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The Last Cry of Innocence
What she fights for may not survive. What she loses may never forgive.
War has broken Alira Verbrandt.
Cornered in the city of Astera, she clings to what remains of Eastern Radia, and of herself. The Illyrian Empire is closing in. Hope is slipping, yet is kindled by reports of a man tormented by visions calling him the name: Fate.
Desperate to turn the tide, Alira strikes west, forging a fragile alliance with a sea captain whose secrets burn nearly as hot as her temper. Together, they journey to the storm-shrouded peaks of Idel, and into a hidden labyrinth buried beneath the world.
What they find there will test everything Alira believes.
The return of their creator is near. Judgment looms. And to stop what’s coming, Alira must awaken the final Fates—those whose identities are hidden even from themselves. But time is running out, and the cost of failure is no longer just death, but obliteration.
For fans of betrayal, deception, and stories of survival as an act of rebellion, The Last Cry of Innocence is the harrowing sequel to N.A. Betts’ The Waking of Storm and Flame, and the second book in The Fates of Aten pentalogy.
War has broken Alira Verbrandt.
Cornered in the city of Astera, she clings to what remains of Eastern Radia, and of herself. The Illyrian Empire is closing in. Hope is slipping, yet is kindled by reports of a man tormented by visions calling him the name: Fate.
Desperate to turn the tide, Alira strikes west, forging a fragile alliance with a sea captain whose secrets burn nearly as hot as her temper. Together, they journey to the storm-shrouded peaks of Idel, and into a hidden labyrinth buried beneath the world.
What they find there will test everything Alira believes.
The return of their creator is near. Judgment looms. And to stop what’s coming, Alira must awaken the final Fates—those whose identities are hidden even from themselves. But time is running out, and the cost of failure is no longer just death, but obliteration.
For fans of betrayal, deception, and stories of survival as an act of rebellion, The Last Cry of Innocence is the harrowing sequel to N.A. Betts’ The Waking of Storm and Flame, and the second book in The Fates of Aten pentalogy.
- GenresFantasy
534 pages, ebook
First published May 14, 2025
1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
N.A. Betts
6 books31 followersN.A. (Nick) Betts is a Canadian author of epic fantasy with a love for timeless storytelling. A Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, he crafts sweeping tales of good versus evil, drawing inspiration from Tolkien and other classic works of the genre. His stories are filled with tropes such as coming of age, self-discovery, and found family, while exploring themes of physical perseverance and mental resilience.
When he's not busy creating new worlds, Nick can be found enjoying professional wrestling, diving into stories of the unexplained, or relaxing with some good jazz. He lives just outside Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife and two cats, Bandit, Carter, and Addley.
When he's not busy creating new worlds, Nick can be found enjoying professional wrestling, diving into stories of the unexplained, or relaxing with some good jazz. He lives just outside Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife and two cats, Bandit, Carter, and Addley.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 17, 2025
Excellent sequel
I found this to be a sizable step up from book 1. I really appreciated the pacing most of all. And while I would have killed for a quick summary, I didn’t find it too difficult to renter this world.
This book was a bit micro than book 1. By that I mean it was mostly focused on Alira and company adventuring than massive scale conflicts (for the most part)
Theora is an excellent addition. Her immediate rivalry was a blast to read and someone with her temperament really was the missing piece of the puzzle. Very much looking forward to book 3, which I believe comes out very soon.
I found this to be a sizable step up from book 1. I really appreciated the pacing most of all. And while I would have killed for a quick summary, I didn’t find it too difficult to renter this world.
This book was a bit micro than book 1. By that I mean it was mostly focused on Alira and company adventuring than massive scale conflicts (for the most part)
Theora is an excellent addition. Her immediate rivalry was a blast to read and someone with her temperament really was the missing piece of the puzzle. Very much looking forward to book 3, which I believe comes out very soon.
November 5, 2025
I had to take a minute or two or twenty to sit with this one. It’s been two years between the end of book one and start of book two, Alira has changed so much and so has the world around her!
We find the last two fates, “free” Zahra, fall in love again, and face countless perils… it doesn’t feel like there much more left for their journey but that would make all of this too easy. Right??
I can’t wait for book 3!!
We find the last two fates, “free” Zahra, fall in love again, and face countless perils… it doesn’t feel like there much more left for their journey but that would make all of this too easy. Right??
I can’t wait for book 3!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
**4.5 stars**
I’m in shock. This novel was full of action and emotion. I wish the third book was out so I can see how the story continues. This novel played with my emotions especially towards the end. If you like action, fantasy, and lots of emotion this is the series for you! There was even one of my favorite elements in fantasy books brought into this one. I don’t want to say too much about it because I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
I’m in shock. This novel was full of action and emotion. I wish the third book was out so I can see how the story continues. This novel played with my emotions especially towards the end. If you like action, fantasy, and lots of emotion this is the series for you! There was even one of my favorite elements in fantasy books brought into this one. I don’t want to say too much about it because I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
November 17, 2025
(4.25/5)
This book does a lot really, really well. Betts’s growth as a writer is obvious from page one. The prose is smoother, the POV is more consistent, and the emotional beats land a lot harder than in book one. The worldbuilding is still the star with its classic epic fantasy vibe. Similar but in cleaner prose, the world remains immersive, layered, and feels realistic (as much as a fantasy world can 😂). And let me just say it plainly: Alira owns this book. Still my queen. She is by miles not only the best written character in the entire cast but also just my favorite, full stop. Any time she’s on the page, the story just lights up. She carries the entire thematic weight of this series on her back and does it flawlessly. I adore her. She is the reason this story works as well as it does.
As someone who loves sapphic books… I was caught off guard 😂 I had no idea there would be a sapphic romance in this book and was not at all expecting one. But seems maybe I should raise my expectations, because I was not only surprised but very, very happy about the sapphic romance in this book. The dynamic is handled very well; it was not hyper sexualized in the way I am biased to believe cis-men authors might portray it (in fact there is no spice at all!). There was a tenderness I appreciated about it, genuine emotional intimacy, and soft moments that actually feel earned. In my opinion it enriched Alira’s arc in this particular book. I didn’t expect it going in, but was pleasantly surprised about it being there. Unfortunately, I did note places where WLW wasn’t as WLWing as I’m used to when reading a sapphic romance (though like me, someone who reads a lot of sapphic novels, I doubt the B/C plot sapphic romance not even mentioned in the blurb is why they would be reading this book 😅). So I did give a little grace in that regard due to the fact N. A. Betts is not a sapphic author, nor are they an author who predominately writes sapphic media. I would have suggestions for the future of maybe having some dev work with a sapphic author for these specific moments in the story or working with someone to sensitivity read and help embellish these moments to the full WLW appreciation my girl Alira deserves.
Where the book struggled a bit for me, and where certain readers might run into trouble, is mostly structural. There’s a two-year time skip at the start, and while I do understand why it’s there, the shift is jarring at first. You get tossed into a new status quo with references to events we didn’t see, so the first few chapters take a minute to settle into. I caught up quickly, but readers who dislike big time jumps may not. The newer characters are also a mixed bag. Betts definitely improved his POV handling (it’s much easier to follow and reads more cleanly as third-person omniscient) but the influx of new names and POVs means not everyone gets the same level of depth. When you have someone like Alira, who’s complex, emotional, and incredibly well-realized, it does make some of the new additions feel flatter in comparison. Not bad, just… less layered. Readers who prefer a tight, character-focused cast may feel a little overwhelmed by the scope of this one.
Overall, this book is a strong, emotional, and genuinely exciting follow-up. It leans fully into the epic fantasy genre while still centering relationships and character growth. Readers who love richly descriptive worldbuilding, morally grounded heroines, and stories that balance heart with high-stakes tension will find a lot to love here. Fellow fantasy readers who enjoy sapphic especially will appreciate the inclusion. This is a compelling, dramatically improved second installment that left me invested and genuinely excited for book three 😊
This book does a lot really, really well. Betts’s growth as a writer is obvious from page one. The prose is smoother, the POV is more consistent, and the emotional beats land a lot harder than in book one. The worldbuilding is still the star with its classic epic fantasy vibe. Similar but in cleaner prose, the world remains immersive, layered, and feels realistic (as much as a fantasy world can 😂). And let me just say it plainly: Alira owns this book. Still my queen. She is by miles not only the best written character in the entire cast but also just my favorite, full stop. Any time she’s on the page, the story just lights up. She carries the entire thematic weight of this series on her back and does it flawlessly. I adore her. She is the reason this story works as well as it does.
As someone who loves sapphic books… I was caught off guard 😂 I had no idea there would be a sapphic romance in this book and was not at all expecting one. But seems maybe I should raise my expectations, because I was not only surprised but very, very happy about the sapphic romance in this book. The dynamic is handled very well; it was not hyper sexualized in the way I am biased to believe cis-men authors might portray it (in fact there is no spice at all!). There was a tenderness I appreciated about it, genuine emotional intimacy, and soft moments that actually feel earned. In my opinion it enriched Alira’s arc in this particular book. I didn’t expect it going in, but was pleasantly surprised about it being there. Unfortunately, I did note places where WLW wasn’t as WLWing as I’m used to when reading a sapphic romance (though like me, someone who reads a lot of sapphic novels, I doubt the B/C plot sapphic romance not even mentioned in the blurb is why they would be reading this book 😅). So I did give a little grace in that regard due to the fact N. A. Betts is not a sapphic author, nor are they an author who predominately writes sapphic media. I would have suggestions for the future of maybe having some dev work with a sapphic author for these specific moments in the story or working with someone to sensitivity read and help embellish these moments to the full WLW appreciation my girl Alira deserves.
Where the book struggled a bit for me, and where certain readers might run into trouble, is mostly structural. There’s a two-year time skip at the start, and while I do understand why it’s there, the shift is jarring at first. You get tossed into a new status quo with references to events we didn’t see, so the first few chapters take a minute to settle into. I caught up quickly, but readers who dislike big time jumps may not. The newer characters are also a mixed bag. Betts definitely improved his POV handling (it’s much easier to follow and reads more cleanly as third-person omniscient) but the influx of new names and POVs means not everyone gets the same level of depth. When you have someone like Alira, who’s complex, emotional, and incredibly well-realized, it does make some of the new additions feel flatter in comparison. Not bad, just… less layered. Readers who prefer a tight, character-focused cast may feel a little overwhelmed by the scope of this one.
Overall, this book is a strong, emotional, and genuinely exciting follow-up. It leans fully into the epic fantasy genre while still centering relationships and character growth. Readers who love richly descriptive worldbuilding, morally grounded heroines, and stories that balance heart with high-stakes tension will find a lot to love here. Fellow fantasy readers who enjoy sapphic especially will appreciate the inclusion. This is a compelling, dramatically improved second installment that left me invested and genuinely excited for book three 😊
May 14, 2025
The second instalment of N. A. Betts’s The Fates of Aten series follows Alira 2 years after leaving her city behind and sailing in search of allies to face the enemies ravaging her home.
Throughout this book, we get to meet some interesting new characters that feed nicely into the plot and also get more of those gripping battle scenes that Betts writes so well. We also get to see Alira’s character develop even further, desperate to balance her merciful nature with the brutality of war.
The time jump of 2 years threw me off initially when starting this book. I felt like I’d missed a good chunk of story. However, Alira alludes to the previous 2 years throughout which helps to bridge some gaps in events. Whilst it seems like a large time jump, I do see why this was necessary and actually shows how long war goes on for, rather than building it up for a few books and having it over within a few chapters like some other popular fantasy series.
I thought the pacing of this book was slower, but the introduction of new characters kept it flowing. The writing style in this book was also much more mature and consistent than the previous - Betts’s growth as a writer really shows itself here.
I do enjoy Betts’s writing style, with his vivid descriptions, engaging combat scenes and meaningful dialogue. I enjoyed the introduction of Teora and the message behind the book’s title in this one. I look forward to seeing how it progresses in the third instalment of this series!
Leaving it on a cliff-hanger, Alira’s story is far from over and I look forward to seeing what Betts comes out with next! (Please let it be with a pretty map too!)
Throughout this book, we get to meet some interesting new characters that feed nicely into the plot and also get more of those gripping battle scenes that Betts writes so well. We also get to see Alira’s character develop even further, desperate to balance her merciful nature with the brutality of war.
The time jump of 2 years threw me off initially when starting this book. I felt like I’d missed a good chunk of story. However, Alira alludes to the previous 2 years throughout which helps to bridge some gaps in events. Whilst it seems like a large time jump, I do see why this was necessary and actually shows how long war goes on for, rather than building it up for a few books and having it over within a few chapters like some other popular fantasy series.
I thought the pacing of this book was slower, but the introduction of new characters kept it flowing. The writing style in this book was also much more mature and consistent than the previous - Betts’s growth as a writer really shows itself here.
I do enjoy Betts’s writing style, with his vivid descriptions, engaging combat scenes and meaningful dialogue. I enjoyed the introduction of Teora and the message behind the book’s title in this one. I look forward to seeing how it progresses in the third instalment of this series!
Leaving it on a cliff-hanger, Alira’s story is far from over and I look forward to seeing what Betts comes out with next! (Please let it be with a pretty map too!)
April 2, 2025
N. A. Betts captivated me with this book. After reading his debut novel and now, it's sequel, he's truly grown as an author.
His writing is fluid, and with the thrown in complexities of other languages, he still makes it easy to follow along and understand. This book is a combination of medium and fast paced scenes, holding your attention and keeping you begging for more.
His world building is detailed, with phenomenally descriptive scenes and landscape, character descriptions, and architecture. You find yourself fully immersed in the kingdoms alongside Alira, the main character, conjuring exquisite images in your head as you read along.
His characters are diverse, and each of their well thought out backgrounds set the scene for their growth from book one to two. With many loveable (and hateable) characters, it's a perfect blend and balance to the story line, having those you can relate to as well as those you loathe. The addition of quirky traits and banter make the interactions between them realistic and enjoyable, as their relationships between one another continue to develop and grow.
The ending of the book was perfect. No cliffhanger, and enough was thrown at you in the last few chapters to peak your interest and excitement for book three's future release. While it revealed some answers, it also left you with more questions, sparking curiosity and theories regarding what will happen next for Alira and her journey.
If you like:
🌿 Diverse characters
🌿 LOTR vibes
🌿 A badass FMC
🌿 Sapphic, no spice romance
🌿 Unexpected friendships
🌿 Betrayal
then this book is definitely worth the read!
His writing is fluid, and with the thrown in complexities of other languages, he still makes it easy to follow along and understand. This book is a combination of medium and fast paced scenes, holding your attention and keeping you begging for more.
His world building is detailed, with phenomenally descriptive scenes and landscape, character descriptions, and architecture. You find yourself fully immersed in the kingdoms alongside Alira, the main character, conjuring exquisite images in your head as you read along.
His characters are diverse, and each of their well thought out backgrounds set the scene for their growth from book one to two. With many loveable (and hateable) characters, it's a perfect blend and balance to the story line, having those you can relate to as well as those you loathe. The addition of quirky traits and banter make the interactions between them realistic and enjoyable, as their relationships between one another continue to develop and grow.
The ending of the book was perfect. No cliffhanger, and enough was thrown at you in the last few chapters to peak your interest and excitement for book three's future release. While it revealed some answers, it also left you with more questions, sparking curiosity and theories regarding what will happen next for Alira and her journey.
If you like:
🌿 Diverse characters
🌿 LOTR vibes
🌿 A badass FMC
🌿 Sapphic, no spice romance
🌿 Unexpected friendships
🌿 Betrayal
then this book is definitely worth the read!
May 17, 2025
*Review copy*
Basically wow, just wow. I was blown away since page one. Another banger of a book! Just as good, if not better than book 1.
Two years have passed since book 1 and Alira has faced many battles and lost a lot in search of the fates. I absolutely love her character in this book. You can still feel her struggle but you can also appreciate her growth. And her relationships were just heartwarming, especially with Rinley. You could feel the love and trust between them.
I was unable to put this book down. You just get sucked into this world and it just begs you to read about it. The characters are so well written and the story is just perfect. Absolutely stunning. (Also the music recommended in the book, breathtaking. It adds to the vibe of the book so well and it is so worth it to listen to in that moment)
But let me just say this book is also so devastating....I mean the bloodshed, the loss, the betrayal. The Betrayals in this book just stab you in the heart a little bit. There's just a lot of pain and suffering.
And the cliffhanger??!!! Like excuse me, what??? I knew deep down something was up but that, oh no. I need book 3 immediately. I absolutely am invested and I absolutely need to know what happens.
Basically wow, just wow. I was blown away since page one. Another banger of a book! Just as good, if not better than book 1.
Two years have passed since book 1 and Alira has faced many battles and lost a lot in search of the fates. I absolutely love her character in this book. You can still feel her struggle but you can also appreciate her growth. And her relationships were just heartwarming, especially with Rinley. You could feel the love and trust between them.
I was unable to put this book down. You just get sucked into this world and it just begs you to read about it. The characters are so well written and the story is just perfect. Absolutely stunning. (Also the music recommended in the book, breathtaking. It adds to the vibe of the book so well and it is so worth it to listen to in that moment)
But let me just say this book is also so devastating....I mean the bloodshed, the loss, the betrayal. The Betrayals in this book just stab you in the heart a little bit. There's just a lot of pain and suffering.
And the cliffhanger??!!! Like excuse me, what??? I knew deep down something was up but that, oh no. I need book 3 immediately. I absolutely am invested and I absolutely need to know what happens.
May 10, 2025
I have to start off saying I enjoyed the first book, The Waking of Storm and Flame, however I loved this second installment! It was a page turner for me, grabbed my attention from the get go, it was hard for me to put down.
Again the world building is remarkable, such detail and giving an immersive experience. The diversity of characters are well thought out, and loved the unfolding character development. One in particular, Alira, had me pumped! Her character growth from timid to down right badass - I was all for it!
The storyline is riveting and I felt the pace was perfect. Incorporating other languages I thought was brilliant. The writing was impeccable as I was kept on the edge of my seat with the fast paced action, fights, battles and plot twists, I could feel the heart and emotions behind the characters. The enveloping detail had you immersed right alongside the characters.
I felt this novel took on a whole new persona. Growth in the writing style, exquisite engaging detail, gripping storyline. Would definitely recommend and look forward to the next!
*I want to add an impressive feature was a QR code within the story to take you to the book’s “song”. Pretty cool!
4.5/5
Again the world building is remarkable, such detail and giving an immersive experience. The diversity of characters are well thought out, and loved the unfolding character development. One in particular, Alira, had me pumped! Her character growth from timid to down right badass - I was all for it!
The storyline is riveting and I felt the pace was perfect. Incorporating other languages I thought was brilliant. The writing was impeccable as I was kept on the edge of my seat with the fast paced action, fights, battles and plot twists, I could feel the heart and emotions behind the characters. The enveloping detail had you immersed right alongside the characters.
I felt this novel took on a whole new persona. Growth in the writing style, exquisite engaging detail, gripping storyline. Would definitely recommend and look forward to the next!
*I want to add an impressive feature was a QR code within the story to take you to the book’s “song”. Pretty cool!
4.5/5
March 28, 2025
This book takes place two years after the previous novel, and was immediately hooked from the first chapter, which started with Alira and Rinley. The action-packed opening had me on the edge of my seat. 🤩
However, I have to admit that the whole - Alira, Drea, Siblina, Semera, and Zahra - left me feeling a bit disoriented at first. 🫣 With so many new characters, plot twists, and scenery changes, I found myself getting lost and needing to re-read certain chapters to keep up. 😵💫
While I struggled to connect with Teora, I was intrigued by Flynn's backstory. I liked him from the start! 🤭
One of the highlights of the book for me was the flashback to Tristan's past, which tied up some loose ends. Learning more about Zahra's past was also a welcome surprise. 🤩
Overall, I think this book is worth reading, but be prepared for a wild ride. I'd say I was confused about 50% of the time 😅, but the payoff was worth it. The experience reminded me of reading The Silmarillion - it took time to understand and connect with the story, but ultimately, it was worth the effort. 👌🏻
On a practical note, I appreciated the translation feature on my Kindle, which saved me from getting distracted by looking up the french translations on my phone. 🙈
However, I have to admit that the whole - Alira, Drea, Siblina, Semera, and Zahra - left me feeling a bit disoriented at first. 🫣 With so many new characters, plot twists, and scenery changes, I found myself getting lost and needing to re-read certain chapters to keep up. 😵💫
While I struggled to connect with Teora, I was intrigued by Flynn's backstory. I liked him from the start! 🤭
One of the highlights of the book for me was the flashback to Tristan's past, which tied up some loose ends. Learning more about Zahra's past was also a welcome surprise. 🤩
Overall, I think this book is worth reading, but be prepared for a wild ride. I'd say I was confused about 50% of the time 😅, but the payoff was worth it. The experience reminded me of reading The Silmarillion - it took time to understand and connect with the story, but ultimately, it was worth the effort. 👌🏻
On a practical note, I appreciated the translation feature on my Kindle, which saved me from getting distracted by looking up the french translations on my phone. 🙈
April 30, 2025
I am very thankful to be given the chance to review The Last Cry of Innocence of my own accord, through being offered an eARC.
I am invested in this series.
I need to know what happens! Where will Alira and all of the Fates end up next, what will they endure.
Where will Rinley’s adventures take her? I need to know!
There is so much of this adventure still to come and I can’t wait!
Once again, I am also thankful for the glossary of translations at the end of the book.
I am invested in this series.
I need to know what happens! Where will Alira and all of the Fates end up next, what will they endure.
Where will Rinley’s adventures take her? I need to know!
There is so much of this adventure still to come and I can’t wait!
Once again, I am also thankful for the glossary of translations at the end of the book.
May 28, 2025
Book 2 definitely held up to the hype! It opens up 2yrs after the last book left off. In this book we get new characters that help grow the plot. We get to watch the FMC grow and change. It shows the progress of war, and not goving up on the cause. The Author brought his "A-game" with the dialogue, and vivid descriptions. He gave us another cliff-hanger, and left us feening for book 3 👀.
May 11, 2025
Alira Verbrandt has been fighting this war for 2 years. Hunting for the other Fates. Searching for a way to save her sister.
How much more can she endure in her journey?
I loved this book, and loved the sinister ending, leading into book 3. I need to see more, and experience more of this journey to save their world!
How much more can she endure in her journey?
I loved this book, and loved the sinister ending, leading into book 3. I need to see more, and experience more of this journey to save their world!
May 14, 2025
This book was action packed all the way from the beginning to the cliffhanger ending. If you like strong FMCs you will love this book!! This is a thrilling fantasy series!! I think this deserves a 5 ⭐ because it left me wanting more! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!!
May 23, 2025
Very lucky to have received an ARC copy of this book after loving the first! The second instalment in the Fates of Aten series and it was just as captivating as the first. I love the classical prose the author has, able to weave action and emotion together seamlessly. More characters were added to the storyline, once again each having their own in depth backstory and character arc which really adds to the story. The pacing started off quite gently, building through out the book, giving the plot a really natural growth. The fights and battle scenes were very well done, capturing the emotion involved without becoming too bogged down with forget details! A great sequel to The Waking of Storm and Flame, and sets it up very well for the third book!
April 9, 2025
Book two of the sequel and dang did i enjoy it! Book two was better than the first if you can believe it!
It's two years after the first
The characters have developed more
Theres more back story
Added characters
Read it you won't regret it
It's two years after the first
The characters have developed more
Theres more back story
Added characters
Read it you won't regret it
April 4, 2025
I was super thrilled to be invited by the author to return as an ARC reader for The Last Cry of Innocence, after I absolutely fell in love with the story in The Waking of Storm and Flame.
So, as is tradition, I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story picks up a few years after the ending of book one, which was the perfect time jump for us to see the development in Alira, our (now) bada** main character. We join her on her quest across the northern continent of Idel, Radia, in her journey to uncover the identities of the final two Fates, in addition to holding back the threat of the Illyrian Empire, who we learn has laid waste to the eastern cities of the continent for the six months preceding the start of the book.
This second iteration in the author's series is mind blowing, I mean truly mind blowing. The first book was a great segue into the fantasy genre as it leant itself to many classical elements; keeping the story focused on its characters, with the intrusion of magic, gods, and demons. The Last Cry of Innocence takes everything that was great about the first and dials it in. The development in the author's writing takes center stage, and I'll break everything down to give you a better understanding.
The author's writing took not only a step, but a leap forward. The sentence construction is varied, and shorter, choppier, attention-gathering sentences are woven perfectly with those that are much longer. Each chapter is designed to almost tell its own story, while feeding into the wider narrative. I know, "Holly, that's what a book is." Just to see the progress in the author's writing, a matter that he was critiqued on with the early edition of his first book, was amazing to see! Betts maintains his "everyman's" prose, similar to Sanderson, that is easy to read, but visually extremely effective.
Now, on to the story itself. It's incredibly rare for the second of anything to be better than the first, but where The Waking of Storm and Flame crawled, The Last Cry of Innocence sprinted. We saw the breakout of the Illyrian situation, the personality change of Alira Verbrandt, and the introduction of new characters (P.S. - the Pirate Queen (name saved for spoilers) was such an incredible character that my heart bled for!). We watched the beginning of Alira's development from the beginning, having turned from this meek, mousy (should be) teenager, to a cunning warrior who has learned from her past and is equally as barbaric with a sword as she is with her words. There is more than one instance where this girl absolutely spits venom!
There are a few subjects the author touches on (one specifically) that might stir up feelings for some. He did say it had a sensitivity reader, and it helped to honor the victims of those who go through "that" and shows that though you'll live with it, it doesn't define who you are. I'm alluding to SA, but I do want to say that the matter is handled with the utmost care (and is non-graphic, and only spoken loosely about to give context to a backstory).
The last thing I want to touch on before I wrap up my review is Betts' inclusion of varying cultures and languages throughout the book. Though some might find it a bit tough, there's not enough to throw you off completely. The lines written in other languages (in this novel, French, and Samoan) add unique touches of beauty to the story. Though he explains some of the sayings through dialogue, there is also a translation guide at the back for when you're finished. For a beautiful experience, don't worry about the instant translation - if the character doesn't understand it in the intermediary, then roll with it.
And lastly (seriously this time), let's talk about the immersion on pages 314-315. This book has a song! When you come across it, there's even a QR code to take you to Spotify. Don't miss this! The extra immersion of being able to listen to music as you read the lyrics (and the in between action) was such a chef's kiss of a moment, and actually brings you in to the story.
This was an easy 5/5 stars for me. The first novel had the typical debut author issues, but this corrected everything I found problems with before, and augmented that which I loved. Betts has added more colour, more flair, more description, and deeper voicing to this novel. The only (slight) knock, is the pacing. It's not torrid, it's not fast, it's a comfortable fluctuation between medium and fast - that will pull you into the action, but give you time to breath.
I can't recommend this novel enough! Anyone who loves a classic fantasy, that feels like Lord of the Rings, but written with the prose of Brandon Sanderson needs to pick up this book!
P.S. - there was also more fantasy injected into this one, as the author said was his intent from the beginning of the series: for us to see, like Alira, that the world is a fantastical place, and you'll discover it as she does.
So, as is tradition, I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story picks up a few years after the ending of book one, which was the perfect time jump for us to see the development in Alira, our (now) bada** main character. We join her on her quest across the northern continent of Idel, Radia, in her journey to uncover the identities of the final two Fates, in addition to holding back the threat of the Illyrian Empire, who we learn has laid waste to the eastern cities of the continent for the six months preceding the start of the book.
This second iteration in the author's series is mind blowing, I mean truly mind blowing. The first book was a great segue into the fantasy genre as it leant itself to many classical elements; keeping the story focused on its characters, with the intrusion of magic, gods, and demons. The Last Cry of Innocence takes everything that was great about the first and dials it in. The development in the author's writing takes center stage, and I'll break everything down to give you a better understanding.
The author's writing took not only a step, but a leap forward. The sentence construction is varied, and shorter, choppier, attention-gathering sentences are woven perfectly with those that are much longer. Each chapter is designed to almost tell its own story, while feeding into the wider narrative. I know, "Holly, that's what a book is." Just to see the progress in the author's writing, a matter that he was critiqued on with the early edition of his first book, was amazing to see! Betts maintains his "everyman's" prose, similar to Sanderson, that is easy to read, but visually extremely effective.
Now, on to the story itself. It's incredibly rare for the second of anything to be better than the first, but where The Waking of Storm and Flame crawled, The Last Cry of Innocence sprinted. We saw the breakout of the Illyrian situation, the personality change of Alira Verbrandt, and the introduction of new characters (P.S. - the Pirate Queen (name saved for spoilers) was such an incredible character that my heart bled for!). We watched the beginning of Alira's development from the beginning, having turned from this meek, mousy (should be) teenager, to a cunning warrior who has learned from her past and is equally as barbaric with a sword as she is with her words. There is more than one instance where this girl absolutely spits venom!
There are a few subjects the author touches on (one specifically) that might stir up feelings for some. He did say it had a sensitivity reader, and it helped to honor the victims of those who go through "that" and shows that though you'll live with it, it doesn't define who you are. I'm alluding to SA, but I do want to say that the matter is handled with the utmost care (and is non-graphic, and only spoken loosely about to give context to a backstory).
The last thing I want to touch on before I wrap up my review is Betts' inclusion of varying cultures and languages throughout the book. Though some might find it a bit tough, there's not enough to throw you off completely. The lines written in other languages (in this novel, French, and Samoan) add unique touches of beauty to the story. Though he explains some of the sayings through dialogue, there is also a translation guide at the back for when you're finished. For a beautiful experience, don't worry about the instant translation - if the character doesn't understand it in the intermediary, then roll with it.
And lastly (seriously this time), let's talk about the immersion on pages 314-315. This book has a song! When you come across it, there's even a QR code to take you to Spotify. Don't miss this! The extra immersion of being able to listen to music as you read the lyrics (and the in between action) was such a chef's kiss of a moment, and actually brings you in to the story.
This was an easy 5/5 stars for me. The first novel had the typical debut author issues, but this corrected everything I found problems with before, and augmented that which I loved. Betts has added more colour, more flair, more description, and deeper voicing to this novel. The only (slight) knock, is the pacing. It's not torrid, it's not fast, it's a comfortable fluctuation between medium and fast - that will pull you into the action, but give you time to breath.
I can't recommend this novel enough! Anyone who loves a classic fantasy, that feels like Lord of the Rings, but written with the prose of Brandon Sanderson needs to pick up this book!
P.S. - there was also more fantasy injected into this one, as the author said was his intent from the beginning of the series: for us to see, like Alira, that the world is a fantastical place, and you'll discover it as she does.
April 28, 2025
Nick A Betts has done it again! With his newest book The Last Cry of Innocence, the saga continues with the Fates searching for each other. We reunited with our favorites from the first book and met and got to know many new friends. The plot was well organized and the action kept the pages turning! I am looking forward to the next sequel! I am so glad that I found this series!!!!
May 30, 2025
Book 2 of Nick's series has let me in wanting more. I absolutely the story line and character development. The descriptions he write makes you able to picture everything so clearly. I cannot wait for Book 3. A job very well done!
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