some reveals in the first half and crumbles you can read through to know how the book would end - so in the end it was more about the journey and getting there, than actually reading to find out the whys and how’s at the end of the story. The journey this time was, to me, very disappointing. I loved the writing in the first book - and this is not something I say or feel very often. I did. However, from the seamlessness of the first book, we are thrown into very much tell and no show. The descriptions of what they did, where they went, how it looked, how it felt - they were endlessssssss. The lull of it , while still quite cinematic, felt no more than a constant birds view description of what we should have been shown, not told. This is all the more disappointing because the author still allocates a million pages for the inner monologue of the MC, and we really did not need it.
There’s for sure 2-3 books worth of action in the writing style of the first book compressed into this one giant epilogue to that same first book, and if it is so in reality, I’m sad that we did not get to experience the vision as maybe it was first planned.

[Ali Bama · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rising by Jo Riccioni
The second book in this duology. I enjoyed the story on a whole, although it felt repetitive at times (similar events seemed to repeat). I would have prefered more description around the action scenes and less for the love scenes. I still think the two books would be great as a miniseries or 2 movies.

[Amber 💫 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this right after the end of the branded and boy was I disappointed. So much potential but I felt like there was less than zero character growth for Nara and the ending was a mess and felt very rushed/off.

[Booksaboutem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect ending to this duology the pace was good throughout and we got more depth to all the characters. I couldn’t put it down!

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨
I really enjoyed how this book focussed on Reis and introduced a lot of new characters. It definitely wasn’t slow! I think the reason i give it 3 stars is honestly because I liked the first one more? I definitely struggled to fully understand everything going on in this with so many plot lines and things to happen - the pacing just felt strange. It was like the ‘big’ ending wasn’t so big because it happened in like 5 pages and then suddenly she was poisoned and then she was fine and then there was a fight but not really?? All of the ‘wars’ were kind of like that. They were too short and not detailed and clear. Like all of the big moments where just a bit weird. But in terms of plot and worldbuilding, I really enjoyed it.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nara and Osha learn to harness their individual powers to fight for the people they love the most, and to change a society that only values the Pure and looks down on the Brands as inferior and dispensable. Nara and Osha may have escaped the Citadel in Isfalk, survived the bleak wastelands and the suffering she endured, the harsh brutality of Orlathon but they have yet to face their greatest challenge and it begins in Reiss, the homeland of the Wrangler.
Though on the surface Reiss seems to be a city of freedom and equality between Pures and Brands, under the surface a woman called Phibia is plotting and manipulating the ruler of Reiss, Haxim the father of the Wrangler/Nixim. There is the Reiss prophecy that “one pure woman with magical powers to cure the branded and bring peace and happiness to the world. “The Elita” Phibia is the leader of the High Seer Circle and it will be her that will test the pregnant Osha to see if she is the long-awaited Elita. Naturally Nara is worried for her sister, with her promise to Amma to always take care of Osha she cannot hold back and intervenes at the testing. It is then Phibia realises that Nara is a Tathar like herself, but she dismisses both sisters, in particular Nara as she is a brand saying they are both weak.

Nothing is straight forward for Nara, she has so much weighing on her mind and heart such as the rather cryptic prophecy/warning that Frenka the blood wife gave her "Be careful of the boy. He is a good soul born of bad." Along with the advice to be wary of relying on the visions she sees, telling all may not be as it seems and that things can happen to change these visions. She has to learn to master her sway as it will be an essential weapon in the battles that are on the horizon. Nara worries about her pregnant sister, Osha as she battles the uncertainty of who the father of the child she is carrying is. Is it the love of her life her lyfhort, Haus or is the pregnancy a result of her assaults at the hands of Orlath. Only time will tell. Then there’s the question of whether the baby will be born pure or brand and how healthy it will be. There are also the complications of the love triangle she finds herself in with Brim who sees her as a fec, but then professes his love for her, and Nixim whom she still doesn’t fully trust and that situation is only exacerbated by the fact he has the complication of a betrothed called Hira, the daughter of Phibia. Nixim also seems to have the knack of disappearing when she feels she most needs him!
Nara also has the mystery of who her parents were and why they were left in Fornwood with Amma before being sent to Isfalk. What do the pendants that she and Osha wear mean?

Nara has a lot on her plate even before the fighting starts and wow there are some great battle scenes in this book!
The Rising has amazing multi-layered characters, not just the main ones of Nara, Osha, Haus, Nixim and Brim but some of the others such as the usually drunken Maw who teaches Annek to fight, to defend herself after the trauma she experienced in Orlathon at the hands of Orlath and his men. Azza, the principled, straight-talking sister of Nixim who is also a Tathar but chooses to hide her gift and uses it only when necessary. I admired the way she used her gift only when necessary unlike others who use it for nefarious purposes, such as Phibia and Inness, she also helped Nara with her own Tathar powers too.
There’s lots of laugh out loud banter between the different characters, Maw, Dalla & Annek have a funny camaraderie and of course Nixim and Nara take the banter to another level, all whilst there’s the subtle simmering feelings of love they each hide from each other.
I loved the way Nara saw a different softer side to Nixim when he was around his sisters Azza and Sadiq. He was no longer the “wrangler” he was “Nixim”. In the same way that Nara could be two different people the “scourge” and then the softer side being “Nara”.
I of course adored the character of Nixim, but I also loved Haus, the quiet yet deadly lyfhort of Osha. Even when there is doubt over the parentage of the baby Osha is carrying he stays by her side, when she will allow him and hovers in the shadows when she will not allow him by her side!

I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic, detailed world building with so much rich history to the different tribes & settlements, their cultures, traditions, languages, ways of living
all wrapped up in an amazing, written plot with such varied emotive scenes from harsh battles, to beautiful heart wrenching betrayals, laugh out loud banter between certain characters and watching at first tentative feelings, that grow into fierce love between the characters that on the surface are so very different, yet are perfect for each other.
At times, it has very emotional and poignant scenes!

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were Wow! Just wow! Then I felt immediately sad that it had ended!

Summing up, The Rising has it all going on, action, drama, angst, betrayal and some simmering romance too! I loved the characters, the prophecies & visions that were twisted and sometimes turned on their heads. I enjoyed the way Nara sometimes interpreted them incorrectly as she was honing her talents. I felt like I felt Nara's heartbreak when the reality of Frenka's warning of "Be careful of the boy. He is a good soul born of bad"

[Chloe Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read this book yet what are you doing!!! Such a climactic build up and satisfying ending, the romantic drama and Nara's stubbornness had me yelling at the page. I love how it's the female friendships and incredibly strong female characters that carry the story and save each other. Such a beautiful story and I can't wait to read more of Jo's fantasy novels in the future 🥰

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an enjoyable and unique first book I was eager to dive into this sequel. While not a fan of some of the subplots (you will know which one), overall I liked this and found the conclusion satisfying and fun to read. This author was new to me but I'd certainly read more in the future both set in this same universe and other books.

[Lozzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the way Riccioni writes her characters. Particularly, how she writes them with their conflicting emotions, not only towards others, but towards themselves. This gives the characters a multifaceted feel which allows you to relate to them, to feel their frustrations, their joy, and their fear. Her characters, simply put, have range which makes you warm to them easily. She creates characters that are critical of who they are and their place in the world and that's what will make you completely fall in love with them from the start.

I throughly enjoyed the character arcs in this one. I felt there was a lot of character developing in such a short amount of pages, so this book did not lack that at all. The growth that did occur, impacted the characters decisions and their views which was beneficial in our understanding towards how certain parts of the plot unfolded. I must admit, I absolutely loved Osha's character development, particularly how she learnt to forgive herself for her different between her and Nara. Also, her unwavering love towards Haus - and their commitment towards each other with all the little quirks, it was lovely. Also, can we talk about The Wranglers sister, Azza? I admired her SO much for her strength of keeping her own secrets, but also what that did to her having to stay hidden.

A lot of people seem to have mixed feelings about Nara, and whilst I understand it to some extent I would say this - Nara is designed to be a complex character, who at best is hot headed, brazen and defends those she loves fiercely to the cause and at worst struggles to communicate very basic feelings towards others without feeling like she's losing parts of herself. You have to remember she's Branded, and the guilt that she carries for putting other people in harms way, and then TRULY finding out who she is? she does not have an easy ride during this story at all. I also can understand the moments of miscommunication between her and the wrangler, and I do believe it was essential in order for him to realise his mistakes in withholding the truth (we all know he did not lie, he just withheld information), and she's had to grapple with people lying to her all her life - so I actually do feel for Nara.

I love her and The Wrangler together, and the slow burn that really solidified their relationship in the end.

Brim is the prime example of having his mind shaped by a purist cult. Every which way, it was hard to believe that he would ever become anyone other than the person he became. His future was written in the "a good person born from bad" prophecy from the very start.

This was a strong sequel in many ways. However, I do believe as others have also mentioned, The Rising would've been great as the second book of a trilogy. The ending, whilst a good conclusion - unfortunately felt a little rushed, and the fighting scenes were a little lacking and could've been drawn out more. There were elements that I think definitely could've been explored in more depth, and we could've stretched the remaining 40% of this into another book. Duologies are always tricky. I think what maybe threw me is The Branded felt MUCH longer than The Rising, given how the ending in The Rising really packed a punch and still left me wanting more.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Rising by Jo Riccioni is the first person-POV epic fantasy sequel to The Branded. When Nara and her sister, Osha, and the rest of their group finally arrive in Nixim’s homeland, Nara’ world gets turned upside down again and again as long buried secrets finally come to light and her and her sister’s futures loom on the horizon. Nara needs to keep her eyes forward if she’s going to survive and walk away with Nixim or she’ll lose everything.

Whereas the previous book felt more like a romantic fantasy, this one feels more epic in scope and the romance isn’t quite as prominent. Nara and Nixim’s relationship goes through a rough patch as Nixim’s arranged engagement becomes impossible for him to ignore and Nara needs to return to the Cooler to free the women trapped there, leading to the two being separated for a decent chunk of the book. The worldbuilding gets more fleshed out and the domino effect of the actions from the first book takes priority as well as what happened before the first book opened.

Of the romance subplots (Nara and Nixim, Nara and Brim, and Osha and Haus), Osha and Haus’ was my favorite. We only see their relationship through Nara’s eyes, but what we see is a relationship built on mutual respect and devotion. Osha is still struggling with what happened in the Cooler and doesn’t want to talk to Haus about how her child might not be his. Haus, however, doesn’t care who the father is as long as Osha continues to choose to be with him. It’s a quiet romance, but it’s a fierce one. There is no denying how seriously the pair take their relationship and how dedicated they are to their vows and I ate it up.

Nara has to do a lot of growing up in this book, completing the arc she began in The Branded. In the first book, she had to unlearn prejudice towards the Branded and Hross as well as the Reis. In this book, she has to learn how to put her stubbornness aside and trust other people as well as apologize for her actions. To my delight, we see this the most in her platonic relationship with Haus, her brother-in-law. There’s an understanding between them without a whole lot of words that allows Nara to start really taking those steps towards further growth as she puts her faith in Haus that he will always return to Osha.

Content warning for depictions of discrimination and child abuse and mentions of sexual slavery and assault

I would recommend this to fans of the previous book who wanted the world to be explored more, readers who love a quiet, passionate romance side plot, and those looking for a fantasy that blends romantic fantasy, epic fantasy, and dystopia

[Emily Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Angry Robot, Jo Riccioni, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of The Rising in exchange for my honest review.

The Rising in the conclusion to Riccioni's The Branded Season Duology. The Rising picks up shortly after The Branded ended, with Nara and Osha in Reis, struggling to survive. Nara is still (rightfully) mad at Nixim for the secrets that he kept, and must find a way to forgive him because war is brewing. The world-building in this book was outstanding. As a reader, you really got to see more of this world and how different kingdoms are structured and how the branded are treated in comparison to the Pure in these different communities. While I do think this could have easily been spread out into a trilogy, and that there is so much more story that can be told in this world, I do think the plot was well paced all things considered. In my opinion, nothing felt rushed. Sure, things could have been explained in more detail, but none of the solutions felt "easy" to me. The characters had to work for the ending, and I do wish we got an epilogue or more information about how the world would look like moving forward. Nothing is an easy fix, and I feel like there is potential for a story there in and out of itself.

In terms of the characters, I liked how everyone had their own things to overcome. I really appreciated how Nara and Nixim did not just get back together. That felt appropriately paces out and did not feel rushed. By the time they were together again it felt appropriate and at the right time in the story. I will say, the whole Brim plotline did bother me a bit. At first it made sense, and even the explanation of his actions at the end made sense. While I do not think Riccioni intentionally made it out to seem like it was incest, I do wish the romantic pining that Brim had ended once their relationship was clarified. Overall, I loved this duology. I loved the world and the major themes that were discussed. The sign of a good series is one that ends and you want to know more, not because the author left it unfinished, but rather because I want to learn more about this world. Is the book perfect? No. But that does not take away from my enjoyment of it. This book has the plot and world-building, and the character development, and in my opinion they were all done excellently. If you are a reader who is more critical about the writing of a book where it impacts you enjoyment, this might not be the book for you. However, if you love fantasy and dystopian, and you enjoy books that are a good time, this book is for you.

[Pippa · Rating 1 out of 5]

God what a slog.

I liked the first one, although I struggled a bit with the endless YA clichés, especially those not so cleverly disguised as plot, but the premise was interesting and I wanted to see how it developed.

It, unfortunately, didn't really develop at all. The whole book was rushed and most of the events were pointless. The MC learnt absolutely nothing, and the big interesting plot around her power and her heritage amounts to absolutely nothing. Which would not be so bad if it was addressed properly, but instead it felt like an abandoned plot line not properly removed. Please stop making strong female characters both 'powerful' and useless.

The ending was...an ending? It happened in about one chapter and the plot twist felt retconned for shock rather than deliberately tailored throughout the two books. It also happened so fast that it didn't even feel shocking, nor did we get to witness any response to said plot twist from the characters. It was unsatisfying at best, and frustratingly pointless regardless.

To add to all that, we also get some unnecessary incest that's completely ignored by everyone, so I guess it's totally normal in this universe? So that was a lovely little insight into the authors kinks I didn't need.

Overall this book was a headache, the pacing was off, the plot was all over the place, and the MC was useless to the point of pointlessness. Even the characters felt dull compared to the first book, they didn't grow or evolve at all. By the end of the book, every main character remains exactly the same as they were in the beginning - so what was the point of the book? The side characters that appear on the peripheral of the story get more growth than our main cast. The less attention the author paid to them, the better they fared.

Honestly this book has drained my will to live, so I cannot accurately explain all the issues with it. The only reason I finished it is to see if the ending would redeem it.

Spoiler - it did not.