Beacon

by Emmie Mears

The rift begins a new age, splitting time itself with magic older than the forgotten gods. It is a moment of chaos and upheaval, when alliances fracture along fault lines and peoples are raised up to thrive . . . or are brought low.

Anything is possible.

Anything can happen.

Welcome, my friend, to Sirethan.

A bittersweet victory.

Lithrial has narrowly avoided death, but she has no idea if her beloved Apathan is still alive. And Ferelthin may be by her side, but since their impassioned kiss and his shocking confession, Lithrial can't help but wonder what else he's keeping hidden in his heart. All the other elven gods vanished centuries ago; Lithrial should know better than to trust the only one still alive.

Now based in the southern mountain city of Viathan, having thwarted the humans' deadly attack, Lithrial knows it's only a matter of time before it's all-out war. The rift above only grows, and with every passing day, so does the chaos.

Desperation fuels the hunt.

Apathan knows more than he lets on. The only elf mage powerful enough to ascend to Tier 5 White Oak in generations, he has stayed in the shadows of the slums for a lifetime, and now even as refugees from the attack flood into Lithrial's city, Apathan is still missing, and Lithrial may be the only person who can track him. He leaves in his wake only a tantalising clue, a refrain he's repeated through Lithrial's childhood and Home is always waiting.

Lithrial must find her grandfather. His wisdom, his knowledge, his magic, and his dedication to their peoples' survival makes him a formidable ally--and to the One God's acolytes, a dire threat that must be extinguished.

She's not the only one on his trail.

Legends wake across the land and beneath it as Lithrial and her companions delve into ancient secrets and wake mythical monsters, all while dodging the One God's hunters and spies.

If she wants to build a beacon of hope for the oppressed, Lithrial will have to become that beacon herself.

Aurora’s Rift demands heroes to shape what comes next.

It is the anvil upon which their mettle is tested.

It is the arena in which they will wrest a future from the ashes of the past.

It is time for Lithrial to take her place among legends.

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2024

About the author

Emmie Mears writes the books they always needed to read about characters they wish they could be. Emmie is multilingual, autistic, agender, and a bad pescetarian.

Emmie makes their home with two cats in Glasgow, Scotland and hopes to keep it that way.

Emmie is represented by Sara Megibow of kt literary.

Reviews

[Senta Schuuring · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review
What a great follow up! The story was so thrilling, I just had to keep on reading. However sometimes I did need a little breather and I didn't have the feeling that the story really allowed that, because we kept going from danger into danger. Sometimes it is still a bit difficult to wrap my head around who Ferelthin is and I am eager to know how his brain works, so hopefully the final book in the trilogy will give a bit more insight into his character!

[Danni Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beacon
By Emmie Mears
Book Two in the Aurora's Rift Trilogy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

🗡Epic Fantasy
⭐️Changelings and other magical beings
🗡 Mana/magic
⭐️Adventure
🗡Found Family
⭐️Romantasy
🗡Banter
⭐️Slow burn 🔥


Emmie Mears did NOT disappoint 👏
This second Instalment of Aurora's Rift is off with a bang as Lithrial/Evie the FMC and her team embark in a journey to find Apathan and the people he got out of the Knolls. During their trek Lithrial uncovers truths about Ferelthin as well as learning more on her own powers 😍
The teams journey is a treacherous on with battles and turns I didn't see coming, and with a giant flying cat! I mean come on now, may I have one? 😆🥰
Their journey leads them to the most unexpected place and then onto a battle against the one the only Arnantas.

So who will win? Will good trump Evil in this epic quest? And will Lithrial be able to finally ascend to her fullest potential in the final instalment Reborn?

BECON releases on the 4th of November 🖤

[Steph WritesThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I loved Riftsworn, the first book in this series, I love Beacon even more! There is so much action. It’s fast-paced. We get to see a bit more of Evie’s life before and her interactions with Ethan, and as a result the reader’s rewarded by being able to connect a few more of the dots (while still leaving plenty of mystery to keep you reading to find out more). There wasn’t a moment where I felt bored with this book or wanted to set it down. I would say for people who love RPGs and fantasy, this is your book!

I’m still loving the diverse side characters in this series and a certain human tracker is now my second favorite character under a certain tatted-up elf we all know and love. I am very much looking forward to the third book in this series.

[Loopy Lou Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Aurora's Rift Trilogy.
OMG, I left on yet another cliffhanger. It's so frustrating but exciting at the same time. I didn't even wait to write this review before jumping straight into the third and final book. I am completely obsessed with this series. Every waking minute, I am thinking about this series. I am enthralled with the world, and I want to know more. I need a map of this world that I can follow as we are shown around Sirethan.
I will most certainly purchase these book as soon as they are released!!

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book of the trilogy, this one picks up the pace drastically! Throwing the main characters from danger to danger without much time to catch your breath. But it still held true to the premise of a video game, with strangely timed level ups, and spells that morph with experience. I could barely put this book down, needing with a desperation to find out what happened next. The betrayals!! I’m picking up the next book immediately, I can’t take the suspense!

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this immediately after finishing the first book.

I do feel like the battle scenes are too quick, but I like the pacing of the book. The progression through the story is really good & the more world building parts do not feel slow which is something that normally gets me in a fantasy book.

I can’t decide if I want some real world chapters with Evie & Ethan…but that’s the romance reader talking😂

[Zoe Pages & Pixels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have an arc copy.
It felt slightly slower at first compared to the riftsworn however that didn't stop me from wanting to know more and have that feeling of longing for family and their welfare. I will always support any cat moments and this book did not disappoint. However the ending to the book, wow, I could not put it down.
Thank you for this arc copy and I hope you keep me in mind for future adventures.
Zoe x

[Dora Reads a Lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quick pacing of the story made sure I forgot to go to sleep on time every night! And the cliffhanger at the end!!!

I loved how we learned more and more about each and every one of the main players.
The world expands and so does the backstory!

I really liked the flashbacks to Evie and Ethan on Earth, although I still don't understand what happened to them, to end up on this side of the rift.

[Holly Pile · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I enjoyed Riftsworn, I was not prepared for what Beacon would bring! I read this book in a day, stayed up far later than I should have because I could not put it down! These characters evolve and grow with each passing chapter (Ink?!! Chefs kiss!) The world and use of magic is refreshing and new and I can't wait to start book 3 at earliest opportunity! Absolute 5 star!

[Printessan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We continue following Evie in this wonderful fantasy game world. And we find out a little more about Ferelthin a.k.a .....

Really good book with a lot of suspense. And another cliffhanger at the end. I feel very lucky that I once again don't have to wait for the 3rd and last book.

I give it 4⭐️

Thank you Emmie for letting me be a part your team. ❤️

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good second book! The character development of Evie/Lithrial is so addictive and I am so ready for the conclusion of book 3! As a personal preference I prefer more romance/longing in my fantasy books so I’m missing this, but I am still thoroughly enjoying this series and will be getting the physical copies for my shelves! (Check them out, they’re beautiful editions!)

[Kim Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first installment in the trilogy was about character building, and this second one is more about world building and explaining the isekai mechanisms, which, personnally, is more my thing.

A long-awaited and sought-after character, who shall here remain unammed, finally makes his entrance on the stage, and he is everything I hoped for.

I can't wait to read the third one, "Reborn".

[Torie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love emmies writing so much, the world building is epic, the adorable sassy creatures, the fleshed out characters, such an amazing read. I read the first half so long ago that it was hard to go back in but after a few pages everything came rushing back to me and I devoured the last 40% of the book. Cant wait to read book 3! Reborn here I come

[dreamstoescape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid second book. I liked how a bit of Ethan and Evie’s real life interaction was given, I would have liked a little more but I understand how that takes away from the main story of the book.
For me, I enjoyed this book more just because the world building in the first book was a lot so I was more settled this time round.
FYI Definitely fantasy, not a Romantasy novel.

[Jay Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the second book just as much as the first.
I had some trouble at the start to understand what exactly was going on, but it's really well written and and I quickly caught on.

[Sam Van der Cammen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25

[Mrs Lisa A Mayles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book in the series, filled with as much action and magic. Good set up to the third book.

[Lula Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHO LET THEM GO?! What a cliffhanger! 🥺 the longing for home and to find oneself is so strong in this book!

So clever!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very difficult to put down and a fantastic bomb drop at the end

[Klara Sivertsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so happy I don’t have to wait to read the next book. I’m hanging off a cliff. My gooooods

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second part of the trilogy is absolutely brilliant. You really feel immersed in this world, the descriptions are so well done you can imagine them yourself. I'm moving on to part 3 now.

[Alex Topham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant follow up, it was very well written and fairly fast paced.

[Norah L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the first book I was so happy to know that the series is complete. I don’t think I can stop reading until I’ve finished the third book, who needs sleep?

[Agentrusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fast-paced sequel! I loved every minute of it. On to the next!

[Karen Bont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Loving the gaming references 🥰

[Karen Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows on from previous book and is just as good as the first one. What a brilliant follow up. Can’t wait to read the third book. Highly recommend this author.