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The Chronicles of Chaera #2
A Sun Fading, A Songbird Broken
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Suntower Palace is more than a home. It's a tomb.
Ever since Windkeepβs decree to send all the maidens away from Chaera, Suntowerβs twin Princesses Liora and Lark Sulmaaneβs lives have never been the same. Theyβve returned changed: one deathly ill and the other harboring a deadly secret. Liora, locked away in a remote tower and too weak to stand most days, wants nothing more than to leave the room that binds her. And fleeing into the palaceβs dark places is Lark, who seeks to outrun the beast that haunts her every night.
But when Lark overhears a piece of information that could grant freedom to everyone she loves, she follows the spark of hope on a perilous quest to Croastan, leaving her sister behind. Though she doesn't anticipate Gaellen Fitz-Pault, the runaway, climbing through Liora's window in her absence.
Berin Koppeter, a burgeoning violinist from Bremen, Germany, has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. But when one shipwreck in the North Sea leaves him stranded in Croastan, a land of magicked song and never-ending trees, heβs desperate to get back home.
Liora and Lark soon find their hearts entangled. One on the verge of death, the other on the verge of becoming a monsterβ¦neither anticipated falling in love nor the sacrifice that would come with it.
In this YA portal fantasy where ππ¦π’πΆπ΅πΊ π’π―π₯ π΅π©π¦ ππ¦π’π΄π΅ and ππ’π±πΆπ―π»π¦π meet the winter wilds inspired by Russian and Irish folklore, Liora, Lark, Gaellen, and Berin must decide what is worth fighting forβbefore itβs too late for them all.
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πΌπ£π π π’ππ£ π€π£ π©ππ π§πͺπ£
Suntower Palace is more than a home. It's a tomb.
Ever since Windkeepβs decree to send all the maidens away from Chaera, Suntowerβs twin Princesses Liora and Lark Sulmaaneβs lives have never been the same. Theyβve returned changed: one deathly ill and the other harboring a deadly secret. Liora, locked away in a remote tower and too weak to stand most days, wants nothing more than to leave the room that binds her. And fleeing into the palaceβs dark places is Lark, who seeks to outrun the beast that haunts her every night.
But when Lark overhears a piece of information that could grant freedom to everyone she loves, she follows the spark of hope on a perilous quest to Croastan, leaving her sister behind. Though she doesn't anticipate Gaellen Fitz-Pault, the runaway, climbing through Liora's window in her absence.
Berin Koppeter, a burgeoning violinist from Bremen, Germany, has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. But when one shipwreck in the North Sea leaves him stranded in Croastan, a land of magicked song and never-ending trees, heβs desperate to get back home.
Liora and Lark soon find their hearts entangled. One on the verge of death, the other on the verge of becoming a monsterβ¦neither anticipated falling in love nor the sacrifice that would come with it.
In this YA portal fantasy where ππ¦π’πΆπ΅πΊ π’π―π₯ π΅π©π¦ ππ¦π’π΄π΅ and ππ’π±πΆπ―π»π¦π meet the winter wilds inspired by Russian and Irish folklore, Liora, Lark, Gaellen, and Berin must decide what is worth fighting forβbefore itβs too late for them all.
- GenresRetellings
ebook
About the author
Alissa J. Zavalianos
9Β books546Β followersAlissa J. Zavalianos grew up in New Hampshire and currently lives there with her wonderful husband, sweet daughter, and mischievous cat, Moo. As a child, she always had a love for nature, books, and fairy tales, and as she grew older, that love bloomed all the more. Alissa loves Jesus and is inspired by birds, mountains, castles, Tolkien, Lewis, and the way a cold breath of wind feels on her bare toes.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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August 7, 2026Release Date: 11.03.26!
Preorder link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHJ54T95
Claim your preorder swag here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
Author's Note:
Would you believe me if I told you this book came even easier than the first one? I think out of everything Iβve written, this is my favorite work to date. From the plot, the setting, the charactersβ¦ I canβt wait to share it with you!
My prayer is that when readers dive in, theyβre whisked away on another grand adventureβyesβbut even more so, are brought to a greater understanding of Godβs sovereignty. How He sometimes allows difficulty in our lives to keep us from greater harm. That He sees it all when we do not. And we can trust Him in that.
I can't wait to get this story into your hands :)
Preorder link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHJ54T95
Claim your preorder swag here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
Author's Note:
Would you believe me if I told you this book came even easier than the first one? I think out of everything Iβve written, this is my favorite work to date. From the plot, the setting, the charactersβ¦ I canβt wait to share it with you!
My prayer is that when readers dive in, theyβre whisked away on another grand adventureβyesβbut even more so, are brought to a greater understanding of Godβs sovereignty. How He sometimes allows difficulty in our lives to keep us from greater harm. That He sees it all when we do not. And we can trust Him in that.
I can't wait to get this story into your hands :)
July 28, 2026
Oh my goodness! I loved this book! It was so good, Lark and Berin were my favorites! But I also loved Leora and Gaellen! (Especially Gaellen because he was a redhead and I have a character named Gaelen who is also a redhead...lol...)
Characters:
Lark was such a relatable character...I mean, I related hard! On the being afraid to tell anyone, not wanting to be a burden, thinking you can handle something on your own...etc...I loved her! *hugs*
Leora was harder for me to understand, I would have liked to know a little more of her interest before she became ill and I think that would have given me more to go...I was sympathetic toward her, just didn't understand her all the time. If you know what I mean...
Berin...where do I start! I love him! From the fact that he plays violin to his interactions with the kids and just...the way he treats everyone with so much kindness! Even animals!!! I love him!
Gaellen was charming and sweet and just...ack! I loved him too! It's never every guy who will do what he did for his girl, you know? Love him!
All the side characters were super interesting and fun as well!
Language:
N/A
Romance:
Yes, two, but they are slow burn and more friends to something more and forbidden romance vibes, with just a few kisses near the end. It's built on friendships, and they are sooooooo sweet!
Magic:
Yes, the world of Chaera does have magic, from winderplume to music, and it's so cool! All magic was given by the Maker, so it's more like gifts than anything. It can be used for good or bad, depending on the person, and some try to twist it, but ultimately light wins! I like that there is no spell casting or weirdness, that's nice.
Violence/Gore:
Characters are ill, caught in traps, attacked, mauled, and some people die, but nothing is shown but the burials. Mentions of someone being burned and someone one being cruelly mauled...but nothing has excessive details, all is handled tastefully.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this book! Much more than I did book 1, and I enjoyed that one as well, but this is my favorite! I loved the music and story aspects and the bears...and everything was just so beautiful and so much fun!
Recommended for ages 14+
Characters:
Lark was such a relatable character...I mean, I related hard! On the being afraid to tell anyone, not wanting to be a burden, thinking you can handle something on your own...etc...I loved her! *hugs*
Leora was harder for me to understand, I would have liked to know a little more of her interest before she became ill and I think that would have given me more to go...I was sympathetic toward her, just didn't understand her all the time. If you know what I mean...
Berin...where do I start! I love him! From the fact that he plays violin to his interactions with the kids and just...the way he treats everyone with so much kindness! Even animals!!! I love him!
Gaellen was charming and sweet and just...ack! I loved him too! It's never every guy who will do what he did for his girl, you know? Love him!
All the side characters were super interesting and fun as well!
Language:
N/A
Romance:
Yes, two, but they are slow burn and more friends to something more and forbidden romance vibes, with just a few kisses near the end. It's built on friendships, and they are sooooooo sweet!
Magic:
Yes, the world of Chaera does have magic, from winderplume to music, and it's so cool! All magic was given by the Maker, so it's more like gifts than anything. It can be used for good or bad, depending on the person, and some try to twist it, but ultimately light wins! I like that there is no spell casting or weirdness, that's nice.
Violence/Gore:
Characters are ill, caught in traps, attacked, mauled, and some people die, but nothing is shown but the burials. Mentions of someone being burned and someone one being cruelly mauled...but nothing has excessive details, all is handled tastefully.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this book! Much more than I did book 1, and I enjoyed that one as well, but this is my favorite! I loved the music and story aspects and the bears...and everything was just so beautiful and so much fun!
Recommended for ages 14+
December 18, 2025
I've been lucky enough to beta read for book 2 of the Chronicles of Chaera. This piece is my favorite of Alissa's thus far, and it's not even in its complete form yet. This story is so whimsical and full of faith and hope themes. The music and magic elements are so strong and lovely. I honestly cannot come up with eloquent enough words to describe how much I loved this installment of the Chronicles of Chaera. I am excited to see how this story changes when it's published, and I cannot wait to read the third book of this trilogy!!
Want to Read
November 27, 2025You had me at Irish folklore!
I havenβt even read the first book yetβ¦but iβm sure Iβll like it and this one.
Lol.
I havenβt even read the first book yetβ¦but iβm sure Iβll like it and this one.
Lol.
July 24, 2026
Loved this so much! I finished it in less than two days, and I could not put it down. It definitely gave Rapunzel vibes, who is probably my all time favorite Disney princess. I had loved On the Edge of the Forgotten Sea, and I appreciate that both books could be read without reading the other ( or at least in my opinion). I also thought the twin sister vibes were sweet, and that their sister bond was so strong. The plot was interesting, and I was captivated from the first page. I sort of had an inkling about the plot twists, but I was still pleasantly surprised. I am always grateful to find books with faith elements, and A Sun Fading, A Songbird Broken is a beautifully written Christian fantasy. The romance was literally so cute, and I loved that it was friends to lovers. Overall, a delightful read, and I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Magical. I loved the world Alissa built, the sweet romances and the bond between two sisters. I loved the feel of being told an old tale a story being shared to be passed down to the next generation. Beautiful and exciting
July 30, 2026
RTC! <3
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews