Daughter of the Tempest

Myths of the Empyrieos #2

by Braidee Otto

Princess Aella and her best friend become the kingdom’s most-wanted fugitives in the much-anticipated epic romantasy sequel to Songbird of the Sorrows—featuring dual perspectives, ride-or-die friendships, found family, unlikely alliances, and two slow-burn romantic arcs.

Songbird. Traitor. Runaway. Heroine.

Aella is on the run. After a life of being trained to follow orders, she finally defied them when the true purpose of the Aviary’s mission in Eretria was revealed. Still reeling from her lover’s betrayal and Prince Keres’s deadly trials—and now abducted by the very person she risked everything to save—Aella is branded a traitor and has no choice but to flee across the Emyprieos with only her secrets and the silver-eyed stranger by her side. As they evade capture, the two mustgrow to trust each other, but Aella soon discovers that she’s not the only one keeping secrets, and the truth only complicates their already fragile pursuit of freedom.

With Aella accused of treason, her best friend, Nyssa, is under suspicion as an accomplice. Disguised as a servant in the Southern Kingdom’s palace, her sole aim is to find Aella and ensure her best friend’s safety. But between the upcoming Empyrieos Games, the threat of discovery, and a reluctant alliance with Aella’s brother, Prince Kallias, risk waits around every corner.

As both women fight to survive against the dangerous political power of the Southern Kingdom, the Aviary, and the Prince of Eretria, the two must also claim their identities and destinies in a world that seeks to define them.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Adult

448 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 27, 2026

About the author

A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, Braidee Otto combines her academic background in Literary Studies with a deep passion for storytelling to create heartfelt, immersive narratives. Songbird of the Sorrows is the first installment in her debut adult romantic fantasy series, Myths of the Empyrieos. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia with her partner, two beloved dogs, and a cat that appeared in her backyard on the winter solstice.

Reviews

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Braidee Otto, the writer you are! I’m honestly not sure how I’m supposed to recover from this one.

I applied for Braidee’s Arc Team because I knew there was something special about this story after reading Songbird of the Sorrows. The immersiveness of her writing, the way the world is steeped in myths and folklore, the characters and their enduring bonds to one another, the taste and tease of a much larger story waiting to unfold. Daughter of the Tempest is all of this and so much more — elevating the series into a story that’s impossible to put down!

I loved the addition of Nyssa’s POV! What better way to connect the events in the Sorrows to the larger world than to showcase two friends desperately trying to get back to and protect one another. Both Nyssa and Aella grow so much throughout this story - both finding themselves and cultivating enduring relationships along the way. I was equally enamored by each of their POVs and loved how every individual reveal tied back to the overarching plot. Braidee’s character development throughout this series is brilliant. Every single character, every action, every twist has a purpose. I came to care about all of them, and adored the story’s major theme of the family we choose.

And the romances? I hungered for each stolen glance, every light touch, and the brewing tension: a slowburn steadily rising to an inferno. I loved how these relationships deepened naturally over the course of the story, lending to feelings of authenticity and permanence after so much strife. I always love that shift when the romance is no longer one of the challenges, but a given, and the sense of togetherness as they face what’s to come.

It’s such a gift to be able to read this story well ahead of its release, but the wait for the conclusion is going to be excruciating. I’m already revisiting my favorite parts — every romantic glance, every challenge overcome, every devastating reveal. This is a story that lingers. I cannot wait to see what’s in store next for Aella, Nyssa, and crew!

Thank you to Braidee Otto, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Monique Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Braidee and team for sending me the eARC and having me on board as a Nightwing.
Wow talk about gripping, edge of your seat stuff!
From the action, interactions between Aella and Nissa and the people around them, the tension, twists and revelations… it’s all so very good!!
Gagging for the next book!

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

The dedication 🥹🤎
A pronunciation guide & a glossary!! Braidee the queen that you are 👑
The first chapter being from Nyssa’s POV keeps you on edge after the cliffhanger of Songbird of the Sorrows. You get to sense Aella’s kidnapping from the eyes of her best friend (and maybe think of some equally dramatic scenarios if you are like Nyssa).
What was amazing was the subtle shift of metaphors. From birds and cages, to the freedom of the sky and wind.
Raven… I have very complicated feelings.
Nyssa. My girl. She masks her pain and fear with humour. She left me giggling, shaking me head, and my heart aching.
Fake husband. One bed. A pillow wall. Braidee are you trying to kill me.
MY WIFE. someone is going to need to sedate me because holy fucking gods
I love the horses names
THE TEA 🍵 😭😭
The way Lyxander shows he cares in all the little ways is so beautiful. I also appreciate that even in all these acts he doesn’t treat Aella with kid gloves, because he has been there and he sees her.
“Breathe with me”
Lyxander. You cannot possibly be this hot and this swoon worthy. You’re killing me.
Maxim!!!! Gods I love him. He brings such light to our moody duo of Kal & Nyssa.
Seeing Aella through Nyssa’s eyes is so beautiful. To see the absolute adoration and love of these best friends is the truest love story of all.
Keres. Even the name makes me want to punch something.
It is so interesting how connected Aella’s theïkós is to her emotions.
Still not over the WINGS 🪽
“You should have let me fall. It would have hurt less.” OUCH 😩
Thena…bad vibes
Watching Aella slowly accept who she is and start to learn to be one with her theïkós.
A shirtless Xan. Now that is something I am dying to have art of😍🪽
Nickname change?!?!!!!!
If you ever feel like writing lil side stories about the Harpaurai please let me read them 🙏
Lyxander’s mum 🥺😭 I just want both my babies to feel safe and loved.
THE TOUCHING HIS WINGS THING?!!!!
I love that Aella & Xan are slowly starting to get more playful with one another 🥹🤎
Xan gave her books and then he gave her clothes. Honestly he is the dream 🤎🪽
Thank you for the explicit “not related”
Nyssa and Maxim sharing little snippets of their childhoods 🥺🥹
Aella’s mum sounds so ethereal
Aella’s reaction to the prophecy makes me just want to give her a big hug
Kallias FINALLY telling Nyssa how much he cares and wants her 😍 hottest thing ever is Kal finally expressing his feelings
NYSSA AND KALLIAS KISS FINALLY and then holy gods 🥵🔥
The way Lyxander pushes Aella because he knows what she is truly capable of and wants it for her. It makes me love him more.

I love that both Nyssa and Aella found additional friendship supports while they are separated. Nyssa has Maxim. Aella has Titaia. Both are so important because you can just sense how much they miss each other and how important it is for them to have people to lean on that aren’t a love interest.

I love that she isn’t just talking about Lyxander in her jealousy of Solenne but also the feeling of belonging and having a home. Something she has always craved that is always out of her grasp. Because you can tell it is something she could maybe see herself having with Xan and his kin but is still unsure and fearful of.

The feathers!!!! 🪶

EMOTIONS

I love that Lyxander is waiting for her (because of course he is. He is perfect).
I also love that he knows when to push Aella and when not to

I shall be needing an address to forward my therapy bills.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

I don't know if I can forgive what happens to a character at the end of this book... I AM HEARTBROKEN... WHYYYYY.

But this book was a masterpiece. It had EVERYTHING I wanted for a sequel, especially with how Songbird ended... I couldn't have asked for a better sequel.

This book sucked me back into the story IMMEDIATELY. I LOVED the two POV's and I looked forward to each POV. There wasn't a moment where we switched POV's that I wasn't excited for it, and that is rare with multi-pov books. Both Aella's and Nyssa's storylines were phenomenal. The progression of their stories was great.

The PAIRINGS in this book... the TENSION... the BANTER... the new characters and found family... the new lore and creatures... I loved every single second of it and I devoured it all.

The way love and yearning is portrayed in this book, how it is written, it gave me everything I needed and lacked nothing. The time spent on stage direction and looks and expressions and inner thoughts and feelings... 10/10. I was so all in with everyone and so hooked. Giggling, kicking my feet, turning to my imaginary audience, all of it.

I CANNOT wait for book 3, I need it right now. I need to be with these character again and I only just left them and I miss them and this world. I AM STILL SO HEARTBROKEN OVER A CERTAIN CHARACTER... BUT IT'S FINE... IT WILL BE FINE... *cries*.

Thank you so much for the ARC!

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a digital ARC for this book, and all opinions are my own:

Rarely do I like the second books of series, but this— WOW! I loved the continuation of book one, but also the development of new realms and characters. I have so many predictions for the third book- how will I wait?!?! The slow burn is this book is so well done, and I love how the archetypes - the foil, the prince, the spy, work so well in Nyssa’s story. Aella’s development is just beginning. I love the way that it ends, it’s really a beginning for her, is she accepts. This is a great series for anyone who loves the world building of Sarah J. Maas, Hunger games, and Fourth Wing.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC directly from the author via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

- ✌️dual POV
- 💕two love stories
- 🫂 best friends
- ❤️reluctant allies to lovers (for both)
- ❤️‍🩹he cleans her wound
- 🫁”breathe with me” moment
- 🏡found family
- 🪽 finding oneself
- ⁉️cliffhanger ending

Overall, this was 4 solid stars. The last 20% of the book really brought the book from 3 to 4 stars for me. The overall pacing of this book was moderate to slower, matching the character development that was needed. This book was very character and relationship driven, focusing on all the characters growing and changing. The overarching and side plots were there in the sidelines, but did not get more focus until the end. When examining the writing, the author’s writing skills definitely advanced from the previous books. Specifically, there was clear improvement in how she wrote from book one indie, to book one published, to this book. This book ended on a major cliffhanger, and I look forward to book three!

As the author advertised, this book was a dual POV, but not from the Aella and Lyxander‘s POV, rather it was Aella’s and her best friend Nyssa’s POV. This was an interesting take on the story and overall a unique approach. I really enjoyed this because, as all of us readers wrote in book one’s review, we loved Nyssa. Therefore, I was delighted to have chapters from her POV. I will say that Aella’s POV occurs much more frequently, but there were many chapters from Nyssa’s to say that the story was dual POV.

Now, jumping into the story. I re-read book one in preparation for this book. If you do not do that, chapter two was from Aella’s POV and there was a very brief review of what happened in book one. This was helpful; yet I recommend skimming book one before entering into this book to know what happened and who all the characters were.

Both Aella and Nyssa’s journeys with their main love interest started as reluctant allies to lovers: Aella with Lyxander and Nyssa with prince Kallias (Aella’s brother). Aella and Nyssa then followed the same path of feeling hesitant, scared, and angry/irritated, all while needing to stay hidden and not get caught by the people hunting them. They also had the exact same path of development in their relationship with their man. Specifically, they were reluctant allies, they slowly grew closer, there would be “heat” or an intense feeling when they touched, there was banter, and, of course, they both justified why they had to push the man away and why it could never work. Then, as time progressed, they slowly grew closer and put their walls down, giving into the relationship. They both were able to bond with their male interest, such as Aella and Lyxander bonding over being tortured by Keres, and Nyssa and Kal bonding over wearing a mask and playing the game to survive, all while loving Aella. Thankfully, Nyssa and Kal finally took a different path than Aella and Lyxander, giving them some uniqueness. I really did love both their journeys and the slow development for both of them and their love interest, but they were so identical I had hoped for a little difference throughout.

In regards to Raven, thankfully, we did not have to wait long in the book for Aella and Raven to meet up, talk, and learn that they were no longer on the same page. Raven made choices that he had to live with. Then, as the book progressed, we learned more and more about him. I developed empathy and sympathy for him. Truly, in the end, I was just sad for him. I appreciated that the author took time to explain his side of the story, all while not justifying his actions. His back story made complete sense and logically explained why he betrayed Aella. Again, having this understanding did not justify it. With all of this, Raven started his redemption journey at the end, he really grew substantially, finally standing up for himself and everyone else, choosing to do the right thing. I truly hope to see him continue growing, own his role and apologize, and progress forward towards his HEA.

Now on to Aella. She had just survived kidnapping and torture by Keres, betrayal by Raven, and then Lyxander kidnapped her. As she was in book one, she was an intelligent woman who made the best of the situation. Aella was not the extremely stabby, F-you to the point of ignorance and arrogance. Yes, she was angry, traumatized, and scared with everyone and everything, leading to her being snippy, rightfully so, but she was smart enough to understand the situation and what she needed to do to survive. Again, she was not ignorant just because she was having intense emotions, and I really appreciated that. Additionally, she wasn’t so angry that she couldn’t say thank you. I get so irritated with MC‘s that are constantly ungrateful and rude, especially when someone is always being really kind towards them. Here, Aella could say thank you and that showed her level of maturity, again something I appreciated.

I also appreciated that Aella was very real, she had emotions and logic. I’m so over the MFC’s, who are only emotional or only logical. We want to read about people we can relate to as humans and the author provided that in this MFC. Aella was on a long path of growth this book, as she was so traumatized. She was very messy, flawed, and made mistakes. For example, when she saw the long feather (read the book to find out what I mean), she made a huge assumption, asked zero questions, proceeded forward with a decision because of that assumption, and shut down any conversation about feelings, all to find out her assumption was wrong and she was rash to jump to a conclusion. I LOVED that Lyxander called her out for that.

This book had some common tropes like one bed and one horse, but Aella did not fall all gooey into those tropes, which was a unique take!! For example, when Lyxander was only able to get one horse, Aella went and found herself her own animal to ride alongside him. Loved her independence!

I also really appreciated Aella’s understanding of her hypocrisy. She was not willing to share much about her life with Lyxander yet kept asking questions of him. He called her out and said that, if he’s the only one answering questions because she’s refusing to answer his questions, she’s just interrogating him. She agreed and understood that she was being a hypocrite, wanting him to share his secrets, but not willing to share hers. I have written in so many book reviews that I am so tired of the main female character being a hypocrite. It is never clear to me if the author is aware that they are writing such a hypocrite. Well, here, I was so delighted to read that the author had insight into this and wrote Aella also having insight. The time Aella did get mad at Lyxander for keeping information from her was when he withheld information about her. She didn’t get mad at him when he kept secrets that were about him, that was his private information, but she did share her thoughts and feelings when he knew information about her and did not share right away.

Now, let’s chat about Nyssa. She was a strong, fierce, goal-oriented woman. She fought for herself and those she loved. She stood up to those in power. She also was willing to admit when she was wrong and apologize. There were many similarities between Nyssa and Aella, including that they had a brother, felt abandoned, and again, her love story developed similarly to Aella’s. Nyssa was different from Aella in that she did not live in such strong denial. She did not avoid tough conversations the way Aella did. I admired that she was more assertive and used her words to communicate. I enjoyed her POV and always looked forward to Nyssa’s story continuing.

As I said in my review of book one, the addition of Titaia as Aella’s friend was fantastic. I will say the same for this book, she added so much more to the story. She was such a stable rock for Aella and she happened to be going through similar things as Aella, hiding and running from Keres. They were able to bond in a way that was different the Nyssa, which was good for Aella since she did not have strong, genuine connections to others. I loved when she challenged Aella to think about how safety is something they won’t find, they have to make it, even if scared. Titaia was similar to Nyssa in that she was more assertive in life.

Lyxander was such a great addition to the series and I loved getting to know him. I was intrigued to find out why Lyxander had been caught, that was an interesting twist to the story that I did not see coming. He was a complex character and a much better fit for Aella. He was willing to take a step Raven was not, and that was the willingness to put himself in danger for her, the same way she did for him.

I also really enjoyed getting to know Kal more. I hope more about him is explored in the next book. Since more chapters were focused on Aella and less on Nyssa, we got to know more about Kal, but there is so much more to understand.

The found family in this book was strong. Lyxander’s found family was phenomenal and provided all the support Aella needed to start healing. Then, when they showed up for her and her personal family, they really showed her what unconditional support looked like.

I was hoping and am happy to say we started to obtain more depth to the characters in this book! It started with Nyssa and learning about her past. Also, because Nyssa was living in the castle, we learned more about Aella, her brother, and their family. One thing that was lacking quite significantly in book one was depth to the characters. They had personalities, but we didn’t know why they thought, felt, or behaved the way they did. We were not given much context or nuanced details. The characters were just who they were with no depthful explanation. Therefore, I was really happy more depth was added.

As the book progressed, all characters grew, started building trust, and progressed forward. Because they were further developed, the plot was able to get more attention, triggering the pace to pick up quite substantially at 80%. This was when I couldn’t put the book down. There were some major twists and turns, many I did not see coming. We finally started to get answers to little pieces that were mysterious throughout the book.

Again, the book ended on a major cliffhanger. I really look forward to book 3!


Critiques:
I do have a few critiques to this book. I would say that, from 40-70ish%, I was not loving the story. I didn’t mind it and was hoping it would pick up, which it did, again in a fantastic way that hooked me for book three.

- First, unfortunately, I found Aella’s journey to be copy and paste of soooo many MFC’s journeys I have read the last two years. I want to be clear, her journey was not a “bad” journey, yet it was so predictable and really did not have any uniqueness to her path. Why do I say this? Aella had been traumatized, leading to her being angry/snappy, ALWAYS avoiding, denying, lying to herself, and running, and when given new information, she pushed the other person away. Many times, because she was experiencing a distressing emotion, she didn’t ask any questions and made huge assumptions. When someone would try to talk to her, she shut them down, and of course, avoided. She avoided her thoughts, memories, power, feelings.. really everything. When she was finally done with this less healthy path, she would ask for information, learn her assumptions were wrong, and start to move forward in a heathier way. Again, I appreciated that she was flawed, but I struggled with her taking the exact same path as many other MFC’s take in the romantasy genre. I really LOVE when an author breaks this storyline, particularly because many trauma survivors do not take the path written in this and many other books, yet these other ways of coping are often not represented in books. This one path of avoidance is represented, which is fantastic, but it is not the only path, but seems to be the one primarily written about.

On top of this, so many common tropes that went along with this MFC’s journey were included, making this story again match so many other stories. 1) There was an incredibly vague prophecy about Aella, which she avoided half the book 2) Aella was “the one” and she was super special, 3) she had a super special power, which she avoided and hid until someone (the MMC, like most books) challenged her to use her power and trained her, and 4) she was a princess (which we knew from book one), but we learned that she was a double princess, making her extra special. I have read so many reviews on Instagram and there seems to be a large agreement that the MFC being super magically special, “the one,” avoidant of everything, and a princess is overdone.

- Second, Aella found various reasons to not give into her feelings for Lyxander. All he wanted was to talk and she would not, heavily leaning into the miscommunication trope 😭. Aella was very juvenile in this. Her reasons for not following her feelings were so silly and could have been addressed in ONE conversation. I get that her last love traumatized her, but that wasn’t even her reasoning, it was because she ASSUMED Lyxander wouldn’t choose to leave with her when the time came (SUPRISE she was wrong… he followed her anyway) and she ASSUMED he wanted someone else (SURPRISE she was wrong… he wanted her). None of her assumptions could be challenged because she acted like a child, avoided Lyxander, and would not communicate with him. As we learned, Lyxander had to confront her and show her he did not like that other woman, he liked her, and Aella made an assumption. I was soooo bummed at how juvenile she was about this because she was written more maturely in many other parts, so to see her act like a teenager here was disappointing. Also, why couldn’t Aella be with her man, yet have to travel and be apart at times? Lyxander’s kin did it with his love, why couldn’t they? Again, none of this could be explored because she threw a few tantrums and refused to talk to Lyxander.

Poor Lyxander had also been highly traumatized for years, but at least he was trying to communicate with Aella. Aella also did not seem to learn from her mistakes in regards to her lack of communication. When she would finally have a conversation, things got better. However, the next time she needed to talk, she would not. At one point if Lyxander said he was fed up with Aella for lacking adult communication skills I would have praised him.

- Although I said that there was a lot of depth added to this book regarding the characters, I wish there had been more depth in the romantic relationships. We were given a lot of tension, banter, and individual character nuances, but the individual moments that created the romantic connection between an MFC and MMC was missing, I wanted more context and gritty details. I was hoping for more of the small moments that created a relationship beyond lust. We were given more for Aella and Lyxander when compared to Nyssa and Kal, but overall I just wanted a little bit more depth to their developing love for each other.

- Lastly, the amount of times one of the MFC’s touched their love interest and there was heat, a jolt, or a shutter from either of them was wayyyyyy overdone. And the word heat was used constantly between an MFC and MMC. This was all so redundant. The pattern and word happened so often I was able to predict when it would happen again. I am not talking 2-3 times, I am talking at least 30 or more.

[Liana White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 5 star read for me! This book sucked me right in, and I could not put it down! I’ve fallen in love with the Empyrieos world and the characters in this series.

Aella continues to be one of my favourite characters and I was so excited to see what happened with her after the ending of the first book. Man was I in for a treat because SO much happens and it’s super intense.

I also loved getting Nyssa’s POV. Her storyline beautifully complemented Aella’s, and I love how effectively both storylines came together in the end to create even more impact for the reader.

I adore the friendship between Aella and Nyssa. I love that this series places such a strong emphasis on female friendship and female empowerment.

One of the biggest surprises for me was Nyssa and Kallias! I did not see that relationship coming, but I ended up loving it so much! The dynamic between Nyssa, Kallias, and Maxim was such a fun addition to the story, and I enjoyed every scene they shared. They make such a great team.

Ares was hands down my favourite side character. No notes…he’s perfect.

It took me awhile to warm up to Lyxander because after everything Aella has been through with the other men in her life, I wasn’t convinced he could be trusted. I’m happy to admit that I was wrong. Lyxander completely stole my heart. The relationship between him and Aella was beautiful, and their story is only just beginning. The yearning between them was a slow, slow burn. I was desperate for something to happen but I know the payoff will be worth the wait. You gotta love a good slow burn!

The world building continues to be incredible. I loved exploring the world beyond the Sorrows, learning more about Arkhadia, and discovering the Harpaurai (they are so unbelievably cool). Briadee has created such a rich, immersive world, and it still feels like we’re only scratching the surface. I can’t wait to see how everything pans out.

And I can’t forget Maxim…
I don’t even know how to put into words how sad I am. I loved his character so much and while his death was heartbreaking, I thought the boat send off was a beautiful, emotional, and incredibly fitting way to honour him.

The ending has my mind whirling!!!!! I thought the ending of the first book was intense. This one takes it to a whole new level. I’m both excited and terrified for what is to come with “the keeper”.

Thank you to Braidee Otto and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

[Ashli Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🔥🔥

Enjoyment
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I just finished this, and I don't normally reread books. Yet I'm already DYING to reread this one! And it hasn't even officially released yet!!

A HUUUUGE thank you to Braidee and her team for getting this ARC into our hands early!! 😭

Quality
I am constantly in love with and amazed by Braidee's ability to write characters. Main characters. Side characters. Random characters the other characters pass on the street. There are very few books I've read where the entire cast of characters feels this alive and diverse.

Braidee's writing also has a quality that I'm not certain how to put into words. With some writing styles, you immediately fall into the pages. With others, it takes a little (or sometimes longer) while to really FEEL the story. Braidee's writing has been the former for me from the very first sentence.

The moment I start reading, I'm completely absorbed. I feel "in the story" even with just the first few words. I don't know how to quantify or explain that any better than her writing is just captivating.

The way she weaves all the plot elements together is also just so freaking impressive?

Characters
Can we talk about Aella and Nyssa!? I always love a good multi-POV between the FMC and MMC. It was so exciting and refreshing and just wonderful to have the story focused on Aella and Nyssa! Despite everything going on and the distance between them, they were always each other's first concern. Best friends > boyfriends!!

In Songbird of the Sorrows, I was never thrilled with Raven. I tried to like him, and I could tell he did care for Aella. I almost started to wonder if Raven was endgame, though. Just saying that felt like blasphemy in the world of most romantasy novels. So without giving too much away in either direction, I'll leave Aella's situationship at this—I ADORE how the romance with the MMC played out!

I already loved Aella's brother, Kallias, in SOTS. Learning so much about Kallias and his guard, Maxim, was unexpected in the best way possible. Nyssa, Kallias, and Maxim just make the best threesome! (Do I mean that literally? Figuratively? Guess you'll just have to read to find out!)

Plot
DOTT picks up almost immediately from Songbird of the Sorrows' cliffhanger. It's a whirlwind of emotions, choices, and secrets from that point on. Like SOTS, there's a fair amount of political intrigue. I really, REALLY appreciated the multi-POV as well!

I also never see what's coming. There are tons of hints and foreshadowing sprinkled throughout both books—I actually caught something new on my first listen/second read of Songbird of the Sorrows. Even with that, though, there were so many things I did not see coming! I can't even imagine what's going to happen in the 3rd book!

Spice
Not a ton of spice! Things got a little heated occasionally, but it definitely isn't the focus at the moment. Which I have appreciated given the context of everything going on. I feel like more would have been forcing it just for the sake of more spice.

[Emma Barresi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

What do you mean that’s how it ends?!?

Seriously though, that was so much fun to read and the last 25% was just straight chaos that yet again left me with a cliffhanger. I truly LOVED Songbird of the Sorrows so this was one of my most anticipated sequels of the year, and it definitely didn’t disappoint!

This one is told with dual POVs, flipping between Aella and Nyssa. Aella having been kidnapped after a high stakes jailbreak at the end of book 1 and Nyssa having helped facilitate that jailbreak, book 2 starts off right where we left off and giving us a look at the aftermath. Nyssa is still in the Sorrows while Aella journeys north and both of them have really wonderful character arcs.

Aella has a lot of self-discovery to do and you can really feel her going through the emotions throughout the book - I also love that we went even deeper in the found family trope and were able to see Aella find even more support. Both Aella and Nyssa’s storylines included their own little romance subplots which was so fun, and we got to dig deeper into Kallias and Xan as characters.

My only complaint is that some of Aella’s chapters did feel like they were dragging a bit towards the middle. Yes, that character development was important to the story, but I felt like we spent a lot of time there and I didn’t get all the answers I wanted to. I also felt like, in comparison, the ending was a bit rushed. All the action at the end took place in the last 15% or so and, while I know we wanted to leave some questions open, it felt like there could have been maybe a few extra answers thrown in there.

Despite that, though, this was truly an incredible follow up to Songbird of the Sorrows. These characters continue to be some of my favorites and I loved being able to explore another area of this world. There’s so much potential for where this story could go and I’m so looking forward to spending more time with Aella and friends in the future! Highly recommend!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Braidee Otto & team for sending me an eARC of Daughter of the Tempest! The first book in the Myths of the Empyrieos series, Songbird of the Sorrows, is one of my favorite books and I am so honored to be apart of Braidee’s street team!!!

On our journey from the Sorrows to Arkhadia, we witness Aella starting to learn how to come to terms with her powers and existence. Aella’s time in the Aviary has never given her the freedom to figure out who she is. She has worn so many different faces and used so many different names that her identity has been hidden and buried for most of her existence. Now that she is finally free from the confines of that life, Aella truly desires to not be defined by anything or anyone, but rather who she is as an individual.

The only person who has ever seen her for herself is her best friend and fellow Songbird, Nyssa. To me Aella & Nyssa are two sides of the same coin, and the dual POV absolutely enriched the plot and provided a portal to both ends of the vast Empyrios world. In this book, the world-building expanded to a masterpiece of epic proportions with our introduction to Arkhadia and its inhabitants, the Harpaurai. I equally loved reading both perspectives and not once found myself rushing through Nyssa’s chapters to get to Aella’s chapters or vice versa. The dual viewpoint also helped to flesh out Nyssa’s character as her fate becomes closer entwined to the story. I do not want to give away any spoilers, so all I will say is that I cannot wait to see how Nyssa develops in the next book!

Initially I was not sure how I felt about Lyxsander after his little stunt at the end of Songbird of the Sorrows, but he did gradually worm his way into my heart as the story progressed. Aella’s extreme reluctance to allow herself to care and trust Lyxsander is completely understandable. Up until this point, Aella’s entire existence has consisted of her being controlled by a man in a position of power. After her experiences at the hand of her father (who is also the king), the Eagle & her flight leader Raven, it is no wonder that she has built walls around herself when it comes to men. As someone who can relate to that reality, I feel that Braidee beautifully encapsulates the internal self-conflict of learning how to open yourself up to others even after you have been hurt so many times before.

Finally, I will forever despise Keres SO much that I do not even want to acknowledge his existence, however, I have a feeling we will continued to be plagued by his presence. I will also admit that the fact that he is truly the worst makes him a stellar antagonist because I feel that it is impossible to find even a smidgeon of a redeeming quality in his character.

Thank you again to Braidee Otto & team for sending me an eARC of Daughter of the Tempest! I cannot wait for release day on October 20, 2026 and cannot emphasize enough how much everyone needs to read this story and series!!!

(Review posted June 23, 2026 & revised June 30, 2026)

[Kerrie Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. Thank you to the author and Random House for the ARC! I thoroughly enjoyed Daughter of the Tempest and had a great time returning to this world.

One of the biggest strengths of this sequel is how naturally the plot and characters continue to evolve. Nothing feels stagnant: relationships deepen, the stakes grow, and the larger story keeps unfolding in a way that had me excited to see where it was headed next.

I also continue to enjoy the author's writing style. It has a touch of poetic flair that adds atmosphere and emotion without ever feeling overly flowery or distracting. It's a balance that's surprisingly difficult to achieve, and I think it's executed really well here.

The new characters were another highlight. They brought fresh dynamics to the story, and the tension, across both sets of relationships, was so much fun to read. The chemistry, conflict, and shifting alliances kept the character interactions engaging from start to finish.

My one area of struggle was the world-building. As a good sequel should, this book expands the world considerably. However, the expansion felt a bit sudden, and I occasionally found myself trying to catch up as new places, concepts, and moving pieces were introduced. I eventually found my footing, but it pulled me out of the story at times. I was incredibly grateful for the guide at the beginning of the book.

Overall, this is a strong sequel that successfully builds on the foundation of the first book. The characters continue to shine, the overarching plot is becoming increasingly compelling, and I'm excited to see where the series goes from here.

[Jacque's Spice Cabinet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was easily a 5-star read for me! Daughter of the Tempest starts right where Songbird of the Sorrows left off. Aella has been kidnapped by Xan after helping him escape The Aviary and the Eagle has sent Alpha Flight to bring both back. Xan and Aella agree to a bargain in which he will teach her how to control her theikos and she will help him evade The Aviary and return home.

With this book, we also get Nyssa's POV. Forced to go into hiding due to her relationship with Aella, who has been labeled a traitor, she is in disguise as a servant at the Palace of Sorrows. Finding allies in Aella’s brother Kallias, and his guard Maxim, the three work together to further investigate the Eagle’s plan and the King’s involvement. The banter and tension between Nyssa and Kallias is top notch and Maxim rounds out this extremely likeable trio.

The book is split between Aella and Nyssa’s POVs. I thought it was done extremely well. While they each had their own story, it all came together to form the overarching plot. I felt like I was getting two stories in one and both held my interest equally. The shifts between the POVs were timed well to add suspense to the narrative without causing frustration or boredom.

Characters we already knew were developed further and the new ones we met only added to the story.

The Myths of the Empyrieos is becoming one of my favorite series and I can’t wait to see how it all ends up in book 3.

[Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS - It is so immensely validating having my theories and hunches be proven right. I had such a great time seeing everything unfold, and it made the decoy of the first book so worth it. If you loved Olivia Wildenstein’s Kingdom of Crows, you’ll love the nods to the customs and symbolism in this (I loved the chain and gift of feathers so much). There is a lot of reward for book one in the plot development here.

On a relationship development front: Nyssa and Kai carry the romance, which is a bit disappointing because I was living off CRUMBS for Aella and Xan. I feel like the primary relationship here is the chosen family/friendship between Nyssa and Aella, and all other relationships and healing (cough-Raven-cough) went to the back burner.

Can’t wait for book three!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this title.

favorite quotes :

Some unseen barrier sits between the knowing and the doing, between intent and nerve. I can name the steps, count the breaths, speak the vows—even carve them into skin—but when it comes to loosening my grip on the ring, on the illusion of safety it buys me, my courage gutters. I hate it. I hate that the fear is louder than the promise I made.

”Maybe safe isn’t something we wait to feel. Maybe it’s something we claim, even if our hands shake.”

[Ashley Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you to Braidee Otto and Random House Publishing for giving me the great privilege of receiving this ARC.

This book went way above and beyond my expectations. While I loved the first installment of this series, this second book blew the first one out of the water. The story is full of heart-pounding action and profound personal character growth which made the book almost impossible to put down. I loved the duel POVs and getting to read from Nyssa's perspective as well as Aella's.

Aella's journey was emotional and I loved reading along as she discovered her true identity, found her 'kin,' and started to shape her magic. The addition of Nyssa's perspective added a new depth to the story, and it was interesting watching the unfolding conflict from two equally engaging viewpoints.

The writing is immersive and beautifully descriptive, just as it was in the first installment, bringing the world of the Empyrieos to life with vivid settings and intricate political intrigue. The slow-burn romances are top tier. And yes, TRUE slow burn!! This book was packed with everything a romantasy reader loves and each revelation in this story kept adding to the tension until the exciting and emotionally damaging (yes, I cried like a baby) finale. By the time I finished, I was already wishing I had the next book ready to start.

[Teegan Machemehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Daughter of the Tempest by Braidee Otto, and it completely blew me away!

You can really tell how much love, thought, and care Braidee put into not only this book but also into developing each character throughout the series. Watching Aella grow into herself while dealing with such intense emotions and tough choices was honestly one of my favorite parts of the story.

And Nyssa: wow, she totally stole the show in this book. Her perspective added so much new depth to an already amazing world, and I found myself counting down the chapters just to see things from her point of view.

Of course, I can’t forget the guys. They are totally hot, fiercely loyal, and willing to move heaven and earth to protect the women and people they care about. Raven especially has me so intrigued,I can't wait to see how he handles his role in the next installment.

And that ending… I honestly can’t even! 😭 I devoured this book and now I’m stuck waiting patiently for book three.

Honestly, this book deserves way more than five stars. The magic system is fresh, powerful, and unlike anything I’ve read lately. The writing is emotional, immersive, and intense,you can really feel how much this story means to Braidee. As a reader, that was so refreshing to experience.

Trust me, don’t sleep on this series. You’re missing out! ✨📚

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant. It’s the second in a new series, and while the first left much to be desired (imo) this title made up for it and then some. I actually read the first book because I had received the ARC for the second on NetGalley. I realized I never read the first and started from the beginning.

The author creates such a unique world, and includes grim elements without making it impossible to stomach. She also does a great job with crafting likable characters that are neither “good” or “bad”

I am not someone who empathizes with the villain or characters who do evils things for the sake of “purpose” or “obligation” so my appreciation for this author’s talent is so real.

I don’t want to spoil anything about the book or series so I won’t rave too much, but she paints such a brilliant picture. This tragic fate and the ways these folks are forced to navigate them. How one grows from what one has suffered. Frustration, slow burns, forbidden desire, grief and loss. I mean, it should be criminal how engaging this story is. And I can’t wait for the next. Like, so many questions.

Thank you NetGalley & The Dial Press/Penguin Randomhouse for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to The Dial Press, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. The last few sequels I’ve read recently have killed it and this one is no exception.

I loved the addition of Nyssa’s POV. I didn’t know how I was going to enjoy another POV other than Aella’s but I loved both equally and I loved the character development of both. Nyssa, Maxim, and Kallias were such an iconic dream team. And the slow burn tension we got with 2 of the 3 characters kept me turning the page.

Aella’s storyline was so good. I loved watching her discover herself, learn more about her family, and find belonging in the place her mother was from. I didn’t think I’d like another MMC more than Raven, but Xan was so likable and the slow burn between Xan and Aella was so satisfying. It was so glacial, I almost didn’t think it was going to happen.

One thing I also love in a good romance or romantasy is the nicknames. Both Kallias and Xan came up with great nicknames for their ladies. Stormwind and Little bird. And Poison. Those had me kicking my feet.

The found family was so good and I loved the ending and where the characters ended up (mostly). I’m really excited for book 3, not only for the plot and what’s going to happen, but I also really need more of Xan and Aella together and more of Kallias and Nyssa together.

[Bre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Braidee you did my boy DIRTY

This series is fun, I will say that much. I’m greatly enjoying the plot but unfortunately, I do feel the writing still falls a bit flat on this sequel. The pacing feels off, especially with the two POVs. It feels like Nyssa and co. are accomplishing so much more in their chapters than Aella is, and while I can understand part of that coming from Aella’s learning curve, it makes the ending feel more rushed.

I enjoyed that we got to learn more about magic and got a bit more worldbuilding. The characters continue to shine through the story and keep the reader engaged. I enjoyed the romance build-up for Aella a lot more in this book than the first, which had felt more rushed to me. On the other hand, Nyssa’s romance felt very rushed, which I was a bit sad to see.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, while I had some issues with the writing, I don’t think it fully took away from the story or the messaging that Braidee Otto was trying to convey in the story. I fully believe this story is still enjoyable and will be adored by a great many readers. Braidee has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store with this series.

[R. Allyeah Ansari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess... Spy... Songbird... Fugitive .... ....

Princess Aella is back after the heart wrenching ending in Book 1 and we jump right back into the action we left off on. Aella is on the run from the very people who taught her to be invisible while her own secrets are starting to catch up to her.

Aella spends a good amount of time in this book learning about herself. Thankfully the story keeps the "learning about your powers" story fresh with different lessons and fun side characters. We move quickly through these times. There's a lot of surprising character development that I did not see coming in Book 1.

We get a new POV in the form of Nyssa, who has to hide in plain sight with the help of Prince Kallias. Their loose alliance makes from some great lines. Nyssa never holds back with Aella's brother and their scenes are particularly funny when with Maxim's commentary.

I never wanted this book to end. Aella never dismissed her trauma Kerres hands; it haunted her until she learned to grow from it. The next book in the series cannot come fast enough.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man! This is my favorite book of the year so far!

If you haven't read book one, what are you doing? Read it please! You will not regret it.

IF you love elemental magic, winged characters, evil princes/kings, corrupt assassins, strong female main characters, fun lovable side characters, found family, and of course romantasy! Then this is the book for you.

OMG! This book was so worth the wait! The elemental magic system slowly seeping through and coming out is genius. Like I had no idea what was going to happen next. There is so much more in this book than book one! You never know if a sequel will be any good, but I genuinely thought this one was better than book one. And I loved that book! I reread it in preparation for this one, and it was even better the second time around. Now, I just hope I get picked to read the ARC of book three when it comes out, so I can relive book one and two again.

And there is so much more that we haven't learned yet!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity!

[Hayley Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel and thought it built on everything I liked about the first book. The world continues to expand in a way that feels immersive without becoming overwhelming, and I loved seeing more of the magic, politics, and character dynamics unfold. The pacing picked up quite a bit, making it hard to put down once the story really got going.

The character development was one of my favorite parts. Watching the relationships evolve while the stakes continued to rise kept me invested, and I appreciated how each new challenge pushed the characters to grow. There were a few moments where I wished for a little more emotional depth and conversation between certain characters, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

Overall, this was an engaging fantasy with compelling characters, strong world-building, and enough twists to keep me turning the pages. I’m already looking forward to seeing where the story goes next and would definitely recommend this series to fantasy readers who enjoy adventure, magic, and character-driven stories.

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started my review for Songbird of the Sorrows by saying I was going to throw my kindle and stare at a wall.

My review for Daughter of the Tempest is also going to start by saying I want to throw my kindle and stare at a wall.

WHAT A FREAKING RIDE!! So good, so good, SO GOOD!! Braidee Otto kept the pace and excitement and personal connection throughout this sequel and it kept me absolutely enthralled from cover to cover.

Having POVs from Aella and Nyssa was brilliant. I loved getting to see what was happening all around and I loved getting to know Nyssa more. Usually I will favor someone's POV over another and I found myself being excited for each POV from chapter to chapter, and always wanting to know what was happening next with each character.

I was never bored during this story. So much story unfolding, so much character building, the magic system kept expanding....just....I am floored at how amazing this book was.

Now if you don't mind, I'll go back to staring at a wall now.

Overall: highly recommend
Spice: open door

[Tasha Readss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy recieved from NetGalley

First and foremost, thank you NetGalley so much for the ARC!

3 stars. Unfortunately, I did not love this book as much as the first. 💔

Book 2 started off strong, things were immediately tied up with Raven. And we saw Aella travel up north with Xan and we learned more about his character and back story. However, it was extremely slow. So slow that I had trouble picking the book back up and wanting to continue. I felt myself wondering what I loved so much about Aella from book 1, and Xan wasn't doing it for me as an MMC. Their relationship was overall a snooze. I wasn't feeling any tension, yearning, and nothing was standing out to me from either character.

Book 2 was really carried by Nyssa and Kallias. I enjoyed their tension and romance better. While it kind of seemed a bit like a fast burn between them, I still was liking their relationship more than Aella and Xan's.

Overall, it was just okay. I'd potentially be curious to see where book 3 takes this series.

[Leslie Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

First and foremost, I really do love this series. Book 1 was a 5-star read for me, so I was THRILLED to get my hands on Daughter of the Tempest early. TL;DR: this was a great second installment that, for the most part, avoids the dreaded second-book slump.

This book picks up right where we left off, with Aella being snatched by Xan and still reeling from Raven's betrayal. (Oh no... whoever will comfort her in her time of need now that her mans is gone? 👀)

We also get the addition of Nyssa's POV, along with the introduction of her MMC (a certain crown prince). I don't usually love when a series introduces a new POV in the second book, unless it's the main FMC's love interest, but it didn't bother me here. I think that's because Nyssa's perspective genuinely serves the plot, which continues to be strong. Honestly, I think the writing is even stronger this time around.

It is a bit slower than Book 1, which is pretty typical for a middle book in a trilogy. My biggest gripe, though? Nyssa's nickname: "Poison." Not every FMC needs a nickname!!

Overall, this was a really solid follow-up that has me even more invested in where this series is headed. The characters continue to be compelling, the world keeps expanding in interesting ways, and the ending definitely left me ready for book three.

[Tisha Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! I thought Daughter of the Tempest was even better than the first book.

I really enjoyed getting both Aella’s and Nyssa’s POVs. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts of the book, and I loved watching them grow while trying to find their way back to each other. The found family vibes were so good, and every character felt important to the story.

The romance was another highlight for me. The slow burn was done so well, with lots of tension, stolen moments, and relationships that felt natural instead of rushed.
((Slow burn, my fave 😬😊))

There was plenty of action, twists, secrets, and political intrigue to keep things moving, but what really stood out was the characters and the bonds between them. By the end, I was completely invested in everyone.

If you love romantasy with dual POVs, found family, strong friendships, and a slow-burn romance, definitely pick this one up. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Jessica Noela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin?

Finally after two long years we have book two and boy oh boy it didn’t disappoint! Absolute perfection from the one and only Braidee 🤍

I cried (that’s when we know it’s a good book) and I really vibed with the duel POV and how connected you feel to the characters.

Both our main characters are fighting for the right reasons and to get back to each other with the same worry and sacrifice of true friendship that really shows family is who you choose not always who your related too.

We get to live through the best slow burn tension with our duel POV and everything flowed so beautifully and naturally that you really felt the love our main girls felt.

This was truly a wonderful sequel and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next book (hopefully we don’t have to wait as long)

Thank you to Braidee Otto and NetGalley for the long awaited e-arc of book two x

[kenzreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ✨
While I enjoyed book 1 of this series, it didn't really capture me until the last 20% or so, but the ending held so much potential for book 2. Now, with that being said, book 2 did NOT disappoint. Daughter of the Tempest expanded on all the parts I enjoyed from the ending of book 1 and went places I wasn't expecting.

I am a big fan of Lyxander and the tension between him and Aella. Very excited to see where that goes.
I enjoyed the addition of chapters in Nyssa's POV. I do wish we would have seen the relationships advance more on page as it felt a lot of the deepening of bonds happened off page, which made it feel a bit abrupt when things escalated.

Overall, I really enjoyed Daughter of the Tempest and am excited to see where this series continues to go as I think there is still so much left uncovered.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC!

[Severine Bambang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you author and her team for this eARC.
This is my honest review and I did it by myself.

This is a book where the sequel doesn't feel like a filler. In my opinion, it is better than the first book.
The plot thickened and became surprisingly unpredictable. I didn't see when some plot twists were coming, but it was in a good way.
There are so many questions unanswered also, especially at the end of the book. For example, what will become of the Aviary?

This time we got the PoV of Aella, Nyssa (and someone else, but I don't want to spoil it).
In the first book, I originally thought that Nyssa was just a side character, a close friend of Aella. So the addition of her own PoV is refreshing (and who she ends with is!!!!).

The center of this book is the strength of having people that support you. Aella x Nyssa, Kallias vs Max, Lyxander vs his kinship.
Sometimes sisterhood/brotherhood is not defined by blood.

Max..my heart hurts for him 😭

Ares... Give me some purr.

[CC Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can we all collectively celebrate that there is a new blooming love interest? Because I have been waiting for Raven to maybe fall off a cliff since the end of book 1. 💀

ANYWAYYSSSS… Aella absolutely starts coming into her own in this book, and watching her find her strength, trust herself, and stop settling for less was so satisfying. Character growth? ✨🤏✨

The trials somehow get even more intense, so the stakes never let up. Every time I thought everyone could catch a break, Braidee Otto said, “Absolutely not.”

And don’t even get me started on the dual POV. Getting two completely different journeys unfolding at the same time + two love stories to obsess over had me eating up every chapter. I was just as invested in one storyline as the other, and switching perspectives only made me want to keep reading.

This sequel said “we’re raising the stakes and leaving you on the edge of your seat” and honestly? Mission accomplished.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughter of the Tempest picks up the story of Princess Aella, whom we met in Songbird of the Sorrows, as well as her close friend Nyssa in a dual-pov narrative. This second book of a muti-part (for those who don't know this is not the conclusion) series does not suffer from sophomore-itis, in fact, I felt that this story is getting even stronger. With slow-burn romances, action, danger, prophesy, and magic to keep the story interesting from start to end and an ending that leads me to crave the next book, I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first book and recommend the series to romantasy fans who like slow-burn adventure laden tales.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House - The Dial Press) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.