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The Leviathan's Call #2

An Ember in the Wind

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The world's deadliest battle claimed thousands of lives. But Arsene achieved the impossible—he stopped the woman responsible.

Those who sent him to his death never meant for him to return alive. Troubled by more than his permanently injured hand, Arsene returns home in a fog of uncertainty. With feelings growing for Fionn, a once obvious decision becomes impossible: does he aid his brother and reclaim his title, or does he ensure the safety of the woman he cares for?

Left alone on the war front, Leo is charged with a task none would evny: to guard the infamous butcher of the First Legion. When a summons comes from the capital to return home, Leo finds himself entangled in a nobleman's deadly game—with only his greatest enemy for aid.

Behind the human faces, behind the political schemes, something watches. Something hidden. And Fionn is running out of time to outplay its ancient plan.

An Ember in the Wind is the fast-paced, high-stakes conclusion to the Leviathan's Call duology.

427 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2025

4 people are currently reading
62 people want to read

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Riley Knight

5 books82 followers

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5 stars
24 (66%)
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10 (27%)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Chloe the Reader.
58 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2025
ARC Review - thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed the first book in this series, but this was on another level. I don’t want to give too much away before the book is officially published, but this book continues the story of the previous book and has so many twists and turns that I truly wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. The level of detail throughout the story is exquisite, and I grew very attached to all the characters throughout this book.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for an epic fantasy feeling book with a very cool magic system!
Profile Image for KMart Vet.
1,498 reviews81 followers
July 2, 2025
One of my absolute favorite storytelling tricks is when I know something heartbreaking that the characters don’t. There’s nothing like watching them go about their lives, clueless and hopeful, while I sit there bracing for the emotional wreckage. This book nails that kind of tension.

As the conclusion to the Leviathan’s Call duology, An Ember in the Wind doesn’t slow down for anyone. The pacing is brisk, the stakes are sky-high, and you’re expected to hang onto every word. Honestly, it’s not a casual read, and that’s part of what makes it great. It trusts the reader to keep up and rewards you with layer upon layer of political scheming, interpersonal drama, and devastating reveals.

The emotional core is still the characters, though, and they continue to shine here. There’s so much grief and reckoning: with family, with past choices, with who you want to be versus what the world allows you to become. There are platonic relationships that are just as deep and meaningful as the romantic ones, and the dynamic between our leads is as messy and compelling as ever.

That said… Fionn should absolutely have had two husbands. Just saying.

My quibbles are tiny and do not take away from my star rating: I wish there was a short little summary of book one in the beginning because things are SO complex, I struggled to remember everything. And I think the pacing struggles a little in the middle, but I don't care. It's as close to perfect as possible.

If you’re here for character-driven epic fantasy with emotional punches, morally tangled politics, and the looming threat of ancient forces playing a long game, you’ll want to see how this story ends. Just be prepared to FEEL things.

Thanks so much to the author and BookSirens for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Patsy.
374 reviews21 followers
May 31, 2025
I thought the first book A Song in the Storm was amazing but it did not hold a candle to this book. That's unusual because normally the first book in a series is always the most amazing one and a writer will come in and try to follow up and it just usually fails. Let me tell you what, Riley Knight uped the game when it came to this follow up book in The Leviathan Call series.

This book picks up where the first one left off. The writing again was stellar because once again , my heart was in emotional turmoil reading the character's stories. This book will definitely keep you questioning yourself and I came up with multiple versions of what I thought was going to happen in my head. The end was just chefs kiss for me.

Once again, there is intrigue and betrayal, deception and love. I wanted to scream and yell and then laugh and cry and then scream and yell again. That's when you know the author is an amazing writer. I recommended.
the first book in this series and I doubled that recommendation with this book.
Profile Image for Satviki.
52 reviews
May 26, 2025
This series honestly has the best covers! The cover for An Ember in the Wind is more colorful than the one for A Song in the Storm, and is just as beautiful. Also - the titles. I love the titles. But onto what actually happens in the book. The ending was...bittersweet. The peek into the life Fionn and her love have built together, seen in the last chapter was so beautiful. However the sacrifices that happened before were heartbreaking, and the people left behind aren't truly gone. The epilogue was mysterious, and it set the stage well for more series' in this world.

An Ember in the Wind is a mysterious, bittersweet book perfect for lovers of complex worlds and strong characters. It is also the perfect (well not perfect, but pretty close) conclusion to The Leviathan's Call series!

Thank you to the author and to Booksirens for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for stephanie cox.
1,168 reviews21 followers
May 25, 2025
ARC review.
A fantastic continuation of the series! Riley Knight delivers again with sharp writing, strong pacing, and characters that continue to grow and shine. Arsene’s journey picks up right where book one left off, and I was hooked from the first page. I love when a series stays consistent and keeps my expectations high—this one absolutely does. Can’t wait for the next book!




Profile Image for Booksnliftsdiary.
282 reviews8 followers
June 19, 2025
Title: An Ember in the Wind: The Leviathan’s Call (Book 2)
Author: Riley Knight
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Pages: 429

Rating: 4⭐️/5

“Only a fool believed the world could be saved with pretty words and kind actions. Men were rotten to their core; and drastic actions were required to budge even the slightest change.”

Arsene comes back from war hurt and confused about what to do next. He has to choose between helping his brother get their family name back or keeping Fionn safe—the woman he’s starting to love. Leo is stuck watching a dangerous prisoner until he gets called back to the city, where he ends up having to work with someone he hates to survive the politics. While all this is happening, Fionn realizes something bad is about to happen and needs to stop it before everyone gets hurt.

An Ember in the Wind is an exciting fantasy story with magic, action, and romance. It has a really cool world and interesting characters that kept me hooked. The story was full of surprises, with unexpected plot twists and betrayals, plus some really emotional moments. I loved how it switched between different characters’ viewpoints without being confusing, and the ending was perfect—sad but hopeful at the same time. If you like fantasy stories with lots of action, emotion, and surprises, you should definitely start this series from the first book and get ready to stay up way too late reading because it’s impossible to put down!

A big thanks to BookSirens and Riley Knight for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

Releasing 06/23/25 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
E-book pre-orders are available NOW.

#AdvancedReaderCopy
Profile Image for Kasey.
175 reviews13 followers
June 20, 2025
An Ember in the Wind is the fast-paced, high-stakes conclusion to the Leviathan’s Call duology and picks up right from where Book 1 left off.

I love this series so much and I don’t say this often, but Book 2 was even more amazing than Book 1 and I absolutely LOVED Book 1! Usually Book 1 is the “it” book for me, but here Book 2 was the “it” for me. Epic fantasy is my favorite. The more complicated and intricate the better and this did not disappoint! The world building is immersive and intriguing, and there are so many layers! The growth of the characters continues, and the author does a great job making them complex, flawed, diverse, and relatably human. Everything was so well written and thought out. I had a rollercoaster of emotions. There is sacrifice, heartbreak, betrayal, love, and all the things. I thought the conclusion was perfect and it left me satisfied (unlike Game of Thrones that I’m still upset about lol).

If you love epic or high fantasy I would 110% recommend this series.

Thank you so incredibly much to the author for a gifted physical ARC. It will be cherished!
Profile Image for Beth fairie tails.
162 reviews4 followers
July 1, 2025
An Ember in the Wind is the extremely well-written conclusion to the Leviathan's Call duology and WOW! Did it DELIVER!

This is the kind of final book of a series that just hits all the spots. Like I wanted a smoke when I finished it, but I don't smoke so I started reading A Song in the Storm again because I'm just not ready to leave Fionne and Friends yet.

Although i believe it's classified as a romantasy, this reads and feels like a true fantasy. There's a much richer political storyline than I felt there was in A Song. Kingdoms and magic and back-stabbing: it's delicious.

Riley has become a must read for me after A Song in the Storm so I was extremely honored to get the privilege to read this arc. I loved it. This is a fun duology - intelligent, fast - paced with magic and political systems that are thoughtfully described and characters that feel like flesh and bone.

Thanks for letting me read this arc!
Profile Image for rainsbookreads.
90 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2025
Note that this is an ARC review—an honor I am very much grateful for 🫶

I thought the first book was already good, but I was pleasantly surprised with how this book turned out! I won't reveal much as the book isn't out yet (I am itching to rant about the characters and the story) The revelations, the twists, the betrayals, and the overall flow was commendable. I like how the author has this ability to switch POVs multiple times in a chapter and doesn't make it look and feel chaotic!

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed reading this and am very satisfied with how it wrapped up. It's definitely a good recommendation if you like fantasy with unique magic systems. I see a very bright and wonderful future for this author 🫶
Profile Image for Karolien.
91 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2025
I've read An Ember in the Wind, an arc provided to me by the author Riley Knight and Booksirens, this in exchange for my honest opinion.

The story continues where A Song in the Storm ended and in the first one I had my doubts but now my feelings towards them both turned around. I love all the characters and the world building of this story. offcourse I don't want to spoil anything for you, my dearest gentle readers.

I would recommend this book and also the first one to all the readers who love the fantastical and romantasy readers.

For me it is a 4-star read! Keep up the good writing Riley Knight!
42 reviews
July 2, 2025
I was so caught up in the story that I blew through both books, A Song in the Storm and An Ember in the Wind, in record time. The world is so intricate and well-crafted, and the characters are phenomenal (❤️Fionn)

Not only are the fantasy elements first rate, the political intrigue is top notch. I can’t say much because of spoiled, but it is super relevant to ~*all this*~ and is very well done.

I am so glad to see more stories are forthcoming; I will definitely be reading them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Hannah M Burrow.
130 reviews32 followers
June 22, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and Riley Knight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was such a great conclusion to the Leviathan’s Call duology. Full of intrigue, twists and turns.
Wonderfully written scenes.
I held my breath so many times throughout this book.
Absolutely thrilling fantasy.
Profile Image for Courtney Fitzgerald.
76 reviews6 followers
June 18, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this. A Song In The Storm crawled so An Ember in The Wind could run and i devoured both of them. definitely recommend!
74 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2025
This is the 2nd book in series which continues to tell the tale of many lives working together to help each other survive in a world of dragons and other mystical beings. Depending on each other special bonds were formed and life was constantly in urmoil. Lots of nights sleeping in the wood between battles to help save others as well as themselves. Lots of action. Reading book one is advised - enjoy!
Profile Image for Bethany Hunter.
114 reviews5 followers
June 18, 2025
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Another solid four stars for me! I thought book one was good, book two was even better! All of the elements that I loved in book one carried over into this one. This was still a very immersive read for me, and the characters were what kept me coming back for more. I loved the magic system, the world building, and the level of detail through the whole story. It still carried itself as an epic fantasy and I enjoyed every moment of reading this. This book was fast-paced as described, and I felt like the author did an excellent job concluding this duology. If you are looking for a high stakes read and enjoyed the Stormlight Archives, I highly recommend both this book and the first! It is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Profile Image for Vittorio Greggio.
8 reviews
July 6, 2025
IT

Riprendendo da dove il primo libro ci ha lasciato, la trama si sviluppa seguendo gli effetti della battaglia che è costata un numero impressionante di vite e riprendendo le posizioni dei personaggi principali. La cosa che mi ha colpito di questo secondo libro sono stati i plot twists, non perchè in genere non siano presenti nei libri successivi al primo in una serie, ma sono rari, mentre in questo caso danno un passo più veloce e più oscuro al libro.
Il sistema magico di questa dilogia è costruito davvero bene perchè non è complicato da comprendere, mentre al contempo riesce a trasmettere la sensazione di un mondo costruito con attenzione e criterio.
Una vera perla è il racconto “Multi-POV”, con il quale Riley riesce a muoversi agevolmente fra i personaggi srotolando una storia che dovrebbe essere un romantasy, ma in realtà è più un fantasy epico.
Non fraintendermi intendo questa affermazione come un complimento, la parte romantica c’è e si fa apprezzare, ma gli intrighi politici e la trama elaborata lo rendono un fantasy più vicino all’epico che al romantico.
Il libro scorre davvero veloce e pur essendo di oltre 400 pagine si fa divorare ad un ritmo impressionante. Se vuoi che la storia duri di più devo consigliarti di darti dei limiti giornalieri di lettura o prima di accorgertene lo avrai finito.
Ti consiglio entrambi i libri di questa dilogia, potrai leggere una bellissima storia e scoprirai un’autrice che secondo me ha un gran futuro di fronte a sè.
Grazie a Riley Knight per la possibilità di leggere in anteprima questo libro, ovviamente la mia recensione è onesta e spontanea.

ENG

Picking up where the first book left off, the plot unfolds following the effects of the battle that cost an impressive number of lives and resuming the positions of the main characters. What struck me about this second book were the plot twists, not because they are generally not present in the books following the first in a series, but they are rare, while in this case they give a faster and darker pace to the book.
The magic system of this dulogy is built really well because it is not complicated to understand, while at the same time it manages to convey the feeling of a world built with care and criteria.
A real pearl is the story “Multi-POV”, with which Riley manages to move easily between the characters unrolling a story that should be a romance, but in reality is more of an epic fantasy.
and spontaneous.
Don't get me wrong, I mean this as a compliment, the romantic part is there and is appreciated, but the political intrigues and the elaborate plot make it a fantasy closer to the epic than the romantic.
The book flows really fast and despite being over 400 pages it is devoured at an impressive pace. If you want the story to last longer I must advise you to give yourself daily reading limits or before you know it you will have finished it.
I recommend both books of this duology, you will be able to read a beautiful story and you will discover an author who in my opinion has a great future ahead of her.
Thanks to Riley Knight for the opportunity to read this book in preview, obviously my review is honest and spontaneous.
161 reviews2 followers
June 14, 2025
First off I highly recommend reading.. song in the storm first . I also recommend refreshing yourself on that book if its been a while. I didnt and it took me a bit to recall everything. To get oriented.

Second this is a more in depth read. It involves multiple points of view. It is very well written with a good plot and great world. This is not an easy afternoon read. I started at 10 AM and finished at 4 pm with one short break. I literally did nothing but read. I'd plan a few days. I should have.

Fairly clean. It's rated mature but honestly it has to be for violence, murder, framing, betrayal etc there is one mention of the F word the scene that follows is very vague. It also has loss. (Good things worth fighting for and not everyone makes it out of a fight)

Third. This book ends what first book started out with. Feeling completion but leaves you open for more. (Not really cliffhanger).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for FN.
268 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2025
This sequel unravels the puzzles surrounding the one before. As much as i like the first book, i feel this one is wayyyyy amazing. There's two sides of a story - this made me consider and question which is "right side" of the story along the journey, until it finally reach its conclusion. A lot of unexpected turns of events, betrayals, and surprises of course! I grew fond of the characters and love how the characters and thier journeys are described. If epic fantasy is your type, this is definitely a go to series to binge.

Thank you for the ARC opportunity. Im writing this review voluntarily.
49 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2025
Not quite my best fit, but still a good story overall.

I really enjoyed the premise and plot of this series, and this book picks up right where the first book ended. The characters all have realistic personalities, the world is fully fleshed out, and I want to know “the answers” and find a happy ending for at least some of them. Similar to the first book, it was very dense for me to push through, so I think maybe this author isn’t the best fit for me, but I do think there are a lot of people who would really enjoy this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Bre E..
300 reviews10 followers
July 7, 2025
Leo is assigned to guard the "butcher of the First Legion." At the same time, he is called back to the capital. There, he gets caught up in a dangerous political game among the nobles, working with his greatest enemy as his only ally.

As political plans unfold, ancient powers watch from the shadows, and time itself becomes a threat. Emotional ties and hard-earned friendships are tested as loyalties break down and choices affect entire kingdoms.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Karin Ivens.
32 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2025
Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC and give my honest review freely.

This book is well written and the story is good, but I feel like I’m missing something, this could be because I have read the first book.

The cover is what drew me to this book. I would say read the first book before this one the world is complex and the characters are great. I am going to read the first book because I think this would be great if I understood the world more.
Profile Image for natty.
61 reviews
December 1, 2025
an incredible, action-filled end to the leviathan’s call duology. i have no words to properly express how absolutely HOOKED i was on this one.

riley pulls no punches with this one. you are thrown right into the action, the politics, the religions. everything has escalated tenfold and the stakes have never been higher.

you will laugh, cry, rage, and fall in love over and over again. riley is truly a master at her craft and you will not want to miss reading this series.
Profile Image for Jennifer Schlag.
Author 15 books25 followers
June 25, 2025
It's rare that I read a Prologue with that much going on. From thereon in it just keeps getting better. Solid story. Riley does a fair job describing her scenes and makes you feel a part of them. The characters don't disappoint you at all. It's a story that you should set aside time for to properly enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
187 reviews3 followers
July 4, 2025
Top notch writing and character designs, it was a good read with a good flow that kept me entertained from the start to finish. I really enjoyed this one, and I hope there are more so I can continue exploring this world.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4 reviews
June 25, 2025
Fantastic conclusion to the Leviathan's Call series! The end actually had me in tears. The characters live rent free in my head. Every plot thread and character arch was wrapped up in a perfect bow by the end. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is a fan of fantasy!
Profile Image for Who, Me?.
7 reviews
July 7, 2025
IT WAS AWESOMEEEE WOW

ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT

I READ THIS (AND THE FIRST BOOK) IN JUST A FEW SITTINGS

ABSOLUTELY ENGAGING

I absolutely loved how it ended 💪💪💪
Profile Image for Fantasy Fables.
107 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2025
This was such a great conclusion to this duology! I really enjoyed Book 1, but Riley Knight really knocked it put of the park with An Ember in the Wind!

We picked up right where we left off at the end of A Song in the Storm. The stakes were sky-high for all of our characters. The political scheming was top tier, and I loved every second of it. Emotions were high, and the relationships - romantic and platonic - were definitely tested.

This story and these characters are so complex. We also got to see and learn more about the gods, but I will say they didn’t play quite as big a role as I was expecting they would. That wasn’t a bad thing, though, and I’m hopeful this won’t be the last we’ll see of this world.

Slight spoiler - be prepared for someone to die, and it may not be someone you were expecting. I know I wasn’t!

The ending was beautiful, and I really appreciated that look into their lives after the conclusion of their journey and battles. And it gave me hope that this may not be the last we see of this world and these characters!

Thank you so much to Riley Knight for the ARC! If you’re looking for a multi POV fantasy story with strong writing, epic world-building, plot twists, betrayals, reveals, emotions, action, and more, then look no further than The Leviathan’s Call series.
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