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Forging Silver into Stars #2
Carving Shadows into Gold
_______________
Rediscover the worlds of Emberfall and Syhl Shallow in this irresistible return to Brigid Kemmerer's New York Times bestselling Cursebreakers series.
_______________
The King's Courier Tycho has made a treacherous bargain. Now beholden to the magical scraver who saved King Grey's life, one false move could end everything.
Jax escaped his life in Briarlock and traveled with Tycho to Emberfall. But life outside his small village brings unexpected challenges – and unlikely adversaries.
After years of hating the royal family and their magic, Callyn never expected to be at the Queen's side, with magic at her fingertips. But at the royal court, she can't trust anyone – including the man she thought she loved.
Cast apart, Tycho, Jax, and Callyn must learn to wield the magic that is dividing their kingdom. As the magical scravers attack from the north and the king's rivals gain strength, time is running out.
War is looming. Love is tested. And magic could be the only answer ...
Rediscover the worlds of Emberfall and Syhl Shallow in this irresistible return to Brigid Kemmerer's New York Times bestselling Cursebreakers series.
_______________
The King's Courier Tycho has made a treacherous bargain. Now beholden to the magical scraver who saved King Grey's life, one false move could end everything.
Jax escaped his life in Briarlock and traveled with Tycho to Emberfall. But life outside his small village brings unexpected challenges – and unlikely adversaries.
After years of hating the royal family and their magic, Callyn never expected to be at the Queen's side, with magic at her fingertips. But at the royal court, she can't trust anyone – including the man she thought she loved.
Cast apart, Tycho, Jax, and Callyn must learn to wield the magic that is dividing their kingdom. As the magical scravers attack from the north and the king's rivals gain strength, time is running out.
War is looming. Love is tested. And magic could be the only answer ...
489 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2025
209 people are currently reading
8557 people want to read
About the author
Brigid Kemmerer
30 books18.1k followersBrigid Kemmerer is the New York Times bestselling author of dark and alluring romantic fantasy like Warrior Princess Assassin, A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and Defy the Night, and compelling contemporary romance like Letters to the Lost. Her books have sold over one million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages, finding readers all over the world. A full time writer, Brigid lives in the Baltimore area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
March 29, 2025
I've been sitting here for a few days trying to plan how to review this book lol... I'm still really not sure how to without giving everything away.
This is a vast universe that starts in the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series and spins off into this series where we have new characters that we've met along the way, but we also have many of the characters we started off with.
I truly adore this series, and I love Brigid Kemmerer's writing and story telling. I'll come back and edit this review yet again when I think on it more.
But this is a great fantasy series that keeps you entertained and wanting more. Definitely recommend.
🖤F/M Romance
✨M/M Romance
🖤Forbidden Magic
✨Found Family
🖤Sister Bonds
✨Class Differences
🖤Royal Intrigue
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
This is a vast universe that starts in the A Curse So Dark and Lonely series and spins off into this series where we have new characters that we've met along the way, but we also have many of the characters we started off with.
I truly adore this series, and I love Brigid Kemmerer's writing and story telling. I'll come back and edit this review yet again when I think on it more.
But this is a great fantasy series that keeps you entertained and wanting more. Definitely recommend.
🖤F/M Romance
✨M/M Romance
🖤Forbidden Magic
✨Found Family
🖤Sister Bonds
✨Class Differences
🖤Royal Intrigue
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
April 17, 2025
I would do some very questionable shit for a copy of this book
March 11, 2025
Brigid Kemmerer’s Carving Shadows into Gold delivers a mesmerizing continuation of the Forging Silver into Stars saga, immersing readers in a world of magic, peril, and intricate personal bonds. The narrative follows Tycho, Jax, and Callyn, three characters whose lives are thrown into turmoil by dangerous forces and looming political conflict. As they face mounting challenges, each character must make difficult choices that could shape the fate of their kingdom.
The novel takes its time to build momentum, with a slow-burn start that carefully layers tension and sets up the stakes. For some, the pacing may feel unhurried initially, but as the story progresses, the action escalates, transforming the second half into a thrilling whirlwind of surprises and high stakes. This gradual build-up adds depth to the characters and their motivations, rewarding patient readers with a fast-paced, gripping climax.
A standout aspect of the book is the tender, well-developed romance between Tycho and Jax. Their relationship evolves naturally and thoughtfully, creating a genuine emotional connection that is heartwarming without ever feeling forced. The LGBTQ+ representation in their storyline is handled with care, offering a positive and refreshing element to the story. In contrast, Callyn’s journey brings its own set of complications as she struggles to adjust to her new life at court, navigating treachery and political intrigue.
The strength of Carving Shadows into Gold lies not just in its individual characters but in how their paths weave together, creating a multi-layered narrative filled with tension, love, and betrayal. Tycho’s perilous deal, Jax’s escape from his past, and Callyn’s reluctant role in the royal court form a compelling backdrop of personal stakes amidst the larger threats to the kingdom. Each of their arcs is rich with emotion, loyalty, and the pain of making sacrifices for those they care about.
With its dynamic mix of magic, action, and deeply emotional moments, this novel is a captivating read for fans of the fantasy genre. The balance of personal growth, political drama, and the ever-present magical dangers keeps the reader hooked, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Kemmerer crafts a spellbinding story that resonates long after the final page is turned.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for providing me this epic fantasy's digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest opinions.
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The novel takes its time to build momentum, with a slow-burn start that carefully layers tension and sets up the stakes. For some, the pacing may feel unhurried initially, but as the story progresses, the action escalates, transforming the second half into a thrilling whirlwind of surprises and high stakes. This gradual build-up adds depth to the characters and their motivations, rewarding patient readers with a fast-paced, gripping climax.
A standout aspect of the book is the tender, well-developed romance between Tycho and Jax. Their relationship evolves naturally and thoughtfully, creating a genuine emotional connection that is heartwarming without ever feeling forced. The LGBTQ+ representation in their storyline is handled with care, offering a positive and refreshing element to the story. In contrast, Callyn’s journey brings its own set of complications as she struggles to adjust to her new life at court, navigating treachery and political intrigue.
The strength of Carving Shadows into Gold lies not just in its individual characters but in how their paths weave together, creating a multi-layered narrative filled with tension, love, and betrayal. Tycho’s perilous deal, Jax’s escape from his past, and Callyn’s reluctant role in the royal court form a compelling backdrop of personal stakes amidst the larger threats to the kingdom. Each of their arcs is rich with emotion, loyalty, and the pain of making sacrifices for those they care about.
With its dynamic mix of magic, action, and deeply emotional moments, this novel is a captivating read for fans of the fantasy genre. The balance of personal growth, political drama, and the ever-present magical dangers keeps the reader hooked, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Kemmerer crafts a spellbinding story that resonates long after the final page is turned.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books | Bloomsbury YA for providing me this epic fantasy's digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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July 14, 2022brigid please just keep the same POVs from book one im begging you don’t switch it up again
December 20, 2025
Carving Shadows into Gold is the 2nd-book in Brigid Kemmerer's Forging Silver into Stars series. If you're unaware, this is a companion to Kemmerer's popular Cursebreakers series, which began with A Curse So Dark and Lonely.
This immersive YA-Fantasy world started off as a loose reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, but oh baby, has it come a long way since then!
I really enjoyed my time with the entire Cursebreakers trilogy, but I gotta say, I feel like these books in the Forging Silver into Stars series feel much more substantial and mature.
Personally, I feel like it's Kemmerer's writing. It just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Every time I pick up a book by her, I'm instantly reminded what an insane talent she is.
For example, picking this up, I was concerned I wouldn't remember enough from the 1st-book, because it had been months and months since I had read it. I shouldn't have worried. I was immediately invested and it felt as if I had never left. I remembered everything.
As with the 1st-book, we are following Jax, Tycho and Callyn. In this one however, the three are sort of thrust into different parts of the kingdom, all set on different paths. Though apart, their connections to one another feel as strong as ever.
As dangerous events begin to strike the kingdom with increasing frequency, our cast is forced to make difficult choices fighting for their lives and the ones they love.
The debate over the use of magic gets put to the ultimate test as war looms forever closer.
I have been anxiously awaiting this continuation and it was everything I wanted it to be. I'm so pleased with everything that unfolded over the course of this 2nd-book.
I love this world and these three main characters. I'm truly attached to them and was surprised how easily I found myself completely re-immersed in this story. I feel like I'm a part of this world when I'm reading it.
I already cannot wait for whatever Kemmerer has in store for us next. It feels like everything is coming to a head. I'm scared and excited and all the other emotions.
While you can certainly read this series on its own, I would recommend reading Cursebreakers prior to picking this up. This is written in such a way that you wouldn't feel lost without that background, but it definitely adds to the experience if you have read that trilogy.
Thank you to the publisher, Bloomsbury YA, for providing me with a copy to read and review. You know where to find me when the third book drops!!!
This immersive YA-Fantasy world started off as a loose reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, but oh baby, has it come a long way since then!
I really enjoyed my time with the entire Cursebreakers trilogy, but I gotta say, I feel like these books in the Forging Silver into Stars series feel much more substantial and mature.
Personally, I feel like it's Kemmerer's writing. It just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Every time I pick up a book by her, I'm instantly reminded what an insane talent she is.
For example, picking this up, I was concerned I wouldn't remember enough from the 1st-book, because it had been months and months since I had read it. I shouldn't have worried. I was immediately invested and it felt as if I had never left. I remembered everything.
As with the 1st-book, we are following Jax, Tycho and Callyn. In this one however, the three are sort of thrust into different parts of the kingdom, all set on different paths. Though apart, their connections to one another feel as strong as ever.
As dangerous events begin to strike the kingdom with increasing frequency, our cast is forced to make difficult choices fighting for their lives and the ones they love.
The debate over the use of magic gets put to the ultimate test as war looms forever closer.
I have been anxiously awaiting this continuation and it was everything I wanted it to be. I'm so pleased with everything that unfolded over the course of this 2nd-book.
I love this world and these three main characters. I'm truly attached to them and was surprised how easily I found myself completely re-immersed in this story. I feel like I'm a part of this world when I'm reading it.
I already cannot wait for whatever Kemmerer has in store for us next. It feels like everything is coming to a head. I'm scared and excited and all the other emotions.
While you can certainly read this series on its own, I would recommend reading Cursebreakers prior to picking this up. This is written in such a way that you wouldn't feel lost without that background, but it definitely adds to the experience if you have read that trilogy.
Thank you to the publisher, Bloomsbury YA, for providing me with a copy to read and review. You know where to find me when the third book drops!!!
December 11, 2025
If you love Jax and Tycho and want to see more of them, you will absolutely get that. Jax + Tycho are sweet.
My favorite POV is Callyn so it was hard to get excited about this book when she's not present until after Ch 11.
This one was not quite up to the same standard as the first book and I hate to say this but it feels like it may suffer from middle book syndrome.
I think if you've read the Cursebreaker series and love the world this will be a must read to return to the world, but without that context this feels a little flat.
Overall not a bad read but not quite as good as the author's Defy the Night series. imo.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️ | IG | TikTok |
My favorite POV is Callyn so it was hard to get excited about this book when she's not present until after Ch 11.
This one was not quite up to the same standard as the first book and I hate to say this but it feels like it may suffer from middle book syndrome.
I think if you've read the Cursebreaker series and love the world this will be a must read to return to the world, but without that context this feels a little flat.
Overall not a bad read but not quite as good as the author's Defy the Night series. imo.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️ | IG | TikTok |
January 29, 2025
~4.5 stars~
This was such a hard book because every one have somehow turned against each other and It was so frustraiting to see that 😭 so many political manuevering and conflict there's barely time for my favorite characters to interact. I hate you brigid for this.
The first time I read the Forging silver into stars back in 2022, Arcane season 2 had not happened yet and I did not a have a single clue that something like jayvik core will exist. But now I can definately tell you Jax and Tycho are So JAYVIK CODED I CAN NOT UNSEE IT 😭 and I love it. Even tho they were seprate for a long time in this book and I hated it.
Why is everyone trying to hurt my boy Rhen's feeling?? Like what has he done to y'all( I know his past is questionable but comeon) I'm talking about you jax, like of all the people who have logical reason to not like him, you are the last 💀 leave my baby boy Rhen alone he suffered enough 😭✋️
The first book didn't get me Harper, but oh how harper served in this book even though she literally appeared for like 4 or 5 pages but it was so satisfying.
And I'm telling you, Callyn does not deserve That two faced Alek. Literally just dump him forever why do you get back to him??!!
Ok now I'm back to wait for another god knows how much Time for the last book and it better give me a good happy ending and not something like AVSBAD specially with what happened to Rhen 💀 or I'll riot.
Justice for Rhen ✋️💪😭 and grey because he's just a man.
━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦━━━━
It seems that my prayers are answered!! I
get to read this in january finally 😭
<--------☆-------->
Mrs, Brigid, where are you?!! I need the sequel
rn.
<--------☆-------->
Ugh, It's june 9th 2023, exactly a year passed since FSIS, so when do we get any news for this book? 😪
This was such a hard book because every one have somehow turned against each other and It was so frustraiting to see that 😭 so many political manuevering and conflict there's barely time for my favorite characters to interact. I hate you brigid for this.
The first time I read the Forging silver into stars back in 2022, Arcane season 2 had not happened yet and I did not a have a single clue that something like jayvik core will exist. But now I can definately tell you Jax and Tycho are So JAYVIK CODED I CAN NOT UNSEE IT 😭 and I love it. Even tho they were seprate for a long time in this book and I hated it.
Why is everyone trying to hurt my boy Rhen's feeling?? Like what has he done to y'all( I know his past is questionable but comeon) I'm talking about you jax, like of all the people who have logical reason to not like him, you are the last 💀 leave my baby boy Rhen alone he suffered enough 😭✋️
The first book didn't get me Harper, but oh how harper served in this book even though she literally appeared for like 4 or 5 pages but it was so satisfying.
And I'm telling you, Callyn does not deserve That two faced Alek. Literally just dump him forever why do you get back to him??!!
Ok now I'm back to wait for another god knows how much Time for the last book and it better give me a good happy ending and not something like AVSBAD specially with what happened to Rhen 💀 or I'll riot.
Justice for Rhen ✋️💪😭 and grey because he's just a man.
━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦━━━━
It seems that my prayers are answered!! I
get to read this in january finally 😭
<--------☆-------->
Mrs, Brigid, where are you?!! I need the sequel
rn.
<--------☆-------->
Ugh, It's june 9th 2023, exactly a year passed since FSIS, so when do we get any news for this book? 😪
February 12, 2025
Not NEARLY enough Jax and tycho time together 😔
February 16, 2025
Alek better die in the next book. Him alone makes me hate Callyn’s chapters, and also Callyn herself.
May 17, 2025
WAIT...WHAT 2025?!?!?! WTF
November 5, 2024
I AINT NEVER MET A BRIGID KEMMERER BOOK I DIDNT LIKE
Currently reading
October 9, 2025pre read 👑~ IM SO EXICTED OMG. but also, i don’t trust bridged kemmerer’s book 2’s bc they always kinda lack… maybe 3.5????
February 1, 2025
I eat these books up but at the same time realize nothing happened in this LOL (typical second book lackluster). I was really hoping for more but I’ll take it, I love Jax and Tycho so much AND RHEN AND HARPER IN THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY! I also love the hard conversations about what Rhen did but also forgiveness and acceptance of mistakes made me so emotional especially coming from Jax when he is humbled. Callyn is annoying to me again lol and her and Alek’s story was also annoying. Their relationship was too fast and unbelievable and lacked a lot, and then he just tosses her aside when she saves his life? PETTY.
Grey was also annoying even though he finally admits he was in the wrong with his friendship with Rhen and Tycho. FINALLY. I’m still not over it. Is redemption coming for him in book 3? Maybe, but unlikely since I’m in the minority liking Rhen still, I’m sure, lol.
I guess the setup is fine for the third book but also it feels like “A heart so fierce and broken” all over again where it was lackluster and the ending still was disappointing. I am so hopeful BK can pull off an epic finale and I can’t wait to read it honestly.
Grey was also annoying even though he finally admits he was in the wrong with his friendship with Rhen and Tycho. FINALLY. I’m still not over it. Is redemption coming for him in book 3? Maybe, but unlikely since I’m in the minority liking Rhen still, I’m sure, lol.
I guess the setup is fine for the third book but also it feels like “A heart so fierce and broken” all over again where it was lackluster and the ending still was disappointing. I am so hopeful BK can pull off an epic finale and I can’t wait to read it honestly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
It hurts me to give a Kemmerer book 3 stars. It felt like this book dragged on and on. I found myself losing interest often. The first book in a series is almost always better than the rest, but I still had high hopes because, well, it's Kemmerer. I will still read anything this author writes.
January 27, 2025
3.5
I fear this book is suffering a case of middle child syndrome. It was just everyone being mad at each other and no goddamn communication for 500 pages. And Callyn deserves so much more than that f*ckboy Alek. He better have one hell of a redemption arc in book three or we ride at dawn.
I fear this book is suffering a case of middle child syndrome. It was just everyone being mad at each other and no goddamn communication for 500 pages. And Callyn deserves so much more than that f*ckboy Alek. He better have one hell of a redemption arc in book three or we ride at dawn.
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January 31, 2023I’m one hundred percent SO GLAD to see another in this series! Here’s to Jax and Tycho!
February 1, 2025
3.5⭐️ This book definitely suffered from middle book syndrome—it felt slow-paced, with very little action to keep me engaged. The only times I was really interested were during the rare action scenes. I also realized I should have read the main series first, as unresolved plotlines from it carried over into this one. Because of that, I felt somewhat lost and disconnected from the story, which ultimately made the book fall flat for me. That said, I still really liked the characters and the friendships, which were the highlight of the book for me.
February 11, 2025
**4.5 stars
I've been finished with Carving Shadows into Gold since this weekend, and I've been trying to think of a way to make my review do it justice. I don't think that's going to happen, because as much as I love reading, I can't always get my thoughts into words, which is so sad when it comes to books like this!!
Ok, first, Tycho has my whole heart. I really didn't pay much attention to him in Cursebreakers, but I would go to battle for him in an instant in Forging Silver into Stars and Caving Shadows into Gold. He's having to come to terms with learning that he's given his complete loyalty to people that have not given it back him. And he just wants someone to choose him so badly.
Gray, well, he was probably my favorite character in Cursebreakers, but guy is too much in his head now. He's making all the wrong decisions and seems to be taking out all his anger out on the wrong people. He's going to learn the hard way that he's pushing away everyone who's ever cared for him.
And Jax. I love his fierce loyalty to Tycho. I can't imagine what he's going through, trying to learn a new language and adjust to a new country while unexpectedly alone. But he's being a little harsh to Rhen (who reminds me so much of Dorian from ToG). Rhen is just a tortured soul who's just trying to make up for his past mistakes, both to his friends and his people. I already forgive him. Tycho already forgives him. Jax needs to as well.
Callyn. Whew. I wasn't sure where her story was going to end up, but she's in a right mess. I'm hoping that she gets to remain a fierce ally to the Queen and her whole mess is worked out in the next book. Her whole storyline shows that what people fear is often just the unknown.
This book gives you fantasy elements (like scravers, a fantasy character I didn't even mention in my review even though they have an important part of this book 🤦♀️), political intrigue, romance, romantic tension, and all the emotional complexities of being human. It's technically YA, but it's NA, with heavy topics written in a way that is easy to read. I don't know why this series isn't more popular, because it's amazing. And if this series is this good, I can't wait to see what she does with her adult fantasy coming out in August.
I've been finished with Carving Shadows into Gold since this weekend, and I've been trying to think of a way to make my review do it justice. I don't think that's going to happen, because as much as I love reading, I can't always get my thoughts into words, which is so sad when it comes to books like this!!
Ok, first, Tycho has my whole heart. I really didn't pay much attention to him in Cursebreakers, but I would go to battle for him in an instant in Forging Silver into Stars and Caving Shadows into Gold. He's having to come to terms with learning that he's given his complete loyalty to people that have not given it back him. And he just wants someone to choose him so badly.
Gray, well, he was probably my favorite character in Cursebreakers, but guy is too much in his head now. He's making all the wrong decisions and seems to be taking out all his anger out on the wrong people. He's going to learn the hard way that he's pushing away everyone who's ever cared for him.
And Jax. I love his fierce loyalty to Tycho. I can't imagine what he's going through, trying to learn a new language and adjust to a new country while unexpectedly alone. But he's being a little harsh to Rhen (who reminds me so much of Dorian from ToG). Rhen is just a tortured soul who's just trying to make up for his past mistakes, both to his friends and his people. I already forgive him. Tycho already forgives him. Jax needs to as well.
Callyn. Whew. I wasn't sure where her story was going to end up, but she's in a right mess. I'm hoping that she gets to remain a fierce ally to the Queen and her whole mess is worked out in the next book. Her whole storyline shows that what people fear is often just the unknown.
This book gives you fantasy elements (like scravers, a fantasy character I didn't even mention in my review even though they have an important part of this book 🤦♀️), political intrigue, romance, romantic tension, and all the emotional complexities of being human. It's technically YA, but it's NA, with heavy topics written in a way that is easy to read. I don't know why this series isn't more popular, because it's amazing. And if this series is this good, I can't wait to see what she does with her adult fantasy coming out in August.
March 8, 2025
4 stars. I’m not mad about this book. It was overall, not bad for a second book in a series, but I just didn’t like it as much as I did Forging Silver Into Stars.
I did feel like it dragged in the middle a bit, which happens in second of books of trilogies. I also know Brigid focuses a lot on the characters and their individual journeys which I don’t fault her for. But I will say, I wanted to choke some of the characters at several points bc apparently every character in this universe cannot communicate to save their lives. But I get it, we needed the tension and drama.
Tycho is a very near and dear character to my heart. He is the kind of character that offers his help to everyone and he expects nothing in return. He simply does it out of the kindness of his heart. And his loyalty is steadfast and unwavering once he decides to offer it. Too many people, like Jax says, take and take and they don’t even realize how little they consider what he wants or needs. But he does what he's ordered to because it is his duty as King's Courier.
"His trust- his loyalty- is like a gift... I think of his trust, so honest and pure. His loyalty. How it must be a curse, because that's what Prince Rhen so thoughtlessly chained to a wall to torture."
I do think a lot of Tycho's discord with Grey was in part to do with Grey’s refusal to yield and his inaction. Because he did not stand up for Tycho in court. I completely understood why Tycho didn't want to go into detail about why Alek's provocations worked against him since it triggered his past. Though I know Grey apologized and had his candid conversation with Tycho at the end of this book, up until Grey literally said the words I’d found myself often wondering while reading this book and the first, if Grey literally forgot that Tycho was the very first person to swear his fealty to him. I get that he's going through a lot in this book and in the previous one, but I felt as upset as Tycho was by his anger. Because letting Tycho’s loyalty get put in question, by Alek of all people btw, was insane to me. His being angry with Tycho for freeing Nakiis and for drawing danger to himself with magic and healing people when they got injured when HE was the one who made Tycho a magesmith in the first place honestly made me want to strangle Grey. Especially since freeing Nakiis, as we learned in this book, is why Tycho survived the injury Alek inflicted on him. But Grey took that first step toward clearing the air with Tycho which was nice, but there’s still so much neither has said that HAS to be said.
“I’m thinking about the way my life has always been tied to someone else’s problems, someone else’s needs, someone else’s desires.”
anyway, free my boy, Tycho. I beg.
As for Jax, I really enjoy reading about his character. I think his weariness is well placed. I don’t think he was ever exaggerating or being unreasonable. He was quite literally left in another country, without knowing the language, surrounded by no one he knew or liked. Jax was bullied and his intentions were put in question. He was lonely, like poor guy was going through it. He had to fend for himself a bit there and prove himself in a place where few people liked him and even fewer were kind to him. I actually found myself enjoying his chapters a lot as I did in Forging Silver Into Stars, of the three pov’s I think his chapters were my favorites.
I do think that it was smart plot-wise to have Jax stay in Emberfall- because he hates Rhen for what he did to Tycho. It forces him and Rhen to face this air of tension. Without getting to talk to Rhen, he wouldn’t ever understand just how convoluted everything was and how there were no easy choices. How Rhen genuinely regrets what he did to Tycho and how he, as he phrases it, hates himself for it. Jax’s distrust of Rhen and his bitterness toward him, was completely justified. In fact, Rhen commends his character for still talking to him knowing Jax doesn't like him. I think Rhen took it in stride and faced the issue with as much respect as the situation deserved. I will talk about Rhen in detail in a bit.
Of course, Jax’s relationship with Tycho suffered as they spent more time apart than they’d expected. Pretty much 90% of the book, actually. Noah warned Tycho pretty early on that even strong and long-lasting relationships would struggle with being long-distance especially given how new their relationship is. I’m not particularly worried about them, I think they’ll work it out. I caught Sephran’s flirtatious energy and I dreaded a love triangle situation (that one kiss definitely is going to cause drama in book 3). But Sephran and Molly along with others were kind to Jax and genuinely were trying to help him get comfortable in this isolation and honestly uncomfortable environment. I appreciated that Sephran wasn’t trying to hurt Jax and just misunderstood the vibes. I am a little worried how Tycho will react when he finds out about the whole ordeal because honesty is a big thing between Tycho and Jax so I do think Jax will mention it. And Sephran clearly dislikes Tycho and I doubt he'll hide it. He also planted that seed of doubt in Jax that Tycho just swept him up and dumped him in Emberfall and is an asshole for it. He doesn’t know that Tycho is serious about his duties, which I don’t expect him to know that. But we shall see how this plays out. Overall, I think Jax was my favorite pov in this book.
Going back to Rhen, I will die on the hill that Rhen is probably the best character that Brigid Kemmerer has written. I say this as someone whose favorite character from the Cursebreaker’s trilogy was Grey for a good while. But having freshly reread that trilogy and Forging Silver Into Stars then this book- I could write a dissertation on how brilliantly written a character Rhen is. I appreciate that though he made bad choices, he acknowledges that he and Grey involved Tycho in a political dilemma that had nothing to do with him. And because Grey refused to yield and because Rhen was scared of Grey’s magic, they got Tycho hurt. Both of them. Their choices or lackthereof, did that to Tycho. He emphasized how he wants to make sure he earns Tycho’s trust and friendship and how much he will work to feel like he deserves to have it. And when he said that, I almost cried. I think that is a sentiment that Tycho needs to hear. From Rhen and from Grey especially, which he did get told near the end.
Anyway, Rhen, I adore him. And I will put him in my pocket.
I feel like Grey’s insistence to never yield is his greatest character flaw. He only ever yields to Lia Mara, but he could not yield to his brother, he couldn’t even yield to Tycho when he needed him to. I feel bad for the man, yk, having issues with Lia Mara. But his instinct to isolate himself doesn’t help the situation.
I also kind of hated the way that because there was discord between Grey and Lia Mara,it created this split between everyone else. Callyn said something near the end to Tycho about how she is loyal to the Queen while Tycho is loyal only to Grey which... Tycho has expressed that he loves Lia Mara like a sister. I couldn't wrap my head around Lia Mara feeling like she was forbidden from talking to Tycho because she knows he and Grey were always closer. Which, yeah, but I think in the moment in time when Tycho returned from Ironrose, he was as much if not more, at odds with Grey than she was.
Also, like I felt in Forging Silver Into Stars, Lia Mara is the queen. I don't understand why she feels she doesn't have permission to stand up for Tycho or talk to Tycho, like you are the damn queen. You should be able to do what you want,
girl. I almost felt like the ones ruling Syhl Shallow are the people of the royal houses and not Lia Mara and Grey. If Alek can come in and point fingers and get what he wants, after one woman in from the royal houses calls for Tycho to have his rings removed, then who's really in power here? That annoyed me and I cannot make sense of it. I almost feel like she's so focused on not being like her mother and keeping peace at the expense of letting unrest rise to full on treason. At some point you have to draw the line and BE the queen of Syhl Shallow. Like, they let it get to a point where Grey had to leave Syhl Shallow in secret like he was a criminal or something- and that’s literally insane!
I'll be brief when I talk about Alek and Callyn. I don't get them. As a pairing, I don't feel like they had any chemistry. At no point was I rooting for them. I wasn't swayed to liking Alek. I doubted that he even liked Callyn 99% of the time. Maybe I'm just a hater but I actually can’t stand him. But the problem beyond me not liking Alek, is that I don’t particularly like Callyn that much either. Unfortunately two negatives did not make a positive and I just didn’t care about either of them apart or together. So much so I struggled to get through pretty much all their interactions. Especially when they got all flirtatious. I was not here for it because I doubted that Alek was even being genuine and Callyn spent all her time overthinking everybody’s motivations.
I felt like she was a lot more sure of herself in the first book and in this second one she had one good moment where she told off Verin, but beside that I didn’t feel like Callyn’s plot-line was gripping.
Maybe I'm the only one, but apparently everyone forgot how in the only pov of Alek’s we got, Alek was swearing to get vengeance on Callyn. But he supposedly loves her so much in this book and he’s so hurt that she has magic- and lied about it, but is an omission of truth a lie?- and that she used it to literally save his life? I’m sorry, but get over it! Alek makes no sense. I fear you cannot fix him, Callyn. And like I’ve said before, get a better man. This cannot be it for you and if it is… damn.
I also was a little fed up with how easily Callyn trusted Alek again. So much for being mad at him and this and that. He literally smooched her once and suddenly he’s just a misunderstood guy. Like, Callyn, you are smarter than this. I know you can be.
As for Alek, I don’t trust him. I don’t like him. I don’t understand his motivations and his beef with Tycho to me feels so one-sided. He already tried to kill Tycho and for some reason HE’S the bitter one who hates Tycho’s guts? The man stabbed Tycho and then cried about how dangerous Tycho is because of his magic rings… are we insane?! If it wasn’t for Nakiis or magic, Tycho would have died and what then? Was he going to say it was all in self defense?
It’s not Tycho or Grey’s fault that his mom died in battle in Emberfall. It’s not Tycho or Grey’s fault that his sister was a traitor and spy and died for it. The petulant boy couldn’t get over hating Grey and his magic so he took out his anger on the nearest target- aka Tycho- and I’m supposed to care about him? As a character, he’s not giving me anything to work with. I really thought there had to be something more to him but no, he’s just a Grey and Tycho hater and that’s it. That seems to be the full extent of his personality. And I hate that he claims to care about and love Lia Mara as his queen as he actively plots to kill her husband like??? you love her but you’re willing to murder her husband, whom she loves? Does he think Lia Mara will thank him or something? It makes no sense. Especially knowing that everyone Grey gave a ring to is now a magesmith, so what now dingbat? Are you going to kill Lia Mara too? And what if Sinna has magic will you kill her too? Like can we use our brains? Ugh, petition for Alek to be the one to get exiled not Tycho wth.
anyway, and this seems crazy, but I'm looking forward to the next book. I need Grey and Tycho to fix their issues, I need Tycho to be left alone so he can thrive, Jax and Rhen will hopefully have more honest conversations, and well… I don’t know how we’ll fix the Grey and Lia Mara or Callyn and Alek stuff bc I don’t even like Alek lol. but good luck to them!
I did feel like it dragged in the middle a bit, which happens in second of books of trilogies. I also know Brigid focuses a lot on the characters and their individual journeys which I don’t fault her for. But I will say, I wanted to choke some of the characters at several points bc apparently every character in this universe cannot communicate to save their lives. But I get it, we needed the tension and drama.
Tycho is a very near and dear character to my heart. He is the kind of character that offers his help to everyone and he expects nothing in return. He simply does it out of the kindness of his heart. And his loyalty is steadfast and unwavering once he decides to offer it. Too many people, like Jax says, take and take and they don’t even realize how little they consider what he wants or needs. But he does what he's ordered to because it is his duty as King's Courier.
"His trust- his loyalty- is like a gift... I think of his trust, so honest and pure. His loyalty. How it must be a curse, because that's what Prince Rhen so thoughtlessly chained to a wall to torture."
I do think a lot of Tycho's discord with Grey was in part to do with Grey’s refusal to yield and his inaction. Because he did not stand up for Tycho in court. I completely understood why Tycho didn't want to go into detail about why Alek's provocations worked against him since it triggered his past. Though I know Grey apologized and had his candid conversation with Tycho at the end of this book, up until Grey literally said the words I’d found myself often wondering while reading this book and the first, if Grey literally forgot that Tycho was the very first person to swear his fealty to him. I get that he's going through a lot in this book and in the previous one, but I felt as upset as Tycho was by his anger. Because letting Tycho’s loyalty get put in question, by Alek of all people btw, was insane to me. His being angry with Tycho for freeing Nakiis and for drawing danger to himself with magic and healing people when they got injured when HE was the one who made Tycho a magesmith in the first place honestly made me want to strangle Grey. Especially since freeing Nakiis, as we learned in this book, is why Tycho survived the injury Alek inflicted on him. But Grey took that first step toward clearing the air with Tycho which was nice, but there’s still so much neither has said that HAS to be said.
“I’m thinking about the way my life has always been tied to someone else’s problems, someone else’s needs, someone else’s desires.”
anyway, free my boy, Tycho. I beg.
As for Jax, I really enjoy reading about his character. I think his weariness is well placed. I don’t think he was ever exaggerating or being unreasonable. He was quite literally left in another country, without knowing the language, surrounded by no one he knew or liked. Jax was bullied and his intentions were put in question. He was lonely, like poor guy was going through it. He had to fend for himself a bit there and prove himself in a place where few people liked him and even fewer were kind to him. I actually found myself enjoying his chapters a lot as I did in Forging Silver Into Stars, of the three pov’s I think his chapters were my favorites.
I do think that it was smart plot-wise to have Jax stay in Emberfall- because he hates Rhen for what he did to Tycho. It forces him and Rhen to face this air of tension. Without getting to talk to Rhen, he wouldn’t ever understand just how convoluted everything was and how there were no easy choices. How Rhen genuinely regrets what he did to Tycho and how he, as he phrases it, hates himself for it. Jax’s distrust of Rhen and his bitterness toward him, was completely justified. In fact, Rhen commends his character for still talking to him knowing Jax doesn't like him. I think Rhen took it in stride and faced the issue with as much respect as the situation deserved. I will talk about Rhen in detail in a bit.
Of course, Jax’s relationship with Tycho suffered as they spent more time apart than they’d expected. Pretty much 90% of the book, actually. Noah warned Tycho pretty early on that even strong and long-lasting relationships would struggle with being long-distance especially given how new their relationship is. I’m not particularly worried about them, I think they’ll work it out. I caught Sephran’s flirtatious energy and I dreaded a love triangle situation (that one kiss definitely is going to cause drama in book 3). But Sephran and Molly along with others were kind to Jax and genuinely were trying to help him get comfortable in this isolation and honestly uncomfortable environment. I appreciated that Sephran wasn’t trying to hurt Jax and just misunderstood the vibes. I am a little worried how Tycho will react when he finds out about the whole ordeal because honesty is a big thing between Tycho and Jax so I do think Jax will mention it. And Sephran clearly dislikes Tycho and I doubt he'll hide it. He also planted that seed of doubt in Jax that Tycho just swept him up and dumped him in Emberfall and is an asshole for it. He doesn’t know that Tycho is serious about his duties, which I don’t expect him to know that. But we shall see how this plays out. Overall, I think Jax was my favorite pov in this book.
Going back to Rhen, I will die on the hill that Rhen is probably the best character that Brigid Kemmerer has written. I say this as someone whose favorite character from the Cursebreaker’s trilogy was Grey for a good while. But having freshly reread that trilogy and Forging Silver Into Stars then this book- I could write a dissertation on how brilliantly written a character Rhen is. I appreciate that though he made bad choices, he acknowledges that he and Grey involved Tycho in a political dilemma that had nothing to do with him. And because Grey refused to yield and because Rhen was scared of Grey’s magic, they got Tycho hurt. Both of them. Their choices or lackthereof, did that to Tycho. He emphasized how he wants to make sure he earns Tycho’s trust and friendship and how much he will work to feel like he deserves to have it. And when he said that, I almost cried. I think that is a sentiment that Tycho needs to hear. From Rhen and from Grey especially, which he did get told near the end.
Anyway, Rhen, I adore him. And I will put him in my pocket.
I feel like Grey’s insistence to never yield is his greatest character flaw. He only ever yields to Lia Mara, but he could not yield to his brother, he couldn’t even yield to Tycho when he needed him to. I feel bad for the man, yk, having issues with Lia Mara. But his instinct to isolate himself doesn’t help the situation.
I also kind of hated the way that because there was discord between Grey and Lia Mara,it created this split between everyone else. Callyn said something near the end to Tycho about how she is loyal to the Queen while Tycho is loyal only to Grey which... Tycho has expressed that he loves Lia Mara like a sister. I couldn't wrap my head around Lia Mara feeling like she was forbidden from talking to Tycho because she knows he and Grey were always closer. Which, yeah, but I think in the moment in time when Tycho returned from Ironrose, he was as much if not more, at odds with Grey than she was.
Also, like I felt in Forging Silver Into Stars, Lia Mara is the queen. I don't understand why she feels she doesn't have permission to stand up for Tycho or talk to Tycho, like you are the damn queen. You should be able to do what you want,
girl. I almost felt like the ones ruling Syhl Shallow are the people of the royal houses and not Lia Mara and Grey. If Alek can come in and point fingers and get what he wants, after one woman in from the royal houses calls for Tycho to have his rings removed, then who's really in power here? That annoyed me and I cannot make sense of it. I almost feel like she's so focused on not being like her mother and keeping peace at the expense of letting unrest rise to full on treason. At some point you have to draw the line and BE the queen of Syhl Shallow. Like, they let it get to a point where Grey had to leave Syhl Shallow in secret like he was a criminal or something- and that’s literally insane!
I'll be brief when I talk about Alek and Callyn. I don't get them. As a pairing, I don't feel like they had any chemistry. At no point was I rooting for them. I wasn't swayed to liking Alek. I doubted that he even liked Callyn 99% of the time. Maybe I'm just a hater but I actually can’t stand him. But the problem beyond me not liking Alek, is that I don’t particularly like Callyn that much either. Unfortunately two negatives did not make a positive and I just didn’t care about either of them apart or together. So much so I struggled to get through pretty much all their interactions. Especially when they got all flirtatious. I was not here for it because I doubted that Alek was even being genuine and Callyn spent all her time overthinking everybody’s motivations.
I felt like she was a lot more sure of herself in the first book and in this second one she had one good moment where she told off Verin, but beside that I didn’t feel like Callyn’s plot-line was gripping.
Maybe I'm the only one, but apparently everyone forgot how in the only pov of Alek’s we got, Alek was swearing to get vengeance on Callyn. But he supposedly loves her so much in this book and he’s so hurt that she has magic- and lied about it, but is an omission of truth a lie?- and that she used it to literally save his life? I’m sorry, but get over it! Alek makes no sense. I fear you cannot fix him, Callyn. And like I’ve said before, get a better man. This cannot be it for you and if it is… damn.
I also was a little fed up with how easily Callyn trusted Alek again. So much for being mad at him and this and that. He literally smooched her once and suddenly he’s just a misunderstood guy. Like, Callyn, you are smarter than this. I know you can be.
As for Alek, I don’t trust him. I don’t like him. I don’t understand his motivations and his beef with Tycho to me feels so one-sided. He already tried to kill Tycho and for some reason HE’S the bitter one who hates Tycho’s guts? The man stabbed Tycho and then cried about how dangerous Tycho is because of his magic rings… are we insane?! If it wasn’t for Nakiis or magic, Tycho would have died and what then? Was he going to say it was all in self defense?
It’s not Tycho or Grey’s fault that his mom died in battle in Emberfall. It’s not Tycho or Grey’s fault that his sister was a traitor and spy and died for it. The petulant boy couldn’t get over hating Grey and his magic so he took out his anger on the nearest target- aka Tycho- and I’m supposed to care about him? As a character, he’s not giving me anything to work with. I really thought there had to be something more to him but no, he’s just a Grey and Tycho hater and that’s it. That seems to be the full extent of his personality. And I hate that he claims to care about and love Lia Mara as his queen as he actively plots to kill her husband like??? you love her but you’re willing to murder her husband, whom she loves? Does he think Lia Mara will thank him or something? It makes no sense. Especially knowing that everyone Grey gave a ring to is now a magesmith, so what now dingbat? Are you going to kill Lia Mara too? And what if Sinna has magic will you kill her too? Like can we use our brains? Ugh, petition for Alek to be the one to get exiled not Tycho wth.
anyway, and this seems crazy, but I'm looking forward to the next book. I need Grey and Tycho to fix their issues, I need Tycho to be left alone so he can thrive, Jax and Rhen will hopefully have more honest conversations, and well… I don’t know how we’ll fix the Grey and Lia Mara or Callyn and Alek stuff bc I don’t even like Alek lol. but good luck to them!
July 29, 2025
It’s the end for me here.
I do not like this new trilogy at all. Even if I still love the world, I don’t connect with the characters and I find the story repetitive and boring.
I do not like this new trilogy at all. Even if I still love the world, I don’t connect with the characters and I find the story repetitive and boring.
February 6, 2025
Many thanks to NetGalley and to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Man oh man 😵💫
Here's the thing people, massive disclaimer and all that, because this was 100% not for the teenagers. Having ACOMAF flashbacks, because I thought that was supposed to be YA too and it was (worse than this but) similarly a NA in disguise. Since I suspected that going in, I was a bit less scandalized.*
WHICH MEANS *deep breath* that I was devouring this. Character work is Kemmerer's major strong suit (if it's not her political scheming), and the character work in this was just glorious. The tension between Tycho and Grey continued to ramp up from the last book; the new tension between Tycho and Jax was painful, ouch ouch; and ALEK WHAT THE HECK WHAT IS HE AND WHY DO I WANT TO TRUST HIM 😫
Weirdly, one of my favorite characters in this book was Rhen. He was creeping in to my "favorite" spot in the last book, but he really made it all the way. It's so interesting to see him from an external perspective, since he was a major POV character in Cursebreakers. And I say external, to exclude Grey and Harper, because as Rhen's close friends they saw him in a different light than Tycho and hekkin Jax see him and THAT IS SO INTERESTING GAH
I had to find a stuffed animal to strangle because I was freaking out too much. I'm better now.
This book also made me realize that maybe I just don't like Grey much. In A Curse So Dark and Lonely he was a fave, and I remember even shipping him and Harper a bit. In the second two books in the trilogy he started being dumb and making wild decisions, and his character felt completely different from the first book. The Grey we see in this new trilogy is more like OG Grey, but he continues to make poor decisions like Boogaloo Grey. I do suspect that this is Kemmerer righting (heh writing) a wrong, and I haven't changed my opinion about Boogaloo Grey, but I do think it perhaps tries to explain some of his behaviors. I just fear now that he's just a ho, and I don't agree with his choices, and I think he . But I'm going to argue that me disliking him is still a sign of Kemmerer's skilled character work. He's a well crafted, fleshed-out character. I also want to kick him in the nards.**
I also don't think I mentioned this in my review for book 1, but Callyn's sister was a good deal less annoying than she used to be. I was super salty about her in book one because she was acting like an oblivious idiot and also I THOUGHT THE BOOK WAS FOR TEENAGERS AND THEN THIS WAS HOW THEY PORTRAY A TEENAGER?? She was acting like a 5-year-old when I thought she was supposed to be like 14, and in this book I found out she was only supposed to be like 10 or something, and that made me feel a bit better. She also acted like less of an oblivious idiot. I didn't cringe every time she showed up. I didn't want to throw her bodily from the room. This was a vast improvement.
Anyway the worst thing about getting ARCs is that now I HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR OR MORE FOR THE SEQUEL TO THIS *deep breaths again* It made me cry so blarg. I weirdly want to go back and re-read A Curse So Dark and Lonely just so I can have more Rhen and Grey time. I really hope Rhen and Harper continue to get more page-time in the next book.
*Don't be like me, continue to be scandalized 👍
**How does one even spell nards? Gnards? Nhardz?
BECAUSE I'M A FORGETFUL HO:
Man oh man 😵💫
Here's the thing people, massive disclaimer and all that, because this was 100% not for the teenagers. Having ACOMAF flashbacks, because I thought that was supposed to be YA too and it was (worse than this but) similarly a NA in disguise. Since I suspected that going in, I was a bit less scandalized.*
WHICH MEANS *deep breath* that I was devouring this. Character work is Kemmerer's major strong suit (if it's not her political scheming), and the character work in this was just glorious. The tension between Tycho and Grey continued to ramp up from the last book; the new tension between Tycho and Jax was painful, ouch ouch; and ALEK WHAT THE HECK WHAT IS HE AND WHY DO I WANT TO TRUST HIM 😫
Weirdly, one of my favorite characters in this book was Rhen. He was creeping in to my "favorite" spot in the last book, but he really made it all the way. It's so interesting to see him from an external perspective, since he was a major POV character in Cursebreakers. And I say external, to exclude Grey and Harper, because as Rhen's close friends they saw him in a different light than Tycho and hekkin Jax see him and THAT IS SO INTERESTING GAH
I had to find a stuffed animal to strangle because I was freaking out too much. I'm better now.
This book also made me realize that maybe I just don't like Grey much. In A Curse So Dark and Lonely he was a fave, and I remember even shipping him and Harper a bit. In the second two books in the trilogy he started being dumb and making wild decisions, and his character felt completely different from the first book. The Grey we see in this new trilogy is more like OG Grey, but he continues to make poor decisions like Boogaloo Grey. I do suspect that this is Kemmerer righting (heh writing) a wrong, and I haven't changed my opinion about Boogaloo Grey, but I do think it perhaps tries to explain some of his behaviors. I just fear now that he's just a ho, and I don't agree with his choices, and I think he . But I'm going to argue that me disliking him is still a sign of Kemmerer's skilled character work. He's a well crafted, fleshed-out character. I also want to kick him in the nards.**
I also don't think I mentioned this in my review for book 1, but Callyn's sister was a good deal less annoying than she used to be. I was super salty about her in book one because she was acting like an oblivious idiot and also I THOUGHT THE BOOK WAS FOR TEENAGERS AND THEN THIS WAS HOW THEY PORTRAY A TEENAGER?? She was acting like a 5-year-old when I thought she was supposed to be like 14, and in this book I found out she was only supposed to be like 10 or something, and that made me feel a bit better. She also acted like less of an oblivious idiot. I didn't cringe every time she showed up. I didn't want to throw her bodily from the room. This was a vast improvement.
Anyway the worst thing about getting ARCs is that now I HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR OR MORE FOR THE SEQUEL TO THIS *deep breaths again* It made me cry so blarg. I weirdly want to go back and re-read A Curse So Dark and Lonely just so I can have more Rhen and Grey time. I really hope Rhen and Harper continue to get more page-time in the next book.
*Don't be like me, continue to be scandalized 👍
**How does one even spell nards? Gnards? Nhardz?
BECAUSE I'M A FORGETFUL HO:
June 9, 2025
4.5/5
She has done it again! This book just is everything I needed. It's adventurous. It has romance it has tension it has keeps you on your toes. I absolutely love the 3 different povs and how their lives have been disheveled by the events of book 1. I need to know what happens next. Cannot wait for book 3!
She has done it again! This book just is everything I needed. It's adventurous. It has romance it has tension it has keeps you on your toes. I absolutely love the 3 different povs and how their lives have been disheveled by the events of book 1. I need to know what happens next. Cannot wait for book 3!
June 19, 2025
i don’t have a ton of coherent thoughts about this book other than this one had some ANGST it had some KICK to it and i really hope that my poor babies get a break in book 3 because DAMN. brigid you are putting them through it!!!!
it’s been so cool to see the author develop as a writer and storyteller—her first series in the cursebreaker world was good but rough around the edges. this sequel series is polished, sharp, and oh so delicious. i can never quite tell where things are going to end up (in a good way) and the interpersonal drama is just exciting enough without being too much or melodramatic. i will still die for jax and tycho, and i actually grew to like callyn a lot more in this book!
i highly recommend reading at least books 1 and 2 of the cursebreaker trilogy and the first book in this trilogy before reading this one, but if you like fantasy with a bit of romance that’s big on character development, you will love these books!!
it’s been so cool to see the author develop as a writer and storyteller—her first series in the cursebreaker world was good but rough around the edges. this sequel series is polished, sharp, and oh so delicious. i can never quite tell where things are going to end up (in a good way) and the interpersonal drama is just exciting enough without being too much or melodramatic. i will still die for jax and tycho, and i actually grew to like callyn a lot more in this book!
i highly recommend reading at least books 1 and 2 of the cursebreaker trilogy and the first book in this trilogy before reading this one, but if you like fantasy with a bit of romance that’s big on character development, you will love these books!!
February 14, 2025
I love these characters and this world and how readable these books are. But, this does suffer a little from middle book syndrome. If the characters would just TALK to each other, we’d be much further along in the plot.
Thanks so much Tandem Global for the free copy!
Thanks so much Tandem Global for the free copy!
February 17, 2025
'Carving Shadows into Gold' is the continuation of the 'Forging Silver into Stars' which is the sequel to the 'Cursebreakers' series.
First of all, I've enjoyed this one better than the first book of the series, but I still found that what I disliked in the first book, I detect them in this one as well. That is to say that the characters were not interesting enough to keep me entertained or engaged, though Tycho was my favourite of them all, as he had some character development and a more complex personality. I also liked some of Callyn's chapters, but her romantic story was rushed and felt forced. As for Jax, I found him boring in this one.
Unfortunately, that meant that I found myself more engaged with the stories of the 'old' characters and they will also be the reason why I'll come back to the series for the third book.
In addition, most of the book is about coming and going between kingdoms, some romance, and most of the action was concentrated on the final chapters, which were the most interesting as well.
Finally, I believe that this book suffered from the long period that it took it to get published, and, as the first book wasn't memorable enough, it was hard to fall back into the story.
First of all, I've enjoyed this one better than the first book of the series, but I still found that what I disliked in the first book, I detect them in this one as well. That is to say that the characters were not interesting enough to keep me entertained or engaged, though Tycho was my favourite of them all, as he had some character development and a more complex personality. I also liked some of Callyn's chapters, but her romantic story was rushed and felt forced. As for Jax, I found him boring in this one.
Unfortunately, that meant that I found myself more engaged with the stories of the 'old' characters and they will also be the reason why I'll come back to the series for the third book.
In addition, most of the book is about coming and going between kingdoms, some romance, and most of the action was concentrated on the final chapters, which were the most interesting as well.
Finally, I believe that this book suffered from the long period that it took it to get published, and, as the first book wasn't memorable enough, it was hard to fall back into the story.
2025-anticipated-releases
August 7, 2024Hesitantly marking this as an anticipated release, since book 1 was not my favorite. Let's hope this one is better! Please, I beg; I will trade a small portion of my kingdom.
February 9, 2025
I need this book yesterday. Brigid, Forging Silver Into Stars was one of my favourite reads of this year and I'll be here (im)patiently awaiting the next book.
Until 2025, I guess <3
Until 2025, I guess <3
November 26, 2024
Thank you to Brigid Kemmerer, Bloomsbury Publishing, and NetGalley for the e-print ARC of this book!
4.5 stars
Age rating: 14-15+
I am absolutely ecstatic to be reviewing a book by one of my favorite authors before it’s even been released. Hopefully my excitement doesn’t negatively affect the decipherability of my review. Here goes:
Carving Shadows into Gold was far better than the one before it, in my opinion. This book definitely overcame the a-typical middle-book syndrome that often befalls the second installment in a series, rising from the pressure in the form of a diamond.
Again, we follow the characters we were introduced to in A Curse So Dark and Lonely (which absolutely has my heart) and Forging Silver into Stars. Following the trend from the latter mentioned book, we get chapters from the POVs of Tycho, Jax, and Callyn, all of whom are facing their own difficulties. Tycho, as King’s Courier, is able to return to Emberfall for only a brief period of time before he is quickly swept back to Syhl Shallow bearing urgent messages to King Grey. With all the demands that accompany his position, Tycho is only tested more by the looming threat from the scravers to the north, who have no tolerance for magic let alone a king in possession of it, as well as the still-present Truthbringers that endanger the throne. Caught up in this whirlwind, Tycho has no choice in leaving Jax in a foreign place: Ironrose Castle.
Jax soon finds that life is not easy, when the general populace doesn’t even speak your language and several of them have no fondness for those of his origins. It doesn’t help that he doesn’t exactly hold Prince Rhen in very high esteem; malice brews in him every time they encounter one another. Plus, the absence of Tycho leaves him to wonder about the security of their relationship and if it can withstand the distance growing between them. It doesn’t help that the workload is even more of a burden than he had expected, and leaves him to wonder if a blacksmith with only one fully-functioning leg can keep up with it.
Callyn, having taken up a position as a lady’s maid at the Crystal Palace, adapts well in the northern region. Though she still misses Jax and her bakery, she has Nora, her sister, to accompany her, and Lia Mara is kind to her. Mostly, she is just grateful, and rather content with her new occupation.
Until she sees Lord Alek one day, and isn’t entirely sure how to feel. Her mixed emotions for him are nothing shy of perplexing. On her guard, she tries to steer clear of him, but the palace is only so big…and she’s not entirely sure that she wants to, anyways.
Will the kingdoms withstand the threats—new and old—that jeopardize them? Will Tycho, Jax, and Callyn be able to handle the mounting pressures placed on them?
Find out in Carving Shadows into Gold!
Okay, so that wasn’t the best synopsis, but I don’t want to give too much away. I will, however, concede that I was very invested, until the end. The length of this book is well over four hundred pages, but it just flew by, as if it were half that long. Carried steadily along by the signature confidence and clarity presented by Kemmerer, I was engrossed in the plot to the extent that once I had reached the halfway point, there was no stopping me, and I had to finish it that day.
There is a lot of bittersweet pressure put on our precious characters this time around. They are stretched—pulled—twisted, and I don’t really know what to think of it. In a sense, I am glad that we go to experience so many challenges alongside them, but at the same time I just want a happy little story for their sake, with less emotional duress on my end. Alas, here we are. We got to see character development; motives, unveiled; relationships, tested and proven; and much, much more. All in all, I think it was worth it (but, so help me, if I don’t get closure by the end of this series…).
Why didn’t this book get five stars?
Well, I didn’t just hold it to the normal standard, I held it to the Brigid Kemmerer standard. Brigid Kemmerer is, to me, nothing short of a literary genius. I have been hooked since A Curse So Dark and Lonely; I am officially a fan. Thus far, especially in the realm of fantasy, I have experienced few disappointments in her writing, a feat for an author with as many published books as she has.
Did Carving Shadows into Gold live up to this standard? Yes, it did. But it didn’t supersede it like the titles such as Defy the Night.
For one, it took too long to get started. I understand why, but I was so ready to jump in that I was a little disappointed by the eighty-ish pages it took to work out what the actual plot was. After that, it was smooth sailing. It just took a little longer than expected to get there.
Secondly, I kind of wanted a little bit more from Jax’s point of view. My boy got a little bit cheated here, I’m not gonna lie. He didn’t get nearly as much screen time as he did in the first book, and since he’s my favorite character, I kind of consider that a big deal.
Lastly, I just wanted closure. Yet again, I will have to sit and wait on the next book to be released. *Sighs dramatically as if I won’t be counting down the days until that happens.*
This review is everywhere. It’s choppy, it’s incomplete, it’s inefficient, and it definitely doesn’t do this book justice. Please forgive me for that! (I just wrote a review…of my review. Weird.)
Always, I will be willing to read and review Brigid Kemmerer’s books. Looking forward to her next ones!
Happy reading!
4.5 stars
Age rating: 14-15+
I am absolutely ecstatic to be reviewing a book by one of my favorite authors before it’s even been released. Hopefully my excitement doesn’t negatively affect the decipherability of my review. Here goes:
Carving Shadows into Gold was far better than the one before it, in my opinion. This book definitely overcame the a-typical middle-book syndrome that often befalls the second installment in a series, rising from the pressure in the form of a diamond.
Again, we follow the characters we were introduced to in A Curse So Dark and Lonely (which absolutely has my heart) and Forging Silver into Stars. Following the trend from the latter mentioned book, we get chapters from the POVs of Tycho, Jax, and Callyn, all of whom are facing their own difficulties. Tycho, as King’s Courier, is able to return to Emberfall for only a brief period of time before he is quickly swept back to Syhl Shallow bearing urgent messages to King Grey. With all the demands that accompany his position, Tycho is only tested more by the looming threat from the scravers to the north, who have no tolerance for magic let alone a king in possession of it, as well as the still-present Truthbringers that endanger the throne. Caught up in this whirlwind, Tycho has no choice in leaving Jax in a foreign place: Ironrose Castle.
Jax soon finds that life is not easy, when the general populace doesn’t even speak your language and several of them have no fondness for those of his origins. It doesn’t help that he doesn’t exactly hold Prince Rhen in very high esteem; malice brews in him every time they encounter one another. Plus, the absence of Tycho leaves him to wonder about the security of their relationship and if it can withstand the distance growing between them. It doesn’t help that the workload is even more of a burden than he had expected, and leaves him to wonder if a blacksmith with only one fully-functioning leg can keep up with it.
Callyn, having taken up a position as a lady’s maid at the Crystal Palace, adapts well in the northern region. Though she still misses Jax and her bakery, she has Nora, her sister, to accompany her, and Lia Mara is kind to her. Mostly, she is just grateful, and rather content with her new occupation.
Until she sees Lord Alek one day, and isn’t entirely sure how to feel. Her mixed emotions for him are nothing shy of perplexing. On her guard, she tries to steer clear of him, but the palace is only so big…and she’s not entirely sure that she wants to, anyways.
Will the kingdoms withstand the threats—new and old—that jeopardize them? Will Tycho, Jax, and Callyn be able to handle the mounting pressures placed on them?
Find out in Carving Shadows into Gold!
Okay, so that wasn’t the best synopsis, but I don’t want to give too much away. I will, however, concede that I was very invested, until the end. The length of this book is well over four hundred pages, but it just flew by, as if it were half that long. Carried steadily along by the signature confidence and clarity presented by Kemmerer, I was engrossed in the plot to the extent that once I had reached the halfway point, there was no stopping me, and I had to finish it that day.
There is a lot of bittersweet pressure put on our precious characters this time around. They are stretched—pulled—twisted, and I don’t really know what to think of it. In a sense, I am glad that we go to experience so many challenges alongside them, but at the same time I just want a happy little story for their sake, with less emotional duress on my end. Alas, here we are. We got to see character development; motives, unveiled; relationships, tested and proven; and much, much more. All in all, I think it was worth it (but, so help me, if I don’t get closure by the end of this series…).
Why didn’t this book get five stars?
Well, I didn’t just hold it to the normal standard, I held it to the Brigid Kemmerer standard. Brigid Kemmerer is, to me, nothing short of a literary genius. I have been hooked since A Curse So Dark and Lonely; I am officially a fan. Thus far, especially in the realm of fantasy, I have experienced few disappointments in her writing, a feat for an author with as many published books as she has.
Did Carving Shadows into Gold live up to this standard? Yes, it did. But it didn’t supersede it like the titles such as Defy the Night.
For one, it took too long to get started. I understand why, but I was so ready to jump in that I was a little disappointed by the eighty-ish pages it took to work out what the actual plot was. After that, it was smooth sailing. It just took a little longer than expected to get there.
Secondly, I kind of wanted a little bit more from Jax’s point of view. My boy got a little bit cheated here, I’m not gonna lie. He didn’t get nearly as much screen time as he did in the first book, and since he’s my favorite character, I kind of consider that a big deal.
Lastly, I just wanted closure. Yet again, I will have to sit and wait on the next book to be released. *Sighs dramatically as if I won’t be counting down the days until that happens.*
This review is everywhere. It’s choppy, it’s incomplete, it’s inefficient, and it definitely doesn’t do this book justice. Please forgive me for that! (I just wrote a review…of my review. Weird.)
Always, I will be willing to read and review Brigid Kemmerer’s books. Looking forward to her next ones!
Happy reading!
September 30, 2025
- Hoy vengo a hablaros de una lectura que me ha gustado bastante, pero que tengo algunos peros respecto a la forma cómo ha tratado la autora la trama, aunque pese a todo deciros que vale la pena sin duda adentrarse en estos libros.
- La autora de forma muy buena y ocasional nos recordará no solo la historia del primer libro y lo que pasó, también nos adentra en la historia de esa anterior trilogía que es Una maldición oscura y solitaria, lo que fue muy bueno para mí porque apenas recordaba nada, me encanta que hagan eso los autores.
- La narrativa de la autora es limpia y muy buena, nos mete de lleno en una trama adictiva y atrapante, que hará las delicias de los lectores de fantasía. Pese a ello tengo que decir que me ha costado un poco meterme en la trama al principio, el comienzo es algo lento y cuesta posicionarse y recordar a los personajes.
- Desde cierta parte ya sí que me he sentido no solo ubicada sino enganchada hasta cierto punto. Y tengo que matizar un poco ese cierto punto, la autora nos ha sacado un libro que pese a que pasan muchas cosas y es un gran puente de unión con la tercera parte.
- Tengo que decir que ha sido un libro de los que yo llamo montaña rusa, bien la autora nos narra unas escenas lentas y sin avanzar en la trama, pero siempre haciendo hincapié en la evolución de los personajes y sus sentimientos. Después de repente esa escenas se cortan y nos da unas escenas de mucha acción, es como una subida grande y una bajada en picado, para darnos después un respiro y avanzar algo más lento.
- Los personajes están muy bien definidos y sentimos su gran evolución y una buena estructura, aunque te quedaras a medio capítulo y volvieras a leer unos días después sabes bien quién está narrando aunque no lo mires. Al comienzo de cada capítulo se nos dirá el personaje que está narrando, lo que hace que la lectura se vuelva hasta más cómoda, aunque ni haga falta.
- Tendremos romance, mucho romance, pero lo bueno es que se solapa con la trama principal, cobran el mismo protagonismo uno y otro, y no llega a ser empalagoso ni tampoco pesado, al contrario, se vuelve necesario. La autora sabe muy bien cómo encandilar al autor con la relación de los personajes, y también se agradece una relación LGBTIQ+.
- La autora de forma muy buena y ocasional nos recordará no solo la historia del primer libro y lo que pasó, también nos adentra en la historia de esa anterior trilogía que es Una maldición oscura y solitaria, lo que fue muy bueno para mí porque apenas recordaba nada, me encanta que hagan eso los autores.
- La narrativa de la autora es limpia y muy buena, nos mete de lleno en una trama adictiva y atrapante, que hará las delicias de los lectores de fantasía. Pese a ello tengo que decir que me ha costado un poco meterme en la trama al principio, el comienzo es algo lento y cuesta posicionarse y recordar a los personajes.
- Desde cierta parte ya sí que me he sentido no solo ubicada sino enganchada hasta cierto punto. Y tengo que matizar un poco ese cierto punto, la autora nos ha sacado un libro que pese a que pasan muchas cosas y es un gran puente de unión con la tercera parte.
- Tengo que decir que ha sido un libro de los que yo llamo montaña rusa, bien la autora nos narra unas escenas lentas y sin avanzar en la trama, pero siempre haciendo hincapié en la evolución de los personajes y sus sentimientos. Después de repente esa escenas se cortan y nos da unas escenas de mucha acción, es como una subida grande y una bajada en picado, para darnos después un respiro y avanzar algo más lento.
- Los personajes están muy bien definidos y sentimos su gran evolución y una buena estructura, aunque te quedaras a medio capítulo y volvieras a leer unos días después sabes bien quién está narrando aunque no lo mires. Al comienzo de cada capítulo se nos dirá el personaje que está narrando, lo que hace que la lectura se vuelva hasta más cómoda, aunque ni haga falta.
- Tendremos romance, mucho romance, pero lo bueno es que se solapa con la trama principal, cobran el mismo protagonismo uno y otro, y no llega a ser empalagoso ni tampoco pesado, al contrario, se vuelve necesario. La autora sabe muy bien cómo encandilar al autor con la relación de los personajes, y también se agradece una relación LGBTIQ+.
January 11, 2025
My first ever ARC and I couldn’t be happier!! This is one of my all time favorite series and I’m so happy to have it in my hands after a three year wait!
The depth of feelings and trials in this book are so amazingly written. I could hardly put the book down and finished it in a total of maybe ten hours 😅
I cannot wait for book three! So many questions were raised and not answered in this book. I cannot wait for the conclusion and at the same time I dread it because I LOVE this world! Brigid writes so beautifully and I know this will be one of the series I reread for the rest of my life.
The depth of feelings and trials in this book are so amazingly written. I could hardly put the book down and finished it in a total of maybe ten hours 😅
I cannot wait for book three! So many questions were raised and not answered in this book. I cannot wait for the conclusion and at the same time I dread it because I LOVE this world! Brigid writes so beautifully and I know this will be one of the series I reread for the rest of my life.
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