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The Tides That Turned Us: The Pyre Song Trilogy Book 2
The witch rebellion continues.
The reveal of magic was supposed to be a new dawn. Instead, it ignited a global wildfire of hate… and it is catching.
Severely injured and haunted by fractured memories, Alva Hausmann flees to the African wilderness — not only to heal, but to face the darkness within and claim her true power. At her side is Cornelis, the immortal who fears what she's becoming but can't let her go.
Meanwhile, her twin Ember sharpens her rage behind the salt-hewn bars of Saltholm Prison, and the architect of their suffering, Mardequai Guise, discovers his obsession may cost him more than he ever imagined.
The tides are turning, and the ancient song of the pyre is rising once more. Divided by oceans but united by ancestral fire, the twins each face a devastating Will they remain in the shadows to stay safe, or embrace their darkest power to set their kind free?
THE TIDES THAT TURNED US is the gripping second instalment of the Pyre Song trilogy – an epic story of ancestral secrets, immortal greed, and the dangerous cost of falling in love with the dark.
The reveal of magic was supposed to be a new dawn. Instead, it ignited a global wildfire of hate… and it is catching.
Severely injured and haunted by fractured memories, Alva Hausmann flees to the African wilderness — not only to heal, but to face the darkness within and claim her true power. At her side is Cornelis, the immortal who fears what she's becoming but can't let her go.
Meanwhile, her twin Ember sharpens her rage behind the salt-hewn bars of Saltholm Prison, and the architect of their suffering, Mardequai Guise, discovers his obsession may cost him more than he ever imagined.
The tides are turning, and the ancient song of the pyre is rising once more. Divided by oceans but united by ancestral fire, the twins each face a devastating Will they remain in the shadows to stay safe, or embrace their darkest power to set their kind free?
THE TIDES THAT TURNED US is the gripping second instalment of the Pyre Song trilogy – an epic story of ancestral secrets, immortal greed, and the dangerous cost of falling in love with the dark.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2026
5 people want to read
About the author
Gisele Stein
12 books35 followersGisele Stein is an Australian author whose work explores witches, women, and the wild. Her urban fantasy series, The Pyre Song Trilogy, blends history and myth with the rawness of nature to tell a story about female power and memory. Through fantasy rooted in real landscapes, her witch novels ask what happens when we start listening again to the wild parts of ourselves. If you love stories steeped in wonder and witchcraft, with a strong dose of female badassery, she’s your girl.
Book One in the Pyre Song trilogy, THE FLAMES THAT FORGED US, released in 2025: Think 'Practical Magic' — but with rage, rebellion, and reckoning, set across centuries of magic and matriarchy, love and loss… A modern witch book about female rage, witches fighting the patriarchy, and deeply rooted sisterhood.
For a free witchy story, join her Reader Group here: www.giselestein.com/free-story
Book One in the Pyre Song trilogy, THE FLAMES THAT FORGED US, released in 2025: Think 'Practical Magic' — but with rage, rebellion, and reckoning, set across centuries of magic and matriarchy, love and loss… A modern witch book about female rage, witches fighting the patriarchy, and deeply rooted sisterhood.
For a free witchy story, join her Reader Group here: www.giselestein.com/free-story
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 2, 2026
Let the only sound be the overflow
"They want her small. They want her silent. But instead, the rage rises. She will make them choke on it."
This second installment continues right where Flames ended. We follow the ramifications after the reveal and find ourselves in different settings alongside the characters: amongst others an academy in Kenya, the African bush, Harz mountains, London, a bleak saline island. I'm hoping to dive deeper into Chyulu in upcoming books, that sounded so interesting. The time Alva spends alone in nature reminds me of Eragon in Eldest, nice.
The twins Alva and Ember, separated but united in mind, fight against patronizing and enslavement structures. Learning to trust themselves, their Anima and their power. Learning to stand, head held high. The power of standing together. You can do it, too, Pippa!
Run, girl, run! Break out from society
Great character development and themes in this book.
People acting out of fear, lack of understanding, hunger for power and othering can do incredible harmful things. A whole lot of realising, reflecting, recognising and reframing to be done, just like in our real world.
I didn't see the plot twist on page 435 coming and look forward to the last installment of the Pyre Song trilogy.
"We're not passive anymore. Not broken. We're witches, and we finally remember what we are."
"The voices of women will carry on."
_____________________
(Side note: As a diver, having an octopus is standard equipment and goes a long way. And the name "oxygen tank" gives me the ick. You're breathing air not pure oxygen, which is only at 21%. Along with other factors, that whole scene is pretty unrealistic.)
"They want her small. They want her silent. But instead, the rage rises. She will make them choke on it."
This second installment continues right where Flames ended. We follow the ramifications after the reveal and find ourselves in different settings alongside the characters: amongst others an academy in Kenya, the African bush, Harz mountains, London, a bleak saline island. I'm hoping to dive deeper into Chyulu in upcoming books, that sounded so interesting. The time Alva spends alone in nature reminds me of Eragon in Eldest, nice.
The twins Alva and Ember, separated but united in mind, fight against patronizing and enslavement structures. Learning to trust themselves, their Anima and their power. Learning to stand, head held high. The power of standing together. You can do it, too, Pippa!
Run, girl, run! Break out from society
Great character development and themes in this book.
People acting out of fear, lack of understanding, hunger for power and othering can do incredible harmful things. A whole lot of realising, reflecting, recognising and reframing to be done, just like in our real world.
I didn't see the plot twist on page 435 coming and look forward to the last installment of the Pyre Song trilogy.
"We're not passive anymore. Not broken. We're witches, and we finally remember what we are."
"The voices of women will carry on."
_____________________
(Side note: As a diver, having an octopus is standard equipment and goes a long way. And the name "oxygen tank" gives me the ick. You're breathing air not pure oxygen, which is only at 21%. Along with other factors, that whole scene is pretty unrealistic.)
March 19, 2026
I loved and devoured the second book of the Pyre Song Trilogy as much as the first one.
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is the development of its main characters and the way their stories gradually unfold. As the plot progresses, more and more is revealed about them, adding depth and keeping the reader constantly engaged.
Equally impressive is the choice of settings and how vividly they are described. The author has a remarkable ability to bring each location to life, making it easy to feel completely immersed in the world of the story.
I was especially fascinated by the strong connection between magic and nature. The idea that magic—Anima—is drawn from natural forces and that everything is deeply interconnected adds a rich and meaningful layer to the narrative. I also love the concept of familiars, but even more so the unique bond that Sofia and Alva share with all living beings.
I am incredibly excited to see how the trilogy will conclude and can hardly wait to find out what happens next!
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is the development of its main characters and the way their stories gradually unfold. As the plot progresses, more and more is revealed about them, adding depth and keeping the reader constantly engaged.
Equally impressive is the choice of settings and how vividly they are described. The author has a remarkable ability to bring each location to life, making it easy to feel completely immersed in the world of the story.
I was especially fascinated by the strong connection between magic and nature. The idea that magic—Anima—is drawn from natural forces and that everything is deeply interconnected adds a rich and meaningful layer to the narrative. I also love the concept of familiars, but even more so the unique bond that Sofia and Alva share with all living beings.
I am incredibly excited to see how the trilogy will conclude and can hardly wait to find out what happens next!
March 3, 2026
I couldn’t put it down. You will love it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews