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, Romance, Fiction, Adult

Kindle Edition

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.

[Chelsia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book!

Wow what a sequel!! ⭐️ I did not expect this series to go where it went, but man I’m so pumped for how this is shaping up. It feels a little like a pivot from the first book, but I didn’t mind it.

I loved the dual POV between Nyssa and Aella. It kept the story moving and it was so interesting to follow both their journeys. The loyalty and love they have for each other was incredibly moving! 💖 it was also great to fall in love with new side characters and see how they are going to fit into this world.

On the romance, the slow burn was delicccioooussssss. I really enjoyed the slow tension building, and I ate up all the moments with longing looks and lingering touches.

All in all, I’m so invested in this world and these characters and can’t wait to see what’s next!

[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.

[McKenzie Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Braidee Otto, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for this eARC!

Daughter of the Tempest was basically everything I want more of when it comes to a second book in a series. It really encapsulated the journey that Aella is on, while also expanding the world and giving us so much more insight into the characters around her.

One thing I really enjoyed was having multiple POVs throughout this book. It gave me such a bigger picture of what was happening, and honestly, I didn’t realize how much I needed those different perspectives until I was getting them. Being able to experience events happening around the same time through different characters’ eyes added so much more depth to the story and made the overall plot feel much more expansive.

But I think the biggest thing that stood out to me was the female friendships. There is just something so special about seeing genuine, loving relationships between women portrayed in a way that feels important to the story. Yes, you can have a romantic partner, but at the end of the day, some of the most important relationships you’ll have are the female friendships you build and carry with you. And I loved seeing that sentiment reflected throughout this book.

Which brings me to the found family aspect, because YES. We got hints of this in the first book, but I feel like it really comes alive in book two. It’s such a beautiful reminder that family isn’t always the people you’re related to by blood—it’s the people you choose to keep in your life, the people who show up for you, and the people who become your home. That is a storyline I will always eat up because I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.

I also really enjoyed watching the relationships blossom throughout this book. In book one, I thought the romance was okay, but book two really delivered what I wanted from the romantic relationships. It wasn’t just an instant, “Oh, we’re attracted to each other, so now we’re in love.” Instead, we actually get to watch these relationships develop. There’s yearning, there’s effort, there are obstacles, and there’s actual work involved in getting these characters to where they are now.

And honestly? GIVE ME THE SLOW BUILD.

I loved getting to see two prominent relationships grow in their own ways, and I think that development makes the story heading into book three even more exciting. I’m so curious to see how these relationships continue to evolve as the characters face whatever trials and tribulations are coming their way.

Overall, Daughter of the Tempest did exactly what I want a second book in a series to do. It expanded the story, deepened the characters and relationships, strengthened the found-family aspect, and gave me even more reasons to be invested in what happens next.

Now I just need book three because I need to know where this is going. 👀

[Liana White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead in this review !!!


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!

[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.

[Hannah Kekel · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⚠️ This review contains spoilers for both Songbird of the Sorrows and Daughter of the Tempest. If you haven’t read Book One yet, you’ve been warned!

After finishing Songbird of the Sorrows, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this sequel and somehow, Daughter of the Tempest exceeded every expectation I had. This is one of those rare sequels that doesn’t just continue the story; it expands everything that made me fall in love with the first book while raising the emotional stakes, the worldbuilding, and the character development to another level.

First, thank you to Random House, NetGalley, and Braidee Otto for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. It was truly an honor to return to this world.

From the very first chapter, the pacing never lets up. Splitting the story between Aella and Nyssa was one of my favorite choices because neither storyline ever felt like an interruption. Instead, every POV built tension until both narratives collided in a way that felt inevitable and incredibly satisfying. Every chapter ended with me thinking, “Just one more,” and before I knew it, I had flown through the entire book.

Braidee Otto’s prose continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. There were countless passages that felt more like poetry than prose. She has such a gift for creating vivid imagery while weaving emotion into every scene. Some lines genuinely stopped me in my tracks.

“Cowards don’t need blades to wound; they only need silence when it matters most.”

“People rarely look up …. When they’re too busy surviving, they forget the sky exists.”

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

Those are just a few of the many lines I highlighted.

Now…the spoilers.

Aella’s journey completely stole my heart. Watching her slowly learn to trust herself, embrace her magic, and discover who she truly is was incredibly rewarding. I loved that her growth never felt easy. Every victory had to be earned, which made her eventual emergence feel so much more satisfying. The fact that her wings appeared not because destiny demanded it, but because she was protecting someone she loved, made that moment unforgettable.

Speaking of unforgettable… XAN.

I don’t even know where to begin.

Braidee Otto somehow wrote one of my favorite slow burns I’ve read in fantasy.

Their relationship wasn’t built on instant attraction. It was built on trust, patience, vulnerability, and choice. Xan consistently respected Aella’s boundaries, gave her agency after everything she’d survived, and never tried to become her savior. He simply stood beside her. Watching their walls slowly come down, seeing their banter evolve into genuine affection, and finally getting THAT kiss after all the anticipation was absolutely worth the wait.

“I followed you because I have not known a moment of peace since you left.”

Yeah…that line ruined me.

The found family in this book deserves just as much praise. Rhaya, Kato, Cynna, Titia, and even Ares completely stole my heart. Every member of the kin felt like a real person with their own history, personality, and purpose. It never felt like side characters were simply there to fill space- they all mattered.

Nyssa’s storyline was equally compelling. I loved that she wasn’t pushed aside while Aella embarked on her own journey. Instead, she became the heart of the political intrigue back in the Sorrows. Watching her navigate espionage, uncover conspiracies, and slowly develop feelings for Kallias had me completely invested. Their banter was everything I wanted, and yes…I absolutely kicked my feet during more than one of their scenes.

Then there was Raven.

I don’t think I’ve ever had such complicated feelings toward a character.

Learning about the binding bargain didn’t erase what happened, but it added so much tragedy to his choices. His redemption didn’t come from asking for forgiveness -it came from finally making the choice he should have made all along, even knowing it would cost him everything. I honestly found myself crying during those chapters.

And Maxim… I was not prepared.

His funeral absolutely shattered me. Sending him out to sea on a boat after learning about his dreams of building ships was such a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute.

“A fugitive spy and a ruinous prince, sending their steadfast guard out to sea.”

That line alone had me in tears.

One of my favorite things about this sequel is how carefully every reveal is planted. Nothing felt random. Mysteries introduced early in the story paid off dozens of chapters later in ways I never expected but immediately believed. Every twist felt earned, whether it was the Harpaurai, the prophecy, Lord Cirillo’s identity, or the true meaning behind the Keeper and the Veil.

The worldbuilding also expanded beautifully. The Harpaurai quickly became one of my favorite fantasy races I’ve read in recent years, and I loved learning about their customs, history, traditions, and politics. Every new location felt distinct, lived in, and meaningful.

And then… That ending.

I genuinely don’t think I blinked during the final chapters.

The Games. The emergence. The reveal of the Anemoi. The fractured sky. The Keeper. And that final scene…

Braidee Otto somehow managed to wrap up this installment while simultaneously making me desperate for Book Three. The cliffhanger feels earned rather than frustrating, and I already know I’ll be counting down until I can return to this world.

If you loved Songbird of the Sorrows, this sequel delivers everything I hoped for and more. Bigger stakes. Richer worldbuilding. Incredible character growth. Beautiful prose. Heartbreaking moments. Found family. Political intrigue. A slow-burn romance that absolutely delivers. And enough emotional damage to leave me staring at my ceiling after I finished.

Read this if you love:
🪽 Slow-burn romance
⚔️ Political fantasy
🗡️ Spy missions and secret identities
🌪️ Elemental magic
🪽 Winged characters
🏰 Royal courts and court intrigue
🤍 Found family
❤️ “Who did this to you?” / fiercely protective love interests
🐉 (Or in this case… giant flying cats instead of dragons.)
📖 Beautiful, lyrical prose
🔥 Sequels that raise the stakes without losing the heart of the story

Braidee Otto has officially made this one of my favorite fantasy series, and I already know I’ll be first in line for Book Three.

[motherknows.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Random House for the e-ARC via NetGalley! The following is my honest review:

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (1 explicit scene)

What a sequel! After this second installment I'm fully expecting the Myths of Empyrieos to become one of my all time favorite romantic fantasy series. Briadee Otto elevates the genre with writing that leans more lyrical, but never at the expense of pacing. With familiar tropes that are re-freshed, re-imagined, or subverted completely. With carefully crafted plotting where every breadcrumb, every detail, is purposeful.

Daughter of the Tempest is everything I loved from book one but, as Songbirds of the Sorrows alluded to, on a far grander scale. Not a simple story of political intrigue and courtly machinations, this book unfolds on an epic scale, spanning multiple realms of the Empyrieos, with new cities and distant kingdoms to explore. The world building is sweeping and textured, whilst lore and magic previously hinted at becomes fully realized. Book one was an introduction, a lens heavily focused on Aella and her experiences. Book two delivers the Empyrieos on a macro scale- its magic, its history, its political climate- whilst remaining emotionally charged, with deeply personal character arcs.

The story is told from dual POV's- of course Aella's but we also follow Nyssa- the two protagonists realms away from each other, both fighting to evade capture, to protect each other, and navigate increasing danger alongside reluctant allies as they find their way back to each other. I loved that we see so much more of Nyssa, who longer exists purely in relation to Aella, but fully actualized- dynamic, lovable, and fierce. The shifting POV structure could've stymied the pacing of the story, but it's executed with care, resolving tension before shifting POV rather than breaking it, or making the shift in a way that continues to move the story forward.

Brace yourself: Otto's writing is never expected and she's not afraid to hurt your feelings. Full of reveals and twists from its opening chapters to the final page, this is ambitious story telling and I couldn't get enough of it. If you love strong found family dynamics, slow- burn romance that doesn't interfere with the plot but weaves seamlessly into it, high stakes and impossible choices, this is the book for you. It reminded me of The Ashen Series by Demi Winters, and Throne of Glass, in the sense of book 1 seeming to be a simple story that grows into a complexity, only hinted at.

Daughter of the Tempest is immersive, the stakes unyielding, yet it's a story that remains quietly personal at its core. After that utterly heart wrenching conclusion I am positively champing at the bit for book 3!

[Dayna H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5⭐️/5⭐️

I loved the first book in this series, but this book somehow managed to be even better. This is one of those rare sequels that doesn't just live up to the first book, it surpasses it. I absolutely loved every second of this book.

From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Since it picks up right where book one ends, I was immediately immersed back into the story. I had no idea where this book was headed, and I loved every second of the journey. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another reveal or twist made me question everything again. The plot kept me guessing from beginning to end, and it was so satisfying to watch all the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place.

One of my favorite additions to this book was the dual POVs. While the first book was told solely from Aella's perspective, this installment also gives us Nyssa's POV. Usually, when a book has multiple perspectives, there is one storyline I'm less invested in, but that wasn't the case here. I genuinely looked forward to every chapter from both characters. Their stories were equally compelling, and I loved seeing how their journeys connected while still allowing each character to grow individually. Braidee Otto balanced the two perspectives beautifully, making the story easy to follow without feeling repetitive or confusing.

I also loved how much deeper we got to explore both the characters and the world. Every character showed meaningful growth, and it was rewarding to see how their experiences shaped them throughout the story. The new characters were fantastic additions, fitting seamlessly into the world while bringing fresh dynamics to the story. I especially enjoyed watching the relationships and friendships evolve, as they all felt natural and well-developed. The slow-burning romance was perfectly paced. It never felt rushed, but it also never dragged.

The world-building continues to be one of my favorite aspects of this series. Braidee Otto expands everything we were introduced to in the first book, making the world feel even richer and more immersive. Every new piece of information added another layer to the story, whether it involved history, politics, mysteries, or magic. I became more invested the more I learned.

This book was everything I could have wanted in a sequel: higher stakes, incredible character development, beautiful world-building, an addictive and unpredictable plot, and a perfectly executed slow-burn romance. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I highly recommend picking this one up when it releases on October 27, 2026.

Thank you to Braidee Otto, NetGalley, and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars. I honestly didn't really dislike anything about this book (except one very specific thing!), it just didn't quite fully click together for me.

What I liked:
- The plot in book 2 follows 2 FMCs, the main one from book 1 and her friend. I liked both plots and their eventual convergence. I was unsure if I cared about the friends plot for about 20% of the book, but her chapters were never bad. It just took me a little bit to hop on her bandwagon.

- The FMC's were both great. Strong, smart and confident.

- The world in this series is really the standout. It was a high point in book 1, and I think it is here too. Very interesting worlds full of diverse cultures and environments.

What's holding my rating back
Again I don't fully consider these things as negatives, just observations-

- The series just doesn't feel very original, lots of this has been done before. I think thats fine, and its done well here, but it does feel a bit like a conglomeration of other stories.

- I was a bit underwhelmed by Nyssa's romance (the additional FMC). I liked her and her MMC together and they did have some fun banter here and there. Their pairing totally makes sense and was mostly fine. My issue was the author tried to make them hate each other and I just didn't really buy it. I think this mostly stems from having to share the book with whole other storyline, therefore not allowing for a deep foundation for this relationship.

- This book amps up the fantasy aspect and loses a bit of the politicking, which was one of the best parts of book 1. I was a bit disappointed in that.


My one very specific thing that I hated!......the MMC in Nyssa's storyline was described as having "kohl lined eyes" in EVERY SINGLE SCENE HE WAS IN. I get it, he wears eye liner, I did not need to be reminded of this constantly! lol, I was shocked at the number of times it was mentioned. I swear to the book gods, it is every scene he features.

I was very emotionally invested in this story. The dual POV storylines did work well and helped to build and expand the world, but they also were the reason we didn't get quite enough details on the plots or additional scenes creating deep relationships for the main couples. I will definitely be reading book 3. Looking forward to seeing what happens.

ARC kindly provided by Random House and NetGalley for an honest review.

[the_bookishbee_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Review of advance copy received from publisher •
I have several thoughts, and most of them are just screaming.

I will try my best to articulate just how much I loved this book…Six stars. ❤️🔥
I absolutely devoured it and as much as I adored Songbird, this sequel surpassed it, consider me officially emotionally attached to this world and everyone in it.

The Empyrieos is a beautiful, magical world exploding with gods, magic, secrets and political machinations that keep you on edge the whole time. The world building expands heavily in this sequel, and you learn so much more about the lore, history and different cultures within this world.
The dual POV between Aella and Nyssa was perfect and I sank into both their stories and invested quickly. Even though they remained separated for much of the book, their love and friendship remains at the heart of everything. Every time a chapter ended, I wanted to stay with that character, only to be swept up in the next POV.

So… the CHARACTERS❤️ One of my fave things about this series is how you get to know every single one, Nyssa, Kallias, Maxim, Cynna, I was invested in all of their stories and the part they play, I love that they are just as important as the larger plot. Plus, special shout out to Silas and Xerxes… I can’t wait to learn more about them. Ooh and let’s not forget Ares and his moonflower, another instant fave!
Ofc, Aella remains the total badass I fell in love with in book one, but now she’s learning about her magic, herself and where she came from. The trauma she suffered in book one continues to affect her and I am really hoping this is explored more in the next book, I would love to see her and Xan do this together, given they both faced similar trauma.

Xan… omg. The only way I can say this is…ultimate book boyfriend. What a guy, completely irresistible, patient, understanding, loyal, loving… I could go on all day!
The slow burn between Aella and Xan was a thing of beauty and I ate it up. THE ROMANCE. THE BANTER. THE TENSION. THE YEARNING. *internalised screaming* It was everything. Their relationship is one built on trust, patience, choice and respect. I was GONE.

Braidee’s writing continues to be beautiful and lyrical… I found myself stopping to reread and appreciate certain lines and descriptions, especially when it came to Nyssa and Kallias, the harps, and the wind. The way she weaves emotion into the story is gorgeous.

Can I also just say… THAT ENDING?! The cliffhanger is criminal! I’m back to counting down the days for the next book so I can return to this world, but don’t get me wrong, I am def not ready to say goodbye.
Sooo, to sum up, this book is everything I could have wanted from a sequel and more. The stakes are higher, the world building is richer, the characters are amazing, the prose is delicious and I was left staring at the ceiling.

Six stars. Blast this series to the very top of your TBR…it’s incredible.

Thank you to so much Penguin Aus for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[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)

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I’m not back soon, use these years of my life to live your own.”

We are stepping back into a world that honors the gods. The Aviary that is a cage. Sorrow’s secrets. Latching onto clarity in this book. Now out deep in the Sea, and nothing is going to stop Nyssa on finding Aella.

Ms. Braidee!? What on earth did you put in this sequel because it was absolutely everything to me and everything that I could have wanted for book 2! 🥹

The Dual POVs did not feel complicated or anything like that as the flow felt perfectly balanced , understanding both points from our characters, experiencing the Lore, and prose moments.

The friendship between Nyssa and Aella has always felt strong between book 1 and beginning in book 2, but you really start to see both of their stories go through the waves of what they are really preparing for & prioritizing.

Braidee is also filling us with lots of tension, banter, new characters, and a bargain that feels shady almost but also trust! Aella has never made a bargain before and she is wondering whether this is a good thing or not making a bargain with Xan as this is where the trust has come to play for many reasons. However, the choice is made and you’re just hoping Aella made the right decision.

“I can smell the storm on your skin, sense it testing the limits of your control. Only a blind man wouldn’t see the tempest raging in your eyes.”

This sequel was done so well and is one I’m going to think about for a while. I screamed at the end of Songbird of the Sorrows, and the end of this book has me screaming once again 😩 as I look forward what book 3 holds for us!

Thank you so much to The Dial Press, Random House, Netgalley, and Braidee for the e-galley and gifted physical early galley! 🕊️

[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.

[J'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.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating: 5/5
Spice Rating: 3/5

First of all, thank you to The Dial Press, Braidee Otto, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I received it for free in exchange for an honest review, and everything below is my genuine, unbiased opinion, minus the fact that I was already fully obsessed with book one.

The sequel to Songbird of the Sorrows delivers exactly what readers are hoping for, and then some. We get so much more of Aella's backstory and learn a lot more about Xan along the way.

This book splits between two narrators, which I loved. We follow Nyssa as she hides in plain sight as a servant in the Palace of the Sorrows, while the Eagle searches for her, hoping to use her as bait to lure Aella back to Eretria and Prince Keres. Aella's brother, Prince Kallias, begrudgingly agrees to help her, and their dynamic was such a highlight.

Meanwhile, Aella is taken by Xan, and as they spend more time together, something starts to spark between them. It is a slow burn in the best way, and after Raven's betrayal in book one, I was craving exactly this kind of tension.

Otto is the queen of the cliffhanger, I mean it. She ended book one on a gut punch, and this one leaves us craving just as much by the final page.

The world Otto has built is so detailed and immersive, and her writing just keeps getting more beautiful. She is proving her staying power as a fantasy romance author with every book.

If you loved book one, this sequel is everything you have been waiting for.

[Hailey | Saddle Up & Spill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Braidee Otto and Dial Press for the advanced reader copy.

⭐️FIVE WHOLE "beautiful-page turning-trust-the-process" stars!!!

Daughter of the Tempest is book two in the Myths of the Emperios series and... holy crap.

You know those fantasy series where book one pulls you in, but book two is the one that completely changes everything? Think A Court of Thorns and Roses or The Plated Prisoner series, where the second book takes everything you thought you knew and flips it on its head. That's exactly what Braidee Otto accomplishes here.

The hardest part about reviewing this book is that I genuinely don't want to say much because almost every thought I have feels like it could spoil book one. If you haven't started this series yet, do yourself a favor and go in blind.

Aella continues to be such a compelling heroine, and the truths she uncovers completely reshape the story in ways I never saw coming. Nyssa was another standout. Her undercover storyline is full of tension, she's an absolute badass, and I loved every second of the banter with her love interest.

The romance is still a beautifully paced slow burn, but it's the emotional tension and anticipation that really make it work.

This is exactly what I hope for in a fantasy sequel. It doesn't just continue the story... it transforms it. Braidee Otto rewards readers who pay attention, and by the end I was already thinking about all the breadcrumbs that had been there from the beginning. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.

Saddled Up & Spilled. Catch ya next time, cowpokes! 🤠🥃

[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.”

[Samantha Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Net Galley for the ARC!

I devoured this book. It starts off right where book 1 ended. Aella has been taken by Xan after rescuing him. They travel to get to his homeland while evading the Aviary and Keres. Along the way they form a bargain that she will help him get home while he trains her on how to use/control her theikos. Meanwhile both are still recovering from everything that has happened.

We get Nyssa’s POV in this book. I absolutely loved this! Nyssa is on the run from the Aviary as well. Her and Aella were supposed to meet up after Aella took Xan to his boat, but she never returns. Nyssa becomes reluctant allies with Kallis the Prince of the Sorrows and his guard Maxim. They help hide Nyssa in the palace as a servant while trying to figure out where Aella is and what the Aviary is up to.

Things I enjoyed:
* How much the world expands and everything I got to learn.
* Both romances were chefs kiss!
* The found family.
* I felt so many emotions throughout this book and loved every second of it!

Things that might not work for everyone:
* The pacing can seem slow in some parts.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next one. I initially thought this was a duology but with that ending no way! I’m not mad about it though! I loved this world and these characters. Definitely recommend picking it up.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Unnamednonsense · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! This is such an easy five stars! I enjoyed book one, but this one absolutely blew me away.

We have a new pov in this one (love love loved getting to know them!!) and it make me see things in a whole new light. I’m not saying who just in case you don’t know, but they added so much to the story that I loved having.

The romance!!! We have not one but two delicious romances in this one. I often struggle with dual pov when the characters are so far away from one another, but the romances and the plots both absolutely kept me hooked to both character povs. I love an allies to lovers style romance, and of course our forbidden love romance was expanded.

I had such a great time getting to know the characters more. We know most of them in the first book, but we really got to learn more about who they are, what motivates them, how complex they are. The characters really drive the story, and they were done so exceptionally well.

We got to see so much more of the world, and I loved the expansion! It all felt so new and refreshing while still staying true to what we know about the world from book one. I can’t wait to see what more we get from the world in book three.

And the ending!! I absolutely cannot wait for the next. I need to know what happens now??

Thank you so much to Random House, The Dial Press, and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[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! ✨📚

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to be living rent free in my mind until I can get my hands on the next one. As much as I enjoyed the first book it does not compare to my love for this sequel. I absolutely ATE it up.

The split between Aella and Nyssa’s POVs was brilliant. Every time one of their chapters ended, I ached to stay in that storyline, only to be swept up all over again the moment the next POV began. It’s a testament to the author that both perspectives had me in complete chokeholds.

I also fell hard for all the new side characters (Maxim and Kal especially) and can’t wait to see more of them going forward.

The romances were beautiful. Each couple was fighting their own demons and desires and it was such a relief to see them eventually give in (I love a good fast slow-burn). I cannot wait for the next book so we can explore them more (give me ALL the yearning).

My one gripe: Aella’s trauma felt like it was glossed over rather than something she truly worked through. I would’ve liked to see more of her relationship with Xan and how they worked through their trauma (of being tortured by Keres) together. However I still love their relationship and I cannot wait to see how their story continues.

That said, this book took the magic and the gods to a whole new level and I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you Random House/The Dial Press and NetGalley for the e-arc!

[Bailey Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review here 👋🏼 Thanks, NetGalley, for the chance to review! I’ve been dying to read the sequel since I read the Indie version of Book 1.

4.2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I loved about this book:
- Dual POV 👯‍♀️
- Romance 💘 (sass, tension, spice)
- New characters ✨
- Action & Suspense💥
- Mystery 🔎
- A villain we all hate 👿
- A glossary 📖

There’s dual POV in different locations in the story, so it keeps things fresh and entertaining. The romance, action, and mystery keep you theorizing. There are many elements similar to other fantasy books that made it slightly predictable; however, I was still pleasantly surprised. In this sequel, you really get to understand the characters on a more personal level and their past, which changed my perspective on how I viewed them. It doesn’t leave off on a big cliffhanger, but there are still unanswered questions, and I can’t wait to see how book 3 delves into it.

Things I wish the book did:
- Went more into the King of the Sorrows reasoning for his actions
- More communication & time with: Aella & Raven, Aella & Xan, Aella & Kallias, and Aella & Nyssa
- The ending felt a bit rushed; no reunion conversations were had
- Didn’t enjoy that last bit at the end with you know who *cries* (if you know you know)
- Also perhaps some more details on describing the settings

🤩Hope book 3 has more POVs 🤩

[imk629 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 is definitely a 5 star read.This continued journey for Aella brought her new found friendships and family outside of the Sorrows. After becoming an official Songbird she was immediately sent on a mission to retrieve a weapon and pose as one of the potential bride for a prince which would be decided through trials. This mission sets off a slew of events which sends her to travel to new territories. Learning more about her mother along the way helped to shape her and become who she was meant to be other than a discarded princess now songbird. She showed her love for her best friend Nyssa by willingly putting herself in danger to save her bonded sister. This story focuses on Nyssa and Aella’s stories each having new storylines since their separation from each other. New love interests for both characters factor into the story and is woven beautifully with each storyline. Aella’s goal is to save Nyssa and take down the Eagle and the king. We’re also introduced to a new sadistic villain who is in search of Aella to make her his bride and to find his “weapon” that was taken from him. The book ends on a cliffhanger but now that both Nyssa and Aella’s story converge at the end of the book will set up for their next journey in the 3rd book.