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The Heir of War Rises

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Every heartbeat is a countdown to reunion—or ruin.

Torn from her sister’s side, Terena Luca must recover a relic of a lost amulet capable of toppling armies, bending gods to mortal will, and the key that will unlock the path to Sonah.

As Sonah Yahn makes her own way through the shadowed lands of Elysium—the realm once ruled by gods—she is ambushed at every turn, hunted by spies, inching ever closer to Terena...and into the empire’s deadly snare.

Meanwhile, Daris Antonius, Spartan commander, is drawn to Terena in ways neither can explain. Each encounter sparks danger, desire, and the delicate balance of power, prophecy, and survival.

With the portal to Olympus at her fingertips, Terena’s powers surge beyond her control. But forces greater than her obedience to Hermes are conspiring to enact a bigger plan. The gods have been gone for a thousand years—but the prophecy of their return is awakening.

Click ‘buy now’ before the banished gods return.

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

3 people are currently reading
28 people want to read

About the author

Katerina Speers

2 books28 followers
Hi! I’m Katerina Speers, and I write fantasy books featuring Greek gods, messy drama, and just enough danger to keep everyone on their immortal toes. When I’m not wrangling my unruly characters, I enjoy annoying my kids. I also love to lose myself in a good book and pretend I'm good at video games. Added bonus as a wifey: asking a million questions during the movie at the theater, a trait my husband adores {read with heavy sarcasm}.

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4 (16%)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
40 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2025
*** ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for an honest review.***

The Heir of War Rises absolutely delivered on the promise of high-stakes Greek mythology and slow-burn obsession. As Terena and Sonah race toward reunion (or ruin), the world-building explodes, and the prophetic danger ratchets up to eleven. Seriously, Ren is such a powerhouse FMC, leading her desperate quest, but it’s the Daris Antonius factor that keeps this book electric. Their undeniable connection—that whole enemies-to-fated-mates tension—is the beating heart of the story. I loved the multi-POV structure this time around; it worked seamlessly and made tracking the escalating betrayals so much easier.

Okay, now for the honest truth: prepare for some serious whiplash. This book is non-stop running. With the main characters separated for the entire plot, it often felt less like a book with a clear beginning and end and more like one massive, chaotic middle. There are so many setting changes, war, civil uprisings, and new characters popping up that you almost have to binge it, or you’ll lose track of everyone’s location. But honestly? That frantic, relentless pace is exactly what makes it impossible to put down, because you are perpetually on the edge of the next twist.

The final third of the book is pure chaos, and I mean that in the best way. The betrayals and reveals just kept coming, making me question every single character I thought I trusted. Speers does such a phenomenal job of giving you just enough answers from Book 1 to feel satisfied, only to introduce ten times more questions right before the curtain drops. That cliffhanger is brutal—I am literally counting the seconds until Book 3 finally gets everyone in the same room. Thank you to Katerina Speers and NetGalley for letting me dive back into the Eighth Circle series!
Profile Image for Natalie Preston.
1 review
November 12, 2025
I’m absolutely loving this series! The Heir of War Rises is the second book out of four, and it somehow manages to top the first. The characters are so well developed — I feel like I’ve really grown with them — and the world-building just keeps getting better and more detailed.

What I appreciate most is how consistent everything feels from book to book. The pacing, the suspense, the emotional moments — it all flows so naturally. And those cliffhangers! Every time I think I can take a break, something happens that makes me need to keep reading.

There’s so much heart and depth in this story, and I love how Katerina Speers balances action, emotion, and mystery. I’m already counting down the days until the next two books come out because I need to know what happens next!
Profile Image for Brianna.
90 reviews
November 6, 2025
Rating: 5 ⭐️
What to expect: Greek mythology, fated mates, gods behaving badly, found family, magical artifacts, SLOW BURN, prophecy, multi-pov, quest, betrayal, enemies to lovers

The Heir of War Rises built upon everything I loved from the first book in the series: lovable characters, funny banter, secrets and betrayal, wild quests, and tons of Greek mythology. Reading more about my favorite characters (Ren and Daris) was my favorite part. Ren is such a strong and independent FMC, but she also has the biggest heart and continues to put the people most important to her first. As for our lovely MMC Daris…I’m just obsessed with how much he loves Ren. He’s willing to do anything for her no matter the cost.

All of the characters are phenomenal. Some really keep you guessing and some will shock you, but that’s what helps make this such a great story. On top of that, the world building just keeps getting better. I really enjoyed the multi-POV because in opinion it made it easier for me to follow even when everyone was running around on their own separate missions.

And that ending?? Hello??? I couldn’t stop reading because the twists just kept coming. I got some answers that I needed after reading book 1, but now I have even MORE questions after finishing this book…especially after the cliffhanger!! I’m counting down the days for book 3 and seriously can’t wait to get back into the Eighth Circle series again soon. 🖤⚔️
Profile Image for Anna.
64 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2025
This book has so much suspense! It has so many POVs and a lot is going on and you just want to know how everything is connected and who is behind what. There are new characters, new plot, new secrets,... I can't wait for book 3 to get more answers!
I am so in love with the MMC Daris. He just wants to do the right thing and is so in love with Terena.
I love Sonah and her kind but also strong personality.
Melanos is the best and I really enjoyed his parts. He has such a good heart.
Tragic stories, death, betrayal and so much more waits for you in the second book of the eighth circle series.
Profile Image for Mrs Holm Reads.
68 reviews10 followers
October 26, 2025
I've always been captivated by tales of mythical gods, especially those set in a golden age of divine intrigue. This story follows three siblings—Sonah, Croak, and Terena—as they embark on a perilous journey to save one another from the clutches of death while simultaneously trying to avert an impending war. The fates have a peculiar way of intertwining lives, and in this case, it's no different. One sibling possesses extraordinary powers, rapidly awakening as she nears the age when her abilities will fully manifest. The other, though young, is sharp-witted and poses a unique threat in her own right. It’s a slow-burn narrative filled with suspense, with each chapter escalating the tension and stakes. The ending left me wrecked I need book 3..
Profile Image for Abigail Smith.
18 reviews
October 12, 2025
Urgh when I tell you I was wrecked to realise I now have to wait for book 3! There is so much happening in The Heir of War Rises. There’s War and civil uprisings, romantic trysts (and some very jealous individuals 😜) plus the introductions of new characters, the expansion of characters in from the ashes of gods, it was a whirlwind of fantastical chaos with so many questions unanswered with a cliff hanger that makes you stomp your feet in impatience for the next book.

The betrayals, the banter, the loss, and the found family. As I read this ARC I genuinely had to reflect on my own personal judgement the trust I put in characters who at first were sketchy AF only for me to feel like there were redeeming qualities and then boom! Betrayal… and characters I instantly didn’t trust only to be the ones to have Sonah? And Rens back this book gave me some severe whiplash but in a way that meant any spare time had me reaching for my kindle, and now I’ve finished so I’ll spend my time theorising on what awaits me for the next book.
Profile Image for Taylor Dux.
4 reviews
December 28, 2025
Wow. This book blew my mind. Second book in the eighth circle series and I’m OBSESSED. I’m not a fan of slow burn books and this has me flipping the pages at a mile a minute. The romance, the bada** female main character, the visual descriptions, the romance! Highly recommend to fantasy fans of all flavors.
7 reviews
November 7, 2025
**ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for an honest review**

I was really torn on what to rate this book while I was reading it. Either way, I am very much looking forward to Book 3…

Things I liked: The characters that this book series have brought to life are so fun, and their personalities are all so different from each other. You really get to know these characters due to the multi-POV. One problem I had with Book 1 was that it was hard to navigate the multi-POV and figure out what character was being focused on. In Book 2, the artwork at the start of each scene change really helped clear that up. Without getting into spoilers, I also really liked the foreshadowing that Terena’s mission isn’t going to have the outcome that she thinks…

Things I didn’t like: There were so many setting changes throughout each chapter, I felt like I constantly had whiplash. I get that the main characters are separated from each other for the entire plot, but it caused a lot of confusion for me on where everyone was. Maybe this is the type of book that you need to binge in a few nights rather than over the course of a few weeks, that way it’s easier to remember everything. Along with that, (and I hate to say this about any book), but I felt like there was no clear beginning/middle/end… The characters were traveling around nearly catching up to each other the ENTIRE book.

Needless to say, I hope Book 3 finally shows everyone together in one room for once. And man, that cliffhanger at the end— Katerina Speers really knows how to leave an audience at the edge of their seat!
Profile Image for Kathleen Howlett.
56 reviews4 followers
November 10, 2025
Thank you to Katerina, Victory Editing and Netgalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own.

If you're a fan of Greek mythology, suspense, plot twists, betrayals galore, slow SLOW burns and a MMC who yearns then have I got a book series for you. Book 2 in the Eighth Circle series, The Heir of War Rises brings us back to the world of Elysium and boy does it throw us straight into the action. We're reunited with our lovably snarky found family, as well as introduced to a few more well-known figures in Greek Mythology. Ren continues to be an absolute badass, Daris the man who is completely obsessed with her, Sonah is transforming from naive girl to a powerhouse in her own right, and Croak...continues to be Croak.

The plot progresses at a break-neck speed and with multiple POVs the reader barely gets a moment to catch our breath. Especially the last 30% of the book, which is an onslaught of twists, turns and betrayals barreling straight into the end. Whereas I feel like book 1 took a lot of time setting up and developing our characters, book 2 is definitely about world-building and plot progression. I love how much more we learn about Elysium, the gods as well as the existence of other realms. We get so many answers, but we get just as many new questions. I'm obsessed, and can't wait to get my hands on book 3.
Profile Image for Alli MacManus.
47 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2025
***Thank you to Victory Editing and Katerina Speers for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own***

Holy f***king cliffhanger. How am I supposed to wait until next summer for book 3?

The Heir of War Rises is a worthy sequel to From the Ashes of Gods.

While the separation of the sisters at the end of book one saddened me, it REALLY set up Sonah’s development in this book. No longer is she solely someone to be protected, but a bad ass, complex, character in her own right. Watching her grow was a joy.

My poor Terena, I so badly wanted for her to find even a moment of peace. We see her grow into a true heir of ares…and I can’t stop my anguish for her and Daris.

The side characters truly develop in this installment— between lerek, Cassandra, Bethana, Orry, and more…each has a compelling driver, background, and plot purpose that leaves you wanting more.

The BETRAYALS. The politics. The unknown forces at play…and my gods, the cliffhanger.

This is a worthy book 2, that sets us up for an action packed book 3– I’ll be pre ordering at the first opportunity.
Profile Image for Yolanda.
85 reviews7 followers
November 1, 2025
Book two in The Eighth Circle Series picks up just a few weeks after From the Ashes of Gods, and I thought I was ready for what came next. I was so, so wrong.

We follow Terena Luca, torn from her sister’s side and tasked with recovering a relic of a lost amulet, one capable of toppling armies, bending gods to mortal will, and unlocking the path to Sonah. The stakes are higher, the emotions are sharper, and the chaos? Pure perfection.

Like the first book, this one delivers incredible world-building, snarky, well-developed characters, and jaw-dropping plot twists that left me yelling “WTF?!” more than once. Katerina Speers has a gift for mixing myth, madness, and heartache in ways that keep you turning pages long past bedtime.

And that cliffhanger ending? Absolutely brutal. I’m dying here. Bring on book three, I need answers.
Profile Image for Kristina Haas.
37 reviews
November 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, what an adventure! The plot twists and constant action kept me glued from start to finish. I loved that each chapter listed the location, it made tracking the group’s journey so easy and fun.

The character development was incredible! Getting to know Sonah and Lerek more was such a highlight (please tell me Lerek gets a redemption arc!). And as Sonah grows into her power, I’m secretly hoping she picks up some fighting skills too, she’s surrounded by warriors, after all!

Terena gives total Aelin vibes and I love it. That ending though… I’m not okay. What a cliffhanger!! I need book three right now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Paola Prado.
30 reviews8 followers
November 12, 2025
4.75⭐️ Holy crap, that was a wild read! The journey Terena and Sonah go on in this second installment captivated me with every twist and turn. You think you have something figured out, but then Katerina throws another curve that leaves you guessing.
While at times I felt as if it was just a game of cat-and-mouse, I will say that this is something you’ll want to binge; not just because of the action but the characters as well. I enjoyed the way the this book felt like a movie the whole time, I mean honestly description after description, this was well written.
Profile Image for Tiffany Hart.
52 reviews
November 29, 2025
Really strong story with great momentum, but so many characters, names, and locations that I kept having to pause and double-check who was who. By the time I hit about 90%, I even went back to the character list to confirm a name—only to find they weren’t listed, and had to piece it together using context from another character.

That said, the plot itself is engaging, the worldbuilding is rich, and the stakes keep building in a satisfying way. Despite the occasional confusion, I was invested the whole time and I’m definitely looking forward to the finale!
Profile Image for Gigi.
8 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2025
I have really enjoyed this series! I love when books keep your attention and this one did not disappoint. The evolution of Terena and Sonah has been a wild ride. I love the comic-relief of Croak. Twists, turns, battles, love, loss, betrayal, you name it, this book has it! I cannot wait for book 3!
Profile Image for Andersen.
68 reviews
October 14, 2025
This book was slightly chaotic, but in a good way. There’s a lot happening: Terena and Sonah are torn apart, both fighting their own battles across dangerous realms while gods, spies, and prophecy loom over every choice. Between a lost relic that could bend gods to mortal will, a Spartan commander with dangerously magnetic energy, and a growing power that even Terena can’t control, it’s nonstop action from start to finish.

I’ll admit, I got a little lost a few times with the constant switch in settings, but the story’s depth and tension more than made up for it. The world feels massive, layered with betrayal, forgiveness, heartbreak, and divine interference.

And those last 100 pages are just pure madness. Revelation after revelation. I finished the book both satisfied and desperate for book three to see how it all unravels.
Profile Image for Jordyn.
205 reviews3 followers
November 9, 2025
The way this series (and author!) has me in an absolute chokehold.

Katerina Speers is back again with the second installment in her Eighth Circle series, and it did not disappoint.

The first book, From the Ashes of Gods, introduced us to this Greek mythology–inspired fantasy world full of prophecy, gods behaving badly, and slow-burn enemies to lovers energy. I fell hard for the fast-paced, witty writing, the unforgettable characters, and the familiar myths. So, naturally, I was counting down the days for book two.

The Heir of War Rises doesn’t ease you back in gently... it throws you right into the chaos (in the best way). From page one, we’re pulled into quests, battles, and emotional stakes that only grow with each chapter. Told through multiple POVs (my favorite!), we follow Terena and Sonah as they fight their way back to each other, alongside both new and beloved returning characters. (Special shoutout to Melanos and Croak... my faves).

Someone else called the ending “pure chaos,” and I couldn’t agree more. The amount of action, twists, and emotional gut-punches packed into this book is wild. Every chapter peels back another layer of betrayal, prophecy, or heartbreak… and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, Speers drops another twist.

She is truly the queen of cliffhangers, and trust me... you’ll be begging for book three the second you finish.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and maybe a few tears)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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