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This Monster of Mine #2
This Blade of Ours
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26Death isn't finished with them yet.
Sarai believed the worst was behind her. However, months after exposing the government’s corruption in what has now been deemed “the Great Unravelling,” she faces scorn from citizens who preferred her and Kadra as the underdogs than victors. Worse, eerie omens rock the country: from a deadly plague outbreak to a sweeping madness that leave the afflicted ranting of an approaching reckoning. Accused of angering the gods, Sarai returns to the only place that can clear her name: Ur Dinyé’s frozen north. But among the secrets buried in its ice are Kadra’s.
Cursed with frightening, new abilities, Kadra struggles to protect Sarai against a land at odds with itself. When historical tensions worsen between the north and the south, a powerful religious order seizes control in the chaos, led by a man whose very voice can kill—Noceo bu Kader. Trapped between love and a crumbling country, Sarai and Kadra must outwit a power with roots as deep in fear as in cruelty. But the gods are always watching, and Sarai and Kadra may not escape a second time.
Sarai believed the worst was behind her. However, months after exposing the government’s corruption in what has now been deemed “the Great Unravelling,” she faces scorn from citizens who preferred her and Kadra as the underdogs than victors. Worse, eerie omens rock the country: from a deadly plague outbreak to a sweeping madness that leave the afflicted ranting of an approaching reckoning. Accused of angering the gods, Sarai returns to the only place that can clear her name: Ur Dinyé’s frozen north. But among the secrets buried in its ice are Kadra’s.
Cursed with frightening, new abilities, Kadra struggles to protect Sarai against a land at odds with itself. When historical tensions worsen between the north and the south, a powerful religious order seizes control in the chaos, led by a man whose very voice can kill—Noceo bu Kader. Trapped between love and a crumbling country, Sarai and Kadra must outwit a power with roots as deep in fear as in cruelty. But the gods are always watching, and Sarai and Kadra may not escape a second time.
Hardcover
Expected publication June 30, 2026
57 people are currently reading
3038 people want to read
About the author
Shalini Abeysekara
3 books368 followersShalini Abeysekara (she/her/hers) is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of murder mystery romantasies with a loving dash of horror. A former corporate lawyer, she uses fantasy to explore monstrosity, craft cynical MMCs who respect women, and center neurodivergent women reckoning with their place in a world that tells them they’re too much and not enough.
When not writing, she games her life away and tries to make the perfect entremet. Most days, she can’t believe she's an adult, and hope you don’t either.
Follow her @shalini.writes on IG/ @shaliniwrites on Tiktok to be the first to hear about preorder campaigns, bonus chapters, free art and more!
When not writing, she games her life away and tries to make the perfect entremet. Most days, she can’t believe she's an adult, and hope you don’t either.
Follow her @shalini.writes on IG/ @shaliniwrites on Tiktok to be the first to hear about preorder campaigns, bonus chapters, free art and more!
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Want to Read
April 25, 2025I thought This Monster of Mine was a standalone but I definitely won’t say no to more Kadra
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was provided to me as an ARC; thank you to Shalini and her ARC team for the opportunity!
5 Stars — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Blade of Ours completely consumed me. It is emotional, intense, and somehow even more devastating than This Monster of Mine. From the very first chapter, I was pulled straight back into this world and did not want to leave it. This sequel feels deeper, darker, and more emotionally charged, and I loved every painful second of it.
The characters feel so raw here. Every interaction is layered with tension, longing, and unspoken emotion, and it made the reading experience incredibly immersive. The relationships are messier, heavier, and more complex, which only made me more invested. What stayed with me most was how deeply both Kadra and Sarai carry their guilt. There is no sense of emotional reset here, and I loved that. Sarai, in particular, is constantly grappling with the events of the first book, and that lingering weight becomes such an elemental part of this story. Even after the conclusion of book one, the emotions do not fade. The pain, regret, and intensity still cling to them, making their journey feel raw and achingly real as everything continues to unravel.
I also need to take a moment to praise Shalini Abeysekara because her writing is truly something special. The way she captures emotion is beautiful and devastating all at once. Every feeling feels intentional, every moment feels intimate, and there is so much care woven into the story. She has an incredible ability to make you ache for her characters while still rooting for them with your whole heart. Her storytelling feels confident, atmospheric, and deeply emotional, and it is impossible not to get completely swept up in it.
This Blade of Ours doesn’t just continue the story, it elevates it. The emotional stakes are higher, the tension cuts deeper, and the impact lingers long after you finish the final page. I closed this book feeling overwhelmed in the best way, already missing the world and the characters.
If you loved This Monster of Mine, this sequel is an absolute must read. Emotional, immersive, and heartbreakingly beautiful, this book has firmly cemented this series as one of my favourites
5 Stars — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This Blade of Ours completely consumed me. It is emotional, intense, and somehow even more devastating than This Monster of Mine. From the very first chapter, I was pulled straight back into this world and did not want to leave it. This sequel feels deeper, darker, and more emotionally charged, and I loved every painful second of it.
The characters feel so raw here. Every interaction is layered with tension, longing, and unspoken emotion, and it made the reading experience incredibly immersive. The relationships are messier, heavier, and more complex, which only made me more invested. What stayed with me most was how deeply both Kadra and Sarai carry their guilt. There is no sense of emotional reset here, and I loved that. Sarai, in particular, is constantly grappling with the events of the first book, and that lingering weight becomes such an elemental part of this story. Even after the conclusion of book one, the emotions do not fade. The pain, regret, and intensity still cling to them, making their journey feel raw and achingly real as everything continues to unravel.
I also need to take a moment to praise Shalini Abeysekara because her writing is truly something special. The way she captures emotion is beautiful and devastating all at once. Every feeling feels intentional, every moment feels intimate, and there is so much care woven into the story. She has an incredible ability to make you ache for her characters while still rooting for them with your whole heart. Her storytelling feels confident, atmospheric, and deeply emotional, and it is impossible not to get completely swept up in it.
This Blade of Ours doesn’t just continue the story, it elevates it. The emotional stakes are higher, the tension cuts deeper, and the impact lingers long after you finish the final page. I closed this book feeling overwhelmed in the best way, already missing the world and the characters.
If you loved This Monster of Mine, this sequel is an absolute must read. Emotional, immersive, and heartbreakingly beautiful, this book has firmly cemented this series as one of my favourites
Want to Read
July 22, 2025Gimme this book right freaking now
April 11, 2026
4.5⭐️
RTC, Shalini the writer that you are!!
UPDATE:
Oh how I truly love her writing!! This was an absolute whirlwind of a book and one hell of a sequel! Some of my favourite books are the ones that force me to look up words I'm unfamiliar with and I had to do that with this one, catch my brain *expanding*!! I love these characters so dearly, this story is so close to my heart for a whole hoard of reasons. If the first book felt like it peeled back my scalp and blindly dug out thoughts and feelings from the deepest most hidden parts of my psyche, this one sanded them down and gently put them back in, and then put a little flower crown on me when it was done. Did it have twice the violence and three times the horror? Yes. But it was also some of the most healing stuff I've read to date, maybe more so because of how brutal the forces are that this found family is up against.
"The days would pass like this. Some longer, some bloodier, some more beautiful than he had believed he would see, until their names passed from life and history." - I'm physically sick with how much I love them, all of them, oh my GOD. HELP!!!
I LOVED the plot!! This definitely felt more plot-driven compared to book one but the character development was in no way neglected, I loved how the personal arcs informed the plot, how discoveries about themselves led to discoveries about the plot. The way the villains were both tools to drive the plot and vehicles for personal discovery for the MCs was masterfully done I loved every moment of it! The 'worthless' scene with Noceo and how that forced a self-awareness about Sarai's own motivations (not to mention the way that trigger worked to recall how her past still hangs low over her and Kadra's heads!); Kadra's understanding of Dalvia; the conversation Dalvia and Sarai have (all of them tbh) when Sarai brings her dinner; the constant knife edge that they walked between being human and being powerful leaders- truly chef's kiss.
I honestly couldn't predict for a moment how the plot would play out, there were all these individual threads that had to be connected and I loved every moment of just, absorbing all the information I could, I didn't have any plot-related theories (though I did have character suspicions and was half-right lol) and I say that in a complimentary way- that I was just happy to be there and see it unravel and unravel it DID! Between the dramatic irony, the characters' own confusion and theories, the ever-present and increasingly volatile claustrophobic press of the capital's unrest: you really do not get a chance to catch your breath until the very end.
And YET! You do!!! Because within the tumult survives little pockets of complete softness between Sarai and Kadra (and Anek being down BAD, poor baby).
I have never, until today, read a sequel so unashamedly TENDER with its main couple. I went into this book bracing for the worst (100% because I love them and want them to finally get peace, not bc I ever doubted that the book would deliver fyi) and was gently handed the most emotionally mature, patient, warm, soft relationship to ever exist. It's never them against each other, it's always them against the plot and I honestly didn't know what I was missing until I read this!
Oh he hasn't told you the whole truth of his past? She won't rush him.
Oh she's being told all the stuff he should've disclosed by someone else? She wants to hear it from him.
She's riddled with guilt for XYZ? He almost bursts a blood vessel reassuring her.
And the list goes ON!!!!!!
"I ask you to endure too much, Sarai. Deny me." your honour, lock him up.
Every time something that could've ended in a miscommunication or a fight cropped up I held my breath even when I knew, and each time they handled it with patience and love and THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS!! Not blind trust when the truth of a deception is weaponised, but an acknowledgment of hurt at being deceived, and a patience to hear the full story. And to receive it with empathy and love and reassurance, oh this was healing in a way that is envious to therapy sessions everywhere, actually!
"My dear," I screamed.
"My beauty," I threw up.
"His woman," I only have a few minutes left.
"My Sarai," I'm following the bright light.
This was definitely Kadra's book, and I wasn't mad about it not even a little bit. This man SHINES! I loved learning about his past SO much, my poor boy! The line 'he would have been thirteen' actually felt like it was shredding my heart to stringy pulp- HE WAS JUST A BOY!
There were moments where I *almost* recoiled from his bloodlust. There is no moment where he shies away from what he is and that's both admirable and also terrifying. It would be inorganic if he was suddenly repulsed by violence or even hesitant towards doling it out, so this was very much a good and natural development that he would stand ten toes down but my god was it sometimes a lot (complimentary!). It was a really interesting experience to be in his head for these moments, and also be a witness to what the masses see when he's out and about. It was a beautiful compounding of all we knew about him and all the things he was now saying first-hand (via internal monologue) that made for such a *whole* experience of the character.
The moments of overwhelming affection for Sarai, the indulgent restraint for the sake of her principles, were in such stark contrast to the viciousness that the reader is really being flung this way and that during his chapters. It's a credit to Shalini's skill and to his polarised existence in the life that he was given. To see those two sides of him strain and bend and finally come together when all was revealed, when all the walls between them were scaled, oh my poor heart didn't stand a chance!
I loved his relationship with his brother, I did. It was painfully nuanced, and steeped in so much mutual suffering and fermented resentment (that can arguably be understood as a disguised form of grief over love lost) it was one of my favourite things about this book! I only wish we got more, more flashbacks (they were some of my favourite scenes, the safety they carved out with each other in the face of their tormentor), more of Noceo's devolution, more of him and Dalvia, more more more. I wish this book had an extra 150 pages so these really intricate processes could've been stretched just a little more.
It's a credit to Sarai that though her backstory may not have been the focus, oh how she made this just as much about her as it was about the politics and Kadra's past!
I really can't stand a morally superior MC- good thing one was nowhere to be found!
“Did word reach this city of who killed Aelius? [...] So, you heard. [...] Former Magus Supreme of Ur Dinyé, and he died like a stuck pig roasted over flame at my hand. Didn’t you wonder
why I didn’t mind coming alone and left my guards behind? [...] Of the Tetrarchy and its Petitors, I’m the one with the most patience [...] Do you want to keep testing it?”
She didn't just eat him up, I fear the man was stripped of all dignity in that moment (deserved) tEAR HIM UP DIVAAAAA
Sarai is good and empathetic to a fault, determined to enact justice and pursue truth but she's also lowkey a politician now, and a woman in power at that. She's healing but she's also human, and it's only natural for her to feel the way that she does. And although dehumanising, humiliating, and brutal and the moment was, I loved when she finally admitted to herself that she wanted power. That she wanted to do things that would probably make Kadra's knees give out if he saw her do (violent things, he's into it); it was so refreshing to see her claim that, and so believable that she warred with both the guilt and desire of that truth. It wasn't a fault but a discovery of another part of herself, and it made what she does in that last scene in the study so potent! I love how she's become gentle with herself, and empathised with the still-almost compulsive- need to do better, to be better, to make people listen and see the truth. It was a joy to read her tackle these things, and I honestly could not be happier that she finally got her HEA it's what she deserves!
I really loved Dalvia as a character but also her dynamic with Noceo, the almost parasitic nature of their relationship was awful to see unravel but so so well written (again, I wish there was MORE). The violent swaying of the accountability scales was done so well I felt like I was there with the characters meeting her for the first time and finding out her motives. I did suspect her about halfway through of something nefarious but still I was being dragged along with the rest of the gang between empathy and pity and a justified condemnation. She's the type of character I love to read about, constantly putting the reader through all sorts of emotional gymnastics, never trusting their instincts or her words and yet having such a compelling arc that it makes it all worth it!
'"I would have stayed every day if you hadn't forced me," she whispered' -CUT THE CAMERAS!!
The world building was delicious as always, I love that we got to see more of the north and that accountability was taken. I loved getting to see perspectives from outside the capital!
The madness was terrifying, THE EYES, oh how haunting, and the eye in the sky, the laughing, the laughing in his head eeeyICKES! lowkey good for her but also girl! in moderation!
The beetles were awful I loved them, disgusting and visually alarming, the scene in the north when they see what the source of the plague looked like was truly horrific!
Speaking of horror!!!! I need Shalini to write a horror book SO BADLY after this, my skin crawled, my stomach turned, my jaw dropped (clevsin there is a ring in hell with your name on it, hER FREAKING NOSE?!); the abstract horror of the madness's source, the pulverised insides and how violently they were frozen in time, literally killed by their own fear. It was truly awful, but done so well, she didn't shy away from the violence and gore, nor did it feel excessive or there for shock factor. The horror came in violent, bloody bursts that exploded before you had time to brace, and each time you got to experience what the characters did walking into each fresh horror. Those scenes were timed perfectly and executed exceptionally, the horrors and the romance are holding hands as my two favourite things about this book.
I loved how much of the gods we got to see, Wrath my beloved, you are absolutely terrifying. That uno reverse at the end did make me giggle. I loved all the things creeping in from the other world into their world, particularly the voids in the fabric of his clothes, Kadra witnessing planets crashing against each other, whole worlds exploding between the stitched fabric. That, but also the way he detected liars. The skeletal hand *scraping* away at the liars tongue, the gleeful way it moved, not unlike the half-serious way you tell a child off. The added discomfort of seeing what the person whose face the bones just crawled out of couldn't even feel. It creates this gap between what is real and what is not, a liminal space where the reader becomes aware of the Unseen but can't access it except through Kadra's limited acknowledgement of what he sees. It was such a delicious touch!
I also, and this was truly a finger snapping standing ovation moment, all the overt political commentary! She was standing tEN TOES DOWNNNN on business with no room for misunderstanding and I love and respect her for it! That it was both glaringly obvious what she was really talking about and yet felt completely, seamlessly stitched into the organic dialogue between characters. This was something that stood out to me in book1 so I love that she continued it in the sequel.
I do, and it pains me physically to say this because I will read anything she writes, have a couple things that weren't for me, personal-taste-wise, but I'm also aware that these things won't bother some people so take with a pinch!
I didn't like the age-gap (her being 19); the conversation that we find this out in could've remained identical in tone and outcome if their exact ages were never mentioned.
The scene where he tells her the full truth felt tonally discordant with the rest of the book re their dynamic. It was quite?? Rough? maybe? I'm struggling for a succinct way to articulate why it bothered me it just stuck out from the rest of their scenes bc it took me out of the story for the duration of the scene a little, but I'm also aware that some people will love it so to each their own!
Also, the e-arc was not as polished as I'm used to but I'm not giving that too much weight because we are still months out form publication and I know those editorial issues will be sorted, and I'm incredibly excited to reread book1 and 2 once this one is released and adapt my feelings accordingly, see what the final product is meant to look like! I do love being able to compare the earlier draft with the final piece (this is also an excuse not to let go of my faves just yet! I get to see them again in July hehe).
I love this book, I love her writing, I will miss these characters like you do a best friend who lives halfway across the world (cerise come backkk), I can't wait to read the prequel (I hope that's still happening) and all her future projects, auto read, auto buy, guaranteed favourite author FR!
Thank you hodder for the earc !!
RTC, Shalini the writer that you are!!
UPDATE:
Oh how I truly love her writing!! This was an absolute whirlwind of a book and one hell of a sequel! Some of my favourite books are the ones that force me to look up words I'm unfamiliar with and I had to do that with this one, catch my brain *expanding*!! I love these characters so dearly, this story is so close to my heart for a whole hoard of reasons. If the first book felt like it peeled back my scalp and blindly dug out thoughts and feelings from the deepest most hidden parts of my psyche, this one sanded them down and gently put them back in, and then put a little flower crown on me when it was done. Did it have twice the violence and three times the horror? Yes. But it was also some of the most healing stuff I've read to date, maybe more so because of how brutal the forces are that this found family is up against.
"The days would pass like this. Some longer, some bloodier, some more beautiful than he had believed he would see, until their names passed from life and history." - I'm physically sick with how much I love them, all of them, oh my GOD. HELP!!!
I LOVED the plot!! This definitely felt more plot-driven compared to book one but the character development was in no way neglected, I loved how the personal arcs informed the plot, how discoveries about themselves led to discoveries about the plot. The way the villains were both tools to drive the plot and vehicles for personal discovery for the MCs was masterfully done I loved every moment of it! The 'worthless' scene with Noceo and how that forced a self-awareness about Sarai's own motivations (not to mention the way that trigger worked to recall how her past still hangs low over her and Kadra's heads!); Kadra's understanding of Dalvia; the conversation Dalvia and Sarai have (all of them tbh) when Sarai brings her dinner; the constant knife edge that they walked between being human and being powerful leaders- truly chef's kiss.
I honestly couldn't predict for a moment how the plot would play out, there were all these individual threads that had to be connected and I loved every moment of just, absorbing all the information I could, I didn't have any plot-related theories (though I did have character suspicions and was half-right lol) and I say that in a complimentary way- that I was just happy to be there and see it unravel and unravel it DID! Between the dramatic irony, the characters' own confusion and theories, the ever-present and increasingly volatile claustrophobic press of the capital's unrest: you really do not get a chance to catch your breath until the very end.
And YET! You do!!! Because within the tumult survives little pockets of complete softness between Sarai and Kadra (and Anek being down BAD, poor baby).
I have never, until today, read a sequel so unashamedly TENDER with its main couple. I went into this book bracing for the worst (100% because I love them and want them to finally get peace, not bc I ever doubted that the book would deliver fyi) and was gently handed the most emotionally mature, patient, warm, soft relationship to ever exist. It's never them against each other, it's always them against the plot and I honestly didn't know what I was missing until I read this!
Oh he hasn't told you the whole truth of his past? She won't rush him.
Oh she's being told all the stuff he should've disclosed by someone else? She wants to hear it from him.
She's riddled with guilt for XYZ? He almost bursts a blood vessel reassuring her.
And the list goes ON!!!!!!
"I ask you to endure too much, Sarai. Deny me." your honour, lock him up.
Every time something that could've ended in a miscommunication or a fight cropped up I held my breath even when I knew, and each time they handled it with patience and love and THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS!! Not blind trust when the truth of a deception is weaponised, but an acknowledgment of hurt at being deceived, and a patience to hear the full story. And to receive it with empathy and love and reassurance, oh this was healing in a way that is envious to therapy sessions everywhere, actually!
"My dear," I screamed.
"My beauty," I threw up.
"His woman," I only have a few minutes left.
"My Sarai," I'm following the bright light.
This was definitely Kadra's book, and I wasn't mad about it not even a little bit. This man SHINES! I loved learning about his past SO much, my poor boy! The line 'he would have been thirteen' actually felt like it was shredding my heart to stringy pulp- HE WAS JUST A BOY!
There were moments where I *almost* recoiled from his bloodlust. There is no moment where he shies away from what he is and that's both admirable and also terrifying. It would be inorganic if he was suddenly repulsed by violence or even hesitant towards doling it out, so this was very much a good and natural development that he would stand ten toes down but my god was it sometimes a lot (complimentary!). It was a really interesting experience to be in his head for these moments, and also be a witness to what the masses see when he's out and about. It was a beautiful compounding of all we knew about him and all the things he was now saying first-hand (via internal monologue) that made for such a *whole* experience of the character.
The moments of overwhelming affection for Sarai, the indulgent restraint for the sake of her principles, were in such stark contrast to the viciousness that the reader is really being flung this way and that during his chapters. It's a credit to Shalini's skill and to his polarised existence in the life that he was given. To see those two sides of him strain and bend and finally come together when all was revealed, when all the walls between them were scaled, oh my poor heart didn't stand a chance!
I loved his relationship with his brother, I did. It was painfully nuanced, and steeped in so much mutual suffering and fermented resentment (that can arguably be understood as a disguised form of grief over love lost) it was one of my favourite things about this book! I only wish we got more, more flashbacks (they were some of my favourite scenes, the safety they carved out with each other in the face of their tormentor), more of Noceo's devolution, more of him and Dalvia, more more more. I wish this book had an extra 150 pages so these really intricate processes could've been stretched just a little more.
It's a credit to Sarai that though her backstory may not have been the focus, oh how she made this just as much about her as it was about the politics and Kadra's past!
I really can't stand a morally superior MC- good thing one was nowhere to be found!
“Did word reach this city of who killed Aelius? [...] So, you heard. [...] Former Magus Supreme of Ur Dinyé, and he died like a stuck pig roasted over flame at my hand. Didn’t you wonder
why I didn’t mind coming alone and left my guards behind? [...] Of the Tetrarchy and its Petitors, I’m the one with the most patience [...] Do you want to keep testing it?”
She didn't just eat him up, I fear the man was stripped of all dignity in that moment (deserved) tEAR HIM UP DIVAAAAA
Sarai is good and empathetic to a fault, determined to enact justice and pursue truth but she's also lowkey a politician now, and a woman in power at that. She's healing but she's also human, and it's only natural for her to feel the way that she does. And although dehumanising, humiliating, and brutal and the moment was, I loved when she finally admitted to herself that she wanted power. That she wanted to do things that would probably make Kadra's knees give out if he saw her do (violent things, he's into it); it was so refreshing to see her claim that, and so believable that she warred with both the guilt and desire of that truth. It wasn't a fault but a discovery of another part of herself, and it made what she does in that last scene in the study so potent! I love how she's become gentle with herself, and empathised with the still-almost compulsive- need to do better, to be better, to make people listen and see the truth. It was a joy to read her tackle these things, and I honestly could not be happier that she finally got her HEA it's what she deserves!
I really loved Dalvia as a character but also her dynamic with Noceo, the almost parasitic nature of their relationship was awful to see unravel but so so well written (again, I wish there was MORE). The violent swaying of the accountability scales was done so well I felt like I was there with the characters meeting her for the first time and finding out her motives. I did suspect her about halfway through of something nefarious but still I was being dragged along with the rest of the gang between empathy and pity and a justified condemnation. She's the type of character I love to read about, constantly putting the reader through all sorts of emotional gymnastics, never trusting their instincts or her words and yet having such a compelling arc that it makes it all worth it!
'"I would have stayed every day if you hadn't forced me," she whispered' -CUT THE CAMERAS!!
The world building was delicious as always, I love that we got to see more of the north and that accountability was taken. I loved getting to see perspectives from outside the capital!
The madness was terrifying, THE EYES, oh how haunting, and the eye in the sky, the laughing, the laughing in his head eeeyICKES! lowkey good for her but also girl! in moderation!
The beetles were awful I loved them, disgusting and visually alarming, the scene in the north when they see what the source of the plague looked like was truly horrific!
Speaking of horror!!!! I need Shalini to write a horror book SO BADLY after this, my skin crawled, my stomach turned, my jaw dropped (clevsin there is a ring in hell with your name on it, hER FREAKING NOSE?!); the abstract horror of the madness's source, the pulverised insides and how violently they were frozen in time, literally killed by their own fear. It was truly awful, but done so well, she didn't shy away from the violence and gore, nor did it feel excessive or there for shock factor. The horror came in violent, bloody bursts that exploded before you had time to brace, and each time you got to experience what the characters did walking into each fresh horror. Those scenes were timed perfectly and executed exceptionally, the horrors and the romance are holding hands as my two favourite things about this book.
I loved how much of the gods we got to see, Wrath my beloved, you are absolutely terrifying. That uno reverse at the end did make me giggle. I loved all the things creeping in from the other world into their world, particularly the voids in the fabric of his clothes, Kadra witnessing planets crashing against each other, whole worlds exploding between the stitched fabric. That, but also the way he detected liars. The skeletal hand *scraping* away at the liars tongue, the gleeful way it moved, not unlike the half-serious way you tell a child off. The added discomfort of seeing what the person whose face the bones just crawled out of couldn't even feel. It creates this gap between what is real and what is not, a liminal space where the reader becomes aware of the Unseen but can't access it except through Kadra's limited acknowledgement of what he sees. It was such a delicious touch!
I also, and this was truly a finger snapping standing ovation moment, all the overt political commentary! She was standing tEN TOES DOWNNNN on business with no room for misunderstanding and I love and respect her for it! That it was both glaringly obvious what she was really talking about and yet felt completely, seamlessly stitched into the organic dialogue between characters. This was something that stood out to me in book1 so I love that she continued it in the sequel.
I do, and it pains me physically to say this because I will read anything she writes, have a couple things that weren't for me, personal-taste-wise, but I'm also aware that these things won't bother some people so take with a pinch!
I didn't like the age-gap (her being 19); the conversation that we find this out in could've remained identical in tone and outcome if their exact ages were never mentioned.
The scene where he tells her the full truth felt tonally discordant with the rest of the book re their dynamic. It was quite?? Rough? maybe? I'm struggling for a succinct way to articulate why it bothered me it just stuck out from the rest of their scenes bc it took me out of the story for the duration of the scene a little, but I'm also aware that some people will love it so to each their own!
Also, the e-arc was not as polished as I'm used to but I'm not giving that too much weight because we are still months out form publication and I know those editorial issues will be sorted, and I'm incredibly excited to reread book1 and 2 once this one is released and adapt my feelings accordingly, see what the final product is meant to look like! I do love being able to compare the earlier draft with the final piece (this is also an excuse not to let go of my faves just yet! I get to see them again in July hehe).
I love this book, I love her writing, I will miss these characters like you do a best friend who lives halfway across the world (cerise come backkk), I can't wait to read the prequel (I hope that's still happening) and all her future projects, auto read, auto buy, guaranteed favourite author FR!
Thank you hodder for the earc !!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a great conclusion to Sarai and Kadra’s story. I’ve been waiting for this sequel for what feels like forever and it didn’t disappoint!
The thing I love most about Shalini’s stories is that you can see her law expertise coming through and it makes her books such interesting reads. I think it shines a different light on the plots and makes you think about things you might not usually, especially in a Romantasy.
It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it. For a while I kind of felt like I was always entering into a conversation halfway through. But after that first little bump, I had a great time!
I’m looking forward to seeing what Shalini comes up with next!
Characters - 9/10
Atmosphere - 9/10
Writing - 9/10
Plot - 9/10
Intrigue - 9/10
Logic - 9/10
Enjoyment - 9/10
The thing I love most about Shalini’s stories is that you can see her law expertise coming through and it makes her books such interesting reads. I think it shines a different light on the plots and makes you think about things you might not usually, especially in a Romantasy.
It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it. For a while I kind of felt like I was always entering into a conversation halfway through. But after that first little bump, I had a great time!
I’m looking forward to seeing what Shalini comes up with next!
Characters - 9/10
Atmosphere - 9/10
Writing - 9/10
Plot - 9/10
Intrigue - 9/10
Logic - 9/10
Enjoyment - 9/10
arc-tbr
January 7, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
.☘︎ ݁˖ “Don’t be stubborn. We both want what’s best for the country.”
“But I won’t make the country pay for what I want.”
He spoke over his shoulder. “Then, you’ll pay for what the country wants.”
《 6 stars 》oh miss shalini your brain is the best place ever. in fact can i rent a room there? cause i need to live in ur dinyé despite its flaws, cause it would mean i get to see sarai and kadra live 🤭🙂↕️ oh this sequel is everything a tmom reader could've wanted in life. the lush worldbuilding, the incredibly realistic characters and the character arcs!! this is also one emotional hell of a roller coaster (i was ugly crying at a certain chapter, good luck ^^) and this book beautifully debates about morality, justice, religion and what it means to have power. i have soo much to say. just pls go pre-order it everyone!! its a sequel that will blow your mind ⭐️✨️ full rtc
i don't usually rate a book before i read it, but how does one rate a book 1 star before even reading it?? arcs aren't even out 😭
“But I won’t make the country pay for what I want.”
He spoke over his shoulder. “Then, you’ll pay for what the country wants.”
《 6 stars 》oh miss shalini your brain is the best place ever. in fact can i rent a room there? cause i need to live in ur dinyé despite its flaws, cause it would mean i get to see sarai and kadra live 🤭🙂↕️ oh this sequel is everything a tmom reader could've wanted in life. the lush worldbuilding, the incredibly realistic characters and the character arcs!! this is also one emotional hell of a roller coaster (i was ugly crying at a certain chapter, good luck ^^) and this book beautifully debates about morality, justice, religion and what it means to have power. i have soo much to say. just pls go pre-order it everyone!! its a sequel that will blow your mind ⭐️✨️ full rtc
March 12, 2026
3.5
I was so excited going into this book- I adored the first book and fell in love with Sarai and Kadra.
This book did not go how I was expecting it to at all. From the last book, I was expecting to see more of Sarai and potentially her “Death-summoner” powers but this is not how it went. Instead, We have insects, drug use, strange deaths and new Gods- which was very interesting !
This book focused largely on Kadra and his past, as well as his own powers.
While I loved the scenes between Sarai and Kadra, I found the connections of characters in the book too coincidental and “neat” and this finished with a neat ending,
I think I wanted more mystery like we read in the first book.
This book did immerse me into the different Gods which were fascinating to read in the glossary, and the runes/magic. As well as the authors depiction of the political landscape after the events of the first book.
The first half was largely based on politics and I found this slower, but halfway through, when more deaths and mystery occur, I found the pace picked up.
While I didn’t love this as much as the first book, this was still a good second book. I am obsessed with Kadra and Sarai.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.
I was so excited going into this book- I adored the first book and fell in love with Sarai and Kadra.
This book did not go how I was expecting it to at all. From the last book, I was expecting to see more of Sarai and potentially her “Death-summoner” powers but this is not how it went. Instead, We have insects, drug use, strange deaths and new Gods- which was very interesting !
This book focused largely on Kadra and his past, as well as his own powers.
While I loved the scenes between Sarai and Kadra, I found the connections of characters in the book too coincidental and “neat” and this finished with a neat ending,
I think I wanted more mystery like we read in the first book.
This book did immerse me into the different Gods which were fascinating to read in the glossary, and the runes/magic. As well as the authors depiction of the political landscape after the events of the first book.
The first half was largely based on politics and I found this slower, but halfway through, when more deaths and mystery occur, I found the pace picked up.
While I didn’t love this as much as the first book, this was still a good second book. I am obsessed with Kadra and Sarai.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to Read
May 12, 2025Just finished TMOM, and I am both elated and devasted to learn there's going to be a sequel. How am I supposed to wait an entire YEAR for more of Sarai and Kadra??? They are so delightfully, beautifully vicious and clever and reckless and ruthless and just, and I am utterly obsessed ❤️
Oh well, guess I just need to reread the first book about 50 more times to sate The Need for more while I wait!
Oh well, guess I just need to reread the first book about 50 more times to sate The Need for more while I wait!
February 25, 2026
I have to say, it took me a long time to really get into this book. At the beginning, there was too much politics and too many philosophical discussions about power and strength – interesting to read, but not adding much to the plot. But somewhere around the 40% mark, when all the key characters finally step onto the stage, I was hooked. Shalini created a truly intriguing and unique world with unusual magic, while also delivering a compelling storyline and a satisfying romance.
I liked both main characters: Sarai, who remains true to herself no matter what, and Kadra, who would lay the whole world at her feet but instead chooses to give Sarai the space to fight her own battles.
Overall, this is a worthy conclusion to their story, and I will definitely be reading the author’s future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shalini Abeysekara for the ARC.
I liked both main characters: Sarai, who remains true to herself no matter what, and Kadra, who would lay the whole world at her feet but instead chooses to give Sarai the space to fight her own battles.
Overall, this is a worthy conclusion to their story, and I will definitely be reading the author’s future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shalini Abeysekara for the ARC.
April 18, 2026
Booksta Link✨
A massive thank you to Union Square and Shalini Abeysekara for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for one of my most anticipated reads of 2026.
Shalini has done it again — delivering a breathtaking sequel and a deeply fitting conclusion to one of my favourite books of all time, This Monster of Mine. That book was my number one read of 2025, and This Blade of Ours is already cementing itself as a top read of 2026. I finished this a week ago and needed every bit of that time to process it, because I was not ready to say goodbye to Sarai and Kadra, or this stunning world.
The expansion of the world of Ur Dinyé was everything I could have hoped for and more. This sequel takes us deeper into the North, a place only briefly touched on before, and explores its cities, its people, and the deep, almost invisible divide between North and South. This element completely surprised me and added such a powerful layer to the story. Sarai’s return home was deeply emotional, and having recently reread book one, witnessing her growth, confidence, and evolution felt incredibly rewarding.
We also gain even more insight into the magic system, particularly through Kadra’s perspective. The runes, the power, the sheer intensity of what magic can do in this world… it remains one of the most unique systems I’ve ever read, especially with how intricately it ties into the justice system. It’s fascinating, terrifying, and endlessly compelling. The added depth of the gods and their influence, even on non-believers, brought yet another layer I didn’t expect but absolutely loved.
The political intrigue in this book is unmatched. Picking up months after the Great Unravelling, the world is far from healed. If anything, it’s more fragile than ever. Sarai and Kadra are left navigating a society that still distrusts them, still questions them, and still seeks to tear them down even as they fight to uphold justice for those very people. It’s a brutal, honest exploration of how deeply rooted corruption and belief systems can be, and how change is rarely clean or immediate. Experiencing this through Sarai’s perspective is nothing short of powerful, it truly ignites something in you, and for me, it felt especially resonant as a woman.
But what truly elevates this book is its relationships, not just the romance, but every connection woven throughout the story. The bonds between allies, the fractures between cultures, the quiet loyalties and betrayals — they all feel deeply intentional and emotionally grounded. There is such care in how these relationships evolve, particularly in how trust is built, broken, and rebuilt again.
Sarai is, without question, one of my favourite FMCs of all time. Her strength, her rage, her compassion, her unwavering belief in justice, even after everything she’s endured, is both inspiring and deeply emotional. What I admire most is her ability to fight for what is right, even when it benefits those who wish her harm. Her loyalty and love define her just as much as her strength.
Kadra… I don’t even know where to begin. If book one belonged to Sarai, this book allows Kadra to fully unfold. We see more of his past, his trauma, and the pieces that shaped him into who he is. His devotion, his power, his quiet vulnerability — it all comes together in a way that is both devastating and beautiful. Watching him grapple with his feelings for Sarai, and his belief that he could never deserve her was absolutely heart-wrenching.
Their relationship in this book is something truly special. It is not easy, nor is it perfect — it is shaped by their shared and linked trauma. And yet, it is unwavering. The devotion between them, the protectiveness, the softness that exists even in the midst of chaos… it all feels earned. What stood out to me most was the understanding between them — particularly in how Sarai responds to Kadara’s past. There is no simplification of pain here, no easy forgiveness — just empathy, patience, and a love that chooses to stay and fight with everything both of them have.
And Shalini’s writing… it is, quite simply, extraordinary. There is a lyrical quality to her prose that feels almost poetic without ever losing its sharpness. She writes with an emotional intelligence that cuts deep — every line feels intentional, every moment layered with meaning. Her ability to balance romance, political intrigue, horror, and deeply personal character work is nothing short of masterful. The horror elements in this book in particular, added such a visceral edge that we saw hints of in book one— moments that had me genuinely unsettled, holding my breath, unable to look away!!! And yet, within that darkness, she still carves out space for tenderness.
The pacing, the stakes, the evolution of the world and its conflicts felt seamless. The new layers of “evil” our characters face were complex and deeply unsettling, never one-dimensional, always rooted in something real. Unlike book one, I also had empathy for the true villain which I wasn't at all expecting.
This Blade of Ours is not just a sequel — it is a culmination. A story about justice and belief, about power and consequence, about love in its most enduring and devastating form. It is about choosing to stand for what is right, even when the world refuses to stand with the characters for what is 'right'. This book is powerful, devastating, and achingly beautiful — a story that lingers in your bones, long after the final page. I will think about this Duology until the day I perish from the world and my physical copies will be taken with me to whatever lies beyond.
A massive thank you to Union Square and Shalini Abeysekara for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for one of my most anticipated reads of 2026.
Shalini has done it again — delivering a breathtaking sequel and a deeply fitting conclusion to one of my favourite books of all time, This Monster of Mine. That book was my number one read of 2025, and This Blade of Ours is already cementing itself as a top read of 2026. I finished this a week ago and needed every bit of that time to process it, because I was not ready to say goodbye to Sarai and Kadra, or this stunning world.
The expansion of the world of Ur Dinyé was everything I could have hoped for and more. This sequel takes us deeper into the North, a place only briefly touched on before, and explores its cities, its people, and the deep, almost invisible divide between North and South. This element completely surprised me and added such a powerful layer to the story. Sarai’s return home was deeply emotional, and having recently reread book one, witnessing her growth, confidence, and evolution felt incredibly rewarding.
We also gain even more insight into the magic system, particularly through Kadra’s perspective. The runes, the power, the sheer intensity of what magic can do in this world… it remains one of the most unique systems I’ve ever read, especially with how intricately it ties into the justice system. It’s fascinating, terrifying, and endlessly compelling. The added depth of the gods and their influence, even on non-believers, brought yet another layer I didn’t expect but absolutely loved.
The political intrigue in this book is unmatched. Picking up months after the Great Unravelling, the world is far from healed. If anything, it’s more fragile than ever. Sarai and Kadra are left navigating a society that still distrusts them, still questions them, and still seeks to tear them down even as they fight to uphold justice for those very people. It’s a brutal, honest exploration of how deeply rooted corruption and belief systems can be, and how change is rarely clean or immediate. Experiencing this through Sarai’s perspective is nothing short of powerful, it truly ignites something in you, and for me, it felt especially resonant as a woman.
“You can show people the truth, Petitor Sarai. But you can't make them believe it.”
But what truly elevates this book is its relationships, not just the romance, but every connection woven throughout the story. The bonds between allies, the fractures between cultures, the quiet loyalties and betrayals — they all feel deeply intentional and emotionally grounded. There is such care in how these relationships evolve, particularly in how trust is built, broken, and rebuilt again.
Sarai is, without question, one of my favourite FMCs of all time. Her strength, her rage, her compassion, her unwavering belief in justice, even after everything she’s endured, is both inspiring and deeply emotional. What I admire most is her ability to fight for what is right, even when it benefits those who wish her harm. Her loyalty and love define her just as much as her strength.
Kadra… I don’t even know where to begin. If book one belonged to Sarai, this book allows Kadra to fully unfold. We see more of his past, his trauma, and the pieces that shaped him into who he is. His devotion, his power, his quiet vulnerability — it all comes together in a way that is both devastating and beautiful. Watching him grapple with his feelings for Sarai, and his belief that he could never deserve her was absolutely heart-wrenching.
“But he only had eyes for the woman watching him with a love of which he would never be worthy.”
Their relationship in this book is something truly special. It is not easy, nor is it perfect — it is shaped by their shared and linked trauma. And yet, it is unwavering. The devotion between them, the protectiveness, the softness that exists even in the midst of chaos… it all feels earned. What stood out to me most was the understanding between them — particularly in how Sarai responds to Kadara’s past. There is no simplification of pain here, no easy forgiveness — just empathy, patience, and a love that chooses to stay and fight with everything both of them have.
And Shalini’s writing… it is, quite simply, extraordinary. There is a lyrical quality to her prose that feels almost poetic without ever losing its sharpness. She writes with an emotional intelligence that cuts deep — every line feels intentional, every moment layered with meaning. Her ability to balance romance, political intrigue, horror, and deeply personal character work is nothing short of masterful. The horror elements in this book in particular, added such a visceral edge that we saw hints of in book one— moments that had me genuinely unsettled, holding my breath, unable to look away!!! And yet, within that darkness, she still carves out space for tenderness.
The pacing, the stakes, the evolution of the world and its conflicts felt seamless. The new layers of “evil” our characters face were complex and deeply unsettling, never one-dimensional, always rooted in something real. Unlike book one, I also had empathy for the true villain which I wasn't at all expecting.
This Blade of Ours is not just a sequel — it is a culmination. A story about justice and belief, about power and consequence, about love in its most enduring and devastating form. It is about choosing to stand for what is right, even when the world refuses to stand with the characters for what is 'right'. This book is powerful, devastating, and achingly beautiful — a story that lingers in your bones, long after the final page. I will think about this Duology until the day I perish from the world and my physical copies will be taken with me to whatever lies beyond.
to-read-arcs
February 18, 2026I need this right now!!
March 11, 2026
“I have belonged to you from the moment I saw you.“
I loved being back with my sweet damaged babies Sarai and Kadra ♥︎
It took me a minute to get into this, but that was because it’s been a year since reading This Monster of Mine, and I was rusty with names/places/politics. Once I was reacquainted I was hooked!
I really enjoyed that we got to learn so much more about Kadra - he was such an enigma in book one, so discovering his backstory and to really see how much of a tortured soul he is made me fall even more for him. Plus, his support and devotion to Sarai got me in my feelings.
“Now, call me yours.”
“Mine.”
“Now, don’t stop saying it.“
Our girl Sarai really got to once again, display her strength. She also made my heart hurt because despite her new confidence, she’s always doubted because of her background and gender. It’s no wonder she’s always craved strength and control.
She had thought him deeply private, and perhaps too jaded to speak of love, but he was simply unused to it. He had never known it growing up and was still learning to utter it, let alone believe himself a recipient.
I love how vivid a picture Shalini creates with her writing. I have such clear visions of this dark, depressing and at times, creepy world. I’m so glad we got a continuation for Sarai and Kadra, and the ending wrapped their story up perfectly.
Thank you so much Union Square & Co and NetGalley for this arc!
I loved being back with my sweet damaged babies Sarai and Kadra ♥︎
It took me a minute to get into this, but that was because it’s been a year since reading This Monster of Mine, and I was rusty with names/places/politics. Once I was reacquainted I was hooked!
I really enjoyed that we got to learn so much more about Kadra - he was such an enigma in book one, so discovering his backstory and to really see how much of a tortured soul he is made me fall even more for him. Plus, his support and devotion to Sarai got me in my feelings.
“Now, call me yours.”
“Mine.”
“Now, don’t stop saying it.“
Our girl Sarai really got to once again, display her strength. She also made my heart hurt because despite her new confidence, she’s always doubted because of her background and gender. It’s no wonder she’s always craved strength and control.
She had thought him deeply private, and perhaps too jaded to speak of love, but he was simply unused to it. He had never known it growing up and was still learning to utter it, let alone believe himself a recipient.
I love how vivid a picture Shalini creates with her writing. I have such clear visions of this dark, depressing and at times, creepy world. I’m so glad we got a continuation for Sarai and Kadra, and the ending wrapped their story up perfectly.
Thank you so much Union Square & Co and NetGalley for this arc!
February 22, 2026
I really enjoyed This Monster of Mine and have genuinely thought about it a lot since reading it so I was excited to dive back into Sarai and Kadra’s story in This Blade of Ours. It picks up a few months after the “Unravelling” at the end of book one and let’s just say… things are not going great for them!
One of the things I loved again reading book two was the strong focus on political intrigue and the wider magic system. The world still feels layered and thoughtfully built. Kadra is the most interesting character (he wears the cloak of moral greyness very well!) and I loved getting his POV this time as this book leans more into his past. Sarai is also still likeable and easy to root for. She doesn’t feel quite as complex as she did in the first book, but that shift makes sense since this instalment gives more narrative space to Kadra’s story.
I’ll be honest it took me a little while to fully settle into this one. The first half felt slightly meandering, and at times the political threads were a bit hard to follow and the structure wasn’t as tight as it could have been. But around the halfway mark, the story finds its stride. The plot sharpens, the action ramps up, and everything starts to click into place.
The writing is still beautifully descriptive, and the world feels immersive. At its core, this is a story about redemption and forgiveness, and that emotional thread carries through nicely. And the ending? Genuinely satisfying, it wraps up the duology in a way that felt very fitting.
Overall, while it takes a bit of time to get going, This Blade of Ours delivers a strong conclusion to Sarai and Kadra’s journey and I’m really glad I got to return to their world!
With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc.
One of the things I loved again reading book two was the strong focus on political intrigue and the wider magic system. The world still feels layered and thoughtfully built. Kadra is the most interesting character (he wears the cloak of moral greyness very well!) and I loved getting his POV this time as this book leans more into his past. Sarai is also still likeable and easy to root for. She doesn’t feel quite as complex as she did in the first book, but that shift makes sense since this instalment gives more narrative space to Kadra’s story.
I’ll be honest it took me a little while to fully settle into this one. The first half felt slightly meandering, and at times the political threads were a bit hard to follow and the structure wasn’t as tight as it could have been. But around the halfway mark, the story finds its stride. The plot sharpens, the action ramps up, and everything starts to click into place.
The writing is still beautifully descriptive, and the world feels immersive. At its core, this is a story about redemption and forgiveness, and that emotional thread carries through nicely. And the ending? Genuinely satisfying, it wraps up the duology in a way that felt very fitting.
Overall, while it takes a bit of time to get going, This Blade of Ours delivers a strong conclusion to Sarai and Kadra’s journey and I’m really glad I got to return to their world!
With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc.
May 7, 2026
“Love was your salvation. Now, it’ll be your ruin.”
SHALINI, YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN
God, this duology is a masterpiece from start to finish. The politics through the book had me furious for reason that felt eerily parallel to today’s climate and the plot sucked me in and wouldn’t allow me to put the book down. This was the perfect continuation of This Monster of Mine and exceeded the already high expectations I had for it.
“Was I foolish for dreaming?”
“Only if you choose not to wake up.
SHALINI, YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN
God, this duology is a masterpiece from start to finish. The politics through the book had me furious for reason that felt eerily parallel to today’s climate and the plot sucked me in and wouldn’t allow me to put the book down. This was the perfect continuation of This Monster of Mine and exceeded the already high expectations I had for it.
“Was I foolish for dreaming?”
“Only if you choose not to wake up.
April 13, 2026
4.5⭐️ (rounded up to 5), 1.5🌶️
WHAT A RIDE! This was an incredible follow-up/finish to book one and I was not expecting things to get so dark. Following the events of the first book and a city in chaos, Sarai and Kadra go on the most insane rollercoaster of events. The gods are angry, the city is unraveling, its citizens are losing their minds, and old secrets come to the surface that change the course of lives.
This was much darker than book one but boy oh boy did it deliver. Getting to know more about Kadra in this book was the cherry on top and really brought things full circle. I absolutely adore Shalini and this incredible world she’s shared with us. Bravo! If you haven’t picked up this duology yet, take this as your sign to do so!
Big thank you to the author and Hatchett publishing for an eARC of this book.
WHAT A RIDE! This was an incredible follow-up/finish to book one and I was not expecting things to get so dark. Following the events of the first book and a city in chaos, Sarai and Kadra go on the most insane rollercoaster of events. The gods are angry, the city is unraveling, its citizens are losing their minds, and old secrets come to the surface that change the course of lives.
This was much darker than book one but boy oh boy did it deliver. Getting to know more about Kadra in this book was the cherry on top and really brought things full circle. I absolutely adore Shalini and this incredible world she’s shared with us. Bravo! If you haven’t picked up this duology yet, take this as your sign to do so!
Big thank you to the author and Hatchett publishing for an eARC of this book.
March 8, 2026
I want to say a huge thank you first of all to the author who sent me an early copy of this book to read, I feel so honoured to be trusted with it.
This was such a wonderful read. After book one I was wondering how where it would go, but book two only expanded on the details of the world and the characters stories. I had wanted to know more about the different locations and how their politics and lives were, and the author delivered. I loved seeing all the old characters but equally new ones too. The detail about Kadra’s childhood and the reasons he became the man he is were so interesting to read. I loved the way gods were represented- some books I think gods are shown too human like but in this book they were fearsome and other worldly. The politics and intrigue were riveting, and I was kept guessing nearly until the very end. And most of all I loved seeing Kadra and Sarai’s relationship- so heartfelt and their love had me a bit misty eyed. I really liked how when their relationship was challenged they talked to each other and worked through it. I cannot fault this book, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I’m guessing this is the final book in this world but if the author wrote anything else about any world I would pick it up in a heart beat.
This was such a wonderful read. After book one I was wondering how where it would go, but book two only expanded on the details of the world and the characters stories. I had wanted to know more about the different locations and how their politics and lives were, and the author delivered. I loved seeing all the old characters but equally new ones too. The detail about Kadra’s childhood and the reasons he became the man he is were so interesting to read. I loved the way gods were represented- some books I think gods are shown too human like but in this book they were fearsome and other worldly. The politics and intrigue were riveting, and I was kept guessing nearly until the very end. And most of all I loved seeing Kadra and Sarai’s relationship- so heartfelt and their love had me a bit misty eyed. I really liked how when their relationship was challenged they talked to each other and worked through it. I cannot fault this book, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I’m guessing this is the final book in this world but if the author wrote anything else about any world I would pick it up in a heart beat.
March 25, 2026
✨Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC.✨
Wow, what an intense story! This book picks up eight months after the first and instantly drops you back into a world that feels even more layered and complex. The worldbuilding continues to be full of politics and intrigue, and history for the gods.
I thoroughly enjoyed added element of the multiple POVs in this book—it gives you so much more insight into the characters and adds an extra level of context to the characters. The romance between the two leads is more established and subtly simmering in the background this time around. There are new relationships, and you take deeper dives into new & old character backstories. I got answers to questions I had about the MMC & answers to ones I didn’t know I had!
I truly think this is a duology you NEED to read back to back. Otherwise, it can be easy to miss things or get a bit confused with the intricate story. I really needed to slow down at times, sit with it & absorb everything, even though I only just finished the first book and was already familiar with the magic system and social structure. My advice—stick with it, because it all comes together so well in the end. I promise!
I also need to take a moment to praise Shalini Abeysekara’s writing, because it’s genuinely something special. Her stories and characters feel so unique and refreshing. She has this incredible ability to make you so invested in her characters—they’re messy, complicated, and not always easy to love, but she does a phenomenal job making you want to!
Overall, this book feels deeper, heavier, and more emotionally intense. I would definitely recommend this duology to anyone who wants a unique, challenging romantasy unlike anything that you’ve ever read before ♥︎
4.5/5 ★
Wow, what an intense story! This book picks up eight months after the first and instantly drops you back into a world that feels even more layered and complex. The worldbuilding continues to be full of politics and intrigue, and history for the gods.
I thoroughly enjoyed added element of the multiple POVs in this book—it gives you so much more insight into the characters and adds an extra level of context to the characters. The romance between the two leads is more established and subtly simmering in the background this time around. There are new relationships, and you take deeper dives into new & old character backstories. I got answers to questions I had about the MMC & answers to ones I didn’t know I had!
I truly think this is a duology you NEED to read back to back. Otherwise, it can be easy to miss things or get a bit confused with the intricate story. I really needed to slow down at times, sit with it & absorb everything, even though I only just finished the first book and was already familiar with the magic system and social structure. My advice—stick with it, because it all comes together so well in the end. I promise!
I also need to take a moment to praise Shalini Abeysekara’s writing, because it’s genuinely something special. Her stories and characters feel so unique and refreshing. She has this incredible ability to make you so invested in her characters—they’re messy, complicated, and not always easy to love, but she does a phenomenal job making you want to!
Overall, this book feels deeper, heavier, and more emotionally intense. I would definitely recommend this duology to anyone who wants a unique, challenging romantasy unlike anything that you’ve ever read before ♥︎
4.5/5 ★
April 19, 2026
(Thank you NetGalley and the author, Shalini Abeysekara, for the opportunity to read and review this book via e-ARC)
This sequel had it all - Epic Fantasy, unique magic, loveable characters, believable romance, and multiple twists and turns! While I do agree with some of the other early reviews that some of the language used in this book is overly descriptive and difficult at times, learning new words is one of the things I personally love most about reading so it didn’t bother me as much. The story was confusing at first but if I had been able to read book 1 and 2 back to back that would have mitigated that issue. I enjoy this world and these characters so much and look forward to reading whatever Shalini has in store in her career!
This sequel had it all - Epic Fantasy, unique magic, loveable characters, believable romance, and multiple twists and turns! While I do agree with some of the other early reviews that some of the language used in this book is overly descriptive and difficult at times, learning new words is one of the things I personally love most about reading so it didn’t bother me as much. The story was confusing at first but if I had been able to read book 1 and 2 back to back that would have mitigated that issue. I enjoy this world and these characters so much and look forward to reading whatever Shalini has in store in her career!
Want to Read
August 29, 2025What do you mean I have to wait until May 2026 😫
April 17, 2026
I cried, envied their love, loved, laughed, and was endlessly entertained and gosh, I absolutely love Shalini’s brain for this book. Give me more books in this universe and I will gladly consume every single one of them. This book was absolutely scrumdilyumptious. Yum yum yum.
In the current messy, absolute shitshow state of the world, reading this book brought me so much joy, and for that I’m incredibly grateful. You’d think, this book has politics, how is that any kind of escape from real life? But honestly, it was. Yes, the situations in the book are dire too, but Shalini writes morality, power, and the way these things take a toll on society so incredibly well. I have been feeling so angry and exhausted with the current state of the world, and I didn’t really know how to articulate those emotions. This book did it for me. It captured the anger, the defeat, the tiredness, and the sheer weariness of politics and injustice so beautifully that it almost helped me name and compartmentalise my own emotions. So no; reading this book in times like these was not overwhelming in a bad way. It was cathartic. It helped me feel those emotions while still giving me an escape through the story.
The lore, the myths, the gods — all of it was so cool. In this book, we really get to know Ur-Diyne so much better. We see just how deeply divided the country is: south and north, government and religion, people split apart and forced into narratives they did not choose. One quote that really stayed with me was:
“Was I foolish for dreaming?” “Only if you choose not to wake up. You can’t convince these people. Take the matter of those scuta. An obvious crime with obvious culprits. There was no real murder mystery after a point, was there? But you still had to go through the tedious process of proof, because the world doesn’t ask evil fools to prove themselves, but they will ask you.”
The weight of those words and the truth inside them was honestly mind-blowing to me. This book speaks so powerfully about how changing one evil does nothing to undo systemic evil when it is so deeply rooted. Good people trying to make change are constantly forced to defend and justify every good action, while evil continues to thrive without ever needing explanation. It’s overwhelming to witness injustice and feel powerless against it. That helpless anger is what Sarai ruminates on throughout the book. Her frustration at the injustices happening around her, and the crushing realisation that no matter how much good she tries to do for the South and its people, it is never enough for them. They keep taking and taking, and all Sarai ever wanted was justice; to do better, and to make things better.
“You’re starting to see it at last. People are foolish. Trying to appease them only makes you join their ranks.” At the start of the book, you realise that by staying in the South, she has slowly lost sight of why she began this journey in the first place: to bring justice and advocate for people who cannot fight for themselves. Throughout the story, she is brought back into that light and forced to confront what she is really fighting for.
Sarai’s development in this book was honestly beautiful. She grows into such a wise, empathetic, observant, loving, and insightful woman. I genuinely love my girl so much, and I was so proud of her. I especially loved how attuned she was to Kadra — the way she notices every shift in his voice, every subtle change in behaviour, every emotion he tries to hide. She loves him so deeply and wants him to feel as supported as he makes her feel. That reciprocity in their love was everything to me. Her desire for power was also so compelling to read because you understand exactly why she wants it, why power feels like the only way people will finally take her seriously. And watching her understand what power truly means evolve throughout the book was such a beautiful journey.
Kadra… oh, my man. First of all, he should only ever wear loose-fitted robes. For reasons, because hehehehe, Good for Sarai, good for me. :))) But beyond this orange-smelling, beautiful, smexy man, I absolutely loved learning more about his background. Understanding why he is the way he is, what shaped him, and what he is becoming added so much depth to his character. His guilt and regret have weighed on him his entire life, and this quote hit hard:
“When you dwell on the past and wonder what you could have altered, ask yourself what you would have lost in the present. Everything has a price. Even regret.”
That reminder, that living in regret steals the present and the future from you; felt so important for him. And oh my god, his relationship with Sarai. Their relationship was so precious to me. They were soft, intimate, tender, domestic, and so deeply loving. They were so attuned to each other; noticing the slightest changes in expression, the shift in body language, the softening or hardening of the eyes. They see each other. Like truly, deeply see one another. I genuinely wanted to rip the book apart because HOW are they not real? Why would you write something this beautiful just to ruin all my expectations forever? Their love sits at the centre of everything. Their trust, their faith in one another, the way they prioritise each other first, always — it was so unbelievably beautiful. I cannot emphasise enough how envious I was.
For your entertainment, here is the exact paragraph I wrote in my deeply envious state:
—
KADRA YEARNS FOR SARAI AND SARAI YEARNS FOR KADRA AND THE FCKING YEARNING IS KILLING ME BECAUSE BRO THEY AREN’T REAL??? AND I WANT THAT FOR MYSELF??? LIKE FCK OFF. THEY REALLY SEE EACH OTHER. THEY UNDERSTAND THE EXPRESSIONS, THE ACTIONS, THE INACTIONS — WHAT IS THIS DRUG??? IS LOVE LIKE THIS?? CAN WE ALL GET THIS?? THE WAY THEY TELL EACH OTHER TO “GIVE ME YOUR BURDENS”???? THEY ARE EQUALS. THEY CARRY EACH OTHER. THEIR HEARTS BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER. “MINE.” NOT TOXIC POSSESSIVE, BUT THE KIND THAT SAYS YOU ARE MY HOME. SHALINI I THINK YOU BROKE ME.
—
Yeah… safe to say, I absolutely loved it.
I will say, like the first book, this one is rough at the beginning. You are thrown straight into the trenches and simply asked to trust the process, and please do, because it is so worth it. I genuinely think these books become even better on a reread. Once you complete the full cycle, everything becomes clearer. You start seeing all the crumbs and hints planted right from the beginning, and it makes the rereading experience even richer.
Shalini, I will read absolutely anything you write because I adore your brain for this. This had everything I love: horror elements, gore, beetles, the terrifying grandeur of gods, and moments that genuinely reminded me of The Mummy, which made me freak out happily. Some of the gods’ conversations were so fun to read too, I loved their personalities so much. Iykyk im not going to spoil it.
I did guess some of the twists, but others genuinely shook me, and either way, I was having the best time throughout. This book brought me so much happiness, and I will read anything else set in this universe. Auto sign me up for all your work. And can we please take a moment for the commissioned artwork, because it genuinely added so much to the visual experience while reading.
Thank you NetGalley, Hodder & Stroughton, Union Square & Co. for the e-arc copy!
In the current messy, absolute shitshow state of the world, reading this book brought me so much joy, and for that I’m incredibly grateful. You’d think, this book has politics, how is that any kind of escape from real life? But honestly, it was. Yes, the situations in the book are dire too, but Shalini writes morality, power, and the way these things take a toll on society so incredibly well. I have been feeling so angry and exhausted with the current state of the world, and I didn’t really know how to articulate those emotions. This book did it for me. It captured the anger, the defeat, the tiredness, and the sheer weariness of politics and injustice so beautifully that it almost helped me name and compartmentalise my own emotions. So no; reading this book in times like these was not overwhelming in a bad way. It was cathartic. It helped me feel those emotions while still giving me an escape through the story.
The lore, the myths, the gods — all of it was so cool. In this book, we really get to know Ur-Diyne so much better. We see just how deeply divided the country is: south and north, government and religion, people split apart and forced into narratives they did not choose. One quote that really stayed with me was:
“Was I foolish for dreaming?” “Only if you choose not to wake up. You can’t convince these people. Take the matter of those scuta. An obvious crime with obvious culprits. There was no real murder mystery after a point, was there? But you still had to go through the tedious process of proof, because the world doesn’t ask evil fools to prove themselves, but they will ask you.”
The weight of those words and the truth inside them was honestly mind-blowing to me. This book speaks so powerfully about how changing one evil does nothing to undo systemic evil when it is so deeply rooted. Good people trying to make change are constantly forced to defend and justify every good action, while evil continues to thrive without ever needing explanation. It’s overwhelming to witness injustice and feel powerless against it. That helpless anger is what Sarai ruminates on throughout the book. Her frustration at the injustices happening around her, and the crushing realisation that no matter how much good she tries to do for the South and its people, it is never enough for them. They keep taking and taking, and all Sarai ever wanted was justice; to do better, and to make things better.
“You’re starting to see it at last. People are foolish. Trying to appease them only makes you join their ranks.” At the start of the book, you realise that by staying in the South, she has slowly lost sight of why she began this journey in the first place: to bring justice and advocate for people who cannot fight for themselves. Throughout the story, she is brought back into that light and forced to confront what she is really fighting for.
Sarai’s development in this book was honestly beautiful. She grows into such a wise, empathetic, observant, loving, and insightful woman. I genuinely love my girl so much, and I was so proud of her. I especially loved how attuned she was to Kadra — the way she notices every shift in his voice, every subtle change in behaviour, every emotion he tries to hide. She loves him so deeply and wants him to feel as supported as he makes her feel. That reciprocity in their love was everything to me. Her desire for power was also so compelling to read because you understand exactly why she wants it, why power feels like the only way people will finally take her seriously. And watching her understand what power truly means evolve throughout the book was such a beautiful journey.
Kadra… oh, my man. First of all, he should only ever wear loose-fitted robes. For reasons, because hehehehe, Good for Sarai, good for me. :))) But beyond this orange-smelling, beautiful, smexy man, I absolutely loved learning more about his background. Understanding why he is the way he is, what shaped him, and what he is becoming added so much depth to his character. His guilt and regret have weighed on him his entire life, and this quote hit hard:
“When you dwell on the past and wonder what you could have altered, ask yourself what you would have lost in the present. Everything has a price. Even regret.”
That reminder, that living in regret steals the present and the future from you; felt so important for him. And oh my god, his relationship with Sarai. Their relationship was so precious to me. They were soft, intimate, tender, domestic, and so deeply loving. They were so attuned to each other; noticing the slightest changes in expression, the shift in body language, the softening or hardening of the eyes. They see each other. Like truly, deeply see one another. I genuinely wanted to rip the book apart because HOW are they not real? Why would you write something this beautiful just to ruin all my expectations forever? Their love sits at the centre of everything. Their trust, their faith in one another, the way they prioritise each other first, always — it was so unbelievably beautiful. I cannot emphasise enough how envious I was.
For your entertainment, here is the exact paragraph I wrote in my deeply envious state:
—
KADRA YEARNS FOR SARAI AND SARAI YEARNS FOR KADRA AND THE FCKING YEARNING IS KILLING ME BECAUSE BRO THEY AREN’T REAL??? AND I WANT THAT FOR MYSELF??? LIKE FCK OFF. THEY REALLY SEE EACH OTHER. THEY UNDERSTAND THE EXPRESSIONS, THE ACTIONS, THE INACTIONS — WHAT IS THIS DRUG??? IS LOVE LIKE THIS?? CAN WE ALL GET THIS?? THE WAY THEY TELL EACH OTHER TO “GIVE ME YOUR BURDENS”???? THEY ARE EQUALS. THEY CARRY EACH OTHER. THEIR HEARTS BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER. “MINE.” NOT TOXIC POSSESSIVE, BUT THE KIND THAT SAYS YOU ARE MY HOME. SHALINI I THINK YOU BROKE ME.
—
Yeah… safe to say, I absolutely loved it.
I will say, like the first book, this one is rough at the beginning. You are thrown straight into the trenches and simply asked to trust the process, and please do, because it is so worth it. I genuinely think these books become even better on a reread. Once you complete the full cycle, everything becomes clearer. You start seeing all the crumbs and hints planted right from the beginning, and it makes the rereading experience even richer.
Shalini, I will read absolutely anything you write because I adore your brain for this. This had everything I love: horror elements, gore, beetles, the terrifying grandeur of gods, and moments that genuinely reminded me of The Mummy, which made me freak out happily. Some of the gods’ conversations were so fun to read too, I loved their personalities so much. Iykyk im not going to spoil it.
I did guess some of the twists, but others genuinely shook me, and either way, I was having the best time throughout. This book brought me so much happiness, and I will read anything else set in this universe. Auto sign me up for all your work. And can we please take a moment for the commissioned artwork, because it genuinely added so much to the visual experience while reading.
Thank you NetGalley, Hodder & Stroughton, Union Square & Co. for the e-arc copy!
April 25, 2026
‘This Monster of Mine’ was one of my favorite and most underrated reads last year, and ‘This Blade of Ours’ did NOT disappoint
I was so happy when a second book was announced as technically the first book is standalone so I just assumed that was it😭🩷
‘This Blade of Ours’ is a masterclass in writing in depth, fleshed out characters with amazing worldbuilding. The plot was just as action packed with twists at the end. This was like taking a murder mystery to new heights while new groups/antagonists came into play that were actively trying to put an end to Sarai and Kadra.
Sarai is definitely one of my favorite FMCs and Kadra is one of my favorite MMCs ever, as he is THE blueprint for morally gray (or morally black?). So the fact they’re in the same series?? Sometimes a follow up book after a couple gets together feels lackluster or that they become one entity rather than separate people- but this was not that. Their romance is so natural and the way they support one another and fight for the other was amazing. Kadra, though stronger than Sarai, knows she can handle herself and will destroy everything to keep her safe at the same time.
There was so much going on in this book, the main cast kept taking hit after hit after hit but it wrapped up really well at the end. I had 0 idea where it was going to go to be honest. This takes place about 8 months after the first book, I recommend reading the ending of it again if you read it a while ago, just to brush up on some characters/terms/plots. The City of Edessa is up in arms and believing that Sarai is bringing bad omens and wants her gone. And as plague rolls in, strange hallucinations, drugs, and scheming gods… Sarai and the rest of the Tetrarchy are on thin ice (I was so stressed at times!)
I adored that we got Kadra’s back story in this <3
I 100% recommend this book if you enjoyed the 1st book and if you want something with fantasy world building, unique magic, diverse characters who aren’t worried about getting their hands dirty, an amazing romance, and with lawyer/court action with intense politics- this is a good fit. (These books are definitely dark by the way! A lot of descriptive violence.)
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
(PLS fairyloot make an edition of this book to match the first one)
I was so happy when a second book was announced as technically the first book is standalone so I just assumed that was it😭🩷
‘This Blade of Ours’ is a masterclass in writing in depth, fleshed out characters with amazing worldbuilding. The plot was just as action packed with twists at the end. This was like taking a murder mystery to new heights while new groups/antagonists came into play that were actively trying to put an end to Sarai and Kadra.
Sarai is definitely one of my favorite FMCs and Kadra is one of my favorite MMCs ever, as he is THE blueprint for morally gray (or morally black?). So the fact they’re in the same series?? Sometimes a follow up book after a couple gets together feels lackluster or that they become one entity rather than separate people- but this was not that. Their romance is so natural and the way they support one another and fight for the other was amazing. Kadra, though stronger than Sarai, knows she can handle herself and will destroy everything to keep her safe at the same time.
There was so much going on in this book, the main cast kept taking hit after hit after hit but it wrapped up really well at the end. I had 0 idea where it was going to go to be honest. This takes place about 8 months after the first book, I recommend reading the ending of it again if you read it a while ago, just to brush up on some characters/terms/plots. The City of Edessa is up in arms and believing that Sarai is bringing bad omens and wants her gone. And as plague rolls in, strange hallucinations, drugs, and scheming gods… Sarai and the rest of the Tetrarchy are on thin ice (I was so stressed at times!)
I adored that we got Kadra’s back story in this <3
I 100% recommend this book if you enjoyed the 1st book and if you want something with fantasy world building, unique magic, diverse characters who aren’t worried about getting their hands dirty, an amazing romance, and with lawyer/court action with intense politics- this is a good fit. (These books are definitely dark by the way! A lot of descriptive violence.)
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
(PLS fairyloot make an edition of this book to match the first one)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the author and Union Square for the advanced review copy.
4.5 stars!
This was a great conclusion to the duology and I'll miss Kadra and Sarai dearly. Their relationship has been one of my favourites in the romantic fantasy genre and now that they're together in TBOO they somehow manage to yearn MORE? As separate characters they're so well fleshed-out which makes their relationship all the more compelling. There was an interaction near the end of the book that has really stuck with me, and I wish I had noted down the exact phrasing, but Sarai had admitted that she felt the allure of power and Kadra said she only craved its security. They understand each other, and support each other in a way that's incredibly touching.
In general, I loved the character work in this book, especially around Kadra's backstory. His pov chapters were a real highlight. I felt as if he were a bit of an enigma in This Monster of Mine but getting to know his inner thoughts and motivations made me adore him so much more. The introduction of a few new characters was enough to keep it fresh whilst not drawing away from the development of those from the first book. I loved seeing Anek and Cassandane dealing with their new positions, and even Harion surprised me!
Now the antagonist of this story I won't say too much about but Shalini did an amazing job at making him frustratingly unlikeable (except I enjoy flawed characters so much I actually ended up liking him, go figure). But again, he was written so convincingly that it was difficult not to go through a whole range of emotions whenever he was on page, particularly in his interactions with Sarai.
There were so many twists to keep my on my toes, too. The worldbuilding, the tension, the mystery - all superb. The only criticism I have was feeling as if there was so much going on and until the end it felt as if there were two very distinct storylines. Whilst there's a lot of great lore around the Gods, I think I just felt as if there was a lot of untapped potential there! (Maybe I just want another book, to be honest).
There are some strong themes of justice, corruption and oppression that carry on from book one. I think it was darker in many ways, with some pretty gory scenes which I have to say I loved. Overall, a fantastic end to a fantastic duology.
4.5 stars!
This was a great conclusion to the duology and I'll miss Kadra and Sarai dearly. Their relationship has been one of my favourites in the romantic fantasy genre and now that they're together in TBOO they somehow manage to yearn MORE? As separate characters they're so well fleshed-out which makes their relationship all the more compelling. There was an interaction near the end of the book that has really stuck with me, and I wish I had noted down the exact phrasing, but Sarai had admitted that she felt the allure of power and Kadra said she only craved its security. They understand each other, and support each other in a way that's incredibly touching.
In general, I loved the character work in this book, especially around Kadra's backstory. His pov chapters were a real highlight. I felt as if he were a bit of an enigma in This Monster of Mine but getting to know his inner thoughts and motivations made me adore him so much more. The introduction of a few new characters was enough to keep it fresh whilst not drawing away from the development of those from the first book. I loved seeing Anek and Cassandane dealing with their new positions, and even Harion surprised me!
Now the antagonist of this story I won't say too much about but Shalini did an amazing job at making him frustratingly unlikeable (except I enjoy flawed characters so much I actually ended up liking him, go figure). But again, he was written so convincingly that it was difficult not to go through a whole range of emotions whenever he was on page, particularly in his interactions with Sarai.
There were so many twists to keep my on my toes, too. The worldbuilding, the tension, the mystery - all superb. The only criticism I have was feeling as if there was so much going on and until the end it felt as if there were two very distinct storylines. Whilst there's a lot of great lore around the Gods, I think I just felt as if there was a lot of untapped potential there! (Maybe I just want another book, to be honest).
There are some strong themes of justice, corruption and oppression that carry on from book one. I think it was darker in many ways, with some pretty gory scenes which I have to say I loved. Overall, a fantastic end to a fantastic duology.
March 12, 2026
"Regret can be a dangerous thing for a mortal. It blinds them to the present in favor of what they wish had been possible. Too much escapes you while you atone for a past you believe should have been different and force a future you believe should have existed."
This is how you write a sequel! I love how the author managed to keep our main couple’s relationship on solid ground, certainly there were some secrets unexplored that needed clarification but i loved how not even that could shake Sarai’s faith in Kadra and in his integrity (which is definitely gray but not pitch black).
I also enjoyed the addition of new, layered and complex characters as well as the mysteries. Everything was well built and I didn’t guess all the plot twists, i love when books can surprise me! Another much appreciated addition were the chapter’s from Kadra’s pov (full length chapters too🥹!) and knowing more about his childhood of course!
Reflections on power and morality were as sharp as always and Kadra was such a SIMP for Sarai, the loving touches, the yearning!!!! I loved all of it, even the spicy scenes that weren’t overdone and reflected the characters’ personality imo.
I also revalued Harion, him and Anek were the comic relief characters we deserved!🫶🏻
The lore of the major and minor gods was also super interesting, i wish we’d met more of them!
All in all, this is a perfect continuation of book 1, giving a deeper insight into the main characters’ inner world and the consequences of their (well meaning) actions!
Thanks so much Shalini, Union Square & co and Netgalley for a chance to early read this amazing sequel, all opinions are my own!
This is how you write a sequel! I love how the author managed to keep our main couple’s relationship on solid ground, certainly there were some secrets unexplored that needed clarification but i loved how not even that could shake Sarai’s faith in Kadra and in his integrity (which is definitely gray but not pitch black).
I also enjoyed the addition of new, layered and complex characters as well as the mysteries. Everything was well built and I didn’t guess all the plot twists, i love when books can surprise me! Another much appreciated addition were the chapter’s from Kadra’s pov (full length chapters too🥹!) and knowing more about his childhood of course!
Reflections on power and morality were as sharp as always and Kadra was such a SIMP for Sarai, the loving touches, the yearning!!!! I loved all of it, even the spicy scenes that weren’t overdone and reflected the characters’ personality imo.
I also revalued Harion, him and Anek were the comic relief characters we deserved!🫶🏻
The lore of the major and minor gods was also super interesting, i wish we’d met more of them!
All in all, this is a perfect continuation of book 1, giving a deeper insight into the main characters’ inner world and the consequences of their (well meaning) actions!
Thanks so much Shalini, Union Square & co and Netgalley for a chance to early read this amazing sequel, all opinions are my own!
April 8, 2026
This book made me mad in the best possible way: 5 stars!!
You know a book is good when it makes you feel the whole spectrum of feelings.
At first you think this is just a love story between Sarai and Kadra as they deal with whatever conflict to strengthen their love. And while yes it’s a story about Sarai and Kadra’s love (which I love so so much) it evolved into something so much more than them.
This story is a perfect example of the corruption of people in power and those who try to fight them. That even when the change you’re trying to bring is good and for the people, they’ll still villainize you cause that’s easier than accepting change. It’s about how even your allies may waver in the face of change if it means risking their own place in the hierarchy.
The themes of this story hit absolute so hard and I but found myself craving to come back to this book and continue it.
The magic system and world Abeysekara wrote are so fun and I loved every character (even when they were pissing me off) and every turn of plot she took us on. So many times I thought I knew where she’d take us next only to be surprised. And while by the last 25% I figured out where she was going with the story it was still written so well it didn’t matter. I was invested and sat and ready for her to tell me her story.
Thank you for this amazing duology Abeysekara!
Thank you Shalini Abeysekara for a widget of This Blade of Ours. Thank you Union Square & Co for having this on NetGalley for early reading.
You know a book is good when it makes you feel the whole spectrum of feelings.
At first you think this is just a love story between Sarai and Kadra as they deal with whatever conflict to strengthen their love. And while yes it’s a story about Sarai and Kadra’s love (which I love so so much) it evolved into something so much more than them.
This story is a perfect example of the corruption of people in power and those who try to fight them. That even when the change you’re trying to bring is good and for the people, they’ll still villainize you cause that’s easier than accepting change. It’s about how even your allies may waver in the face of change if it means risking their own place in the hierarchy.
The themes of this story hit absolute so hard and I but found myself craving to come back to this book and continue it.
The magic system and world Abeysekara wrote are so fun and I loved every character (even when they were pissing me off) and every turn of plot she took us on. So many times I thought I knew where she’d take us next only to be surprised. And while by the last 25% I figured out where she was going with the story it was still written so well it didn’t matter. I was invested and sat and ready for her to tell me her story.
Thank you for this amazing duology Abeysekara!
Thank you Shalini Abeysekara for a widget of This Blade of Ours. Thank you Union Square & Co for having this on NetGalley for early reading.
January 26, 2026
This was so goooood!!! I loved this continuation of Kadra + Sarai! The mystery aspect was great, some small twists that surprised me, and I really enjoyed getting more into Kadra’s backstory. There were some spots of humor that caught me off guard and made me laugh. The politics were done so well- they felt (sadly) relevant to our current political landscape, but it was done in a natural way where I always got the point, but I never felt preached at or lectured to.
I really enjoy a book that shows the after…the characters accomplished what they wanted in the first book…now what? Such a good exploration of power and freedom and how those can work together, the length people would go to for either, how trauma can impact your view of this…I highlighted a lot.
Kadra and Sarai…love following a full, *mature* couple, what a breath of fresh air. He trusts her and leaves her to her choices, even if they’re bad, and she trusts him and doesn’t jump to conclusions.
This lost me a bit with the Kadra and Wrath storyline…I’m not sure I understood the purpose or resolution that came with it. Also quite a few copy edit errors that I’m sure will be addressed before being published, but had me rereading certain parts to fully get what was going on.
Thank you to NetGalley for ARC
I really enjoy a book that shows the after…the characters accomplished what they wanted in the first book…now what? Such a good exploration of power and freedom and how those can work together, the length people would go to for either, how trauma can impact your view of this…I highlighted a lot.
Kadra and Sarai…love following a full, *mature* couple, what a breath of fresh air. He trusts her and leaves her to her choices, even if they’re bad, and she trusts him and doesn’t jump to conclusions.
This lost me a bit with the Kadra and Wrath storyline…I’m not sure I understood the purpose or resolution that came with it. Also quite a few copy edit errors that I’m sure will be addressed before being published, but had me rereading certain parts to fully get what was going on.
Thank you to NetGalley for ARC
April 20, 2026
Thank you to the author Shalini for providing me an early e-copy of this book!
This Blade of Ours continues Sarai and Kadra’s journey and entanglement with chaos. TMOM was an amazing read, and this was a pretty satisfying continuation. It was a bit dense and filled with events that could be hard for some to keep up with. Overall though, the relationship between our two main characters remained strong and sensible. Because let’s be honest, I am so tired of stupid protagonists. Sarai and Kadra are far from stupid! They are clever, ruthless, yet compassionate. The lore was consistent and interesting, the world was compelling, and I was very compelled to keep discovering the mysteries.
I also admire that the story ended. A lot of authors don’t know how to close the story, but Shalini did so wonderfully! That being said, I’d still be interested in a story that took place in the same universe. Another look at the Elsar would be fun.
I look forward to seeing what else this author does!
This Blade of Ours continues Sarai and Kadra’s journey and entanglement with chaos. TMOM was an amazing read, and this was a pretty satisfying continuation. It was a bit dense and filled with events that could be hard for some to keep up with. Overall though, the relationship between our two main characters remained strong and sensible. Because let’s be honest, I am so tired of stupid protagonists. Sarai and Kadra are far from stupid! They are clever, ruthless, yet compassionate. The lore was consistent and interesting, the world was compelling, and I was very compelled to keep discovering the mysteries.
I also admire that the story ended. A lot of authors don’t know how to close the story, but Shalini did so wonderfully! That being said, I’d still be interested in a story that took place in the same universe. Another look at the Elsar would be fun.
I look forward to seeing what else this author does!
Did Not Finish
March 30, 2026DNF at 23%.
I enjoyed the first book but it was dark and violent. I must have requested this as an advanced reader copy, but I can't remember doing so. It feels like months ago. I finally got word that I was accepted and I didn't remember a thing about the first book. I had to skim through to remember.
This second installment is even darker than the first, and with less hope. Maybe it turns out great (a lot of 5-star reviews can't be wrong), but I find it exhausting to be battered over the head with how dark and hopeless their world is.
There are some musings on the use of violence in political resistance... and it's hard. Our heroes are using a LOT of violence... but also so much violence is being perpetrated on those that are weak for whom our heroes are fighting. It's not a war in the light, but one of shadow.
The first book satisfied me enough. This one just makes me sad.
I enjoyed the first book but it was dark and violent. I must have requested this as an advanced reader copy, but I can't remember doing so. It feels like months ago. I finally got word that I was accepted and I didn't remember a thing about the first book. I had to skim through to remember.
This second installment is even darker than the first, and with less hope. Maybe it turns out great (a lot of 5-star reviews can't be wrong), but I find it exhausting to be battered over the head with how dark and hopeless their world is.
There are some musings on the use of violence in political resistance... and it's hard. Our heroes are using a LOT of violence... but also so much violence is being perpetrated on those that are weak for whom our heroes are fighting. It's not a war in the light, but one of shadow.
The first book satisfied me enough. This one just makes me sad.
February 24, 2026
4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this monster of mine last year, and this was an unexpected continuation. I am very thankful to Union Square and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
Sarai and Kadra are struggling with the aftermath of the unraveling. The people don’t trust Serai, and there are strange plagues sprouting up across the country. North blames south, South blames North- everyone is primed for civil war. What Serai and Kadra must figure out is 1) how to keep each other safe 2)what is causing these problems and 3)if all their problems have the same common denominator.
I enjoyed this quite a bit, and while sequels are sometimes notorious for not being as good, this one lived up to the same feel as the first. Learning more about Kadra’s backstory was interesting, as well as learning more about how the north and south operate with each other.
I really enjoyed this monster of mine last year, and this was an unexpected continuation. I am very thankful to Union Square and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
Sarai and Kadra are struggling with the aftermath of the unraveling. The people don’t trust Serai, and there are strange plagues sprouting up across the country. North blames south, South blames North- everyone is primed for civil war. What Serai and Kadra must figure out is 1) how to keep each other safe 2)what is causing these problems and 3)if all their problems have the same common denominator.
I enjoyed this quite a bit, and while sequels are sometimes notorious for not being as good, this one lived up to the same feel as the first. Learning more about Kadra’s backstory was interesting, as well as learning more about how the north and south operate with each other.
January 17, 2026
I had a really good time reading this book. It was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I’m so glad it did not disappoint. It was a very solid sequel — and conclusion to the duology. It was a more fantasy heavy type of romantasy and the fantasy plot was very intriguing and engaging. It kept me interested in the story and I really wanted to know how it was going to end. I did like the female main character more than the male, she was resilient yet soft at times. I highly recommend this duology, starting with This monster of mine. Romantasy is not a genre that impresses me easily, but this duology surely did that.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
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