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Letters from Maynara #2
Bird King Rising
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26A new queen reigns. A rebellion stirs. Will she risk it all to rule?
Newly crowned queen Laya Gatdula is determined to prove her worth to her subjects, her family, her rivals—and herself. When whispers of rebellion and rumored sightings of a giant raptor in the mountainous Skylands reach the capital, Laya must face the terrifying realization that her ex-lover and rival, Luntok, might still be alive and coming for the throne. Though she already wields power over wind and rain, to quell the threat from the north, Laya seeks the ultimate weapon: lightning.
Torn between the counsel of two men—her beloved confidant and her ruthless uncle—Laya must trust herself to cement her legacy and hold the throne. Is it better to earn her nation’s loyalty through benevolent rule, or risk everything to become an all-powerful god? And with Luntok rapidly gathering his army, will she live long enough to make the choice?
From Samantha Bansil, a brilliant, fresh voice in AAPI fiction, Bird King Rising returns to the world of Black Salt Queen with the gripping conclusion to an epic story of duty and strength, passion and betrayal, and the devastating cost of war.
Newly crowned queen Laya Gatdula is determined to prove her worth to her subjects, her family, her rivals—and herself. When whispers of rebellion and rumored sightings of a giant raptor in the mountainous Skylands reach the capital, Laya must face the terrifying realization that her ex-lover and rival, Luntok, might still be alive and coming for the throne. Though she already wields power over wind and rain, to quell the threat from the north, Laya seeks the ultimate weapon: lightning.
Torn between the counsel of two men—her beloved confidant and her ruthless uncle—Laya must trust herself to cement her legacy and hold the throne. Is it better to earn her nation’s loyalty through benevolent rule, or risk everything to become an all-powerful god? And with Luntok rapidly gathering his army, will she live long enough to make the choice?
From Samantha Bansil, a brilliant, fresh voice in AAPI fiction, Bird King Rising returns to the world of Black Salt Queen with the gripping conclusion to an epic story of duty and strength, passion and betrayal, and the devastating cost of war.
416 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Samantha Bansil
2 books81 followersSamantha Bansil is a Filipino-American fantasy author. She studied sociology and French at Boston University before earning a master’s degree at Institut d’études politiques de Paris. After trying on many a professional hat, she found her way back to her one true love: writing. Her stories often feature big feelings, lush settings, and unlikeable protagonists. A jet-setter at heart, she lives to travel worlds both real and imagined. When she’s not writing, she can be found wandering bookstores and ricocheting between continents. She works in Paris, France, as a content marketer.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 31, 2026DNF at 58%
ARC kindly given by the publisher. all opinions are my own.
when i read the first book in the series, black salt queen, i fell in love with the world-building and the characters. i loved the themes and i was really looking forward to the sequel. imagine my disappointment now that i have to dnf it!
the main issue was the pacing: it felt too slow. as chapters went on i felt less and less interested in what was going on. the events were happening in slow-mo, at least that’s how everything felt to me. while the first book had a good balance between slow and medium pace, this one leaned more into a slower pacing which made the reading experience more tedious. in addition, the characters changed in ways that didn’t make sense to me. while in the first book Laya was fierce, intelligent, and eloquent, here she seemed unable to defend herself (see her interactions with Bato) and unable to be by herself (see her falling for Ariel very quickly). this behaviour seemed out of character and completely different from the character we got to know in book one.
overall, i had high expectations and sadly this didn’t hit like i hoped it would. i wish the pacing was more balanced, alternating between slow and quick moments, making this a more enjoyable read. since i don't feel any interest in this story anymore, i have decided to dnf and leave it be.
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no one is more disappointed than me, trust me…
RTC.
———————————
Screaming cryiiijng throwing up the publisher sent me an arc of this😭😭😭😭💗🥹🥹🥹💕💛
ARC kindly given by the publisher. all opinions are my own.
when i read the first book in the series, black salt queen, i fell in love with the world-building and the characters. i loved the themes and i was really looking forward to the sequel. imagine my disappointment now that i have to dnf it!
the main issue was the pacing: it felt too slow. as chapters went on i felt less and less interested in what was going on. the events were happening in slow-mo, at least that’s how everything felt to me. while the first book had a good balance between slow and medium pace, this one leaned more into a slower pacing which made the reading experience more tedious. in addition, the characters changed in ways that didn’t make sense to me. while in the first book Laya was fierce, intelligent, and eloquent, here she seemed unable to defend herself (see her interactions with Bato) and unable to be by herself (see her falling for Ariel very quickly). this behaviour seemed out of character and completely different from the character we got to know in book one.
overall, i had high expectations and sadly this didn’t hit like i hoped it would. i wish the pacing was more balanced, alternating between slow and quick moments, making this a more enjoyable read. since i don't feel any interest in this story anymore, i have decided to dnf and leave it be.
-----------------
no one is more disappointed than me, trust me…
RTC.
———————————
Screaming cryiiijng throwing up the publisher sent me an arc of this😭😭😭😭💗🥹🥹🥹💕💛
July 29, 2026
Read for work, a truly epic conclusion to a fabulous and lush Filipino myth inspired fantasy duology!!
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May 27, 2026Bulan from Black Salt Queen is aromantic asexual!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
March 19, 2026
Return to the world of Black Salt Queen in the follow up novel. This book was EVERYTHING. Laya now has so many other things to focus on, the kingdom of Mayanara, family and a new threat. The balance between all of this and now a solid lover who she can never marry. Giving us more of Bulan, Laya’s sister, was such an impactful story line to keep the whole novel moving. She doesn’t have a happy ending and sadly dies right before the books final chapters. Eti who is young wants to do more for Laya and help in this war. Laya refuses her and wants to keep her youngest sibling safe. She becomes a hero but at a cost that she must live with past the war. Luntok is now a God threatening Mayanara and the Gatdula line. He’s out for revenge.
This is one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and it lived up to it all.
This is one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and it lived up to it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really, really wish I had loved this. Black Salt Queen wasn’t a perfect book, but its story was strong: a complex story about corrupting nature of power, centered around strong women. Unfortunately, I found the themes of the second book were not as well explored, the characters were often not people I felt worth rooting for, and the ending left a sour taste in my mouth. Please be warned for spoilers below (which will be removed from my NetGalley review due to the lack of a spoiler tag).
This book centers Laya as she faces the rising threat of her ex, Luntok, who is gathering an army in territory of the Skylands to usurp her family’s god-given throne. Admittedly, my memory of the first book is imperfect, so I can’t say with complete certainty how well some of the ideas it introduced were brought to this novel—but this book just never convinced me that Laya was on, shall we say, the right side of history. It seemed to me that I was meant to root for her because she was the queen and Luntok was a rebel, though, aside from the argument of precedence, I didn’t see any reason she would be a better ruler than Luntok.
This is all part of a larger problem: I didn’t find the way this book discussed war or set up its conflicts to be particularly strong. Though I wanted to be lost in the story, I found it difficult not to be distracted by what felt like particularly weak execution of the idea of a war. The characters fell for obvious traps, children became fighting prodigies in mere weeks of training, the most complicated strategy any side in the war came up with was “on my signal it would be really cool if you found a way to kill their leader” with, quite literally, no more planning than that and no thought that said person would at all be in a position to kill an opposing leader. In a book where the complexities of war are a central focus, I found it disappointing that the war was never particularly complex. This, paired with never really seeing Laya doing any ruling, never seeing Luntok come up with any particularly strategy…it left the book feeling like it didn’t really understand its main subject matter of war and leadership. To be clear, I do not expect expertise. The author does not need to have characters recite The Art of War or make complex political moves for the book to work. I just wasn’t drawn into the book when the subject matter felt so underexplored.
Unfortunately, I also did not end up enjoying the characters. Laya and Luntok have potential to be interesting characters, but neither of them felt all that complex or compelling. Luntok was characterized as being a good leader, in part, due to his ability to connect with the people he is leading, but this was told more than it was shown. Laya, on the other hand….most of her plot seemed to be her relationships with men in a way that I, personally, am just not interested in? I wanted to hear more about her life than who she is sleeping with. I have more to say, but will save it for my spoiler section below.
My least favorite part of this book was the way it ended. I really can’t talk about this without spoilers, so here is your warning!
Speaking again in the vaguest terms, these two factors about the book made me well and truly dislike the protagonists at the ending of the book. I’m not entirely sure if this is the point or not. On one hand, the author calls attention to these factors, so perhaps the actions of the characters are being condemned. On the other hand…I’m not so sure that these were condemnations. No, I do not need books to only depict perfect morality and everything to end in sunshine and rainbows. However, I did dislike the endings, as well as the relationship dynamics depicted in the book. I did not enjoy the story, and I deeply disliked the way it ended.
All in all, this would be a difficult book for me to recommend. The ending did not work for me. The way Laya was characterized didn’t make her a compelling character for me. The relationship depicted was not one I enjoyed reading about. The way the story depicted war did not work for me. The end result is a book that just was not pleasant for me to read. I do see this book working well for other readers and, as always, more power to them—I am not saying that this book is bad, but I am saying that I did not like it. I’m rating it 2 out of 5 stars, unfortunately.
Thank you to Bindery Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book centers Laya as she faces the rising threat of her ex, Luntok, who is gathering an army in territory of the Skylands to usurp her family’s god-given throne. Admittedly, my memory of the first book is imperfect, so I can’t say with complete certainty how well some of the ideas it introduced were brought to this novel—but this book just never convinced me that Laya was on, shall we say, the right side of history. It seemed to me that I was meant to root for her because she was the queen and Luntok was a rebel, though, aside from the argument of precedence, I didn’t see any reason she would be a better ruler than Luntok.
This is all part of a larger problem: I didn’t find the way this book discussed war or set up its conflicts to be particularly strong. Though I wanted to be lost in the story, I found it difficult not to be distracted by what felt like particularly weak execution of the idea of a war. The characters fell for obvious traps, children became fighting prodigies in mere weeks of training, the most complicated strategy any side in the war came up with was “on my signal it would be really cool if you found a way to kill their leader” with, quite literally, no more planning than that and no thought that said person would at all be in a position to kill an opposing leader. In a book where the complexities of war are a central focus, I found it disappointing that the war was never particularly complex. This, paired with never really seeing Laya doing any ruling, never seeing Luntok come up with any particularly strategy…it left the book feeling like it didn’t really understand its main subject matter of war and leadership. To be clear, I do not expect expertise. The author does not need to have characters recite The Art of War or make complex political moves for the book to work. I just wasn’t drawn into the book when the subject matter felt so underexplored.
Unfortunately, I also did not end up enjoying the characters. Laya and Luntok have potential to be interesting characters, but neither of them felt all that complex or compelling. Luntok was characterized as being a good leader, in part, due to his ability to connect with the people he is leading, but this was told more than it was shown. Laya, on the other hand….most of her plot seemed to be her relationships with men in a way that I, personally, am just not interested in? I wanted to hear more about her life than who she is sleeping with. I have more to say, but will save it for my spoiler section below.
My least favorite part of this book was the way it ended. I really can’t talk about this without spoilers, so here is your warning!
Speaking again in the vaguest terms, these two factors about the book made me well and truly dislike the protagonists at the ending of the book. I’m not entirely sure if this is the point or not. On one hand, the author calls attention to these factors, so perhaps the actions of the characters are being condemned. On the other hand…I’m not so sure that these were condemnations. No, I do not need books to only depict perfect morality and everything to end in sunshine and rainbows. However, I did dislike the endings, as well as the relationship dynamics depicted in the book. I did not enjoy the story, and I deeply disliked the way it ended.
All in all, this would be a difficult book for me to recommend. The ending did not work for me. The way Laya was characterized didn’t make her a compelling character for me. The relationship depicted was not one I enjoyed reading about. The way the story depicted war did not work for me. The end result is a book that just was not pleasant for me to read. I do see this book working well for other readers and, as always, more power to them—I am not saying that this book is bad, but I am saying that I did not like it. I’m rating it 2 out of 5 stars, unfortunately.
Thank you to Bindery Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"Pangil had glanced over just as a lightning bolt streaked over the white stone walls in the distance. He had smiled gaily, the harsh blue light flashing across the dark curve of his irises. Then he had pointed toward stretch of the sky where the storm appeared the thickest.That's one of my nieces. I'm told I have three."
Having read Black Salt Queen and was smitten, Bird King Rising naturally becomes of one my most anticipated sequel and it did not disappoint! I am so glad to be back in the world of Maynara and be thrown into the action, chaos, and war swirling around Laya's ascend to the throne. How will Laya prove herself worthy to be queen and take on the mantle of her mother, the late Hara Duja? Will she be able to kill her former lover that stands against her?
I've mentioned before in book 1 review that Bansil's true talent lies in the way she weaves her characters to be rich with complexities and depths of their own. Sisters could clash, but care, and yet resent and miss each others at the same time. Lovers could turn love to hate, to seeking warmth in another people, yet to miss the other's presence again. An estranged man could kill a family member, yet fiercely protect the other. Some of these motives clashes but it make perfect sense and reflect how as human being, we are not made of a singular thoughts. These characters feels alive with desire that's personal to themselves.
I love Laya wholeheartedly. She did soften up and is more mature, but I wouldn't mistake her as loosing her teeth at all. If not, she had only become fiercer to protect her own people and nation. I adore the other characters here too; Ariel, Bulan, Eti, Pangil, (okay maybe I did care about Luntok a little) and others. As for the pacing, I feel like this book slowed down rather than the fast paced nature of book 1. It's nice that we also get to see more character P.O.V's here.
Moving on; firstly, I wished that we had seen more humanity on Luntok. If we got a little monologue of him going back and forth as to why he remain steadfast on this path, or questioning is it even worth it, I feel like we'll be able to appreciate his character more. And the ending quite took me out; especially the direction of Laya and Ariel's relationship. It 100% changed on how I view them.
Overall, I'd highly recommend it. I still love book one better, but this one was a satisfying conclusion to the duology. The event was wrapped up nicely and I wonder if the author had plans to expand this universe; I can see Eti's story being developed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"Pangil had glanced over just as a lightning bolt streaked over the white stone walls in the distance. He had smiled gaily, the harsh blue light flashing across the dark curve of his irises. Then he had pointed toward stretch of the sky where the storm appeared the thickest.That's one of my nieces. I'm told I have three."
Having read Black Salt Queen and was smitten, Bird King Rising naturally becomes of one my most anticipated sequel and it did not disappoint! I am so glad to be back in the world of Maynara and be thrown into the action, chaos, and war swirling around Laya's ascend to the throne. How will Laya prove herself worthy to be queen and take on the mantle of her mother, the late Hara Duja? Will she be able to kill her former lover that stands against her?
I've mentioned before in book 1 review that Bansil's true talent lies in the way she weaves her characters to be rich with complexities and depths of their own. Sisters could clash, but care, and yet resent and miss each others at the same time. Lovers could turn love to hate, to seeking warmth in another people, yet to miss the other's presence again. An estranged man could kill a family member, yet fiercely protect the other. Some of these motives clashes but it make perfect sense and reflect how as human being, we are not made of a singular thoughts. These characters feels alive with desire that's personal to themselves.
I love Laya wholeheartedly. She did soften up and is more mature, but I wouldn't mistake her as loosing her teeth at all. If not, she had only become fiercer to protect her own people and nation. I adore the other characters here too; Ariel, Bulan, Eti, Pangil, (okay maybe I did care about Luntok a little) and others. As for the pacing, I feel like this book slowed down rather than the fast paced nature of book 1. It's nice that we also get to see more character P.O.V's here.
Moving on; firstly, I wished that we had seen more humanity on Luntok. If we got a little monologue of him going back and forth as to why he remain steadfast on this path, or questioning is it even worth it, I feel like we'll be able to appreciate his character more. And the ending quite took me out; especially the direction of Laya and Ariel's relationship. It 100% changed on how I view them.
Overall, I'd highly recommend it. I still love book one better, but this one was a satisfying conclusion to the duology. The event was wrapped up nicely and I wonder if the author had plans to expand this universe; I can see Eti's story being developed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bird King Rising completely hooked me from page one. The story wastes no time diving straight into the action and tension—no long recap, no filler, just pure momentum. I especially loved how the lovers-to-enemies dynamic felt sharp and believable, making every confrontation pulse with emotion. The political intrigue threads seamlessly through the plot, adding high stakes without ever feeling heavy-handed. The romantic and emotional tension between the alchemist, the queen, and the bird king is chef's kiss. It's messy, layered, and full of unresolved feelings that make every interaction crackle with intensity. These aren't clean relationships; they're complicated by history, betrayal, duty, and desire in ways that feel earned and real. The push and pull between loyalty and love, power and vulnerability, kept me on edge the entire time. I found myself holding my breath during their scenes together, never quite sure who would break first or what it would cost them. The family drama adds another layer that makes the world feel lived-in and real; every character's loyalty and betrayal actually stings. You can feel the weight of their choices, the way old wounds and new ambitions tangle together. It's not just about kingdoms and thrones; it's about people trying to navigate impossible situations with their hearts on the line. And the female lead? She's everything I want in a protagonist: capable, commanding, and refreshingly free of self-pity. She leads because she must, and she does it well. She's not waiting to be saved, and she may second-guess herself sometimes, but she handles business! She makes hard calls, owns her power, and moves through the story with a confidence that feels both inspiring and hard-won. Overall, this book balances intensity, intelligence, and emotion in a way that makes it hard to put down. It's sharp, fast, and deeply satisfying. The pacing never lets up, but it's not just action for action's sake; every scene matters, every conversation carries weight, and every emotional beat lands exactly where it needs to. This is the kind of sequel that reminds you why you fell in love with the series in the first place.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
'Bird King Rising' is the fast paced and action packed sequel to 'Black Salt Queen'.
There is a 6 month time skip from the ending of the first book. Laya is now Queen, Bulan the general of the royal guards, and Eti is slowly trying to find her place in the world. Luntok is back and trying to finish what his mother was not able to do.
Once again the authors writing style is very pleasant and easy to read. I am glad that we got more character development for Eti and Bulan, although I am disappointed with how Bulans character arc ended.
The tension between Laya and Luntok is very intense, the scenes between the two are always very entertaining. Luntok is delusional and possessive and Laya does not put up with it.
We get more exposition with Laya's uncle who is helping advise her and control her magic.
The relationship between Ariel and Laya is something that I have never personally been a fan of. Ariel is not a bad character I just dont feel that much of a connection with his and Laya. I do admire what Laya is willing to do for Ariel.
Finally, Laya grows as a character and loosing some of the immaturity and impulsivity she had in the previous book. I like her character a lot more during the events of 'Bird King Rising'.
Overall an interesting fantasy series that uses mythology and folklore from the Philippines, making a refreshing read for the fantasy genre. It also follows a 'lovers to enemies' plot which is a nice change as well.
Would recommend to those looking for a smaller scale fantasy.
There is a 6 month time skip from the ending of the first book. Laya is now Queen, Bulan the general of the royal guards, and Eti is slowly trying to find her place in the world. Luntok is back and trying to finish what his mother was not able to do.
Once again the authors writing style is very pleasant and easy to read. I am glad that we got more character development for Eti and Bulan, although I am disappointed with how Bulans character arc ended.
The tension between Laya and Luntok is very intense, the scenes between the two are always very entertaining. Luntok is delusional and possessive and Laya does not put up with it.
We get more exposition with Laya's uncle who is helping advise her and control her magic.
The relationship between Ariel and Laya is something that I have never personally been a fan of. Ariel is not a bad character I just dont feel that much of a connection with his and Laya. I do admire what Laya is willing to do for Ariel.
Finally, Laya grows as a character and loosing some of the immaturity and impulsivity she had in the previous book. I like her character a lot more during the events of 'Bird King Rising'.
Overall an interesting fantasy series that uses mythology and folklore from the Philippines, making a refreshing read for the fantasy genre. It also follows a 'lovers to enemies' plot which is a nice change as well.
Would recommend to those looking for a smaller scale fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Upon reading the first page, I was immediately transported back to the lush and intriguing world of Maynara. The political conflict continued in this final installment, and it drew me in more so than the first book given the threat of a civil war. However, compared to the first novel, the pace of the finale was a bit slower. While I enjoyed the plot development and the political intrigue, there were times were the lull was so significant that I had to put the book down and do something else, but I could never go too long without reading because I was so invested in the plot. The characters were still incredibly complex and gray, and the decisions that were made resulted in truly devastating consequences, which I felt was realistic albeit tragic. The romance took a different turn this book, and I wasn't too excited about it. On the other hand, I was loving the angst and resentment between Laya and Luntok, and their scenes were electrifying and heartbreaking. The author did an amazing job at showcasing the devastating and sometimes irreversible consequences of power and how it can forever alter one's self and their relationship. The ending was melancholic and bittersweet compared to the initial intensity, but I think it's a reasonable ending given the events of the book. Read this if you enjoy well-developed political intrigue, complex characters who make questionable but human choices, and realistic consequences of power and war.
April 19, 2026
I was really excited to get an ARC for Bird King Rising as I absolutely the first book in this series. Bird King Rising was not quite as good as the first book for me but still managed to be a really solid sequel and I definitely plan on reading whatever comes next in the series.
This book like the first offers multi POV and really focuses in on the characters and their inner thoughts. Where the book was a little less successful than the first for me was just a general frustration over some of the choices the characters were making even if those choices made sense given the character’s growth and perspective at that given point.
One thing I didn’t particularly understand is why Laya or anyone really surprised or angry that Ariel still wants support for his country to rebel against the colonizers? I would have thought that was obvious. Also what do you mean this new country means as much to Ariel as his country of birth this quickly with such little exposure. I was happy that at least Laya’s surprise and anger was relatively short lived.
There is also a lot more action in this book than the first. Most of the action in the first book is at the very end but there was some action throughout here and the last third was pretty much battles.
I really do appreciate how the author addresses the mental toll combat can play on those involved.
This book like the first offers multi POV and really focuses in on the characters and their inner thoughts. Where the book was a little less successful than the first for me was just a general frustration over some of the choices the characters were making even if those choices made sense given the character’s growth and perspective at that given point.
One thing I didn’t particularly understand is why Laya or anyone really surprised or angry that Ariel still wants support for his country to rebel against the colonizers? I would have thought that was obvious. Also what do you mean this new country means as much to Ariel as his country of birth this quickly with such little exposure. I was happy that at least Laya’s surprise and anger was relatively short lived.
There is also a lot more action in this book than the first. Most of the action in the first book is at the very end but there was some action throughout here and the last third was pretty much battles.
I really do appreciate how the author addresses the mental toll combat can play on those involved.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A perfect ending to a fantastic duology! If you're in the mood for something well written with complex characters and a satisfying ending, I highly recommend this. Much like other fantasy duologies I've read lately, this sets the stage for a larger world. (see also Song of the Last Kingdom duology by Amélie Wen Zhao & Bonded to Beasts duology by Hazel McBride.) I'd love to see more set in this world and my only disappointment is Samantha Bansil hasn't written a dozen other books for me to collect. Her characters have depth, motivations and are all extremely flawed but she gives them each such agency that they each have actual personalities and aren't just "ooooo evil..." The descriptions in these books bring the world to life in a way that will have you smelling the food, feeling the wind and seeing the colors.
Thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for my free EARC. (My 100th NetGalley EARC!)
Thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for my free EARC. (My 100th NetGalley EARC!)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have mixed feelings when it comes to this book. I liked reading it. I was engaged with the story. But I found myself disconnecting from Laya and Luntok. While I understand they are meant to be morally gray characters, I didn't have a solid reason to care about them and their struggles. Usually with morally gray characters, I understand their motivations and even though what they may be doing is wrong, it's filled with the right reasons. It just felt like these two characters wanted to get back at each other and used people to do it.
I loved Eti and Bulan. Those characters each had a reason to succeed that I could root for. I think I read to get to their chapters.
I did like seeing the bigger world and the other characters in the north. I liked the expansion of Laya's and Eti's powers.
I also wasn't in love with the ending. There's one event I didn't like, and it felt a bit open-ended.
I loved Eti and Bulan. Those characters each had a reason to succeed that I could root for. I think I read to get to their chapters.
I did like seeing the bigger world and the other characters in the north. I liked the expansion of Laya's and Eti's powers.
I also wasn't in love with the ending. There's one event I didn't like, and it felt a bit open-ended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The fantasy genre has a tendency to romanticise monarchies and ‘special’ characters with magical abilities and destinies. In her duology Samantha Bansil exposes the terrible consequences of such entitlement. In her second instalment Bird King Rising, Laya and Luntok, ex-lovers and the leaders of noble families with magical abilities, both believe they are born to rule and as such take their people to war. Through the multiple points of view, we see the emotions, obsessions and egotism that fuel these characters as well as a sensible humane voice that is tragically ignored. Bird King Rising is a well wrought fantasy story with flawed but compelling characters and important points to make about the dangers of unchecked power.
Thanks to Samantha Bansil, the publisher and NetGalley for the arc copy of the book.
Thanks to Samantha Bansil, the publisher and NetGalley for the arc copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Ms. Bansil and Netgalley for the e-ARC!
Like its predecessor, Black Salt Queen, I found myself drawn into Laya's world and I was right back again with Bird King Rising. The way Bansil writes is truly lovely, immersing you into the story and Laya's world.
Overall, I found myself enjoying this continuation just as much as I did the first book. I would absolutely recommend it to friends, and have! Cannot wait to see this book hit shelves at the end of the year.
Like its predecessor, Black Salt Queen, I found myself drawn into Laya's world and I was right back again with Bird King Rising. The way Bansil writes is truly lovely, immersing you into the story and Laya's world.
Overall, I found myself enjoying this continuation just as much as I did the first book. I would absolutely recommend it to friends, and have! Cannot wait to see this book hit shelves at the end of the year.
April 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I was waiting impatiently for this sequel after reading Black Salt Queen and it didn’t disappoint! Both books do a beautiful job of weaving together plot progression with character development and the layers of emotional tangles between the characters. There are no tidy unrealistic endings here, and that draws me into Maynara’s story and makes it compelling.
I was waiting impatiently for this sequel after reading Black Salt Queen and it didn’t disappoint! Both books do a beautiful job of weaving together plot progression with character development and the layers of emotional tangles between the characters. There are no tidy unrealistic endings here, and that draws me into Maynara’s story and makes it compelling.
Review of advance copy
Review to come!
March 19, 2026
Review to be posted soon
April 3, 2026
Review to follow!🌷
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