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The Sundering of Rhend #2
The House of Amfithere
There’s fragile peace in Rhend, but shattered hearts aren't so easily mended.
Raw and broken by a world still roiling with hatred, Gastel dives head first into restoring balance to the magic of Rhend. As he navigates his raw power and the anger that blossoms with it, he’ll need to rely heavily on friendships, and learn to let go of the things he’s lost forever, before they drag him into inescapable despair.
Meanwhile, Belkin is handed a kingdom in chaos, which he doesn’t feel remotely prepared to handle. Doubting himself for the first time in his life, he finds connection with the new regent of the Shaylands, giving him hope the elves are still capable of peace. But even with this newfound ally, he’ll need to confront his brother, Roulin, before The Bleck Larin Territories devolve into civil war.
They speed toward inevitable annihilation. The magic of the Wastelands is deteriorating faster than anyone can decipher what must be done to save Rhend. And one thing is certain: not everyone wants to stop the Sundering.
There are those who would see it through to the end.
Raw and broken by a world still roiling with hatred, Gastel dives head first into restoring balance to the magic of Rhend. As he navigates his raw power and the anger that blossoms with it, he’ll need to rely heavily on friendships, and learn to let go of the things he’s lost forever, before they drag him into inescapable despair.
Meanwhile, Belkin is handed a kingdom in chaos, which he doesn’t feel remotely prepared to handle. Doubting himself for the first time in his life, he finds connection with the new regent of the Shaylands, giving him hope the elves are still capable of peace. But even with this newfound ally, he’ll need to confront his brother, Roulin, before The Bleck Larin Territories devolve into civil war.
They speed toward inevitable annihilation. The magic of the Wastelands is deteriorating faster than anyone can decipher what must be done to save Rhend. And one thing is certain: not everyone wants to stop the Sundering.
There are those who would see it through to the end.
ebook
Published February 27, 2025
9 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Ciara Hartford
4 books133 followersCiara (Keara) is a Romantic Fantasy and Romantasy writer of character driven love stories full of magic, heartache, bloody action, flawed characters, and brutal cliffhangers. When she's not writing she's working on illustration and graphic design freelance, as well as reading every fantasy book she can get her hands on. She lives near Cleveland, Ohio with her mad scientist husband and amazingly talented daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 28, 2025
Definitely a worthy sequel to House of Starling.
It’s difficult to go into detail about the story without spoiling the previous book, so I’ll be a little vague and recommend to just read the damn books!
Ok, so a bit of non-spoiler detail can happen. Growth, both good and bad, is rampant among the cast. Seeing behind the stoic mask of Belkin is illuminating and helps the reader get more attached to him. Roulin, on the other hand… he’s responsible for a couple crushing deaths which those familiar with Hartford’s writing will know to expect.
There’s also lovable new characters. In particular, Neith is fascinating. Getting to finally meet the third elven race, Trove, is something I looked forward to in this book, and as someone with sensory processing issues, she’s quite relatable. Big accomplishment by Ciara to make a waifish teenage girl who grew up underground be so relatable to a hefty claustrophobic dude who’s pushing forty.
And yes, there’s battles. For the romance fans, there’s plenty of that. It’s not a detriment to the story for those who aren’t big on the romantic moments, so no fear there.
Read The House of Starling, read The House of Amfithere, then join all of us not-so-patiently waiting for the third installment in The Sundering of Rhend so we can hopefully see Rou get exactly what he deserves…
It’s difficult to go into detail about the story without spoiling the previous book, so I’ll be a little vague and recommend to just read the damn books!
Ok, so a bit of non-spoiler detail can happen. Growth, both good and bad, is rampant among the cast. Seeing behind the stoic mask of Belkin is illuminating and helps the reader get more attached to him. Roulin, on the other hand… he’s responsible for a couple crushing deaths which those familiar with Hartford’s writing will know to expect.
There’s also lovable new characters. In particular, Neith is fascinating. Getting to finally meet the third elven race, Trove, is something I looked forward to in this book, and as someone with sensory processing issues, she’s quite relatable. Big accomplishment by Ciara to make a waifish teenage girl who grew up underground be so relatable to a hefty claustrophobic dude who’s pushing forty.
And yes, there’s battles. For the romance fans, there’s plenty of that. It’s not a detriment to the story for those who aren’t big on the romantic moments, so no fear there.
Read The House of Starling, read The House of Amfithere, then join all of us not-so-patiently waiting for the third installment in The Sundering of Rhend so we can hopefully see Rou get exactly what he deserves…
February 3, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
In The House of Amfithere, Ciara Hartford boldly steps up her game and fully delivers on the potential that was promised in The House of Starling. Bigger, better, and more brutal than ever before, this was not the sequel that I was expecting, but it turned out to be exactly the sequel that both I and these characters needed and deserved.
I’ll have to admit I was slightly nervous to see how or if Hartford would be able to follow up that absolutely diabolical cliffhanger at the end of book 1 (iykyk) in a satisfying way, but she managed to surprise me in the best way possible. As the world expands and the lore deepens, we get to see familiar faces in a new light and meet new characters who bring an entirely new perspective on the many conflicts that are brewing in the lands of Rhend. The House of Amfithere is a sequel of revelations, of consequences, of love and of loss, but most of all, it’s a sequel that takes The Sundering of Rhend series to a whole new level.
The first half of The House of Amfithere is quite slow-burn, and I really loved just sitting in everyone’s feelings as they have to deal with all the serious repercussions of their actions in book 1. My favourite deceptively innocent cinnamon roll Gastel continues steals the show with his deliciously intense inner turmoil and newfound deadly powers, but I also really enjoyed the tumultuous journey of unexpected change and growth that we got to go on with Belkin. And don’t get me started on Roulin; at times he maybe came off a bit too much like a needlessly cruel and mustache-twirly edgelord villain to me, and yet I can’t deny that I was eating up the tension that his antagonistic perspective added to the story.
And speaking of new perspectives, I really liked how Hartford blew open the world by exploring mystifying new dimensions with a familiar character from book 1, as well as by immersing us into the society and culture of the Trove elves through the eyes of a completely new character. The historical/cultural world building proved to be much more intricate and nuanced than I had maybe given it credit for in The House of Starling, and I absolutely loved digging deeper into the culture clashes between the three races and trying to figure out who holds the truth about the bloody history of these lands.
Now, even though I truly think Hartford has improved her writing and storytelling skills in every single aspect, some of my issues with the logic and character motivations continued to persist in The House of Amfithere. Some revelations and shifts in character dynamics felt a bit underdeveloped to me, and sometimes I felt like these characters were taking inexplicable actions to serve the plot rather than their motivations/actions driving the plot forward, if that makes sense.
That said, those little quibbles didn’t hold me back from devouring The House of Amfithere, and I ultimately loved how Hartford wove all the many threads together in the epic yet brutally devastating climax of the story. So, if you want a slow-burn yet inexplicably addictive dark fantasy story with a unique take on elves and prophecy that strikes the perfect balance between the political and romantic tension, then you have to try out The Sundering of Rhend series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The House of Amfithere is scheduled for release on 27 February, 2025.
In The House of Amfithere, Ciara Hartford boldly steps up her game and fully delivers on the potential that was promised in The House of Starling. Bigger, better, and more brutal than ever before, this was not the sequel that I was expecting, but it turned out to be exactly the sequel that both I and these characters needed and deserved.
I’ll have to admit I was slightly nervous to see how or if Hartford would be able to follow up that absolutely diabolical cliffhanger at the end of book 1 (iykyk) in a satisfying way, but she managed to surprise me in the best way possible. As the world expands and the lore deepens, we get to see familiar faces in a new light and meet new characters who bring an entirely new perspective on the many conflicts that are brewing in the lands of Rhend. The House of Amfithere is a sequel of revelations, of consequences, of love and of loss, but most of all, it’s a sequel that takes The Sundering of Rhend series to a whole new level.
The first half of The House of Amfithere is quite slow-burn, and I really loved just sitting in everyone’s feelings as they have to deal with all the serious repercussions of their actions in book 1. My favourite deceptively innocent cinnamon roll Gastel continues steals the show with his deliciously intense inner turmoil and newfound deadly powers, but I also really enjoyed the tumultuous journey of unexpected change and growth that we got to go on with Belkin. And don’t get me started on Roulin; at times he maybe came off a bit too much like a needlessly cruel and mustache-twirly edgelord villain to me, and yet I can’t deny that I was eating up the tension that his antagonistic perspective added to the story.
And speaking of new perspectives, I really liked how Hartford blew open the world by exploring mystifying new dimensions with a familiar character from book 1, as well as by immersing us into the society and culture of the Trove elves through the eyes of a completely new character. The historical/cultural world building proved to be much more intricate and nuanced than I had maybe given it credit for in The House of Starling, and I absolutely loved digging deeper into the culture clashes between the three races and trying to figure out who holds the truth about the bloody history of these lands.
Now, even though I truly think Hartford has improved her writing and storytelling skills in every single aspect, some of my issues with the logic and character motivations continued to persist in The House of Amfithere. Some revelations and shifts in character dynamics felt a bit underdeveloped to me, and sometimes I felt like these characters were taking inexplicable actions to serve the plot rather than their motivations/actions driving the plot forward, if that makes sense.
That said, those little quibbles didn’t hold me back from devouring The House of Amfithere, and I ultimately loved how Hartford wove all the many threads together in the epic yet brutally devastating climax of the story. So, if you want a slow-burn yet inexplicably addictive dark fantasy story with a unique take on elves and prophecy that strikes the perfect balance between the political and romantic tension, then you have to try out The Sundering of Rhend series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The House of Amfithere is scheduled for release on 27 February, 2025.
October 1, 2024
Well, hello there little gem!! I'm so honored to read the second book of the series as a beta reader and thank u Ciara for this 💙 I missed all the characters and I'm thrilled for the .... of Raemian. I mean yeeees! And not yes at 90% of the book 😢. I loved the transaction between the povs and i think Ciara did a great job at picturing the emotions of each one of the characters. Can't wait to read the continuation of the story...
January 20, 2025
I thought my poor heart took most of the emotional impact from reading The House of Starling, Book 1 in Ciara Hartford's Sundering of Rhend series. Oh, but I was so wrong. Ciara wasn't nearly as done.
I was aware of her beautiful writing style and storytelling, her intricate ways of world-building and character development, but nothing could've prepared me for the ultimate rollercoaster of emotion that was The House of Amfithere, Book 2 in the series. Everything that made THOS so perfect was executed even better in THOA. How is that possible? I don't know, but somehow Ciara made it happen.
In THOA, she has gifted us more POVs, including the villain's one. Those who know me know how much I appreciate seeing through a villain's eyes, as cruel as it may be. And the villain here... Let's just say cruel may be too kind of a word to describe him. Still, Ciara has done a masterful job of showing us his perspective and thought process. It has deepened the story and shown us what lies underneath it all.
It's hard to explain how much this book and series have impacted me. I have completely immersed myself, connected to the characters, tried my best to understand their motives and needs. I wanted to share their grief and their fleeting moments of happiness. I wanted to hug them, squeeze them tight, and offer them a shoulder to cry on.
And I needed a shoulder to cry on myself... My emotions were all over the place as I was absorbing everything that was happening with Gastel, Belkin, and others. Gastel is still my favourite character, but Belkin is the one I am most curious about. I want to know and understand him more, and I need to find his own happiness. Ciara has introduced new characters who have immediately nestled themselves among the others as crucial parts of the story. Neith and Zennor need to be protected at any cost.
The book's final part left me numb as if I had dug deep into the well of my emotions, leaving nothing behind. I simply stared at the wall, not wanting to accept what had happened and needing to process my grief and pain. I still feel the same, but that just tells you how profoundly good this story is and how deeply emotional it is. How will I live until Book 3? I don't know, but I will try my best.
Thank you, Ciara, for having me as your ARC reader and letting me experience your story. I am forever thankful.
I was aware of her beautiful writing style and storytelling, her intricate ways of world-building and character development, but nothing could've prepared me for the ultimate rollercoaster of emotion that was The House of Amfithere, Book 2 in the series. Everything that made THOS so perfect was executed even better in THOA. How is that possible? I don't know, but somehow Ciara made it happen.
In THOA, she has gifted us more POVs, including the villain's one. Those who know me know how much I appreciate seeing through a villain's eyes, as cruel as it may be. And the villain here... Let's just say cruel may be too kind of a word to describe him. Still, Ciara has done a masterful job of showing us his perspective and thought process. It has deepened the story and shown us what lies underneath it all.
It's hard to explain how much this book and series have impacted me. I have completely immersed myself, connected to the characters, tried my best to understand their motives and needs. I wanted to share their grief and their fleeting moments of happiness. I wanted to hug them, squeeze them tight, and offer them a shoulder to cry on.
And I needed a shoulder to cry on myself... My emotions were all over the place as I was absorbing everything that was happening with Gastel, Belkin, and others. Gastel is still my favourite character, but Belkin is the one I am most curious about. I want to know and understand him more, and I need to find his own happiness. Ciara has introduced new characters who have immediately nestled themselves among the others as crucial parts of the story. Neith and Zennor need to be protected at any cost.
The book's final part left me numb as if I had dug deep into the well of my emotions, leaving nothing behind. I simply stared at the wall, not wanting to accept what had happened and needing to process my grief and pain. I still feel the same, but that just tells you how profoundly good this story is and how deeply emotional it is. How will I live until Book 3? I don't know, but I will try my best.
Thank you, Ciara, for having me as your ARC reader and letting me experience your story. I am forever thankful.
February 6, 2025
The sequel to the brilliant debut that was the House of Starling continues to up the ante: the fragile peace between the Shay and Bleck Lerin elves is tested as a renegade prince seeks to start a civil war, a grief stricken Prince Gastel strives to master his newfound magic, all while an impending cataclysm looms on the horizon, for which the Elder Gods unexpectedly return a new champion to thwart...
I'd been eagerly looking forward to this book, and it certainly didn't disappoint: it went in directions I didn't expect, but I was hooked on the story and given how it ended, I need to know what comes next (and Roulin is now up there with Ramsay Snow in terms of characters I want to see suffer excruciatingly before they die, particularly in light of the ending and that little token he sent to Belkin...)... Was great to see the familiar faces back again, and the new ones have me intrigued (I'm definitely curious about Neith, the Trove elf) and the battle scenes were gorgeously visceral, which is what I like (my favourite has to be Gastel and some unexpected help utterly decimating Roulin's army with their magic...)
A brilliant second novel from Ciara Hartford, and I already cannot wait for the next installment!
DISCLAIMER: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I'd been eagerly looking forward to this book, and it certainly didn't disappoint: it went in directions I didn't expect, but I was hooked on the story and given how it ended, I need to know what comes next (and Roulin is now up there with Ramsay Snow in terms of characters I want to see suffer excruciatingly before they die, particularly in light of the ending and that little token he sent to Belkin...)... Was great to see the familiar faces back again, and the new ones have me intrigued (I'm definitely curious about Neith, the Trove elf) and the battle scenes were gorgeously visceral, which is what I like (my favourite has to be Gastel and some unexpected help utterly decimating Roulin's army with their magic...)
A brilliant second novel from Ciara Hartford, and I already cannot wait for the next installment!
DISCLAIMER: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 21, 2025
I am a lover of the fantasy genre. I have read my fair share of books with magic, elves, dragons, dwarves, knights, castles, and every other trope and or character you can think of.
What Ciara Hartford has done here is take the same old story, where a character has some sort of destiny thrust upon them, a prophecy has ordained they alone (or with a small faction of allies) must save the realm and she has made it feel fresh and new. The bones are the same, as they should be, fantasy has specific tropes for a reason but nothing here feels stale or overdone.
Plus she’s great at hitting you with a crazy cliffhanger. The House Of Starling certainly ended in a very startling note.
I had the honour to alpha and beta read this baby, I even beta’d it twice! So when I tell you I love this book I mean it. Each read made me as excited as the next, even now on my fourth round I still found as much if not more joy in reading this story and being with these characters.
I love that it’s all elves. The different species and factions therein, makes it so fun and in this book we get a better look into the Bleck Larin and Shay and we get to meet an entirely new breed, The Trove.
The magic system is so intriguing in this series and this book gave us a better understanding of what Anam and Eishtala are and gave us something new with Svet that I’m sure we’ll get even more of in book 3. Also the build from book one, the world building that this book continued, we learned more about the land, the people, the magic and more about “the sundering” though we will have to wait to see how it all plays out.
Hartford’s ability to weave this intricate story, filling in answers from book one but also giving us more leading into book three. The breadcrumbs in this one were masterful and I have so many questions and theories about what’s coming. I think its the sign of a great bit of storytelling when a reader can read the book multiple times and find new moments to relish, new ideas about where everything might be leading while instilling terror as to whether or not our beloved characters are going to make it to the end in one piece. Luckily I have fallen for most of the characters at this point and the author has assured me that she won’t kill everyone 😂 so sort of a win.
The characters feel more fully realized with this instalment, some characters that may have seemed either one dimensional or under-utilized have more to do here. Like Roulin, who in the first book was kind of angry and mean but now we learn more about him. What drives him and how absolutely awful he can be. I also loved the ending with him and his “axis of evil” that he has amassed. I won’t spoil it but I am excited to see what he’s planning. He is a really fun foil to his steadfast and honourable brothers. Also in this book there is some stuff going on with Mesmal and I have my theories. The plot seems to be heading towards some inevitable final battle and I am sure there will be many revelations on the way and that is a sign of a beautifully crafted story.
Waiting for the third book will feel interminable but when it finally arrives I can’t wait to see how this all ends. And I definitely can’t wait to read all the other things coming from this author.
5⭐️
*this review is based upon an ARC copy that was given to me by the author. All opinions are my own but I do thank Ciara Hartford for allowing me to touch even a little piece.
February 27, 2025
Read this three times. Cried three times. Enjoyed every single bit of it from start to finish.
The House of Amfithere picks up where we left off from The House of Starling, but this time, we get more of an insight into the three brothers and their pure, raw emotions. Whether or not those emotions are lustful, pain and anger, or downright chaotic and in need of a time out with extra padding and locks, you get more of the world of Rhend in Ciara’s second book.
A deeper understanding of how Eishtala- magic used by Shay elves and how Anam- magic used by Bleck Larin elves is given to you on a grander scale. And how that magic between them may very well need to be used to save the entire world of Rhend from utter destruction. As well as another form of magic to form a formidable and powerful trio. Which, I won't tell you so you should probably go ahead and read The House of Amfithere if you're interested in knowing more.
I really enjoyed how complex and deep each of the characters were, especially getting to know the inner minds of Belkin and Roulin. Belkin, I already liked from the first book, mainly because he was the eldest brother, and already had a complex understanding of the past war between the Shay and Bleck Larin. But now, I got to see a softer and somewhat naive side of him. A boy instead of a man looking to his father for answers. A man who only wants peace between everyone in the world of Rhend. Who even through his mistakes, wants his brother Gastel to strive in the chaos that happens after peace.
Roulin.....I don't like him, but I like his character. He's consistent in his ways even after the war. And in The House of Amfithere, you see exactly what he wants, and how he will do anything and everything to achieve his goal. As well as pairing up with a surprise I could not have seen in a million years.
The romance was heart wrenching but soft at times, as well as the pining that almost seemed like obsession. It was there in the first book, and this book enchanced it even going into new territories. Like fade to black kind of territories. I only wonder how far it will go in the next book....
As far as the plot and story development goes, I loved every bit of it. As I said before, you get a deeper understanding of the magic system in the world of Rhend, but also the history that led our characters to the present day. Like why certain houses were led to believe this or that happened, when in reality, something far sinister occurred. Something that changed the course of Elven history forever.
Quite honestly, I could talk about this series as a whole forever on the first two books alone. That's how much I enjoyed reading The House of Starling and The House of Amfithere. There's only so much I can write about it, but I will tell you this: if you enjoyed the first book, then you'll love this one. Just, be prepared for a whirlwind of emotions. Still reeling but can't wait to read more!
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings (as provided by the author): Abduction, anxiety, child abuse and grooming, post-traumatic disorder, profanity, references to rape and sexual assault (no actual depiction of), sexual content (fade to black), graphic violence including: torture, blood and gore, dismemberment, evisceration, decapitation.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
The House of Amfithere picks up where we left off from The House of Starling, but this time, we get more of an insight into the three brothers and their pure, raw emotions. Whether or not those emotions are lustful, pain and anger, or downright chaotic and in need of a time out with extra padding and locks, you get more of the world of Rhend in Ciara’s second book.
A deeper understanding of how Eishtala- magic used by Shay elves and how Anam- magic used by Bleck Larin elves is given to you on a grander scale. And how that magic between them may very well need to be used to save the entire world of Rhend from utter destruction. As well as another form of magic to form a formidable and powerful trio. Which, I won't tell you so you should probably go ahead and read The House of Amfithere if you're interested in knowing more.
I really enjoyed how complex and deep each of the characters were, especially getting to know the inner minds of Belkin and Roulin. Belkin, I already liked from the first book, mainly because he was the eldest brother, and already had a complex understanding of the past war between the Shay and Bleck Larin. But now, I got to see a softer and somewhat naive side of him. A boy instead of a man looking to his father for answers. A man who only wants peace between everyone in the world of Rhend. Who even through his mistakes, wants his brother Gastel to strive in the chaos that happens after peace.
Roulin.....I don't like him, but I like his character. He's consistent in his ways even after the war. And in The House of Amfithere, you see exactly what he wants, and how he will do anything and everything to achieve his goal. As well as pairing up with a surprise I could not have seen in a million years.
The romance was heart wrenching but soft at times, as well as the pining that almost seemed like obsession. It was there in the first book, and this book enchanced it even going into new territories. Like fade to black kind of territories. I only wonder how far it will go in the next book....
As far as the plot and story development goes, I loved every bit of it. As I said before, you get a deeper understanding of the magic system in the world of Rhend, but also the history that led our characters to the present day. Like why certain houses were led to believe this or that happened, when in reality, something far sinister occurred. Something that changed the course of Elven history forever.
Quite honestly, I could talk about this series as a whole forever on the first two books alone. That's how much I enjoyed reading The House of Starling and The House of Amfithere. There's only so much I can write about it, but I will tell you this: if you enjoyed the first book, then you'll love this one. Just, be prepared for a whirlwind of emotions. Still reeling but can't wait to read more!
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings (as provided by the author): Abduction, anxiety, child abuse and grooming, post-traumatic disorder, profanity, references to rape and sexual assault (no actual depiction of), sexual content (fade to black), graphic violence including: torture, blood and gore, dismemberment, evisceration, decapitation.
Thank you to the author for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2025
I love, love, loved The House of Starling and my high hopes for House of Amfithere were not disappointed.
My optimism was well justified. It is clear that the author, Ciara Hartford, is stretching into their writing, developing their characters, the rise and fall of action and also stepping into romantic scenes that may previously have been uncomfortable. #fadetoblackhaspower. The fight scenes alone are worth the price of admission.
The story continues with a number of points of view weaving the many threads of Blek Larin, Shay and Tove lore and culture together. The world of Rhend is in as much peril as in Book One, and the ante is well and truly upped. The introduction of new characters to guide and offer balance to the Elven voices was nicely done. The scenes between Rae, as an initiate with her stoic master had a beautiful otherworldliness to them that stood out. I am loving how the established character personalities and relationships are fleshing out. Belkin particularly, grows and transforms over the course of The House of Amfithere.
The strains of regret, forgiveness, trust, love and friendship are balanced alongside betrayal and historical untruths. The characters feel it all. I appreciate the complexity of the unique Elven culture and history being explained more without world-dumping. The simplicity in the refrain of ‘balance in all things’ comes through strongly.
The House of Amfithere does not suffer from the dreaded book 2 syndrome. There’s more than enough story to stand up on its own. The alliances and battle lines are well tested and a special mention to Roulin who has that ultimate spurned bad guy evilness going on. He and his ambition will be his own downfall I am sure.
Ciara has again left us with a cruel cliffhanger, but I know Book 3 will deliver.
My optimism was well justified. It is clear that the author, Ciara Hartford, is stretching into their writing, developing their characters, the rise and fall of action and also stepping into romantic scenes that may previously have been uncomfortable. #fadetoblackhaspower. The fight scenes alone are worth the price of admission.
The story continues with a number of points of view weaving the many threads of Blek Larin, Shay and Tove lore and culture together. The world of Rhend is in as much peril as in Book One, and the ante is well and truly upped. The introduction of new characters to guide and offer balance to the Elven voices was nicely done. The scenes between Rae, as an initiate with her stoic master had a beautiful otherworldliness to them that stood out. I am loving how the established character personalities and relationships are fleshing out. Belkin particularly, grows and transforms over the course of The House of Amfithere.
The strains of regret, forgiveness, trust, love and friendship are balanced alongside betrayal and historical untruths. The characters feel it all. I appreciate the complexity of the unique Elven culture and history being explained more without world-dumping. The simplicity in the refrain of ‘balance in all things’ comes through strongly.
The House of Amfithere does not suffer from the dreaded book 2 syndrome. There’s more than enough story to stand up on its own. The alliances and battle lines are well tested and a special mention to Roulin who has that ultimate spurned bad guy evilness going on. He and his ambition will be his own downfall I am sure.
Ciara has again left us with a cruel cliffhanger, but I know Book 3 will deliver.
January 24, 2025
Wow! I literally have no words right now! Amazing adventure, epic magic system, endearing characters, lies and deceit, civil war and heartbreak. What could possibly happen next and how am I supposed to wait to find out?
January 5, 2026
Spoilers ahead but gosh I have to gush on this book!
Well, I had a fantastic review written, but unfortunately, my first one was erased from accidentally tapping on my screen and my Kindle app closing the review page! Ugh! I wish they would fix that issue, but I digress. Now, onto my review.
This book was a journey! I cried, laughed, got angry, got disappointed, got intrigued, got confused, got sad, got devastated, then got a slap in the face with that cliffhanger again. I mean, whoo, the rollercoaster I went on, but what an amazing ride it was. My ultimate wreck was, of course, when my favorite characters were seriously hurt or killed, and I questioned if I wanted to continue reading the book, but of course, I pulled through. I won't say who, of course, because I don't want to spoil it too much; just know I will never forgive you, Ciara, for that one. But what captured me the most was Belkin. In the first book, I'd thought him rude and overbearing and overreaching at times, and I thought for sure I would hate his character, but then he changed. And he became intriguing and understanding and eventually sweet in many ways. I knew the moment he smiled at her that something was happening. I just didn't know it would turn into this. And now I'm so confused because, don't get me wrong, I love Gastel's character and his gentle personality with his bursts of fiery attitudes. BUT Belkin... I don't know, there's just something there that I know I'm missing, but I can't help but wonder if we're intentionally being misled on purpose because Belkin is actually the one for Rae. Whenever the other characters talk about Rae and Gastel, it's always a "balance." And I get that; I understand its purpose and how it helps their character development and storyline, but I just FEEL like there is more to Belkin's and Rae's relationship than accidental attractions or drunken mishaps. I don't know; I hope the third book finally gives some insight on this.
Now, the new development in the plot, as it thickens, is quite eye-opening when it comes to Roulin's character. I usually wish for redemption arcs for some characters, but with him, I just can't fathom there being one. He's so...spoiled. And I don't just mean entitled or selfish, which he is, of course, but I mean spoiled as in he's just a dirty, evil character. He's so stuck on unfounded wrongs done to him that he doesn't seem like a character who can change. And frankly, I hate him. I thought I hated Gemma, but Roulin is one of those characters where you justify bad things happening to him and wish more harm. Lol, I know, I know how mean, but yuck! I can't help it. His soul really is just dirty and evil. And poor Rae. I don't know. I feel like she's being pulled in so many different directions, emotions, and situations. Ugh, the poor girl. It's a wonder how her character can think. Again, I know she isn't real, but I immerse myself in books when I read, so the characters become somewhat real to me for a while. I'll finish by saying I can't wait to journey back to the world of Rhend and the gripping battles, love affairs, and emotional experiences. It's quite an adventure! ✨️ ☺️
Well, I had a fantastic review written, but unfortunately, my first one was erased from accidentally tapping on my screen and my Kindle app closing the review page! Ugh! I wish they would fix that issue, but I digress. Now, onto my review.
This book was a journey! I cried, laughed, got angry, got disappointed, got intrigued, got confused, got sad, got devastated, then got a slap in the face with that cliffhanger again. I mean, whoo, the rollercoaster I went on, but what an amazing ride it was. My ultimate wreck was, of course, when my favorite characters were seriously hurt or killed, and I questioned if I wanted to continue reading the book, but of course, I pulled through. I won't say who, of course, because I don't want to spoil it too much; just know I will never forgive you, Ciara, for that one. But what captured me the most was Belkin. In the first book, I'd thought him rude and overbearing and overreaching at times, and I thought for sure I would hate his character, but then he changed. And he became intriguing and understanding and eventually sweet in many ways. I knew the moment he smiled at her that something was happening. I just didn't know it would turn into this. And now I'm so confused because, don't get me wrong, I love Gastel's character and his gentle personality with his bursts of fiery attitudes. BUT Belkin... I don't know, there's just something there that I know I'm missing, but I can't help but wonder if we're intentionally being misled on purpose because Belkin is actually the one for Rae. Whenever the other characters talk about Rae and Gastel, it's always a "balance." And I get that; I understand its purpose and how it helps their character development and storyline, but I just FEEL like there is more to Belkin's and Rae's relationship than accidental attractions or drunken mishaps. I don't know; I hope the third book finally gives some insight on this.
Now, the new development in the plot, as it thickens, is quite eye-opening when it comes to Roulin's character. I usually wish for redemption arcs for some characters, but with him, I just can't fathom there being one. He's so...spoiled. And I don't just mean entitled or selfish, which he is, of course, but I mean spoiled as in he's just a dirty, evil character. He's so stuck on unfounded wrongs done to him that he doesn't seem like a character who can change. And frankly, I hate him. I thought I hated Gemma, but Roulin is one of those characters where you justify bad things happening to him and wish more harm. Lol, I know, I know how mean, but yuck! I can't help it. His soul really is just dirty and evil. And poor Rae. I don't know. I feel like she's being pulled in so many different directions, emotions, and situations. Ugh, the poor girl. It's a wonder how her character can think. Again, I know she isn't real, but I immerse myself in books when I read, so the characters become somewhat real to me for a while. I'll finish by saying I can't wait to journey back to the world of Rhend and the gripping battles, love affairs, and emotional experiences. It's quite an adventure! ✨️ ☺️
February 27, 2025
A very big thank you goes to Ciara Hartford, for letting me read an e-ARC of The House of Amfithere! Book two in The Sundering of Rhend series, this NA fantasy picks up where we left off in The House of Starling...
Gastel has sacrificed so much in his attempt to restore the magical balance within Rhend. Now as his own magic becomes chaotic & his anger threatens to overwhelm him, Gastel wonders if he can survive what’s to come. His task isn’t over, & if Gastel doesn’t restore the balance? Rhend will be irrevocably shattered as the Sundering takes hold. But the magic isn’t all that’s in peril… Belkin has been given a fractured kingdom, & if he can’t stop their brother Roulin? War will erupt, & no one will live to see the restoration of Rhend. What will Gastel have to sacrifice next, in his quest to save everyone? Can Belkin fight his own brother & win? Is a desperate, impossible hope all that stands in the way of the Sundering?
The House of Amfithere is a romantasy which delves into the consequences of sacrifice, as well as what it means to be broken. I love how Ciara explores these themes, even as we also experience an unbreakable bond of loyalty & love.
I don’t want to give away anything (so I seriously need to hold back a lot), but in this tale we get unlikely allies, forced proximity & an ancient magic which can change the course of the future. There’s also political machinations, heart-breaking confessions & a wonderful found family...
Want my FULL review? You can read it on my blog: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/the-h...
Gastel has sacrificed so much in his attempt to restore the magical balance within Rhend. Now as his own magic becomes chaotic & his anger threatens to overwhelm him, Gastel wonders if he can survive what’s to come. His task isn’t over, & if Gastel doesn’t restore the balance? Rhend will be irrevocably shattered as the Sundering takes hold. But the magic isn’t all that’s in peril… Belkin has been given a fractured kingdom, & if he can’t stop their brother Roulin? War will erupt, & no one will live to see the restoration of Rhend. What will Gastel have to sacrifice next, in his quest to save everyone? Can Belkin fight his own brother & win? Is a desperate, impossible hope all that stands in the way of the Sundering?
The House of Amfithere is a romantasy which delves into the consequences of sacrifice, as well as what it means to be broken. I love how Ciara explores these themes, even as we also experience an unbreakable bond of loyalty & love.
I don’t want to give away anything (so I seriously need to hold back a lot), but in this tale we get unlikely allies, forced proximity & an ancient magic which can change the course of the future. There’s also political machinations, heart-breaking confessions & a wonderful found family...
Want my FULL review? You can read it on my blog: https://www.immersedinbooks.com/the-h...
February 1, 2025
Well, it sure felt good to be back in Rhend, I won't lie! And with Troves, at that, seeing that I'd been wanting to get to know them a little better. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I did love a particular set of chapters where a certain someone must learn from a certain god and remember what they have forgotten, I could picture those scenes so clearly in my head it felt very cinematic.
Gastel is still not my favourite, sorry, I'm a Belkin woman myself, and though I won't root for him and a certain someone, I do wonder how anyone can resist his brooding, gloomy charm.
2 things did not sit well with me, the first one being Dulanii. REALLY? YOU WENT AND DID THAT? HOW DARE YOU YOU TERRIBLE TERRIBLE - I lack the words, but I am not okay about that. Here's how an author can actually make you very very angry.
The other thing was Roulin's reasons for being the way he is, as they seemed far to similar to Gemma's - oh, i was shunned and ditched and now I hate everyone and i'm gonna take my revenge. I think there was room for him to have a deeper reasoning, but for me, it didn't quite manifest and he still came off as a childish man who can't take no from others, especially women. As a villain, I think he could have been better handled and fleshed out, but that's actually the only thing not so good I have to say about this book. My, I really did love everything else about it, and am sooooo eager to see how that Trove is going to... well, no spoilers here, but I am looking forward to book 3 so I can get a few answers. All the answers, actually.
Gastel is still not my favourite, sorry, I'm a Belkin woman myself, and though I won't root for him and a certain someone, I do wonder how anyone can resist his brooding, gloomy charm.
2 things did not sit well with me, the first one being Dulanii. REALLY? YOU WENT AND DID THAT? HOW DARE YOU YOU TERRIBLE TERRIBLE - I lack the words, but I am not okay about that. Here's how an author can actually make you very very angry.
The other thing was Roulin's reasons for being the way he is, as they seemed far to similar to Gemma's - oh, i was shunned and ditched and now I hate everyone and i'm gonna take my revenge. I think there was room for him to have a deeper reasoning, but for me, it didn't quite manifest and he still came off as a childish man who can't take no from others, especially women. As a villain, I think he could have been better handled and fleshed out, but that's actually the only thing not so good I have to say about this book. My, I really did love everything else about it, and am sooooo eager to see how that Trove is going to... well, no spoilers here, but I am looking forward to book 3 so I can get a few answers. All the answers, actually.
February 19, 2025
Book 2 of the Sundering of Rhend was as good or better than, book 1 The House of Starling.
I'm just so impressed with how the author is taking us on a journey of love, betrayal and war that just won't quit.
This is Belkin's story. This is Roulin's story. This is Gastel's story. The brothers are complicated and each have their own issues with each other and the lives they live. I love how much we get to be immersed in their world in this story.
Some new characters are introduced and the way they will effect the story is slowly unfolding. We are being led forward in this middle book....and I'm here for it! The power is building in Rhend, and in the players in this game of war and the Sundering and it's clear that no one and no where will be the same.
Amfithere is strongly written and continues to surprise the reader with it's depth of character and emotion. I laughed and definitely cried and in the end...I loved it all.
Thank you to the author for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this ARC. My thoughts are my own.
I'm just so impressed with how the author is taking us on a journey of love, betrayal and war that just won't quit.
This is Belkin's story. This is Roulin's story. This is Gastel's story. The brothers are complicated and each have their own issues with each other and the lives they live. I love how much we get to be immersed in their world in this story.
Some new characters are introduced and the way they will effect the story is slowly unfolding. We are being led forward in this middle book....and I'm here for it! The power is building in Rhend, and in the players in this game of war and the Sundering and it's clear that no one and no where will be the same.
Amfithere is strongly written and continues to surprise the reader with it's depth of character and emotion. I laughed and definitely cried and in the end...I loved it all.
Thank you to the author for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this ARC. My thoughts are my own.
February 27, 2025
I absolutely love Ciara’s writing. You get sucked in and so invested in the story and characters and then she goes and rips your heart out.
I’ll try to do this review without spoiling The House of Starling but not sure this is possible. After the events of Book 1, Gastel is in a world of pain, literally, emotionally and figuratively. The prophecy begins to unfold and the rifts need to be opened all while Gastel is in a pit of despair. Belkin takes on new responsibilities and must learn to rule a kingdom in chaos while having to depend on people he never expected would be his allies. Rhend is on the brink of civil war and you never quite know who is your friend and who your foe.
I loved the character development in this book. You could feel Gastel’s despair dripping off the page and witness how he takes charge of his own destiny, Belkin’s uncertainty in his new role and Dulanii trying to be Dulanii in the face of it all.
I love that Ciara has given us 1000% more Belkin in this book but now I have so many questions and I can’t wait for the final instalment.
I’ll try to do this review without spoiling The House of Starling but not sure this is possible. After the events of Book 1, Gastel is in a world of pain, literally, emotionally and figuratively. The prophecy begins to unfold and the rifts need to be opened all while Gastel is in a pit of despair. Belkin takes on new responsibilities and must learn to rule a kingdom in chaos while having to depend on people he never expected would be his allies. Rhend is on the brink of civil war and you never quite know who is your friend and who your foe.
I loved the character development in this book. You could feel Gastel’s despair dripping off the page and witness how he takes charge of his own destiny, Belkin’s uncertainty in his new role and Dulanii trying to be Dulanii in the face of it all.
I love that Ciara has given us 1000% more Belkin in this book but now I have so many questions and I can’t wait for the final instalment.
February 24, 2025
After the jaw-dropping ending of The House of Starling, Ciara Hartford has done it again with The House of Amfithere!
Without spoiling anything...the journey that Gastel goes on in this book had me screaming, crying, throwing up. There are so many deep-cutting emotional scenes as we pick up with Gastel picking up the pieces. And the ending? Wow.
The story feels so cinematic and immersive with the multiple POVs. Familiar favorite characters return, as well as some new faces-I was so excited to see more of Belkin. And I fell in love with Neith <3
I think we need to start a support group for readers who have been emotionally destroyed by Ciara Hartford, because The House of Starling was deliciously devastating, and The House of Amfithere ups the ante again. Eagerly awaiting book 3 to be destroyed again. I can't wait.
READ IT!
Without spoiling anything...the journey that Gastel goes on in this book had me screaming, crying, throwing up. There are so many deep-cutting emotional scenes as we pick up with Gastel picking up the pieces. And the ending? Wow.
The story feels so cinematic and immersive with the multiple POVs. Familiar favorite characters return, as well as some new faces-I was so excited to see more of Belkin. And I fell in love with Neith <3
I think we need to start a support group for readers who have been emotionally destroyed by Ciara Hartford, because The House of Starling was deliciously devastating, and The House of Amfithere ups the ante again. Eagerly awaiting book 3 to be destroyed again. I can't wait.
READ IT!
March 4, 2025
This was a fantastic sequel to The House of Starling and it starts pretty much where book 1 ended on a heart wrenching cliff hanger. Our main MMC, Gastel, is struggling with the events that happened at the end of book one, but with the support of charming Dulanii and others, Gastel is slowly battling back and finding himself again. Without giving any spoilers away, I enjoyed getting to know more of the side characters, Belkin, Nethi, Roulin, etc. Speaking of Roulin, that dude is asking to be snuffed at some point, but I guess we'll see what happens.
This book combines family betrayal, multiple attractions to our MFC, tensions between the different groups of elves and I'm waiting impatiently for book 3! This is great series that's different than a lot of the other series out there so give it a read! I am grateful for the opportunity to receive a e-arc for an honest review.
This book combines family betrayal, multiple attractions to our MFC, tensions between the different groups of elves and I'm waiting impatiently for book 3! This is great series that's different than a lot of the other series out there so give it a read! I am grateful for the opportunity to receive a e-arc for an honest review.
February 27, 2025
As with The House of Starling, Ciara promised an immersive high fantasy with complex characters and absolutely delivered in every aspect of that statement!
With a few new characters since THOS, and building upon complex and sometimes morally grey characters already established in the Sundering of Rhend series, I was thrilled with every moment. New MCs Neith and Zennor, who bring further worldbuilding into the series and build on already established race wars.
The battles, the magic, the INTERPLAY of magics, the realistic effects of the first book on the characters, the evolution of it all, absolutely every element just felt *chefs kiss* to me! I highly recommend this series and picking up the first 2 books today, as The House of Amfithere is officially out in the world!
With a few new characters since THOS, and building upon complex and sometimes morally grey characters already established in the Sundering of Rhend series, I was thrilled with every moment. New MCs Neith and Zennor, who bring further worldbuilding into the series and build on already established race wars.
The battles, the magic, the INTERPLAY of magics, the realistic effects of the first book on the characters, the evolution of it all, absolutely every element just felt *chefs kiss* to me! I highly recommend this series and picking up the first 2 books today, as The House of Amfithere is officially out in the world!
March 14, 2025
I was so excited for the continuation of this series after the phenomenal cliffhanger at the end of The House of Starling. Hartford does not disappoint! Hartford knocked it out of the park with this follow-up. I love The House of Amfithere even more than Hartford’s exceptional debut The House of Starling. It has everything a fantasy/romantasy fan could ask for: a unique and intriguing magic system, epic adventure, visceral action, dynamic characters to love and hate (looking at you Roulin!), and believable, heartfelt romance. Thanks for ripping out my heart with that ending, Hartford! Can’t wait for the finale of this amazing series!
December 28, 2025
Life got in the way of me devouring this book like I wanted to do.
Just as enthralling as book one.
Belkin is just my favorite, I don’t care what anyone says. Ciara’s writing is just so beautiful even while creating monstrous scenes that rip your heart out 😑
I loved seeing the brothers being torn apart and how routine character is just pure evil in every sense. The change in Belkin, and the subtle shift in Gastel who seems to process his anger a bit better as the book goes on. The development of each character kept me flipping each page, the introduction to new characters I am now keeping at bay because I’m NOT falling in love with anymore characters.
I’m beyond reach for book three!
Just as enthralling as book one.
Belkin is just my favorite, I don’t care what anyone says. Ciara’s writing is just so beautiful even while creating monstrous scenes that rip your heart out 😑
I loved seeing the brothers being torn apart and how routine character is just pure evil in every sense. The change in Belkin, and the subtle shift in Gastel who seems to process his anger a bit better as the book goes on. The development of each character kept me flipping each page, the introduction to new characters I am now keeping at bay because I’m NOT falling in love with anymore characters.
I’m beyond reach for book three!
February 8, 2025
Hold onto your hats folks, this second book in the series is better than the first. The emotion, suspense and plot are for real! I have felt for every character (yes, even the baddies) because the development throughout this story is beyond. I've fallen into the world of Rhend and there is no escape, nor do I wish there to be. All I can say is, if you are a reader, there is no way you can be disappointed in this story. The characters are so real you will want to follow their story to the end.
November 24, 2025
The House of Amfithere
What a fantastic sequel! An action-packed rollercoaster filled with so many unexpected twists and turns I couldn’t put it down. I definitely cannot wait for the next book.
I loved getting into the minds of the various characters and diving deeper into Gastel. There were also new characters introduced as well!
Things got dark and desperate in this sequel I recommend having some tissues on hand!
What a fantastic sequel! An action-packed rollercoaster filled with so many unexpected twists and turns I couldn’t put it down. I definitely cannot wait for the next book.
I loved getting into the minds of the various characters and diving deeper into Gastel. There were also new characters introduced as well!
Things got dark and desperate in this sequel I recommend having some tissues on hand!
September 16, 2025
Edge of your seat
This book will keep you guessing the whole time. If you thought the ending to House of Starling was chaos, buckle up. In the absolute best way possible. It'll have you saying "what?!?" the whole way through. It may not be the direction you think or expect, but that's what keeps everything interesting. Masterful job by a talented author.
This book will keep you guessing the whole time. If you thought the ending to House of Starling was chaos, buckle up. In the absolute best way possible. It'll have you saying "what?!?" the whole way through. It may not be the direction you think or expect, but that's what keeps everything interesting. Masterful job by a talented author.
March 8, 2025
The proof I love this read is the amount of quotes I've marked.
March 13, 2025
This book destroyed me and I am obsessed with it. The worldbuilding, the characters and their many goals, flaws, and ambitions, everything is so well written and wonderful.
March 18, 2025
My heart, these books are incredible (and no it is not only because I got a mention in the acknowledgements) this book is a step up from the first, stakes are raised and hearts are broken, new friendships are forged and a brother’s revenge will end in tragedy.
This books is definitely a little more spicy, both in the bedroom and in the form of battle scenes.
We left the first book on a massive cliffhanger, this one will leave you hanging again.
This books is definitely a little more spicy, both in the bedroom and in the form of battle scenes.
We left the first book on a massive cliffhanger, this one will leave you hanging again.
October 29, 2025
I never could have guessed the direction that this story would go in, but I can't say I'm mad about it.
This second installment in the series really expands on the world, introduces new characters and allows us to get into the existing characters' heads more, which I absolutely LOVED. This book gave me so much of what I was longing for and did not disappoint. The author truly knows how to create characters you can invest deeply in and truly feel for and I am SO intrigued to see what will happen as the story continues to unfold.
I'm not sure I can reveal much more without getting into spoiler territory but man am I psyched for book three. I will say that even if you are not as big a fan of book two as you were of book one, you won't want to miss out on book three.
This second installment in the series really expands on the world, introduces new characters and allows us to get into the existing characters' heads more, which I absolutely LOVED. This book gave me so much of what I was longing for and did not disappoint. The author truly knows how to create characters you can invest deeply in and truly feel for and I am SO intrigued to see what will happen as the story continues to unfold.
I'm not sure I can reveal much more without getting into spoiler territory but man am I psyched for book three. I will say that even if you are not as big a fan of book two as you were of book one, you won't want to miss out on book three.
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