The Arrow and the Ivy

Plague King Chronicles #2

by Bree Moore

Trees keep secrets.

With a magical plague devastating Neldor, Jayce journeys to the prestigious Ivory Guilds to seek a translation and a cure. Yet the Guilds, with their ancient halls of knowledge, are anything but safe. Secrets grow like ivy in the shadows—tangled with ambition, betrayal, and whispers of rebellion.

The deeper Jayce dives into her quest to find a cure, the more evidence arises that Sav withholds information that endangers them all. To complicate matters further, a childhood friend guards his own secret—a truth she’s not ready to confront. As these secrets unravel, Jayce must decide who she can truly trust.

Can the cautious apothecary untangle the mysteries of the Guilds before the plague consumes everything? Or will the truth she uncovers unravel her world—and her heart?

The Arrow and the Ivy, the enchanting second book in the Plague King Chronicles, is a tale for readers who crave rich worlds, quiet magic, and unforgettable characters.

ebook

Expected publication February 1, 2026

About the author

Bree Moore lives in Iowa with her amazing husband and six children. When she's not busy homeschooling or folding laundry, she sneaks off to write more urban fantasy.

Bree has a passion for pregnancy and childbirth, which influences her female-led stories. She loves shopping for groceries like other women like shopping for shoes (no, seriously), movies that make her cry, and Celtic music. She likes both her chocolate and her novels dark.

Get THIEF OF LIES: A Shadowed Minds prequel for free when you sign up for her newsletter. Go to www.authorbreemoore.com and click on "Get a Free Book".

Reviews

[GheridenTheBookBard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has a beautiful mix of warmth, danger, and that slowly building tension that Bree Moore writes so well. It feels familiar in the best way but still brings new surprises to the Plague King Chronicles. The tone is cozy at first, then quietly unsettling as the truth behind the Guild begins to surface. I had a great time with it.

I listened to this in audio, and Elena Anderson delivers a wonderful performance. Her voice is calm and smooth which fits the tone perfectly. She gives the emotional scenes a soft clarity and brings a gentle pressure to the darker moments. It made the atmosphere even stronger and added a layer of immersion I really appreciated.

Jayce continues to be such an easy character to follow. She is steady, thoughtful, and stubborn enough to push through things she has no real business surviving. Her inner strength feels natural and her choices feel grounded in who she has always been. The new characters bring a lot to the table too. The people tied to the Guild are sharp and ambitious, with their own secrets and regrets that give the story an emotional pull.

The pacing worked for me. It moves quickly when it needs to, with just enough calm moments to let you settle in before the next reveal shifts the ground again. I never felt lost or rushed, and the emotional beats landed with the right amount of weight. Even the smaller scenes felt purposeful and helped the story keep its momentum.

The world building deepens in interesting ways. The Guild has a real presence and feels like a place shaped by old mistakes. The setting carries this quiet rot that mirrors the growing tension, and the wider world outside the Guild walls feels richer because of the new lore. It is a world that makes you want to explore every corner.

The Arrow and the Ivy is a strong follow up with heart, mystery, and characters you want to spend more time with. It builds on the first book while growing into something larger and more textured. I am excited to see where Bree Moore takes this story next.

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic sequel and I never could have guessed the sequence of events that happened near the end. What a ride! Secrets unveiled, romance discovered, and betrayal imminent. I'm super excited to see what happens to our group in the next book.

[Stevie Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was so good, I waited for the audiobook and seriously I loved the reader so much because she really helped things come alive in my mind and I was hooked right away. There was so much going on here but the cozy magical joy that made me love the first book was still forefront in everything. Jayce’s character progression through all of this was so heartwarming and real and I just really love a main character who isn’t immediately strong and all powerful but instead grows to become it through a series, each step in her progression felt earned and she’s such a likable character you can’t help but root for her all the time.

Sav was a little less present in this one, but at the same time you learn so much about him even when he’s not there and he’s become another character I really love. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one with him. The love triangle with Nels and him is not really my preference per say, but that’s just me and the complication of it didn’t really feel like she was leading either of them on and she did consider both of their feelings which I appreciate. Both men are so unique and different in their personalities as well, which makes you root for them also.

The additional cast this time around really added to the drama and mystery, and the end, wow the end left me ready to hop into book three. This is so wonderfully written and the pacing couldn’t be more perfect, the touches of world building and character design easily makes this a memorable series and I’m excited to see what’s next!

[Its Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing! I immersive read this book as I did the first one and loved how the world was building around you in the new area that they arrived at. I cannot help it but Nels is definitely one of my favorite characters, he is in the first book for a bit which loved how his friendship with Jayce is but you get to know about him more in this one. And with the love triangle between him, Jayce, and Sav, I couldn't help but root for him.
Also, I did not expect how the ending was going to be. Definitely gave the "WAIT! WHATTTTT!!!" feels. 😱
If you enjoy fantasy with heart, a determined heroine finding her strength, and a rich world that unfolds piece by piece, The Arrow and the Ivy is an absolute must-read. Bree Moore has crafted something truly magical — and I’m already craving more! 💚🏹🌿

Thank you to Bree Moore for allowing me to be an ARC Reader for this book, giving my honest review.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the first book so I came into this sequel with high expectations and they were met, and surpassed, especially near the end. The twist that Moore brings to the plot line introduced in The Quill and the Vial and continues in this sequel, was unexpected and makes me eagerly anticipate how things will build and resolve in the third installment.

As always, Moore does a great job with world building. I gained insight into the characters I came to love in the first book that helped me understand them more. At one point, Jayce is described as having more questions now that she’s at the Ivory Guilds; I felt the same way at the close of this novel, but I have full confidence that those questions and any remaining secrets will be answered in the future.

[Tesha Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved book 2 just as much as book 1. The continuing search for the Plague King and the remedy for the plague brings new characters into the story.
I loved the increased tension between Nels and Sav. Sav’s demeanor definitely changed once he got to The Ivory Guilds of Enterea. He became too secretive and distanced himself from Jayce. At one point I actually suspected Sav of being the mysterious L.A. cohort.
I’m glad we got to dive in deeper to Jayce and her magic, she’s growing and I can’t wait to see where her character development goes next.
There were so many plot twists and shocking moments. The ending definitely had me gasping, not where I thought things would head.

I was given an advanced free copy of this book and willing leave this review. Definitely recommend this book.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great second book to the Plague King Chronicles!

I love the way you can settle into the world so well with the desciptions of the plants in particular (as that is Jayce's signature power, it makes sense) and each layer peeled back in the world lore leaves me intrigued and wanting more.

The story rides the line of familiar tropes (miscommunication was a big one here) and creepy, devastating world events (this is a story about a plague after all), making it not the *most* cozy read - so be prepared for that going in.

Overall, it's a nice easy read with great atmosphere and engaging characters. While the plot is a bit slow (not a dig, just a reality of the genre), every book leaves me excited to see where it goes in the next installment.

[Loren Stastny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. I really enjoyed this read, and found it to have incredible details and analogies that suck you into the story. I did not see the ending coming AT ALL. I was so surprised- I haven’t been that surprised since reading ACoTaR for the first time. I’m still processing all that happened… and already can’t wait for the third book! I enjoyed the characters as they became more developed and dynamic, and we got to meet more I’d like to get to know better. I hope some of the holes in the book get answered in the next one!

I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest reviews, highly suggest this series.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had that element that I enjoyed from the first book in the series of Plague King Chronicles series, it continued the story perfectly and enjoyed getting into this world. The characters were everything that I was looking for and was enjoying the fantasy adventure element that I was looking for. It had that element that I was wanting and enjoyed getting back into this world. Bree Moore wrote this well and was glad I got to read this, it was well written and am excited for more in this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaci Rehkemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I was hoping for in book 2! I was happy to see the return of some characters as well as meet some new characters. I absolutely adore Nels so I was happy to see him in book 2. I feel like this book gives just enough answers to keep you drawn in but now I have more questions as well! The pacing is perfect making it almost impossible to put down. I can't wait to see Jayce continue to learn the full extent of her abilities. Thank you Bree Moore for allowing me to be an Arc reader.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure, secrets, further character developments had me on a roller coaster but I loved it. Gives me every emotion which is what I hope for in any book. This is still a breath of fresh air in the fantasy world (book 1 was just the beginning). Things might be magical but the characters/ story line feel relatable.
Jayce is still amazing as ever!
So that ending… yeah did not see that coming.

Loved this and cant wait to see where this goes !

[Aj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm absolutely ecstatic that I was chosen to be an ARC reader for this story! I enjoyed the first book immensely. The further I delve in to this world, the more enthralled with it I become. I'm enjoying this magic system as well. Once again, the writing and story flows wonderfully, and the pace is delightful. The world building allows for an immersive experience, and I didn't want to put it down.
Bree Moore writes wonderfully, and I can't wait to read more from her!

[Natasha Malagisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a beautiful world full of adventure, magic, friendships & love. Jayce is truly a bold and powerful FMC.

I was intrigued by how well @Fantasy Books by Bree designed this world. It makes you feel like you're right there. the character development was amazing and the plot is full of twists you won't see coming.

[Elizabeth-Kay Lengyel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a sequel worth waiting for!
After reading the first book, I knew I needed more — The second book gave me just that!! The world Bree Moore has created pulls you in completely and keeps you entertained from start to finish. This wonderful series can only keep getting better from here. Keep the great reads coming! 🌿 Trees Keep Secrets, and All Plants Lie.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical plague, what a disaster. Will everyone be saved in time. Absolutely fantastic as always. If possible, this book is even better than the first. Once I started reading, totally caught up in the story.

[Cindy Crivellone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the first book was good! Wow, this one was amazing! The storyline keeps you guessing! The characters are written to perfection, and have really grown since the quill and the ivy! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

first I'm stating it is worth reading and/or listening to. I had a chance to listen to an ALC (advance listen copy) and I will say the narrator did an excellent job sucking you into the story. As a second in series the author furthered the story where you didn't lose focus on the overall story.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic second book in a thoroughly entertaining series. The relatable characters and engaging story make it a pleasure to read.

[Hailey Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ALC~

•4.5 STARS ⭐️•

First off the narrator of the audiobook is wonderful!

Secondly, I haven’t been so excited to read a book in a while! I was so looking forward to it and it did not disappoint at all! As the second book in a series I know sometimes it can lack the magic or sense of adventure, but Arrow and Ivy does not. Jayce is an excellent FMC and the magic system just keeps getting better and the plot keeps me guessing.

The start of this book jumps right into the second books plot, so I’d recommend reading the first and second books close together.