Winter has come early to Korslakov, City of Spires, and Lukan Gardova has arrived with it. Most visitors to this famous city of artifice seek technological marvels, or alchemical ingenuity. Lukan only desires the unknown legacy his father has left for him, in the vaults of the Blackfire Bank.
But when Lukan’s past catches up with him, his key to the vault ends up in the hands of a mysterious thief known only as the Rook. As Lukan and his companions race to recover the key, they soon find themselves trapped in a web of murder and deceit. In desperation, Lukan requests the help of Lady Marni Volkova, scion to Korslakov’s most powerful family.
Yet Lady Marni has secrets of her own. Worse, she has plans for Lukan and his friends. Plans that involve a journey into Korslakov’s dark past, in search of a long-lost alchemical formula that could prove to be the city’s greatest discovery . . . or its destruction.
James Logan is back and The Blackfire Blade is such a fantastic Book#2.
The book goes from strength to strength, with a strong and immersive opening (that includes a brilliant wrap-up of The Silverblood Promise) and immediately throws us into a new city, with new problems.
I loved The Silverblood Promise - the tone reminded me of the Fable games, the premises reminded me of Locke Lamora, the execution reminded me of The Greatcoats... but The Blackfire Blade is better in every single way.
This is where we really get behind the characters. The dynamics between our central trio is SO much fun and Logan has really nailed the camaraderie/bickering. The plot is paced perfectly, with cliff-hanger after cliff-hanger. The dialogue is much more assured, with sparks of humour and depth to the characters, and there are some twists that Christopher Nolan would be proud of.
Even if The Silverblood Promise didn't land as much as you wanted, I would highly recommend that you try this, because I'd put money on you being immediately impressed at how it has levelled up.
Cinnamon buns, purple fire, crossbows and magical creatures, mysterious vaults and portals, The Blackfire Blade far exceeded my expectations, and is one of my favourite fantasy books I've read in 2025.
Everyone knows I have a soft spot for motley crews. Especially when that includes a thief, a street urchin with a big mouth, and a noble sunk low.
Don’t worry - we have a story recap!
In the sequel, Lukan has a key for a vault at the Blackfire Bank, located in the city of Korslakov in the far north of the Old Empire. Ashra joins Lukan and Flea because Lukan has a nose for trouble and a Flea invites it with her buzzing😉 comments.
We get POVs from all three of our characters which provides a more rounded view of the crew. We see them develop more into a found family instead of weary people forced to work together.
‘I know about all of you. Ashra Seramis –or should I say Lady Midnight? And Flea, the sharp-tongued street rat.’ ‘I’ve got a bolt here sharper than my tongue,’ the girl fired back, raising her crossbow once more. Again, Ashra pushed it down.
I love a scrappy character and Flea is someone both Ashra and Lukan want to protect whilst realising they can’t control her.
The plot did feel like it was going in circles in terms of the straight forward having the key and unlocking the bank. However, this frustration is acutely felt by Lukan too.
However, this meant that it felt like the series arc didn’t progress until the last two chapters.
This retains the witty, fun tone of book two with added golems and alchemy.
I really enjoyed book one and can't wait to see what happens next. I'm so sad I wasn't approved for the arc on netgalley, now I have to wait until October! :(
3.5 Stars This was a solid sequel to the Silverblood Promise. The first book was one of my favourite books of last year when I read it so I was eager to continue on with this series. I liked this one but I didn't love it as much as the first. I feel like this one suffered from not reading the books sequentially.
I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy fantasy set in a second urban environment. However, readers should start back at the beginning since this a direct sequel.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
*Thank you to Net Galley and Tor Books for the E-ARC. *
James Logan came out of the gate with a terrific debut last year with "The Silverblood Promise". And the lightning absolutely strikes twice with "The Blackfire Blade". This book takes everything that worked in the first book and continues those ideas along with a very fascinating plot and interesting worldbuilding.
The first book was (almost) entirely set in Saphrona, which was much more of a mediterranean-like coastal city. This book is set in Korslakov, which is very much influenced by Russian and Ukranian cities. Korslakov was such a great contrast to Saphrona, in that it felt much more quiet, dark, and forboding. I knew there was something brewing in the story with this setting, but absolutely did NOT see what it actually was coming.
The main trio of Lukan, Ashra, and Flea work well here. They don't have quite as great a dynamic as they did in Book 1, mostly because they have gotten used to each others mannerisms and idiosyncrisies. But their dynamic was still fun to read regardless. They almost are like a mini D&D party in a way.
This book continues the concept of "Side Quests" before the main goal of entering the Blackfire Bank Vault. The side quests were excellent, and I was on the edge of my seat. All of them were logical and the twists and reveals with them all were handled excellently.
One thing I love about James Logan's writing is his pacing. No chapter really overstays its welcome, and each chapter and side quest does get our characters closer and closer to their goal.
The climax of the book was fantastically devised. I was shocked at the way that James Logan laid the foundation for it, and the twists and surprises were excellently revealed.
The inciting incident for the main story of the book does utilize the "Idiot Plot" once, and it'll probably be a bit controversial. It's a very small part of the overall book, but that trope can be irksome.
The book does have a few minor elements that I did not appreciate their inclusion in the book. Some were part of the worldbuilding, others were part of minor character designs, but it was a really minor element overall.
Back to a few more positives, there are some great new and recurring characters. I won't delve too much into them for spoiler sake, but one character stood out as a favorite not only in this book, but as a favorite character this year...and this character is only in 2 chapters. (When you meet Clank, you'll see what I mean).
James Logan does have some terrific one liners and some really clever phrases and set ups that I really enjoyed. His writing style just works on so many levels.
And the ending of this story just has me on the edge of my seat for the next book. James Logan completely tied up what this book needed to while also setting up something for book 3.
Overall, I LOVED this book. Just as good as book 1 and really continues the story well. James Logan is now a MUST read author. 9.5 out of 10!
5 stars This book, like the first in the series, was a wild ride from beginning to end. I love how each book takes place in a completely different city, and how the setting itself always feels like a main character. This time around, the city had a colder, more industrial vibe—smoke, metal, and machinery replacing the colorful chaos of book one—and I absolutely loved it.
The worldbuilding continues to impress me. It’s rich, imaginative, and detailed without ever becoming overly complicated. The Pharon artifacts, first introduced in book one, take a much more central role here, and it really works. They add a deeper sense of mystery and history to the world. I also loved the focus on golems—the way they were used in the story felt both sad and fascinating, a perfect mix of melancholy and wonder. If anything, I would have loved to see that element developed even further. Overall, the world just works—it’s immersive, coherent, and above all, fun.
And fun really is the operational word here. What stands out most about this series is how effortlessly it balances heart, humor, and high-stakes adventure. The Blackfire Blade flew by; I was hooked from the very first page and never once wanted to put it down. It’s rare these days to find a book with absolutely no padding—just pure, unrelenting momentum, mischief, and mystery. It’s entertainment at its finest, but with just enough emotional depth to make it resonate.
The main trio was perfection. Lukan is a fantastic protagonist—flawed, yes, but not in a grimdark or self-pitying way. He embodies the spirit of the story: scrappy, brave, and a little chaotic. Flea was once again my favorite; I love this kid with all my heart. She’s clever, brave, and endlessly compelling. And Ashra was the perfect addition to this found family. She balanced Lukan and Flea perfectly, adding both strength and nuance to the group dynamic. And thank the gods—no romance in sight. The relationships are built on loyalty, affection, and shared struggle, and it makes them shine even brighter.
In short, The Blackfire Blade proves once again that James Logan knows exactly what he’s doing. It’s sharp, heartfelt, and wildly entertaining—everything I want in an adventure fantasy.
An imaginative, fun and entertaining sequel to The Silverblood Promise, with well-crafted characters, exciting action scenes, and sharp dialogue.
While it has a satisfying conclusion, it ends with another enticing cliffhanger that made me want to read the next book right away.
In case you forgot the details of book one, Logan generously includes a “Previously…” section that will remind you of all the necessary characters and places. Please let this trend continue!
Lukan, Flea and Ashra exhibit strong chemistry throughout, and all show emotional growth by the end of the story. The lore and world-building expand the setting with rich new layers and possibilities. Fans of Locke Lamora will feel right at home. Recommended.
General Thoughts: The weight for this second book in the series has been so worth every second. This was an absolutely stunning, fast paced, and interesting. Follow up to the silver blood promise. I have never been less disappointed in a series in my life.
This book picks up roughly 3 weeks or so after the first book ended. And we follow the same character characters. Their character development continues to be very interesting. I love the dynamics between the characters in this book as they felt very realistic for what would happen to newer acquaintances in such close quarters.
I enjoyed the story arc of this novel extremely. I felt like it really furthered my love for the story, the adventure, and the characters. I found no plot holes and was genuinely interested the entire time. I sat down and binged the first 60% of this book in one day. I could not put it down. It was so interesting and compelling. I really loved the characters and where they went with this one.
I feel like the overarching storyline between Lukan and his father really took off in this book. I am so excited to get to the third book in the series.
Book Stats: 📖: 496 pages Genre: fantasy Publisher: Tor Format: paperback Series: 2/?
Disclaimer: I read this book as a gifted physical ARC from the publisher and a gifted audiobook from the Macmillan NetGalley catalog. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
The Blackfire Blade is the highly expected continuation of James Logan’s epic fantasy series The Last Legacy. For fans of epic fantasy, this gem of a series keeps on giving!
My expectations were pretty high, as The Silverblood Promise was one of my favourite reads of 2024, and I’m so happy that this book did not disappoint.
Lukan Gardova is back, just arriving to the City of Spires, Korslakov, with Flea and Lady Midnight in tow, with the sole purpose of discovering his father’s legacy in the vaults of the Blackfire Bank. However, Lukan is, unsurprisingly, lacking in good judgement so in the first night in town, he ends up drinking way more than he should and… the key gets stolen. So Lukan and his companions have to navigate the city’s aristocracy and some dark plots in order to try to get his key back…
If, like me, you’re worried that it has been a long time since you read the previous book, I have wonderful news: The book actually begins with a very detailed summary of the previous book. And when I say very detailed, I actually mean VERY DETAILED. Thank you for that, honestly, I would have been a bit lost otherwise, even though I intend to re-read these books eventually.
Lukan’s lapse in judgement ends up in an action packet and fast paced adventure full of political intrigue, alchemy, secrets and many other twists and turns that kept me at the edge of my seat despise the fact that, in the end, the entire story is a side quest to the actual plot line which was opening the vault and discovering what is in there. However, this detour does not take away from the series, on the contrary, it adds layers on top of layers of context and character growth.
I personally love a flawed main character, but what sold Lukan to me is that he tries to do better and his good heart ends up shining through in his interactions with the other characters, specially Flea and Ashra. I have to say that Flea remains my absolute favourite, but we got acquainted with other amazing characters that also stole my heart, namely Ashra, who has a bigger focus on this book, and general Ragin.
While this books ends up being a side-quest kind of narrative, James Logan continues to deliver an epic fantasy tale that feels new and fresh, with (even more) loveable characters, a complex but absolutely thrilling world and a fast paced adventure that raises the stakes for the rest of the series.
My only complaint is that I now have to wait ages to read the next book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much to Quercus Books and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!
First of all, a huge thank you for the recap of the previous part, it made it so much easier for me to remember everything! That’s such a big plus for the book!
When I started this part, I realized just how much I’d missed these characters. They’ve become such a small but precious found family, if anything happens to them, I’ll simply break!
But seriously, how can it end like that??? What now??? Where’s the next one???
By the time I finished, I knew for sure I’ll be reading this series to the very end, I had some doubts before, but they’re gone now. I liked this part even more than the first one, it’s more magical and darker. It took me until about the middle to really get invested, but once I did, I couldn’t stop. I love these characters, I care about them deeply, and I need to know what happens next. Here we’ve got ghouls, golems, alchemy, and an ending that gives some answers but leaves even more questions.
I love the writing style, the humor, how alive the characters feel, and how easy it is to read.
You can read the first book as a standalone, which makes it easy to try the series out. But after part two, you’ll definitely want more.
Listening to the audiobook is such a vibe! The narrator’s voice is super pleasant, everything’s easy to follow, and I loved how the tone shifts for each character!
Fantastico come il primo, forse addirittura un po' meglio!
Thank you Netgalley and Arcadia Books for approving me an eARC of this book in exchange for a honest review
Non è un segreto che abbia amato "The Silverblood Promise" e aspettavo questo seguito come la manna dal cielo. E devo dire che The Blackfire Blade non delude affatto: ci ho ritrovato tutto ciò che mi aveva conquistata nel primo volume… e anche di più.
La storia riprende esattamente da dove l’avevamo lasciata, con Lukan, Flea e Ashra in viaggio verso la città di Kosrlakov per accedere alla cassaforte del padre di Lukan. L’ambientazione, ispirata alla Russia, è straordinaria: una città di alchimisti e ingegneri dove Logan riesce, come sempre, a evocare atmosfere vivide senza mai risultare prolisso. Qui tutto si fa più freddo, cupo e misterioso: perfettamente in linea con il periodo di uscita del libro e con il tono del romanzo.
Il ritmo rimane serrato come nel primo volume, ma i personaggi non vengono mai sacrificati. Anzi, li ho trovati ancora più sfaccettati, soprattutto Lukan, che riceve più spazio. Anche Flea e Ashra hanno capitoli POV che aggiungono profondità e rendono un trio irresistibile. Il loro "banter" mi ha fatta ridere più volte, alternando momenti ironici e leggeri ad altri più seri ed emotivi.
La trama è un susseguirsi di colpi di scena, inseguimenti e scoperte mozzafiato. Forse il foreshadowing toglie un po’ di sorpresa in certi punti, ma viene ampiamente compensato dall’intrigo, dai personaggi e dalle trovate narrative.
Il worldbuilding si amplia notevolmente, approfondendo la civiltà perduta e gli antichi artefatti magici già accennati nel primo volume: ogni nuova rivelazione mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine. Se The Silverblood Promise si chiudeva con un finale perfettamente soddisfacente, The Blackfire Blade termina con un cliffhanger che mi ha fatta urlare: come farò ad aspettare il 2027?!
In conclusione, un sequel che non soffre per nulla della “sindrome da secondo libro”: mi ha dato tutto ciò che amavo del primo e molto di più — con personaggi più approfonditi, un mondo ancora più ricco e una storia che non vedo l’ora di continuare.
Review in English
Fantastic – just like the first one, maybe even better!
It’s no secret that I loved The Silverblood Promise, so I was eagerly waiting for this sequel—and it did not disappoint. The Blackfire Blade delivers everything I loved about the first book… and even more.
The story picks up right where we left off, following Lukan, Flea, and Ashra as they travel to the Russian-inspired city of Kosrlakov to access Lukan’s father’s vault. I love how Logan brings his settings to life: never overly descriptive, yet so evocative you can feel the atmosphere seeping through the pages. Kosrlakov feels colder, darker, and more mysterious, perfectly fitting the tone of the story.
The pace is as gripping as ever, but character development doesn’t take a back seat. Lukan, in particular, gets more focus, while Flea and Ashra’s POV chapters add great depth to their personalities. Their banter made me laugh out loud more than once, balancing humor with heartfelt and serious moments.
The plot is a whirlwind of chases, twists, and daring escapes. Some foreshadowing made a few reveals predictable, but the storytelling, characters, and clever intrigue more than made up for it.
The worldbuilding expands beautifully, delving deeper into the ancient lost civilization and its magical relics: every new revelation was a treat!
While The Silverblood Promise had a perfectly wrapped-up ending, this one leaves us on a cliffhanger that made me scream internally—how am I supposed to wait until 2027?!
Overall, this is a sequel that completely avoids the “second-book syndrome.” It gave me everything I loved about the first and even more: stronger characters, richer lore, and an adventure I can’t wait to continue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an advanced copy!
I will forever be shocked at how much better this is than book 1. Just a MASSIVE step up in quality and I am so, so impressed.
We continue the story of Lukan, Flea and Ashra trying to discover the secrets behind Lukan’s father’s death and woooooooo boy this one was good. We go to a new city, Korslakov, a fucked-up oligarchical alchemical nation at perpetual war with beast-like men to the north, all to open Lukan’s vault and finallllyyyy learn about his father and his death.
The story was so much more complex and interesting in this one, as were the characters. I adored learning more about Ashra and seeing her POV grow and become deeply linked to Flea and Lukan. Top tier found family right here. Ashra is a badass thief, Flea is a little rascal (I say with love) and Lukan is just a hot mess with daddy issues (love that for him).
One big improvement was the characterisation: Lukan felt much more complex in this story, and his changing feelings toward his father and the gang were touching. We actually get scenes of him and Ashra talking/arguing and then ruminating on these fights, all of which were sorely missed from book 1 which seemed to jump from plot point to plot point without any kind of introspection.
The plot was much more interesting and twisty. I felt book 1 to be really predictable, but this one was a wild ride. By far my favourite part was the Ashgrave sequence, and I can’t wait for people to read it and enjoy it as much as I did.
Now give me book 3 as I NEED MORE ANSWERS THANK YOU!
This was so freaking good. Everything I loved about the first book carried seamlessly into this sequel. The sharp character dynamics and witty banter remains a highlight, driving the story forward with energy and laughter. The action is as thrilling as ever, balanced wish a new location that brings its own atmosphere and depth. That clever heist-style storyline, which made The Silverblood Promise so memorable, is back and just as engaging here. And then there’s the ending; an excellent cliffhanger that left me eager to see what comes next.
I really enjoyed the Silverblood Promise and was really excited to get the Blackfire Blade.
It was such a damn good book that I don't really know where to start. Everything from TSP was escalated into TBB and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
It was such a welcome return to these characters. I found myself laughing, getting angry, and even being emotional (damn you Logan) as the book was finishing. I was just engulfed by the writing and how mysterious this book was.
Book three is going to be absolutely mental and brilliant and I cannot wait for it
I LOVED the Silverblood Promise, so I had pretty big expectations for The Blackfire Blade… my expectations were not only met but EXCEEDED! Lukan’s growth in this book was so refreshing. And I grew to love all of the characters even more than I already have. Logan’s writing is so simple yet captivating. And his plots grips you and won’t let go! You do not want to sleep on this series!
The Blackfire Blade was probably my MOST anticipated book this year after being blown away by book 1. It follows Lukan and his friends as they make their way to very Eastern European coded city of Korslakov to uncover his father's posthumous treasures. Go to a bank and pick up some gold and possibly a way to uncover dad's death...seems easy right? Not with all of the thieves, Golems, and political plots.
The series continues to be a tightly paced romp with real depth to it- like you are reading a more mature version of Indiana Jones. Logan is a career book editor and you can feel it in his work; while hes a rich writer, he doesn't waste a word. There is never a point where you are tuning out or disengaging. I will say that there is a little bit of "middle book"of it all in the story- a good part of this plot are the characters cleaning up a mess they created for themselves on what should have been a straightforward mission...but thats what makes this series so impressive.
Was this book necessary? Not in the least. Did in increase my engagement of the characters and overall plot? Somehow, yes. Logan is exceptionally good at making silly little side plots feel whole and exciting, and i've compared his work to being a kid and sitting down to read Animorphs or Gargoyles. Its easy to understand and a little "Saturday Morning Cartoon" like, but the storytelling is just so damn good you get yourself caught up.
Flea and Ashra also return in full form, with a true found family experience that will satisfy people looking f0r a platonic and cozy, if not a bit dysfunctional family experience. I will say, I did get a little exhausted with the other characters bickering with Lukan, but the character relationships ultimately came out better for it, and these three are the cornerstone of the series. Even with political plots and possible end of the world scenarios, the heart of The Last Legacy series is this trio and their relationship with each other.
I dont have much to say about this book except it was good. I looked forward to picking it up every chance I got. Sometimes a good book just needs to make you feel good reading it. James Logan isn't telling a profound story here, and all of his characters are morally good people, so theres no deep reflections on human nature. This is simply a great fantasy series with the adventure sense of a 1980s fantasy and the heart of a modern story that ya know- includes women.
I was so excited to receive a copy of the arc of the Blackfire Blade; it was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it lived up to every expectation and then some!
First off, I appreciated the recap at the start so so much. I honestly wish every fantasy book had this for subsequent books in series as my brain is like a sieve trying to remember names and places. It meant I could dive straight back into the world and pick up the story where it left off.
I really enjoyed the Silverblood Promise, but I think I possibly loved the Blackfire Blade even more. It absolutely shines as a sequel. It’s fast-paced, emotional, witty, and full of action and adventure right from the start. The world-building is fantastic (and once again vividly brought to life by Jeff Brown’s stunning artwork on the cover); it gripped me from start to finish.
I thought the writing had really evolved from book one. The plot flowed so easily and captured more emotional depth and character growth than we see in the Silverblood Promise. The plot is expertly woven, with multiple elements of escalation resulting in a brilliantly entertaining read.
I loved it - it’s one of my favourite books of the year, and I stayed up until the early hours to finish it as I couldn’t stop reading. It deserves all the stars, and I can’t wait until November to get my hands on a hard copy!
Thank you so much to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Ok, this just might be one of my new fave active fantasy series?!
Book one was great, but James Logan really hit us with a FANTASTIC book two. The story was absolutely compelling and the characters we met in book one had the chance to develop and shine. No one can say shit about Flea to me. She is perfection.
I immediately need book three and I left this book hopeful and brokenhearted. I literally have nothing bad or constructive to say about The Blackfire Blade. The plot, stakes, politics - everything was so well done. This should be required reading for all fantasy fans. Full stop.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Available November 4, 2025
Thank you to Tor Books for a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book completely exceeded my expectations. I didn’t love The Silverblood Promise, but this one was on a whole different level. The pacing was tight, the stakes felt higher, and the story gripped me from start to finish.
Ashra and Flea were easily my favorites. Their energy, banter, and loyalty made every scene more alive, and I loved seeing how much Lukan had grown. The world itself felt more immersive too—grim, cold, and full of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Logan’s writing has noticeably leveled up here. It’s fast, smart, and full of heart without losing that edge of danger that makes this world so addictive. The ending left me reeling in the best way, and now I’m counting down the days until the next one.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Books for the advance reader copy
I was astounded at how good Book 1 was. The writing, the well woven plot, and the superb character development. A lot of series/trilogies suffer from the dreaded Book 2 curse, however this is not the case with The Last Legacy. The Blackfire Blade proved to be even better than book 1
I must say that I have read a fair amount of Fantasy novels and have watched a fair amount of Movies/Tv series so most plot twists aren't that shocking to me anymore. In this case though, the plot twists for TBB are very well thought of. The suspense of what's going to happen next keeps on increasing. The plot keeps getting interesting as the chapters go by, even after the very last chapter. James Logan surely knows how to keep the readers entertained and yearning for more
What's great about succeeding books of a series/trilogy is that you already know and either love or hate the characters. The character development of Lukan Gardova is truly remarkable. The way that his personality and traits keep developing and evolving as the multiple rollercoaster ride of an adventure he's been going through. Flea and Ashra are the perfect companion; I really couldn't ask for a better crew. They compliment each other so well that they blend perfectly as a trio
I have nothing bad to say about this novel. It's fun, mysterious, and action packed. I'm unsure whether this is a planned trilogy or series but what I'm sure of is that I can't wait to read book 3. James Logan is becoming one of my highly recommended Fantasy authors and truly becoming one of my favorites
I enjoyed The Silverblood Promise a ton. I really enjoyed The Blackfire Blade! The witty and fun tone set in book one is back and dialed up a bit. I loved all the banter between Lukan, Flea, and Ashra. The dynamics of them together are absolutely fantastic and I love it. The pacing with this one was perfect for me and I couldn't put this down! I love the humor, the heist feeling, and the mystery! Can I wait until the next installment comes out? Possibly, but that doesn't mean I want to!!
*4.75 Another great entry in this series. If you enjoyed the wild plot line in the first one, you won’t be disappointed here. There’s also a recap of book one beforehand if you don’t have time/energy/etc to reread!
This book improved a lot upon the characters—mostly because we didn’t have to wait nearly the whole book for them to team up—and it was so fun to see their dynamic working together. Lukan is great as usual, Ashra is so much fun to read, and we all know Flea is the real favorite here. Flea’s lines had me cracking up, I would die for her. “You got a better idea, you old prune?” Iconic.
Plot wise, this felt just as fast-paced and fun as the first book, with the “we need to do this, but to do this we need to have this other thing, and to get this other thing, we first need to…” And of course with a million obstacles in the way. (Also I loved the possible unintentional connection to a certain Star Wars movie in one of the last chapters.)
Very excited to read book 3!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ebook arc!
The Blackfire Blade was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. No one is more shocked then myself that I ended up disliking it this much.
Book 1, The Silverblood Promise, was such a great debut novel and it was my standard recommendation for people searching for an entry point into fantasy. Unfortunately, this sequel failed to maintain the same entertainment value, fun banter, and relevant plot progressions.
The characters I loved in the first book don’t feel the same here. There’s little meaningful growth, and I often found myself frustrated by the questionable (and rather dumb) decisions they made.
If this was a video game, I would skip this side quest and go straight back to the main story. Definitely a shame, because the ending in this book shows off the many possibilities for this world and story.