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Taj should have been dead long ago. Instead, he yearns.
One hundred years later, Taj's soul is trapped in a Crystal device. He's haunted by memories of his husband, Song, whom he loved and lost. All Taj wants is to die, but he can't abandon Luna, the last living descendant of Rowan, the best friend who stood by him through everything.
Luna inherited more than Rowan's red hair. Born as a Dual, someone who possesses both natural Ability and Crystal energy, she's an outsider. To make things worse, she keeps Taj's Crystal device, which everyone is hunting, because Taj holds secrets from the early days of energy politics that could reshape current conflicts. His apparent immortality is also a treasure some would kill to obtain.
When Luna's arranged engagement forces them into the political spotlight, hiding is not an option. Threats close in from all sides, and when they think things can't get worse, Taj discovers new truths about what happened to Song one hundred years ago…
One hundred years later, Taj's soul is trapped in a Crystal device. He's haunted by memories of his husband, Song, whom he loved and lost. All Taj wants is to die, but he can't abandon Luna, the last living descendant of Rowan, the best friend who stood by him through everything.
Luna inherited more than Rowan's red hair. Born as a Dual, someone who possesses both natural Ability and Crystal energy, she's an outsider. To make things worse, she keeps Taj's Crystal device, which everyone is hunting, because Taj holds secrets from the early days of energy politics that could reshape current conflicts. His apparent immortality is also a treasure some would kill to obtain.
When Luna's arranged engagement forces them into the political spotlight, hiding is not an option. Threats close in from all sides, and when they think things can't get worse, Taj discovers new truths about what happened to Song one hundred years ago…
628 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2025
About the author
svl yisanliu
3 books4 followersSVL YISANLIU writes and illustrates MM romance fantasy (no AI art).
◊ Complete series: The Taj and Song Trilogy. Chaotic queer characters navigating love and energy politics in a climate-disrupted world.
◊ Coming soon: The First Crystaler. Set in the same world years earlier, right when the energies were discovered. Three men, a desperate invention, a dangerous obsession, and a love that escaped control.
◊ Complete series: The Taj and Song Trilogy. Chaotic queer characters navigating love and energy politics in a climate-disrupted world.
◊ Coming soon: The First Crystaler. Set in the same world years earlier, right when the energies were discovered. Three men, a desperate invention, a dangerous obsession, and a love that escaped control.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 8, 2026
100 years later, and Taj is STILL suffering. Book 2 shifts focus, it's now Taj (trapped as a soul in a Crystal) and Luna (his best friend's descendant who's a Dual). The arranged marriage plot with Si was more interesting than I expected, especially when the past romance emerged.
The worldbuilding expands, the energy politics evolve, and space travel happens; there are multiple planets. The New Empire feels like an impressive progression from Book 1.
I loved Luna as a character. She's dealing with her insecurities, fears, and the politics around that felt real. Her dynamic with Taj is beautiful, he's been alive for over a century, and she's the only family he has left.
Avery's subplot hit differently. His trauma recovery arc was handled really well.
The ending reveal about Song made me dance. Book 3, here I come.
4 stars because the middle dragged a bit and I wanted MORE of certain characters. But the emotional core is strong.
The worldbuilding expands, the energy politics evolve, and space travel happens; there are multiple planets. The New Empire feels like an impressive progression from Book 1.
I loved Luna as a character. She's dealing with her insecurities, fears, and the politics around that felt real. Her dynamic with Taj is beautiful, he's been alive for over a century, and she's the only family he has left.
Avery's subplot hit differently. His trauma recovery arc was handled really well.
The ending reveal about Song made me dance. Book 3, here I come.
4 stars because the middle dragged a bit and I wanted MORE of certain characters. But the emotional core is strong.
Displaying 1 of 1 review