Tides of Memory

Shattered Sky Saga #2

by Laura A. Blake

The cost of survival isn’t just power—it’s becoming someone else to wield it.

Brida has always known the world to be cruel—but she never expected to be dragged into its darkest corners. Abducted by one of the people she trusted most, she’s thrust into the heart of the Court of Whispers, where secrets are currency and she has none.

Surrounded by cryptic allies and shadowed truths, Brida is desperate to uncover why she was taken—and what he knows about her mother’s past. But the deeper she digs, the more the world around her begins to fracture. The truths she finds threaten everything she thought she understood—about her family, her power, and herself.

And when the game turns deadly, Brida will have to decide who to become in a place where even your name can be a lie.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

540 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

About the author

Hi! I’m Laura A. Blake, a fantasy romance author currently publishing my debut series,
The Shattered Sky Saga.
Though I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, my journey has taken me down many different paths. Along the way, I earned an MA in religion and classical history, became a teacher, and started a small business. After finally discovering the road that led me to writing, I’m thrilled to now share my worlds and stories with you.

Originally from Montreal, Canada, I now live in rural Maryland in a 200-year-old farmhouse with my husband, toddler, and five wild rescue cats. When I’m not reading or writing—or chasing a toddler or cat to see what they’ve gotten into—you can find me baking, exploring new restaurants and cafés, or searching for the next great bookstore.

If you want to connect, you can find her here:
Discord: https://discord.gg/Jt4wUpPD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurablakea...
Website: www.laurablakeauthor.com
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraablakeau...

Reviews

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog

4.5 stars (rounded up)

Holy smokes, Tides of Memory was not the sequel I was expecting it to be, but it is exactly the sequel this story needed to come into its own, and I am just in utter awe of what Laura A. Blake pulled off here. It’s got so much lore, so much drama, so much heartache, so many emotions, and all the wild twists and turns, and I was truly revelling in the chaos of it all. To me, Tides of Memory is to The Shattered Sky Saga what Heir of Fire is to the Throne of Glass series, and I absolutely love it for that.

“Chaos was coming, and I had a chance to do something. I was a piece on the board, but unlike my past, where I had failed to be the master of my fate, I now was one of the players.”

Now, as with my review of book 1, I am going to have to start off with a disclaimer because Laura is a dear friend and I read the manuscript in its raw, early stages. Does that make me too biased? Maybe, but I want to unapologetically gush anyway because I truly do love this series and I think it deserves all the hype it can get. Do with that what you will, I guess.

Anyway, Blake already chose violence by ending book 1 with that diabolical cliffhanger, but then she chose even more violence by making us experience it all over again at the start of Tides of Memory. Except this time we’re seeing it through Kadian’s eyes, because yes babyyy, we are going multi-POV! Like, there’s no denying that Brida was a compelling protagonist in The Forgotten Dawn, but I have to admit she maybe became my least favorite perspective here because Kadian and Lil just absolutely stole the show. They were already my favorite side characters, but getting to spend so much time in their heads made them feel so much more real and raw as we saw all the sides they kept hidden from Brida, whether they meant to or not.

“We are woven into the fabric of time, the threads of past, present, and future. And what are those threads if not people? Lives woven together?”

I think it is so damn impressive how Blake made the three first-person POVs so distinct and equally compelling, with each of them having such a strong voice, personality, and (tragic?) backstory. My poor chaotic Kadian, bless his heart, is stuck in Azmeer getting sucked into political schemes while having to hide that he is one of the very few people who actually remembers what happened at the wedding, meanwhile Lil and Dainan are in mystery land trying to survive while being haunted by their pasts, and then there’s Brida being held captive at the Court of Whispers and getting drugged out of her mind, so hello feverdream vibes.

I just adored how Blake expanded the scope of the story with these new perspectives, and the way that the lush, descriptive prose just made each and every new setting come to life was such an immersive experience for me. Though, the switch to multi-POV does mean the original found family vibes are a bit absent in Tides of Memory since everyone is scattered around the world (or worlds?!), and if you are here for the romances, I am so sorry to inform you that they become even more of a simmering slow burn. I have to admit that I wasn’t feeling the feels in the same way as in book 1, but we did get divine levels of yearning, so I truly can’t even complain about the delicious torture.

“I am the foundation upon which the world collapses, and yet they have forsaken my memory. My name is a silent whisper on the wind, sounds lost to time so long ago. I was once the Primal of nights, the bringer of endings. I am a Dusk forever yearning for Dawn.”

Moreover, I think Blake did such a phenomenal job giving us new characters and relationships to get invested in, and especially the budding, reluctant friendship between Kadian and my fiery babe Iona really captured my heart, and now I need a whole book just about her (please?). Also, while I was initially a bit disappointed that my broody babe Dainan didn’t get his own POV, I actually really enjoyed seeing him in a different light through Lil’s eyes because their platonic grumpy/sunshine banter was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Now, The Forgotten Dawn already was not the most fast-paced book, but in Tides of Memory the action takes even more of a backseat without ever becoming boring. It’s a book of introspection and reflection and internal spiralling, and I really appreciated how that mental health journey looked so different for each character. The exploration of anxiety, trauma, and the exhaustion of constantly putting on a happy mask when you are crumbling inside all really resonated so deeply with me, and especially the arc of my (maybe not so?) sunshine girl Lil really moved me in ways I was not ready for.

“You must remember, it is when one embraces the shadows that one can live in the light.”

But don’t worry, as much as Tides of Memory is a book of reflection, it’s also a book of wild revelations. Like, if you were annoyed that book one raised so many questions, get ready for the tidal wave of answers that starts at the halfway mark when everything turns to absolute chaos. Sure, I was maybe a bit frustrated that it had to take so painfully long for everyone to stop so damn being cryptic and holding back critical information all the time, but holy hell the pay-off was so worth it.

And the best thing is that at no point did any of the revelations feel like clunky, boring infodumps to me, because the way Blake has woven the history and lore of the Primals into the actual journey of the characters is nothing short of masterful. The tiniest seeds of foreshadowing that were planted all the way back in book 1 come to bloom so beautifully here, and while I was maybe a bit too overwhelmed to keep track of everything that was revealed, all the emotional beats and wild twists are still burned into my memory (yes, pun very much intended). It’s just so wild to me how the story goes so hard on the epic divine stuff while staying so deeply human, but that is exactly why I love it so much.

“You’ll come to see we all have roles to play. Some we’re born to, others have been unwillingly thrust upon us, but they remain ours. It’s what we do with those roles that can change the world.”

Tides of Memory truly shattered all my expectations, and it has taken The Shattered Sky Saga to a whole new level that I didn’t even know was a possibility. I truly could not stop myself from devouring this book in just two days, and now I am just reeling from that ending because even if it wasn’t as rude or diabolical as the ending of book 1, those final few pages still left me screaming. This is truly epic romantic fantasy at its best, don’t miss out.

Thank you to Laura A. Blake for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Tides of Memory is scheduled for release on 14 May 2026.

[Maddy Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fortunate enough to be a beta reader for book 2, and h my god. This is just as unputdownable as book 1. There is SO much going, and it continues perfectly from book 1. I won't say much to avoid spoilers, but you don't want to miss this. Drafts 1 and 2 were great, and I can't wait to read the final version :)

[Laura Blake]

Dear reader,

Thank you for continuing your journey through this world. If you loved Brida in The Forgotten Dawn, I hope she shone for you in this book—and that you enjoyed the addition of our new POVs.

This story was written during a period of transition in my life. Trauma shapes the mind, and its imprint lingers throughout these pages.

Memory can be a curse, but it can also be a gift.

I hope you enjoy Tides of Memory—that it offers you a moment of respite from an otherwise exhausting world, and perhaps helps you forget your troubles, if only for a little while.

Until next time, I can’t wait for you to see what happens next.

All my gratitude,
LAB

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this advanced copy. I loved book 1 so I was expecting to feel the same about this one. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing was great and the exploration of mental health and trauma was well done, but I just could not get into it. It dragged the entire way through. This felt like a completely different series than book 1. I also don’t like when characters are separated for long periods of time, and in this, the MCs didn’t reunite until almost the end. Lil’s POVs were heartbreaking and I loved the moment when Brida and Dainan were finally on page together, but it just wasn’t enough for me.

[Ashley Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to Laura Blake for this gifted ARC in exchange for an honest and authentic review - All opinions are my own.*

Rounded up from 2.5⭐️

This second book has a very different vibe than the first one. What I loved about the courts, political intrigue, challenges, and found family of the first book was missing from this one.

I am not a huge fan of a second book when every character is separated or groups apart. But the added elements of all the lore and reincarnation type plot is not my favourite element.

I enjoyed Lil’s story the most out of everyone in this book, but would have liked less lore and more plot development. I felt like by the end we still haven’t had much happen and I felt a bit lost and confused.

[Amanda BookishRabbits · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully immersive sequel that deepens everything I loved about book one.

I went into this already invested after the first book, but wow... it really expands the story in all the best ways. Also, I highlighted so many quotes while reading that I had to sneak a few into this review as they’re just too good not to share!

...and a small but important appreciation moment for Imelda and her famed cheeseboard! 😂

Things I loved
🌊 The multiple POVs that open up the story and let you fully explore the side characters and their individual journeys
🌿 The emotional depth and introspection, especially around grief, past trauma, and being thrust into situations beyond their control
✨ The lyrical, descriptive writing that makes every setting feel rich, immersive, and almost dreamlike
🧩 The way all the different character arcs slowly weave together into something bigger and more meaningful
❤️ The quiet character moments that feel just as impactful as the larger plot developments
🌅 The slower, more deliberate pacing that lets you really sink into the story and makes the payoff feel earned

“You’ll come to see we all have roles to play. Some we’re born to, others have been unwillingly thrust upon us, but they remain ours. It’s what we do with those roles that can change the world.”

The multiple POVs were such a highlight for me, letting me get inside more characters’ heads and see how all their individual journeys fit into the bigger picture. The side characters don’t just exist in the background either - they all have their own arcs, and I loved watching how all those threads slowly start to connect.

“Every day is a new day. Each Dawn rises anew. It is the individual decisions we make along the way that change the world."

This book leans even more into introspection, and I really appreciated that. You sit with the characters as they process everything they’ve been through, navigate past trauma, and cope with being thrust into situations out of their control. It made me feel even more connected to them. It’s one of those stories where the quieter, emotional moments hit just as hard as the bigger plot developments.

"fragility in spirit can be a sign of fortitude. A symbol that you’re willing to bend or break for those you love. And that is anything but weakness.... That's strength."

And the writing… still beautiful. The lyrical style makes everything feel so vivid and immersive, like you’re properly inside the world rather than just reading about it. The settings are so beautifully described, I kept wanting to pause just to take it all in. It has that slightly dreamlike quality that really pulls you in and makes everything feel just a bit more magical.

"Time is both a beautiful and cruel gift. Time is a thief, and the provider of joy. An assassin in the night, and the long burning flame of lovers.”

The pacing is, again, quite measured, but in a way that feels intentional. It gives you time to really settle into the world and the characters, even if it means things move a little more slowly in places. But when everything starts to come together, the payoff starts to land, and it feels earned rather than rushed. This series really is a journey, and I’m very happy to be along for the ride!

"I am the story I choose to write. And what a story it will be."

Overall, this was such a strong follow up that builds beautifully on book one. It’s immersive, emotional, and full of depth, with writing that pulls you in and characters that are very easy to get attached to. I finished it feeling a bit soft, a bit thoughtful, and very ready to continue this adventure!

[Tahnea Terzian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️


Tides of Memory was a strong continuation that balances multiple character arcs while steadily building tension toward a gripping final act. One of the most helpful features early on was the revision style recap for each major character, which made it easy to jump back into the story and remember key events from the previous book.

The story unfolds through multiple points of view, with chapters shifting between major characters and their individual journeys. Each storyline felt substantial enough to stand on its own, almost like stepping into a different novel each time, yet the transitions were seamless and the timelines progressed in parallel without feeling disjointed. While the pacing was slightly slower than the previous book due to this structure, it allowed for deeper character development and richer world building.

The suspense was one of the standout elements. Small snippets of clues were layered throughout the narrative, making it thrilling to try and piece everything together. The mystery unfolded gradually, and I could not work out the main theory for a long time. Around the 80 percent mark, the intensity ramped up significantly and the book became impossible to put down. The plot kept building, hints began converging, and several major twists landed that I genuinely did not see coming. The tension carried through until around 90 percent, where there was finally a sense of relief as key pieces fell into place.

The writing itself was vivid and immersive, with strong imagery and seamless storytelling. Despite juggling multiple perspectives, which is not typically my favourite style, the narrative remained easy to follow and well structured.

While there is a romantic thread underlying the story, it remains subtle and there is no spice, making the focus firmly on the fantasy and plot driven elements. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy fantasy and high fantasy, particularly those who like layered mysteries, multiple character arcs, and steadily escalating stakes.

The ending was satisfying and resolved the main events of this book, while still leaving the door open for the continuation of the series. It does end on a cliffhanger, with lingering questions surrounding the development of some major characters, which builds anticipation for what comes next.

Rating 4.5⭐️
A well written, suspenseful continuation with strong twists, vivid storytelling, and multiple character journeys that ultimately come together in a compelling way.

[mysticbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 stars ⭐️

I’m quite literally speechless right now. Like I have just finished this and I can’t even process what I have just read. Literally every few chapters I had to pause because, oh my god, there was so much information to process. I was constantly in shock because what do you mean. I am absolutely floored by this book, and I seriously need the next book now because that ending has me speechless, and I still have it so many questions.

But seriously, this book was just so amazing. I absolutely loved coming back to this world and I cannot wait to return to it when the next book is out. Also, the characters I love them all, Alvar had me in tears, Lil had me crying, Kaiden excuse me?! Brida and Dainan, lovebirds, omg I’m obsessed with them, even more now knowing who they are to each other. The Revelations of some characters in this book, oh my gosh, things were like coming together, and some characters were leaving me in shock, like Marsh, because ifykyk, and Iona, when did I start to like her? Learning about the backstory of this world and you know so much more about each of the characters and their ‘pasts’ was so interesting and fun. This is truly a perfect set up for the next books in the series, because it was just filled with so much history and information, but also just truly leaves you hanging for that next book. I can’t even explain how much I’m obsessed with this series. I need to know who Giaxia is, and the door, who’s the door. I also need Rai and Thalius off my page, they are uterally annoying. Who is Chaos? What’s going to happen? Oz and Iona?? Kaiden? Addie? Omg I have so many questions 😫

Honestly, I’m writing this like minutes after I finished the book so I still can’t even process my words correctly right now. All I know is I absolutely adored this book, I love this series, and I seriously CANNOT wait for the next book!!

Thank you to Laura for this incredible ARC 💗

[timeleftinbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world building, magic system and lore in this book is absolutely phenomenal!

The author is risky and instead of doing the expected she takes us to another realm outside of Eldara. The descriptions of the places we visited felt mystical and poetic. 🌍

The multiple POV stole the show for me. We read alot from Kaiden and Lil and new characters are introduced with previous ones fleshed out which added so much dimension to the relationships from TFD you can't help but fall in love with them. We don't get a Dainan POV so I'm hoping that comes in book 3! I want to know what happened when he walked through the door 😭

Dainan and Brida don't spend much time together in this book as the story seems to be centred around solving the mysteries from TFD and although there is a strong undercurrent of romance, I would say that the fantasy takes a leading role in this installment of the series. Honestly, I think it was needed given the depth of the magic-system and mystery. The romance we do experience in TOM is epic! ❤️

There is a portion of the book between 20-40% of the way through where the scenes feel a little repetitive. That said, it really helped to build tension and reflecting on it after finishing the book, I think it balanced out the pace of all the excitement, drama and adventure really well.

I don't want to give anything away by saying too much but this book was enthralling! I had to know what happened next so couldn't put it down. I was hooked. Its one of the most complex stories I've had the pleasure of reading and I found myself taking notes to aid me in my 'conspiracy theories' 😂🔎 The writing was excellent and I loved the darker, edgier, more magical aspects of this second installment of the series ✨️

[Kat Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
There is a large amount of character growth, mental health themes, immersive world building, and expansion of the lore that takes place in this book. It’s very complex to describe but it simultaneously felt like there was a lot happening but also not much happening as far as plot development. Tides of Memory instead prepares the characters and the readers for what is to come next. It is a book you have to sit back and look at as a whole after reading, which is why I waited to leave my review.
Tides of Memory starts off with a much slower pace than my typical reads, so I did find myself pushing to get through the first half at times. After the 50% mark the pace starts to pick up a little bit. I do feel like we could have there sooner, for Brida especially it felt like her time in the Court of Whispers was longer than I liked, but that is my personal opinion and only because I’m not one for slower pacing usually.
While the overall vibe was very different from book 1, I believe Tides of Memory served us well as a bridge to book 3 (as many second books in a series do) where the stakes will be much higher, and we’ll experience more high stakes and plot expansion. I am very eager to see how all the new lore we’ve learned will be applied to the storyline as the series continues.
Thank you Laura A. Blake for the e-ARC of Tides of Memory (including the sneak peek of book 3 at the end!!). I look forward to reading more of your work!

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure where to begin. This book felt so dense, yet not at the same time. I had a hard time getting into this book because the first 50% was so slow. There was clearly a lot of build up, but about 85% of this book was just build up. The story doesn’t really progress much overall, and we’re swimming in secrets for most of it. While I do think that has precedent, it felt almost suffocating in this, because I just wanted something to happen or move forward. A lot of pieces felt confusing too, and we’re getting so many inner monologues in this that it was also confusing to parse through. Our characters don’t really accomplish much in this book, and the climaxes I thought we were going to get either were so drawn out that when they happened it seemed small, or they were hardly given any notice. All of the characters in this book end up separated from one another and are in a dire situation and have no idea what is going on or how to get back to everyone. It made me yearn to see everyone together again, but it’s clear that’s not what was meant to be. I think the purpose of this book was to shed light on things and prepare us for the impending doom and war that will be book three, but I wish this hadn’t been so dense with confusing quests and secrets that got way too drawn out. There were a few good humorous moments in this, and one moment that made me cry, but other than those, I had to keep putting this book down and take a break before coming back to read more.

[Marijane Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Laura for sending me an eARC of this book, I was sooooo excited to dive into it as I absolutely loved the first one.

I will say going into this I thought it was a duology, (I’m sure I saw it as a 2/2, but I’ve had this recently for another series as well🫠) so I was expecting things to end not ramp up and I was hella confused for a bit of it. This book was definitely the info dump book. There was so much to learn and I still don’t fully understand what has happened to Kaiden, I think I might need to re-read some of his chapters.

I did miss Dainan not being in it that much, I did feel his lack of presence and was constantly wondering what was he up to while we were diving into all the other POVs. Ugh, and Alver?? How did the author manage to make me tear up about his death twice! Can’t believe we had to go through it again! I wish they were able to save him 💔

I am glad it wasn’t Marsh who was an absolute asshat and that Brida turned into this sassy determined FMC, she needed that growth. I was hoping for a Brida and Lil reunion, but alas, I’ll have to wait until the next book!

Overall, pretty good but there was a lot of information to take in and I missed certain characters.

3.75 stars

[L.J. Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for sending me an ARC of this book to review.

4.5 ⭐️'s

This definitely was a great sequel to The Forgotten Dawn. I really loved how this time we got multiple-POV and I do feel this was needed given Brida's circumstances. The writing style and pacing was a big improvement from the first book and it definitely captivated me a lot more, I was strapped in wondering what was coming next. My head is still spinning with so many revelations.

Some of the character development was amazing and finally knowing more of the characters in depth was necessary. I loved Dainan in the first book but he was amazing in this. Knowing more about Kaidan was definitely useful. Seeing Brida go full bada-- was amazing. And Lil's story is just tragic. There's so many more characters I was intrigued to learn about.

There was a lot of information being thrown at us in this book that was slightly overwhelming. And usually I hate info dumps and long stretches of information, but this was done in an engaging way that was very much appreciated.

Things are coming together in a massive way and it does make me nervous for what is going to happen next. I need the next book.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tides of Memory is Book 2 in The Shattered Sky Saga and an epic fantasy romance with immersive worldbuilding, high stakes, secrets, and betrayals. I loved book 2 as much as I loved book 1. There are more POV’s in book 2, which I enjoy, and it gives the story more depth and extra layers. The beginning was a little slow and I had no idea where it was going to go, but then it picks up and all starts to make sense. It reads quite different from book 1 and a little darker, but I enjoyed it all the same. There is a lot of lore, emotional depth, plot twists, and the introduction to new characters. There is a lot to think about throughout this book and it had my mind reeling on the possibilities. It answers questions left from book 1, but then makes you ask more questions by the end of book 2. Overall, this is an amazing read left on another cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book.

If you love epic fantasy romance, elemental magic, rich world-building, fae courts, meddling gods, new worlds, slow burn, political intrigue, and multi POV (in book 2) I definitely recommend checking out this series!

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own.

[Ivana Loustalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 🌟 Thank you Laura for this advance copy!

"Time is a thief, and the provider of joy. An assassin in the night, and the long burning flame of lovers."

Tides of Memory was an amazing sequel. It was darker than The Forgotten Dawn, with some delicate topics. There's kidnapping, trauma, secrets, lies and deception, political intrigue and a fake King. It had really nice pacing and we get to know more about this and other worlds!
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, and I particularly loved Kadian's. He's so sweet and lovable, lost and hopeless.. you can't help but love him! 💙
This story was so different, not only because we get multiple POVs but also because we see different parts of the Realm. Each character has their own struggles and agendas. So many questions got answered, but we formed new ones... and now we have to wait for book 3 to unravel them 👀
Check out these amazing Tropes:
- Fae, Humans, Gods & Goddesses
- Academy Setting
- Unique Magic System
- Court & Political Deception
- Arranged Marriage
- Secrets & Betrayal
- Found Family
- Mental Health Rep

[Lizze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an Arc of this book! I was super excited to dive into Book 2 of this series and it did not disappoint.

This books delves into different points of view as now the characters are all in different places. I very much enjoyed hetting Kaldian and Lil's perspectives along with Brida's. You go on a different journey with each character as they navigate after the events of tge first book. It was a bit slow going at first but once things begin to progress, it really keeps you on your toes. Iona was a surprise character growth for me considering the first book. The world building in this book is great and it has expanded even further.

Book 2 leaves you in three different places with each otge characters and all are heading towards an ultimate goal which will hopefully bring them back together in the next book. I am now eagerly awaiting the next book in this saga.

[Jennifer Richter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tides of Memory picks up where we left in The Forgotten Dawn. The friends are separated and have to do everything to get back to their loved ones and to get behind the conspiracy that's going on in Azmeer. Little do they know, it's harder than it seems!

Rounded up from 2.5 stars.
I feel like Laura A. Blake's writing and I might be fundamentally incompatible. The writing very much relies on the characters' introspection while not much is happening on the outside. Also, a stylistic device is that the characters (and therefore the reader) have no idea what's going on and are perpetually... lost. That's just something I personally can't stand at all. At c. 60% came a part that I liked much better, but then it went back to the previous style. Overall, I still have no idea what's going on.

Thank you very much Laura A. Blake for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Amanda Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love where this book took us. The themes of water and memory were woven through so many aspects and even though the gang was split up there was cohesion. I would recommend you read The Forgotten Dawn again if it’s been a while because there were times I felt lost and I know that’s because I’d forgotten things. I missed having everyone together but the multiple POVs kept me invested in each storyline. This was very much a world and character building book. The lore is *dropped* in this book and the stakes become more clear. There were some twists I’d been hoping for, some that I did not see coming at all. Layers (sometimes very surprising layers) were added to characters. I raged, I cried, I cheered and I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you Laura Blake for the opportunity to read an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy

A book full of mystery but not much romance. It held me & was captivating. The book following 3 main characters in seperate stories & each chapter bounces between them, which added to pace & excitement. Although sometimes things took too long, like when they were lost in their own personal prisons. So many things left hanging still. Romance, where was it? Only at the end & even then it was lacking. The previous book was too long ago that I don't recall how Brida & Danian left the relationship. But book 1 was much more about the romance. This was mystery after mystery, full of gods & stories. I liked the friendships of Oz & Ioana & kadian. Lots of time spent detailing the beginning of time & the gods. Not enough real time happening. And so much of a cliffhanger.

[Liz 🪽✨ S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really loved The Forgotten Dawn and especially with how it ended i was ready to read Tides of Memory!! the story continues with multi-pov’s, jumping from one part of the world to another and it was gripping

from the first chapter. i enjoyed all the new POV’s, they all felt important to the storyline and had major roles to play in this second book, especially giving the reader more information on the world and the conflict rising.

There was lots of separate journeys in this book that were enjoyable to read but I did really miss the interaction between so many characters that it left me wanting more- but the found family was everything and I am looking forward to reading book three!

Thank you to the author for this ARC!!

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very grateful to have received an ARC from the author!

I had really liked A Forgotten Dawn and was eager to hop back into this world. I liked how we got a lot more world building, lore, history, insights on the magic system and character development (including their relationships). The plot is intricate and interesting too!

I however was not pulled into this book as much as book 1 and sometimes felt as I needed “more”. For this reason I gave it 3 stars.

Overall it’s still a good books that I’d easily recommend!!

[Savannah (chapters_of_mayhem) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely flipping loved this book.
I wasn’t expecting the storyline to continue the way it did and I really enjoyed how unexpected it was.
I was expecting it to be more focused on Brida and her relationship and was so happy that it pivoted to learning and exploring more of the relationships and friendships that were involved through book 1.

I cannot wait to see where the next book goes. I am absolutely hooked on this one.

Thank you for letting me read an ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tides of Memory is an excellent installment in Laura A. Blake's Shattered Sky saga. Tides of Memory opens the story in multiple ways, from the most basic change of including POVs from our two other favorite characters, to exploring the history and mythos of Eldara, to providing us court intrigue and machinations that will keep the reader wanting to turn the next page. Blake takes the series to a different place in Tides of Memory - exploring more of the world and the characters, and I loved it!

[Kayla]

No Rating

No rating because it's a Beta read. But if you're a fan of epic fantasy with expansive world building, multiple romances, soulmates who find each other in every lifetime, a slow burn that may kill you, found family that makes you want to hug everyone, and twists that with mess you up for months.... Stop sleeping on this series. Book 1 is The Forgotten Dawn. This is book 2 and it's coming out in May!

[Sarah Heinbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly one of my top reads for the year. I loved it so much and I’ve been waiting for this book since I finished the first one 🤭 I love how everything is playing out between all of the characters and how the storyline is developing. I am a liiiiitle (actually a lot) sad that sweet angel baby Alvar was not somehow alive and just hanging out waiting for everyone 🥲😭 I enjoyed all the povs and I cannot WAIT to read more.


Thank you Laura for this arc!! All thoughts and opinions are my own 🫶🏻

[Jasmine Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading. Loved the different POVs and character development! Such great world building and interesting magic and history explored. I have some new favourite characters after this book and can’t wait to see what happens with them in the third book!

[Lucy Fitzearle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book was just as good and filled with all the drama! I was so lucky to be selected for an arc and I can’t wait to read the third! The story is intense, I was rooting for the characters from the start and so many plot twists!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Anita - The.Bookish_Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Tides of Memory is the sequel that The Forgotten Dawn absolutely deserves to have! As book 2 in a four book epic fantasy romance series, it is filled with further world building, and lore, and I was so intrigued.

Laura A. Blake continues to create such a detailed and immersive world. Tides of Memory is beautifully written, and continues to set the series up for the second half. It’s about the characters finding themselves, and actively working through their emotional and mental health. The exploration into grief, control, and past trauma, was powerful, and provided such emotional depth and character growth. It made me really feel for the characters, and at one point I was practically sobbing on the floor with my kindle (IYKYK).

The pacing throughout the book was consistent and intentional. All of the pieces begin to slowly build and connect, and I just know that the rest of the series will continue to be incredible. Like in a game of chess, the satisfaction that the ‘check mate’ moment will bring will be soooo worth it.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Anna Marks]

DNF 5%