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The Tides That Reign #2
Sparrows Sing of Dying
The threat of war looms.
Reeling from the attack on Kailon, Queen Yiscel entreaties support from her allies to retaliate against the tyrant king of the East. Emperor Kaori can no longer ignore the foreign threat in good conscience. While sending ships into battle will put Nokari lives at risk, denying the call of the island queen would break their already fragile alliance.
Meanwhile, Arsenio races southward in a bid to stop the war before it can begin. He seeks the assassin of legend - The Jade Dagger - to hunt down Fogosombre and end his reign of terror once and for all.
What unfolds is a story of sacrifice and survival, persevering against the odds, and finding one's place in an unforgiving world. Fates intertwine like countermelodies in an epic ballad. It is a song of devotion, a song of danger, a song of dying.
Reeling from the attack on Kailon, Queen Yiscel entreaties support from her allies to retaliate against the tyrant king of the East. Emperor Kaori can no longer ignore the foreign threat in good conscience. While sending ships into battle will put Nokari lives at risk, denying the call of the island queen would break their already fragile alliance.
Meanwhile, Arsenio races southward in a bid to stop the war before it can begin. He seeks the assassin of legend - The Jade Dagger - to hunt down Fogosombre and end his reign of terror once and for all.
What unfolds is a story of sacrifice and survival, persevering against the odds, and finding one's place in an unforgiving world. Fates intertwine like countermelodies in an epic ballad. It is a song of devotion, a song of danger, a song of dying.
- GenresFantasy
ebook
Published July 18, 2025
About the author
R.D. Pires
9 books118 followersRD Pires has found there's always a story to tell, and so he spends his time writing them down. A writing project is always on his mind, even when there aren't enough hours in a day to work on them.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 11, 2025
The way in which this series has me in a chokehold now. What do you mean by that ending? What is going to happen to my boys? The way the story is starting to really take form is so wonderful to see. I am so excited to see what happens next because RD really pushed the envelope here. We got so much character development and world building. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorite overall series. I really need everyone to get on the The Tides That Reign train please. I look forward to seeing where these characters go next. I have some ideas and when all the characters finally come back together? Oh god I don't think I'm ready.
Thank you, RD Pires, for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! It's been such a pleasure and honor to be in this universe you have been building.
Sparrows Sing of Dying by RD Pires releases July 18, 2025!
Thank you, RD Pires, for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! It's been such a pleasure and honor to be in this universe you have been building.
Sparrows Sing of Dying by RD Pires releases July 18, 2025!
June 29, 2025
Sparrows Sing of Dying is the second book in the Tide That Reigns series and it was well written. RD Pires did a great job with character development in the first book and did not disappoint in the second. In the Sparrows Sing of Dying, we get to see more action and the consequences of those actions. What I enjoyed in the first book was the character development and I feel that in the second book, the relationships between characters grow stronger. The paths of each character start to cross and you get to see how they’re interconnected.
I enjoyed the story a lot and can’t wait to read the third book.
I enjoyed the story a lot and can’t wait to read the third book.
April 23, 2026
An epic fantasy following multiple characters, all on their own paths but united by one goal, overthrow a tyrant and seek justice for the lives lost and the towns burned to the ground. The Asian inspired world? Absolutely stunning.
Wow….I genuinely don’t even know where to start and I mean that in the best way possible! This book exceeded every expectation I had. R.D. Pires had me in a chokehold with his writing yet again. Hook, line, and sinker!! The twists and turns? I should’ve expected them after book one….and yet I was still SHOOK 😮💨
The world building is just as immersive as ever, and both the new and familiar characters are so well written. I could honestly close my eyes and picture it all! Standing in the ruins of fallen cities, feeling the tropical sun beating down, the sea spray on my skin sailing with Midori, the cool breeze through the trees as Arsenio hunts for the Jade Dagger. Pure escapism ✨
And chapters 7 & 8?? Oh, they had me FEELING things. When the author said “hope you enjoy the ending 👀”….yeah, he KNEW what he was doing 😭 That tiny sliver of hope for a proper reunion? Absolutely shattered. My poor Arsenio and Kaori….they got five minutes of peace before chaos said “not today” 💔
Time for me to emotionally recover before diving into my ARC of book 3 on my Kindle….because clearly, I enjoy the pain 🫠📖
Wow….I genuinely don’t even know where to start and I mean that in the best way possible! This book exceeded every expectation I had. R.D. Pires had me in a chokehold with his writing yet again. Hook, line, and sinker!! The twists and turns? I should’ve expected them after book one….and yet I was still SHOOK 😮💨
The world building is just as immersive as ever, and both the new and familiar characters are so well written. I could honestly close my eyes and picture it all! Standing in the ruins of fallen cities, feeling the tropical sun beating down, the sea spray on my skin sailing with Midori, the cool breeze through the trees as Arsenio hunts for the Jade Dagger. Pure escapism ✨
And chapters 7 & 8?? Oh, they had me FEELING things. When the author said “hope you enjoy the ending 👀”….yeah, he KNEW what he was doing 😭 That tiny sliver of hope for a proper reunion? Absolutely shattered. My poor Arsenio and Kaori….they got five minutes of peace before chaos said “not today” 💔
Time for me to emotionally recover before diving into my ARC of book 3 on my Kindle….because clearly, I enjoy the pain 🫠📖
June 18, 2025
Sparrows Sing of Dying by RD Pires
4/5 stars 🌟
The Tides That Reign series is back and in FULL SWING!
RD Pires does it again with his storytelling of this incredible world he created. Each time I picked up the book I was fully immersed and felt the tension between the realms, I could visualize the walls of braecliffe as well as the ships on the horizon. The entire story is a wild ride that continues to have Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. I cheered, I cried, I giggled for the forbidden love. The series continues to be an emotional rollercoaster that I, once again, have no problem being on lol.
And yes, I’m still recovering from the ending. Because WHY. 😩 I’ve become fully invested in these characters and their stories and I can’t wait to see what happens next. My only issue is that there were some slow parts in this book for me. BUT honestly it was still an easy read. Sparrows picks up right where Design of Darkness stops so you don’t feel completely lost. You won’t regret continuing this series!
4/5 stars 🌟
The Tides That Reign series is back and in FULL SWING!
RD Pires does it again with his storytelling of this incredible world he created. Each time I picked up the book I was fully immersed and felt the tension between the realms, I could visualize the walls of braecliffe as well as the ships on the horizon. The entire story is a wild ride that continues to have Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. I cheered, I cried, I giggled for the forbidden love. The series continues to be an emotional rollercoaster that I, once again, have no problem being on lol.
And yes, I’m still recovering from the ending. Because WHY. 😩 I’ve become fully invested in these characters and their stories and I can’t wait to see what happens next. My only issue is that there were some slow parts in this book for me. BUT honestly it was still an easy read. Sparrows picks up right where Design of Darkness stops so you don’t feel completely lost. You won’t regret continuing this series!
July 19, 2025
R.D. Pines put his FOOT in this series! I’m down to beta read, ARC read, proofread, any kind of read that will get my eyes on anything else he writes ahead of its publish date. Sparrows Sing of Dying genuinely had me enthralled. The twists continued to tie me in knots.
I’m running off less than four hours of sleep but I absolutely HAD to finish this book. I read more than half of it after that long nap and it is not the easiest nor the shortest read. I’m blown away. Consider me a forever fan of dark fantasy because this is how it’s done. In particular, I’m reminded of a line from Hamilton that sums up so much of this story: “Or will the blood we shed begin an endless cycle of vengeance and death with no defendants?” In a word: Yes.
I received a copy of this book from Midnight Meadows Publishing and this is my honest review. 5 stars and I am definitely going back to change my Design of Darkness review to a full 5 stars as well because what a duet! Wink.
I’m running off less than four hours of sleep but I absolutely HAD to finish this book. I read more than half of it after that long nap and it is not the easiest nor the shortest read. I’m blown away. Consider me a forever fan of dark fantasy because this is how it’s done. In particular, I’m reminded of a line from Hamilton that sums up so much of this story: “Or will the blood we shed begin an endless cycle of vengeance and death with no defendants?” In a word: Yes.
I received a copy of this book from Midnight Meadows Publishing and this is my honest review. 5 stars and I am definitely going back to change my Design of Darkness review to a full 5 stars as well because what a duet! Wink.
September 17, 2025
I’ve seen enough. R.D. Pires simply does 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 miss 👏🏼! I was already fully invested in The Tides That Reign series after Design of Darkness, but Sparrows Sing of Dying has me counting down the days until the next book drops.
This book gives everything you want in a sequel. It puts you right back into the thick of the plot where the first book left off and continues the journey seamlessly. Each character becomes fuller and the world itself blossoms with more life and detail. It’s so easy to fall right into the world that Pires has built.
I especially love how Pires is able to build this entire fantasy world, filled with foreign languages, terminologies, and even cuisines, yet make everything still feel so relatable. His characters’ humanity shines through his writing, making it easy to feel the turmoil within a Nokaran emperor, the hardened strength of a Kailonese queen, or the intense loneliness of a mysterious assassin.
The next book of this series can’t come soon enough!
This book gives everything you want in a sequel. It puts you right back into the thick of the plot where the first book left off and continues the journey seamlessly. Each character becomes fuller and the world itself blossoms with more life and detail. It’s so easy to fall right into the world that Pires has built.
I especially love how Pires is able to build this entire fantasy world, filled with foreign languages, terminologies, and even cuisines, yet make everything still feel so relatable. His characters’ humanity shines through his writing, making it easy to feel the turmoil within a Nokaran emperor, the hardened strength of a Kailonese queen, or the intense loneliness of a mysterious assassin.
The next book of this series can’t come soon enough!
July 6, 2026
Sparrows Sing of Dying is such an epic story. This fantasy novel is beautifully written. It’s full of fantastic characters, an expansive and interesting world, and a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. R.D. Pires has done an amazing job with this series! Every little detail is well thought out and that just makes me enjoy it more and more.
May 29, 2026
A masterclass of deep, complicated characters
On my YouTube channel, I exclusively review self-published and indie fantasy books. Design of Darkness (Book 1 in this series) won a Ruby Hidden Gem Award in 2025, so I was eager to dive back into this world. And, to no surprise, it ended up with an overall score of 9/10 on my INDIE ranking scale. My full review can be seen here: https://youtu.be/gkq4kQW845A
Here's the quick summary:
Immersion (worldbuilding): 9.5/10 - Excellent contrast of cultures and beliefs between the Faron nation and Nokara and Kailon. The backgrounds and histories are so well integrated, that it creates a natural foundation for conflict. I also enjoyed the underlying subtle hints at the magic of this world. Politics are also very realistic with Kaori absent from his empire and everyone trying to find their own means to bring down the tyrant Fogosombre.
Names (characters): 10/10 - Say one thing about RD Pires... the man knows how to build compelling characters. Dialogue is realistic and deep and mysterious. Motivations are distinct but conflicted. Decisions are difficult and consequential. All of this makes these characters feel like real people that we can love/hate.
Da Magic (& creatures): 8/10 - Magic is present in this world, but it's much softer and subtle, rather than a major component. It just feels like the world itself is enchanted, and people sometimes get to experience it by luck or happenstance. So it adds an interesting an mysterious layer to the world and characters.
Infrastructure (plot, pacing, prose, etc.): 8.5/10 - RD is a master of prose. Every sentence is written with intention and grace. So I have no notes on that front. The pacing was good, but I did feel like it came to a standstill whenever we came to a Mariana section. It just didn't seem to really move the plot forward or have much relevance (but happy to be proven wrong if it's more applicable in the next book!). I also felt like the climax happened about halfway through the story with some epic battles and fight scenes, and then the rest of the book was more focused on the fallout and resolutions.
Enjoyment: 9/10 - When you love the characters of a book, it makes it easy to enjoy the story. I can overlook any issues because the characters are believable, which makes it so much more entertaining. And he just puts so much attention into his prose, that the delivery of the story is fantastic.
If you like slow-burn, character-driven fantasy, you need to give this one a read!
On my YouTube channel, I exclusively review self-published and indie fantasy books. Design of Darkness (Book 1 in this series) won a Ruby Hidden Gem Award in 2025, so I was eager to dive back into this world. And, to no surprise, it ended up with an overall score of 9/10 on my INDIE ranking scale. My full review can be seen here: https://youtu.be/gkq4kQW845A
Here's the quick summary:
Immersion (worldbuilding): 9.5/10 - Excellent contrast of cultures and beliefs between the Faron nation and Nokara and Kailon. The backgrounds and histories are so well integrated, that it creates a natural foundation for conflict. I also enjoyed the underlying subtle hints at the magic of this world. Politics are also very realistic with Kaori absent from his empire and everyone trying to find their own means to bring down the tyrant Fogosombre.
Names (characters): 10/10 - Say one thing about RD Pires... the man knows how to build compelling characters. Dialogue is realistic and deep and mysterious. Motivations are distinct but conflicted. Decisions are difficult and consequential. All of this makes these characters feel like real people that we can love/hate.
Da Magic (& creatures): 8/10 - Magic is present in this world, but it's much softer and subtle, rather than a major component. It just feels like the world itself is enchanted, and people sometimes get to experience it by luck or happenstance. So it adds an interesting an mysterious layer to the world and characters.
Infrastructure (plot, pacing, prose, etc.): 8.5/10 - RD is a master of prose. Every sentence is written with intention and grace. So I have no notes on that front. The pacing was good, but I did feel like it came to a standstill whenever we came to a Mariana section. It just didn't seem to really move the plot forward or have much relevance (but happy to be proven wrong if it's more applicable in the next book!). I also felt like the climax happened about halfway through the story with some epic battles and fight scenes, and then the rest of the book was more focused on the fallout and resolutions.
Enjoyment: 9/10 - When you love the characters of a book, it makes it easy to enjoy the story. I can overlook any issues because the characters are believable, which makes it so much more entertaining. And he just puts so much attention into his prose, that the delivery of the story is fantastic.
If you like slow-burn, character-driven fantasy, you need to give this one a read!
June 9, 2025
War is on the horizon… Queen Yiscel attempts to retaliate against Fogosombre in the east, and Emperor Kaori can no longer sit on the sidelines. Aresenio seeks the legendary assassin The Jade Dagger to get to Fogosombre before the war even begins. How will the stories intertwine, and how will each character survive?
Major shout out to R.D. Pires who has done it again with the second book in the series The Tides That Reign. The end of the first book was building up to a major climax, and this book deals with some of that aftermath. There is no doubt that this book (and this series) is quite character-driven, with the countless intersections of their stories of survival driving the plot forward and keeping me turning the page.
R.D. Pires should do a Master Class on storytelling because I’m so invested in these characters, their futures, and their interactions. I’m excited for the next novel in the series!
Reviewed as part of #ARC; many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review.
Read this book if you like:
🌈 queer fantasy stories
👑 “You Should See Me in a Crown” by Billie Eilish
😱 cliffhangers and plot twists
Spice warning: 🌶️ very mild
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Major shout out to R.D. Pires who has done it again with the second book in the series The Tides That Reign. The end of the first book was building up to a major climax, and this book deals with some of that aftermath. There is no doubt that this book (and this series) is quite character-driven, with the countless intersections of their stories of survival driving the plot forward and keeping me turning the page.
R.D. Pires should do a Master Class on storytelling because I’m so invested in these characters, their futures, and their interactions. I’m excited for the next novel in the series!
Reviewed as part of #ARC; many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review.
Read this book if you like:
🌈 queer fantasy stories
👑 “You Should See Me in a Crown” by Billie Eilish
😱 cliffhangers and plot twists
Spice warning: 🌶️ very mild
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
September 2, 2025
Pires' storytelling immediately pulled me back into his fantastical world. The characters finding strength in each other and themselves is always a highlight of Pires' storytelling, and this sequel was no exception. The book ended with a fair share of cliffhangers and I can’t wait to see where Pires takes us with them in the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews