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The Shattered Lands #2
The Void Dragon
The Void Dragon
continues the epic fantasy tale that began with
The Outcast Mage
, following a young woman whose strange powers may destroy the world, and packed with intrigue, adventure and dragonfire.
“An explosively brilliant sequel. Everything I loved about the first book is here in spades and nail-biting stakes, political subterfuge around every corner, and emotional betrayals to keep you turning the pages late at night. Stunningly fabulous epic fantasy – I ate up every moment of it!” — Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust
"Truly enchanting." —Trudi Canavan, bestselling author of The Black Magician trilogy
Naila has escaped the chaos that engulfed her home city of Amoria, but at a terrible cost. Her allies have splintered and there’s a power growing inside of her that she doesn’t understand. It feels dangerous. It feels hungry.
Hunted by dragonriders, Naila must seek sanctuary at the great library of Awasef. Perhaps here she will find some answers—if they don’t kill her first.
But the land of Dahran is on a knife edge. The Queen’s advisor, the Wazira, is abducting mages and forcing them to join her cause. Worse still, Haelius Akana – Naila’s friend and the greatest wizard of his age—is among them.
As political conspiracies slide towards civil war, Naila’s power threatens to consume her and everyone she holds dear. Haelius may be the only person who can help her.
But only if he betrays his new master to stand at Naila’s side.
"Annabel Campbell remains a truly standout voice in disaster mages and the epic fantasy genre, and I am so very thankful this is a trilogy." - Elian J Morgan, author of Princeweaver
“An explosively brilliant sequel. Everything I loved about the first book is here in spades and nail-biting stakes, political subterfuge around every corner, and emotional betrayals to keep you turning the pages late at night. Stunningly fabulous epic fantasy – I ate up every moment of it!” — Georgia Summers, author of The City of Stardust
"Truly enchanting." —Trudi Canavan, bestselling author of The Black Magician trilogy
Naila has escaped the chaos that engulfed her home city of Amoria, but at a terrible cost. Her allies have splintered and there’s a power growing inside of her that she doesn’t understand. It feels dangerous. It feels hungry.
Hunted by dragonriders, Naila must seek sanctuary at the great library of Awasef. Perhaps here she will find some answers—if they don’t kill her first.
But the land of Dahran is on a knife edge. The Queen’s advisor, the Wazira, is abducting mages and forcing them to join her cause. Worse still, Haelius Akana – Naila’s friend and the greatest wizard of his age—is among them.
As political conspiracies slide towards civil war, Naila’s power threatens to consume her and everyone she holds dear. Haelius may be the only person who can help her.
But only if he betrays his new master to stand at Naila’s side.
"Annabel Campbell remains a truly standout voice in disaster mages and the epic fantasy genre, and I am so very thankful this is a trilogy." - Elian J Morgan, author of Princeweaver
495 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2026
About the author
Annabel Campbell
3 books125 followersAnnabel writes fantasy with fierce female characters and disaster wizards, and believes everything is improved by dragons.
She has a PhD in cardiovascular science, and when not making things up for a living, she works as a Medical Writer.
Her other joys are red wine, playing games, or showing you too many pictures of her dog.
She has a PhD in cardiovascular science, and when not making things up for a living, she works as a Medical Writer.
Her other joys are red wine, playing games, or showing you too many pictures of her dog.
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Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Political instability, elite conspiracies, and brewing regional tensions - basically my three selling points in an epic fantasy. Add into that an outcast with mysterious magic and a disaster mage mentor.
The writing style is addictive and the magic reminiscent of something from Sanderson’s standalone books. It is fast-paced and ends on a cliffhanger that makes you desperate for the finale.
The series explores systemic inequality, discrimination against outgroups, and the mechanics of political subjugation and rising autocracy. Its commentary is what the reader takes from it with characters with varying motivations and ambitions who rub against each other in friendships, romances, apprentices and mentors, and reluctant allies.
I must admit that the ending of this book is what brought this down a star - it had one of my most hated plot conveniences which I obviously won’t be spoiling. It just took away some of the emotional stakes and impact. Suffice to say, it resulted in annoyance and worry about how this will play out in the finale. I would still recommend the books though, especially as this type of convenience is regularly used.
Did I mention there are dragons?
3.5 stars.🌟
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
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The writing style is addictive and the magic reminiscent of something from Sanderson’s standalone books. It is fast-paced and ends on a cliffhanger that makes you desperate for the finale.
The series explores systemic inequality, discrimination against outgroups, and the mechanics of political subjugation and rising autocracy. Its commentary is what the reader takes from it with characters with varying motivations and ambitions who rub against each other in friendships, romances, apprentices and mentors, and reluctant allies.
I must admit that the ending of this book is what brought this down a star - it had one of my most hated plot conveniences which I obviously won’t be spoiling. It just took away some of the emotional stakes and impact. Suffice to say, it resulted in annoyance and worry about how this will play out in the finale. I would still recommend the books though, especially as this type of convenience is regularly used.
Did I mention there are dragons?
3.5 stars.🌟
Physical arc gifted by Orbit.
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October 21, 2026
I read a lot of fantasy, it being my favorite genre and all, and Campbell is a standout amongst relatively new authors within that space. I raved about her debut, “The Outcast Mage” back in the beginning of 2025, and “The Void Dragon” is the sequel. The main character, Naila, is out of her element (get it?) and conflicted about the future. Campbell adds more characters with their own points of view, and there is more of a focus on politicking and warring factions. It’s very interesting to see the world outside of Amoria!
The story is a bit of a slow burn in the first half, but keep going, because the second half has *much* more action. Naila still has my heart, but Haelius’ arc was a bit much and had me longing for other POV’s. All in all, I was glad to immerse myself in this world again (Campbell really shines in her worldbuilding), and I anxiously await the final book of this trilogy!
PS: Thank you to Ms. Campbell for including a recap of “The Outcast Mage” at the beginning of this! (I do recommend re-reading the first book, however, as you will understand a lot more of the plot in the sequel. YMMV.)
Thank you to NetGalley and especially Orbit, for letting me read an early copy by this fantastic epic fantasy author! All opinions are mine alone.
The story is a bit of a slow burn in the first half, but keep going, because the second half has *much* more action. Naila still has my heart, but Haelius’ arc was a bit much and had me longing for other POV’s. All in all, I was glad to immerse myself in this world again (Campbell really shines in her worldbuilding), and I anxiously await the final book of this trilogy!
PS: Thank you to Ms. Campbell for including a recap of “The Outcast Mage” at the beginning of this! (I do recommend re-reading the first book, however, as you will understand a lot more of the plot in the sequel. YMMV.)
Thank you to NetGalley and especially Orbit, for letting me read an early copy by this fantastic epic fantasy author! All opinions are mine alone.
October 22, 2026
Wow this was such a great continuation of The Outcast Mage! It begins several months after the end of the previous book, which gives Naila time train her powers, become more confident in herself outside of the restrictions of Amoria, and for Haelius to hit rock bottom and try to navigate his fall from being the greatest mage in Amoria to a captive in Dahran. Getting to know more about the dragons and why they react to Naila as they did is fascinating.
Annabel Campbell explores and portrays dichotomies so well and I wish she keeps diving into these characters - what they are willing to risk for themselves and loved ones. Knowing what is right and wrong. To continue to do what has always been done or be be brave enough to break from the path of least resistance to fix what is broken - I want more of that!
The intrigue, the civil war, the magics, and the politicing - I want more, more, more!
I recommend this book to fantasy lovers, dragon lovers, and lovers of the abovementioned rant I want more of.
3.75 stars
Thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK and Annabel Campbell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Annabel Campbell explores and portrays dichotomies so well and I wish she keeps diving into these characters - what they are willing to risk for themselves and loved ones. Knowing what is right and wrong. To continue to do what has always been done or be be brave enough to break from the path of least resistance to fix what is broken - I want more of that!
The intrigue, the civil war, the magics, and the politicing - I want more, more, more!
I recommend this book to fantasy lovers, dragon lovers, and lovers of the abovementioned rant I want more of.
3.75 stars
Thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK and Annabel Campbell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.75
OMG, what a sequel!
The events of The Void Dragon start 6 months after the events of book 1, and I loved that the beginning included a recap to see where we left off with our main characters. I only read The Outcast Mage earlier this year, but this was super helpful to refresh my memory!
Immediately, we get to explore more of Dahran and the wider world that Campbell has created. We saw some snippets in book 1, but it was so fun to explore outside Amoria in this sequel. I loved the additional POVs, and it really helped tell the story since our cast of characters had to split off in different directions.
Just as with The Outcast Mage, I loved how real and complex every single character was. Every single POV, I was sad to leave one character behind while excited to see what the next POV was up to. Some characters (Naila) I just really wanted to give a hug, while I would have loved to give others (Haelius) a good shake (and maybe also a hug). Campbell really puts these characters through it!
The first few chapters felt a bit slower, but it sets up the plot so well. Then the last 25% feels like when the music in a horror movie gets faster and louder: you know that you're hurtling towards something horrible while trying to put all your theories and puzzle pieces together and hope all your favourite characters make it out alive.
The writing just pulled everything together: the descriptions of the world are rich and vivid so you can picture everything, while also becoming so invested in all the characters that you feel their joy and heartbreak.
Overall, an incredible sequel that effortlessly expands the world-building of The Outcast Mage and pulls you into Tokar's politics and schemes. I cannot wait to continue this series!
Thank you so much to Little Brown Book Group, Orbit UK, and NetGalley for the eARC
OMG, what a sequel!
The events of The Void Dragon start 6 months after the events of book 1, and I loved that the beginning included a recap to see where we left off with our main characters. I only read The Outcast Mage earlier this year, but this was super helpful to refresh my memory!
Immediately, we get to explore more of Dahran and the wider world that Campbell has created. We saw some snippets in book 1, but it was so fun to explore outside Amoria in this sequel. I loved the additional POVs, and it really helped tell the story since our cast of characters had to split off in different directions.
Just as with The Outcast Mage, I loved how real and complex every single character was. Every single POV, I was sad to leave one character behind while excited to see what the next POV was up to. Some characters (Naila) I just really wanted to give a hug, while I would have loved to give others (Haelius) a good shake (and maybe also a hug). Campbell really puts these characters through it!
The first few chapters felt a bit slower, but it sets up the plot so well. Then the last 25% feels like when the music in a horror movie gets faster and louder: you know that you're hurtling towards something horrible while trying to put all your theories and puzzle pieces together and hope all your favourite characters make it out alive.
The writing just pulled everything together: the descriptions of the world are rich and vivid so you can picture everything, while also becoming so invested in all the characters that you feel their joy and heartbreak.
Overall, an incredible sequel that effortlessly expands the world-building of The Outcast Mage and pulls you into Tokar's politics and schemes. I cannot wait to continue this series!
Thank you so much to Little Brown Book Group, Orbit UK, and NetGalley for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Holly Molly it was one hell of a ride ... when I finished Outcast Mage the need for next instalment was unreal. When I spotted this ARC I pressed "request " button with a light speed, and of course I had very high expectations. Did The Void Dragon meet the expectations ? Hmmm mostly yes but will explain in a second.
Firstly I would suggest to reread Outcast Mage before starting this book. Especially if you're like me - remember main plot and characters but forgot tiny details which maybe were tiny but still meaningful. Also because of how many POVs story follows beginning of The Void Dragon can feel overwhelming without full info from previous story.
But lets focus on the story which I just read...
Once again Annabel Campbell delivered something spectacular. So many secrets, potencial betrayals, great adventure, dragons, political conflict but what the most important a great magic system.
Up to amost 90% I was stressed, and anxious what will happen next. Had no idea who is the bad guy and who the good one. For me that's an indication of amazing story if to the almost end I couldnt figure out the ending.
And now about the ending? Did I predicted it? Slightly but still so much happened that just made me hold my breath...
But why I gave 4 not 5⭐️? Because the tension was built up so well and anticipation of the ending was so high and then... blink and it was over. I was just hoping for something more... what exactly? Can't tell you because I cant describe it.
Nonetheless this series is just perfection and i can recommend it to anyone who likes high fantasy.
Firstly I would suggest to reread Outcast Mage before starting this book. Especially if you're like me - remember main plot and characters but forgot tiny details which maybe were tiny but still meaningful. Also because of how many POVs story follows beginning of The Void Dragon can feel overwhelming without full info from previous story.
But lets focus on the story which I just read...
Once again Annabel Campbell delivered something spectacular. So many secrets, potencial betrayals, great adventure, dragons, political conflict but what the most important a great magic system.
Up to amost 90% I was stressed, and anxious what will happen next. Had no idea who is the bad guy and who the good one. For me that's an indication of amazing story if to the almost end I couldnt figure out the ending.
And now about the ending? Did I predicted it? Slightly but still so much happened that just made me hold my breath...
But why I gave 4 not 5⭐️? Because the tension was built up so well and anticipation of the ending was so high and then... blink and it was over. I was just hoping for something more... what exactly? Can't tell you because I cant describe it.
Nonetheless this series is just perfection and i can recommend it to anyone who likes high fantasy.
October 14, 2026
The Void Dragon, the second installment in Annabel Campbell’s Shattered Lands series, picks up shortly after the dramatic events of The Outcast Mage, plunging familiar characters straight into their difficult new realities.
Campbell excels at character nuance and world-building—no one here is purely good or evil. Every character is realistically flawed and struggling as the world literally and politically fractures around them. Traditions are tested, loyalties are shaken, and the lines between light and dark become deliciously blurred.
My only drawback was the pacing: with so many active storylines, the plot occasionally felt tedious, and the middle section suffered from a noticeable lag. However, the momentum picks up significantly in the final stretch, culminating in a intense cliffhanger that completely hooked me for the next installment.
Despite the mid-book slow down, Campbell’s complex characters and gray morality make this a compelling dark fantasy. I'm very eager to see where she takes the story next!
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
Campbell excels at character nuance and world-building—no one here is purely good or evil. Every character is realistically flawed and struggling as the world literally and politically fractures around them. Traditions are tested, loyalties are shaken, and the lines between light and dark become deliciously blurred.
My only drawback was the pacing: with so many active storylines, the plot occasionally felt tedious, and the middle section suffered from a noticeable lag. However, the momentum picks up significantly in the final stretch, culminating in a intense cliffhanger that completely hooked me for the next installment.
Despite the mid-book slow down, Campbell’s complex characters and gray morality make this a compelling dark fantasy. I'm very eager to see where she takes the story next!
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Firstly, this second book in the series had a whole recap of book one and I am SO grateful! It really helped jump-start my memories of the previous events so I wasn't lost diving back in, especially as its been a while since I read book one. I was so excited to explore more of the wider world outside the city of Amoria and The Void Dragon didn't disappoint. Between new POV characters, and our familiar friends travelling to different places, we got to see so much more. I'd say the pacing was slow for the first half of the book as we established the characters in these new settings, but once it started going it really went! The last 10% of the book was a roller coaster of emotions and the ending had me desperate for book 2. Having really loved The Outcast Mage I've been (in)patiently awaiting The Void Dragon and I'm so, so glad it was just as brilliant. Complex characters who are more than just the morally grey type you'll see in most fantasies are really the stars of the show when it comes to this series, and book two expands on this even further. I cannot wait for the third book and I'll be recommending this to all my epic fantasy loving friends!
Firstly, this second book in the series had a whole recap of book one and I am SO grateful! It really helped jump-start my memories of the previous events so I wasn't lost diving back in, especially as its been a while since I read book one. I was so excited to explore more of the wider world outside the city of Amoria and The Void Dragon didn't disappoint. Between new POV characters, and our familiar friends travelling to different places, we got to see so much more. I'd say the pacing was slow for the first half of the book as we established the characters in these new settings, but once it started going it really went! The last 10% of the book was a roller coaster of emotions and the ending had me desperate for book 2. Having really loved The Outcast Mage I've been (in)patiently awaiting The Void Dragon and I'm so, so glad it was just as brilliant. Complex characters who are more than just the morally grey type you'll see in most fantasies are really the stars of the show when it comes to this series, and book two expands on this even further. I cannot wait for the third book and I'll be recommending this to all my epic fantasy loving friends!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
'The Void Dragon' was such a wonderful and thrilling read - a great sequel to the Outcast Mage! Dare I say I liked this book even more than the first instalment in the series?
The author takes the story in a different direction in this book, and I think this was absolutely the right choice. We spend a lot of time in so-far unfamiliar places, meet many new and exciting characters, and learn that some familiar ones have kept quite a few juicy secrets, All of this helps to show how far-reaching the consequences of Naila's decisions will become, and make the stakes seem so much higher all of a sudden. However, my favorite part of the book was probably (again) all the intrigues and power struggles at court. The few chapters which are still situated in the domed city of the first book felt in comparison unfortunately a bit insignificant and unconnected, Instead of this storyline, I would have loved to read more about the dragons!
In short, a great sequel, and one that makes me waiting impatiently for book 3!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
The author takes the story in a different direction in this book, and I think this was absolutely the right choice. We spend a lot of time in so-far unfamiliar places, meet many new and exciting characters, and learn that some familiar ones have kept quite a few juicy secrets, All of this helps to show how far-reaching the consequences of Naila's decisions will become, and make the stakes seem so much higher all of a sudden. However, my favorite part of the book was probably (again) all the intrigues and power struggles at court. The few chapters which are still situated in the domed city of the first book felt in comparison unfortunately a bit insignificant and unconnected, Instead of this storyline, I would have loved to read more about the dragons!
In short, a great sequel, and one that makes me waiting impatiently for book 3!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!
I loved the void dragon. I did appreciate the reintroduction to the characters at the start of the book but I still found that I wished I’d re-read the Outcast mage first as I think the world is too complex to be re-iterated in such a short space. It took me a little longer to settle back into the world than I would have liked, for this reason I think the void dragon will be even better on my inevitable re-read.
I love the complex politics and magic in this series, after the about 20% mark and a decent number of Nalia POV chapters (she remained the character I was most invested in) I was hooked all over again. A highly recommended this one for fans of political fantasy, interesting magic systems and dragons. If you liked priory of the orange tree, then the shattered lands is well worth your time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I loved the void dragon. I did appreciate the reintroduction to the characters at the start of the book but I still found that I wished I’d re-read the Outcast mage first as I think the world is too complex to be re-iterated in such a short space. It took me a little longer to settle back into the world than I would have liked, for this reason I think the void dragon will be even better on my inevitable re-read.
I love the complex politics and magic in this series, after the about 20% mark and a decent number of Nalia POV chapters (she remained the character I was most invested in) I was hooked all over again. A highly recommended this one for fans of political fantasy, interesting magic systems and dragons. If you liked priory of the orange tree, then the shattered lands is well worth your time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.
August 26, 2026
That ending was a rollercoaster but in the best possible way!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The adopted dad/daughter trope never ends happily for me, and I'm terrified for the finale...
The Void Dragon is the second book in the Shattered Lands trilogy, a high fantasy series that follows a coming-of-age arc along with political intrigue, powerful magic, and a wide world with an expansive cast of characters. I read The Outcast Mage a few years ago and was most intrigued by the ending, so I knew I'd be interested in reading the sequel too. Good news: this book begins with a summary of the previous one that I (as someone who literally just reread book 1 before diving into this one) felt covered all of the necessary bases. Also, there's a glossary if you ever feel lost on character names, places, or terminology. These were super helpful because a lot happens in book 1, and because we follow so many POV characters on their own journeys, the extra reminders of who is who keep things clear.
Naila and Haelius have escaped Amoria, but their paths have diverged, leading them on very separate journeys. Naila, accompanied by the priest, Entonin, and the bodyguard, Karameth, seeks answers to her strange magic and past. Meanwhile, Haelius struggles with the emotional turmoil of his actions in Amoria, which leave him desperate for a purpose to cling to, even if he doesn't truly agree with the cause. I think the plotlines in this book can best be divided into four main threads (two of which are much smaller) that all converge at the end. Naila, Entonin, and Karameth share one thread while Haelius occupies the other side of their larger arc. This book also features smaller but equally important plotlines from Larinne and Ko'ani's POVs as well as Ra'akea's. Like book 1, the first half was quite a slowburn for me, but once I hit the 50% mark, the pacing increased dramatically, and the tension kept me engaged. It took me 3 days to read the first half and a few hours to read the second. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the ending yet. On one hand, it was incredibly action-packed, twisty, and emotionally charged, but there are certain tropes and decisions that truly annoyed/infuriated me. I'll definitely be reading book 3 at some point, especially because I think the ending has to be explosive, but I'm hoping it doesn't follow too closely to the tropes I'm beginning to suspect it might.
My opinions on the characters shifted a lot in this book. Some of my thoughts remain the same as book 1. Naila, for example, is a character that I'm fine reading about, but she isn't the most intriguing to me because I've seen the "protagonist coming into her unusual and destructive power" trope before. Her internal conflict did appeal to me more than it did in book 1, but she's still not my favorite to read about (even though she should be the most relatable for me). I still liked Larinne, though I wanted to see more of her, and Ko'ani grew on me with her extended page time. Ra'akea has the least page time and connection with the other characters, so I'm still not a fan of her just because she felt like an excuse to include dragons in the title when they're not all that present in half the story. Haelius was my favorite previously, but he did get a bit over-the-top in this book with his constant self-pity. He also gets thrown around like a literal ragdoll, which is entertaining a few times but can grow stale after he spends every chapter suffering (no matter how much I love the angst). I really liked the introduction of Aya's character; she's a strong female lead whose role in politics feels shown and not told through her decisions and careful calm. Similarly, I was intrigued by the Wazira's character and her interactions with Haelius. Entonin and Karameth became my favorites in this book, I think because they were close to the action without always being directly involved, which allowed them to flourish in their own subplots, conflict, and tension. Overall, I think all readers will be able to find at least one character to root for with this large cast.
The Void Dragon is the high fantasy sequel to The Outcast Mage, and I would still recommend it to fans of Mistborn.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
3.5/5
The Void Dragon is the second book in the Shattered Lands trilogy, a high fantasy series that follows a coming-of-age arc along with political intrigue, powerful magic, and a wide world with an expansive cast of characters. I read The Outcast Mage a few years ago and was most intrigued by the ending, so I knew I'd be interested in reading the sequel too. Good news: this book begins with a summary of the previous one that I (as someone who literally just reread book 1 before diving into this one) felt covered all of the necessary bases. Also, there's a glossary if you ever feel lost on character names, places, or terminology. These were super helpful because a lot happens in book 1, and because we follow so many POV characters on their own journeys, the extra reminders of who is who keep things clear.
Naila and Haelius have escaped Amoria, but their paths have diverged, leading them on very separate journeys. Naila, accompanied by the priest, Entonin, and the bodyguard, Karameth, seeks answers to her strange magic and past. Meanwhile, Haelius struggles with the emotional turmoil of his actions in Amoria, which leave him desperate for a purpose to cling to, even if he doesn't truly agree with the cause. I think the plotlines in this book can best be divided into four main threads (two of which are much smaller) that all converge at the end. Naila, Entonin, and Karameth share one thread while Haelius occupies the other side of their larger arc. This book also features smaller but equally important plotlines from Larinne and Ko'ani's POVs as well as Ra'akea's. Like book 1, the first half was quite a slowburn for me, but once I hit the 50% mark, the pacing increased dramatically, and the tension kept me engaged. It took me 3 days to read the first half and a few hours to read the second. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the ending yet. On one hand, it was incredibly action-packed, twisty, and emotionally charged, but there are certain tropes and decisions that truly annoyed/infuriated me. I'll definitely be reading book 3 at some point, especially because I think the ending has to be explosive, but I'm hoping it doesn't follow too closely to the tropes I'm beginning to suspect it might.
My opinions on the characters shifted a lot in this book. Some of my thoughts remain the same as book 1. Naila, for example, is a character that I'm fine reading about, but she isn't the most intriguing to me because I've seen the "protagonist coming into her unusual and destructive power" trope before. Her internal conflict did appeal to me more than it did in book 1, but she's still not my favorite to read about (even though she should be the most relatable for me). I still liked Larinne, though I wanted to see more of her, and Ko'ani grew on me with her extended page time. Ra'akea has the least page time and connection with the other characters, so I'm still not a fan of her just because she felt like an excuse to include dragons in the title when they're not all that present in half the story. Haelius was my favorite previously, but he did get a bit over-the-top in this book with his constant self-pity. He also gets thrown around like a literal ragdoll, which is entertaining a few times but can grow stale after he spends every chapter suffering (no matter how much I love the angst). I really liked the introduction of Aya's character; she's a strong female lead whose role in politics feels shown and not told through her decisions and careful calm. Similarly, I was intrigued by the Wazira's character and her interactions with Haelius. Entonin and Karameth became my favorites in this book, I think because they were close to the action without always being directly involved, which allowed them to flourish in their own subplots, conflict, and tension. Overall, I think all readers will be able to find at least one character to root for with this large cast.
The Void Dragon is the high fantasy sequel to The Outcast Mage, and I would still recommend it to fans of Mistborn.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
3.5/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I am delighted to say that this was every bit as good as the first book. Very much appreciated the recap of book one, this should be a feature in all series! It was amazing to see more of the world beyond Amoria. I also love the complexity of all the characters. Really looking forward to book 3, this is epic fantasy at it's finest.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Solid 4.5 stars for me.
I had to reread the Outcast Mage before starting this, and I'm glad I did, as I remembered why I had liked it so much. The second installment is different, and I think better. The setting is wider, you get to find out a lot more about the world of this fantasy, and you get to meet far more characters. As Naila heads out into this wider world, you realize how insignificant the city of the first book really is. I thought the new characters added a lot to the story - Aya in particular, mostly because I love a good political side to a fantasy. I also want more of Ko'ani in the next book.
I found Haelius almost unbearable and there is too much of him in this book. His guilt made him do some very questionable things and maybe that's the point of his character arc, but I wanted to drop kick him off a roof.
Naila became a lot more interesting over the course of the book and I am very much looking forward to finding out how her story concludes.
I had to reread the Outcast Mage before starting this, and I'm glad I did, as I remembered why I had liked it so much. The second installment is different, and I think better. The setting is wider, you get to find out a lot more about the world of this fantasy, and you get to meet far more characters. As Naila heads out into this wider world, you realize how insignificant the city of the first book really is. I thought the new characters added a lot to the story - Aya in particular, mostly because I love a good political side to a fantasy. I also want more of Ko'ani in the next book.
I found Haelius almost unbearable and there is too much of him in this book. His guilt made him do some very questionable things and maybe that's the point of his character arc, but I wanted to drop kick him off a roof.
Naila became a lot more interesting over the course of the book and I am very much looking forward to finding out how her story concludes.
October 20, 2026
This was a great sequel to The Outcast Mage which was one of my favourite books of last year. The middle book of a trilogy is always tricky but The Void Dragon didn’t fall into any of the traps that sometimes happens. I love the fact that the author provided a brief synopsis of the main characters and events from the first book. It’s a great way to sink back into a world that you last visited over a year ago.
The Void Dragon picks up about six months after the events in the first book and our main characters having arrived in the city of Awasef are now separated. Naila is training with the mage Khalisa, Entonin has returned to the temple and Karamenth just seems to have been living his normal life in the city. Things seem to have been fairly quiet during that time however, that doesn’t last for long and the action begins even before we have been reunited with the cast of characters from the first book. We are introduced to a new POV character, Aya, the heir to the Dahran throne and an attempt on her life.
I enjoy multi POV books and the different perspectives that gives the reader and Annabel Campbell uses this method brilliantly to tell her story. The chapters move smoothly from one POV to another and it was often the case that just as I wanted to know more about a particular character, their chapter came next. Each one of the characters had their flaws and felt very real. I especially loved the journey that Haelius went on. He was almost completely broken by his part in the events of The Outcast Mage but there is still something left of the old Haelius and he should never be written off.
This is very much an epic fantasy with the emphasis on several different characters rather than a romantasy with two or three main ones. There is a mini romance which continues to be played out and I think is handled perfectly. We also have found family as well as actual family relationships all of which add depth to all of the characters.
A disappointment to me was how little time was actually spent in the domed city of Amoria. One of my favourite characters from the previous book was Ko’ani and I felt sad that she had so little time in this story. I did love what we saw of her though and I’m sure that she will play a bigger part in book 3.
The world has expanded hugely from what we saw in book one but you can see how all of the threads are connected. The Void Dragon is set mainly in Dahran and the world building is excellent again. I loved the descriptive writing which was always enough to give me enough of a picture in my head without ever overwhelming me with information. The magic system is brilliant and we see a much darker side to how magic can be used here. And there are more dragons! They play less of a part than you might think from the title but when they appear, it’s devastating.
This was a fast paced book which built up to an extremely dramatic climax and I can’t wait to see how all of these events work out in book three. I just hope that we don’t have to wait too long.
Huge thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Book Group, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Void Dragon picks up about six months after the events in the first book and our main characters having arrived in the city of Awasef are now separated. Naila is training with the mage Khalisa, Entonin has returned to the temple and Karamenth just seems to have been living his normal life in the city. Things seem to have been fairly quiet during that time however, that doesn’t last for long and the action begins even before we have been reunited with the cast of characters from the first book. We are introduced to a new POV character, Aya, the heir to the Dahran throne and an attempt on her life.
I enjoy multi POV books and the different perspectives that gives the reader and Annabel Campbell uses this method brilliantly to tell her story. The chapters move smoothly from one POV to another and it was often the case that just as I wanted to know more about a particular character, their chapter came next. Each one of the characters had their flaws and felt very real. I especially loved the journey that Haelius went on. He was almost completely broken by his part in the events of The Outcast Mage but there is still something left of the old Haelius and he should never be written off.
This is very much an epic fantasy with the emphasis on several different characters rather than a romantasy with two or three main ones. There is a mini romance which continues to be played out and I think is handled perfectly. We also have found family as well as actual family relationships all of which add depth to all of the characters.
A disappointment to me was how little time was actually spent in the domed city of Amoria. One of my favourite characters from the previous book was Ko’ani and I felt sad that she had so little time in this story. I did love what we saw of her though and I’m sure that she will play a bigger part in book 3.
The world has expanded hugely from what we saw in book one but you can see how all of the threads are connected. The Void Dragon is set mainly in Dahran and the world building is excellent again. I loved the descriptive writing which was always enough to give me enough of a picture in my head without ever overwhelming me with information. The magic system is brilliant and we see a much darker side to how magic can be used here. And there are more dragons! They play less of a part than you might think from the title but when they appear, it’s devastating.
This was a fast paced book which built up to an extremely dramatic climax and I can’t wait to see how all of these events work out in book three. I just hope that we don’t have to wait too long.
Huge thanks as always to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Book Group, for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for an ARC of The Void Dragon by Annabel Campbell. When I saw that we were getting the second book in The Shattered Lands series I was so excited. I thoroughly enjoyed The Outcast Mage and had been waiting with baited breath to see what happens next.
Six months after the end of The Outcast Mage, we are reintroduced to the characters and find out where they have landed after the upheaval that planted them there.There were so many unanswered questions and as circumstances continue to escalate, desperation for answers and safety begins to feel like an insurmountable task for them all. The Void Dragon is full of dangerous magic, political machinations, conspiracy and shifting alliances. Intrigue lies around every corner and none of our characters are safe from being caught up in it.
I really liked reconnecting with the characters, as they are such a driving force behind the story. Campbell creates characters that you get really attached to and captivated by. There are a lot of characters and the fast paced switching back and forth between POV’s could have been a nightmare. However, it doesn’t feel like an arduous task because you simply can’t wait to find out what happens to them next. There is also enough overlap in the different locations that you never feel fully disconnected from the others.
I did have a bit of a hard time with Naila in this one though. I understand that she’s confused and unsure of where she stands and who to trust, but considering she has no idea how to handle anything being thrown at her, she can be rather quick to judge other people for their actions without having all of the information. Her desire for control over her power makes sense, but not acting out of emotion and impulsivity may be a worthwhile lesson before world domination should be on the menu.
The other characters run the full gambit from trustworthy, to seemingly trustworthy to absolutely not trustworthy…and sometimes that’s all encompassed in just one character. They each have their layers of loyalty and deception which ebb and flow as the circumstances shift. I like that none of the characters are all good or all bad, it makes them very relatable in the sense that everyone has secrets and no one is infallible.
The magic system and the world building in this series are so great. There’s a lot going on with the magic, but it doesn’t ever feel overly complicated and suits the story and the characters so well. The world building is just stunning. The pictures that Campbell paints are so vivid, in both in their beauty or their desolation. They are settings that you find yourself immersed in throughout, which makes the stakes that much higher when they are threatened.
I was a bit afraid going into this that it may suffer from “middle book syndrome”, but for me it didn’t. I obviously have some ideas about how this might turn out…but if I’m being totally honest, I have no idea how Campbell is going to pull this all together. And I must say, I really can’t wait to find out.
Six months after the end of The Outcast Mage, we are reintroduced to the characters and find out where they have landed after the upheaval that planted them there.There were so many unanswered questions and as circumstances continue to escalate, desperation for answers and safety begins to feel like an insurmountable task for them all. The Void Dragon is full of dangerous magic, political machinations, conspiracy and shifting alliances. Intrigue lies around every corner and none of our characters are safe from being caught up in it.
I really liked reconnecting with the characters, as they are such a driving force behind the story. Campbell creates characters that you get really attached to and captivated by. There are a lot of characters and the fast paced switching back and forth between POV’s could have been a nightmare. However, it doesn’t feel like an arduous task because you simply can’t wait to find out what happens to them next. There is also enough overlap in the different locations that you never feel fully disconnected from the others.
I did have a bit of a hard time with Naila in this one though. I understand that she’s confused and unsure of where she stands and who to trust, but considering she has no idea how to handle anything being thrown at her, she can be rather quick to judge other people for their actions without having all of the information. Her desire for control over her power makes sense, but not acting out of emotion and impulsivity may be a worthwhile lesson before world domination should be on the menu.
The other characters run the full gambit from trustworthy, to seemingly trustworthy to absolutely not trustworthy…and sometimes that’s all encompassed in just one character. They each have their layers of loyalty and deception which ebb and flow as the circumstances shift. I like that none of the characters are all good or all bad, it makes them very relatable in the sense that everyone has secrets and no one is infallible.
The magic system and the world building in this series are so great. There’s a lot going on with the magic, but it doesn’t ever feel overly complicated and suits the story and the characters so well. The world building is just stunning. The pictures that Campbell paints are so vivid, in both in their beauty or their desolation. They are settings that you find yourself immersed in throughout, which makes the stakes that much higher when they are threatened.
I was a bit afraid going into this that it may suffer from “middle book syndrome”, but for me it didn’t. I obviously have some ideas about how this might turn out…but if I’m being totally honest, I have no idea how Campbell is going to pull this all together. And I must say, I really can’t wait to find out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Void Dragon by Annabel Campbell
Rating: 3.25
The Void Dragon is the second book in the Shattered Lands high fantasy trilogy, continuing the coming-of-age story alongside political intrigue and powerful magic. Thankfully, the book starts with a summary of the previous instalment, The Outcast Mage, and includes a glossary which was incredibly helpful for keeping track of the large cast and terminology.
The pacing was quite a slow burn for the first half, taking me a few days to read, but the tension increased dramatically after the 50% mark, allowing me to finish the rest in a matter of hours. The plot is essentially divided into four main threads that eventually converge at the end. Naila and Haelius have escaped Amoria, but their paths have diverged onto very separate journeys.
My opinions on the characters shifted a lot in this book. Naila is accompanied by Entonin and Karameth as she seeks answers regarding her past and her strange magic. While her internal conflict appealed to me more here than in book one, I struggle with the trope of the "chosen one with unstable powers and their inability to not act impulsively on emotions." Whilst it is understandable given her circumstances, I found her to be one of the less intriguing perspectives. However, I can clearly see how the narrative has set up Naila and Ko'ani to be rivals for the third book. Ko'ani genuinely grew on me with her extended page time.
Haelius, who was previously my favourite, was a bit over-the-top in this instalment with his constant self-pity. He struggles with emotional turmoil and gets thrown around like a literal ragdoll every chapter, which grew a bit stale. Conversely, Entonin and Karameth became my favourites because their subplots were allowed to flourish close to the action. I also really liked the introduction of Aya, a strong female lead whose political role is actually shown rather than just told. Ra'akea, unfortunately, still felt like an excuse to include dragons in the title.
The ending was twisty, action-packed, and emotionally charged, though some of the decisions and tropes truly infuriated me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.
Rating: 3.25
The Void Dragon is the second book in the Shattered Lands high fantasy trilogy, continuing the coming-of-age story alongside political intrigue and powerful magic. Thankfully, the book starts with a summary of the previous instalment, The Outcast Mage, and includes a glossary which was incredibly helpful for keeping track of the large cast and terminology.
The pacing was quite a slow burn for the first half, taking me a few days to read, but the tension increased dramatically after the 50% mark, allowing me to finish the rest in a matter of hours. The plot is essentially divided into four main threads that eventually converge at the end. Naila and Haelius have escaped Amoria, but their paths have diverged onto very separate journeys.
My opinions on the characters shifted a lot in this book. Naila is accompanied by Entonin and Karameth as she seeks answers regarding her past and her strange magic. While her internal conflict appealed to me more here than in book one, I struggle with the trope of the "chosen one with unstable powers and their inability to not act impulsively on emotions." Whilst it is understandable given her circumstances, I found her to be one of the less intriguing perspectives. However, I can clearly see how the narrative has set up Naila and Ko'ani to be rivals for the third book. Ko'ani genuinely grew on me with her extended page time.
Haelius, who was previously my favourite, was a bit over-the-top in this instalment with his constant self-pity. He struggles with emotional turmoil and gets thrown around like a literal ragdoll every chapter, which grew a bit stale. Conversely, Entonin and Karameth became my favourites because their subplots were allowed to flourish close to the action. I also really liked the introduction of Aya, a strong female lead whose political role is actually shown rather than just told. Ra'akea, unfortunately, still felt like an excuse to include dragons in the title.
The ending was twisty, action-packed, and emotionally charged, though some of the decisions and tropes truly infuriated me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Annabel Campbell, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of The Void Dragon in exchange for my honest review.
The Void Dragon is the second book in The Shattered Lands series. This book takes place six months after the end of The Outcast Mage and picks up by giving readers a peek into each character's life. Naila is alone and attempting to gain control over her powers before her powers control her instead. She is apart from everyone and everything she has ever known and is being hunted. Meanwhile, the Wazira is abducting mages and forcing them to join her cause. To make matters worse, Haeilus, traumatized from the ending of The Outcast Mage, has joined the Wazira's cause and has become her prime warrior. On opposite sides of a growing war, but potentially their own true allies, Haeilus and Naila are thrust into a conflict that should have nothing to do with them, but realistically has everything to do with them.
I really liked this book. When you discuss character development, it is not common for an author to have one of their character's development be their development into almost a villain, let alone multiple of their characters become the bad guys. It is impossible to know who is right and who is wrong, and what the best possibility for this conflict to end will be. The plot keeps the story moving, and as readers, we get a better look into the different political dynamics of this world. We also get to learn a lot more about the origin of the magic that everyone holds dear. Sometimes second books in a series fall into this trap where it is more of a filler book to get you from conflict A to conflict B. This book is not that. What this book does is an outstanding job of continuing the overall conflict while getting the characters and the plot to where it needs to be. This was an outstanding sequel, and I HIGHLY recommend this book to all epic fantasy lovers because this is one that you will not want to miss.
The Void Dragon is the second book in The Shattered Lands series. This book takes place six months after the end of The Outcast Mage and picks up by giving readers a peek into each character's life. Naila is alone and attempting to gain control over her powers before her powers control her instead. She is apart from everyone and everything she has ever known and is being hunted. Meanwhile, the Wazira is abducting mages and forcing them to join her cause. To make matters worse, Haeilus, traumatized from the ending of The Outcast Mage, has joined the Wazira's cause and has become her prime warrior. On opposite sides of a growing war, but potentially their own true allies, Haeilus and Naila are thrust into a conflict that should have nothing to do with them, but realistically has everything to do with them.
I really liked this book. When you discuss character development, it is not common for an author to have one of their character's development be their development into almost a villain, let alone multiple of their characters become the bad guys. It is impossible to know who is right and who is wrong, and what the best possibility for this conflict to end will be. The plot keeps the story moving, and as readers, we get a better look into the different political dynamics of this world. We also get to learn a lot more about the origin of the magic that everyone holds dear. Sometimes second books in a series fall into this trap where it is more of a filler book to get you from conflict A to conflict B. This book is not that. What this book does is an outstanding job of continuing the overall conflict while getting the characters and the plot to where it needs to be. This was an outstanding sequel, and I HIGHLY recommend this book to all epic fantasy lovers because this is one that you will not want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, what a culmination this book is! I respected Outcast Mage, but this one blows it out of the water. A great addition to the series, and I'll be waiting eagerly for book three.
First off, can I just say that I LOVE when authors put in a detailed summary of the previous book? It was so helpful to refresh the memory about the main takeaways from book one. And honestly for me it clarified the purposes of some of the political factions that eluded me. Very much appreciated.
One of the things that Annabel Campbell does well is writing action scenes. They are written clearly, it's easy to track what's happening and what the consequences are. And there are a good number of those in this book! With all the magic and such flying around, there's a lot to keep track of, and the prose keeps our attention where the important things are happening.
Outcast Mage set up a lot of mystery surrounding Naila's powers, and we finally get some solid answers here, though with enough still left to wonder about to draw us into the future book three. We also get more backstory for some other folks, some reveals that had me making verbal declarations.
Entonin is the one I always have my eye on. Not for him, mind you, but for Karameth. Kara is my favorite character in this series, hands down. And we are getting crumbs! I'm starving, and we get crumbs. Bless those crumbs, I love them, but I'm dying for more. This book fed me, but I crave so much more.
I have to say though, Haelius was kind of a wimp in this book. He frustrated me with his fatalistic self-pity. I think he ends up where he needs to be to get whipped back into shape.
Larinne's plot felt mostly pointless to me. Definitely the least interesting POV in this book.
The climax of this novel was truly stunning. Everything came together and crashed and burned in the best way. We have been set up for a truly incredible third book.
~Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC of this book!~
First off, can I just say that I LOVE when authors put in a detailed summary of the previous book? It was so helpful to refresh the memory about the main takeaways from book one. And honestly for me it clarified the purposes of some of the political factions that eluded me. Very much appreciated.
One of the things that Annabel Campbell does well is writing action scenes. They are written clearly, it's easy to track what's happening and what the consequences are. And there are a good number of those in this book! With all the magic and such flying around, there's a lot to keep track of, and the prose keeps our attention where the important things are happening.
Outcast Mage set up a lot of mystery surrounding Naila's powers, and we finally get some solid answers here, though with enough still left to wonder about to draw us into the future book three. We also get more backstory for some other folks, some reveals that had me making verbal declarations.
Entonin is the one I always have my eye on. Not for him, mind you, but for Karameth. Kara is my favorite character in this series, hands down. And we are getting crumbs! I'm starving, and we get crumbs. Bless those crumbs, I love them, but I'm dying for more. This book fed me, but I crave so much more.
I have to say though, Haelius was kind of a wimp in this book. He frustrated me with his fatalistic self-pity. I think he ends up where he needs to be to get whipped back into shape.
Larinne's plot felt mostly pointless to me. Definitely the least interesting POV in this book.
The climax of this novel was truly stunning. Everything came together and crashed and burned in the best way. We have been set up for a truly incredible third book.
~Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC of this book!~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
'The Void Dragon' is the second instalment of the Shattered Lands trilogy by Annabel Campbell and is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I was really impressed with how the author made it so easy to join back into the story, I didn't have time to re-read The Outcast Mage (book one in the series), but felt like I settled back into the world really quickly & felt fully invested back into the unfolding story for the cast of characters.
This is a complex, epic fantasy with all the intrigue, action, and magical lore that such a novel entails! The world building is immense, and the way historical details are uncovered as the story progresses really kept me invested.
At times I found character motivation and decision-making was pretty sketchy and gave me the reading equivalent of whiplash, whatever we might call that! (Answers on a postcard...). Some choices exhibited a real dedication to living in willful ignorance, but I recognise ultimately the benefit these choices gave to moving the plot forward.
The final crescendo of the book left me feeling excited to ready the conclusion of the series. It's always exciting when it feels like a story could go in one of many different directions, and I really hope there will be a good amount of time spent unravelling the 'unmaker' history and experience in more depth.
If you enjoy epic fantasy, dragons, tales with plenty of twists and turns, & complex, often-changing relationship dynamics, I feel like you'd enjoy this series. The second book of which is a study in how complex the question of justice can be dependent on who is seeking the answer, the difficultly of navigating warring emotions, the mis-use of power, and finding compassion for the absolute mess all that creates.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group, Annabel Campbel & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a complex, epic fantasy with all the intrigue, action, and magical lore that such a novel entails! The world building is immense, and the way historical details are uncovered as the story progresses really kept me invested.
At times I found character motivation and decision-making was pretty sketchy and gave me the reading equivalent of whiplash, whatever we might call that! (Answers on a postcard...). Some choices exhibited a real dedication to living in willful ignorance, but I recognise ultimately the benefit these choices gave to moving the plot forward.
The final crescendo of the book left me feeling excited to ready the conclusion of the series. It's always exciting when it feels like a story could go in one of many different directions, and I really hope there will be a good amount of time spent unravelling the 'unmaker' history and experience in more depth.
If you enjoy epic fantasy, dragons, tales with plenty of twists and turns, & complex, often-changing relationship dynamics, I feel like you'd enjoy this series. The second book of which is a study in how complex the question of justice can be dependent on who is seeking the answer, the difficultly of navigating warring emotions, the mis-use of power, and finding compassion for the absolute mess all that creates.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group, Annabel Campbel & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2026
Did I enjoy this book?
I did!
Do I recommend it?
Yes.
What an excellent follow up to The Outcast Mage! This is young adult high fantasy at it best. I shouldn’t like this book because there are so many points of view, but it shows that it works when it is done well. All the characters are distinctive and go on their own journeys. I was rooting for all of them. I can’t remember the last time I read a multiple POV book where are the characters were this well written.
The magic system and the world building is so unique and complicated. Despite this I fully understand what was happening and there were several moments that made me stop reading and make a little o with my mouth. I really liked how we had all the classic elements of a high fantasy story but it was still unique, this is not just another dragon rider story!
One of my favourite things in this book was the yearning between two of the characters. It was pitched perfectly and made for very compelling reading. We have so many other relationships, found family and blood family and I greatly enjoyed watching everything that transpired.
The story was fast paced which I liked. Particularly the ending which I don’t think I have recovered from. It was satisfying, emotional and left me asking questions. This is an excellent high fantasy book with magic, politics, quests, dragons, and a mainly female/non binary cast.
Any criticisms?
I wanted more time with the elemental dragon riders and their history. It felt like we were thrown in the deep end and I just wanted to know more about them.
Will I read it again?
Yes.
Will I read the sequel?
I can’t wait for the next one!
For fans of:
The Outcast Mage
Malice
Assassins Apprentice
Eragon
A Time of Dragons: Once There Were Heroes
I did!
Do I recommend it?
Yes.
What an excellent follow up to The Outcast Mage! This is young adult high fantasy at it best. I shouldn’t like this book because there are so many points of view, but it shows that it works when it is done well. All the characters are distinctive and go on their own journeys. I was rooting for all of them. I can’t remember the last time I read a multiple POV book where are the characters were this well written.
The magic system and the world building is so unique and complicated. Despite this I fully understand what was happening and there were several moments that made me stop reading and make a little o with my mouth. I really liked how we had all the classic elements of a high fantasy story but it was still unique, this is not just another dragon rider story!
One of my favourite things in this book was the yearning between two of the characters. It was pitched perfectly and made for very compelling reading. We have so many other relationships, found family and blood family and I greatly enjoyed watching everything that transpired.
The story was fast paced which I liked. Particularly the ending which I don’t think I have recovered from. It was satisfying, emotional and left me asking questions. This is an excellent high fantasy book with magic, politics, quests, dragons, and a mainly female/non binary cast.
Any criticisms?
I wanted more time with the elemental dragon riders and their history. It felt like we were thrown in the deep end and I just wanted to know more about them.
Will I read it again?
Yes.
Will I read the sequel?
I can’t wait for the next one!
For fans of:
The Outcast Mage
Malice
Assassins Apprentice
Eragon
A Time of Dragons: Once There Were Heroes
October 26, 2026
The Void Dragon
by Annabel Campbell
Rated: 5 star rating
I just finished The Void Dragon by Annabel Campbell and it is an great fantasy story. It picks up after the first book, The Outcast Mage, but everything feels bigger this time. The story jumps around between different characters, which is great because you get to see how crazy things are getting from all sides.
Naila is back, but now she is stuck in a new place called Awasef. She is trying to control a dangerous power she barely understands, which keeps things tense. There is also a new character named Aya who throws a wrench into all the royal political drama.
A lot of second books in a series feel like filler, but this one doesn't. It balances the magical battles with quiet moments where you see how much these characters are hurting after everything they lost.
The dragon lore is fascinating and the pacing keeps you hooked until the last page. If you like fantasy books with high stakes, complicated politics, and cool magic, you will love this.
Thank you, NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Annabel Campbell, author for providing me with a copy of this ebook for review consideration. All review opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
#OrbitBooks
#AnnabelCampbell
#TheVoidDragon
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
by Annabel Campbell
Rated: 5 star rating
I just finished The Void Dragon by Annabel Campbell and it is an great fantasy story. It picks up after the first book, The Outcast Mage, but everything feels bigger this time. The story jumps around between different characters, which is great because you get to see how crazy things are getting from all sides.
Naila is back, but now she is stuck in a new place called Awasef. She is trying to control a dangerous power she barely understands, which keeps things tense. There is also a new character named Aya who throws a wrench into all the royal political drama.
A lot of second books in a series feel like filler, but this one doesn't. It balances the magical battles with quiet moments where you see how much these characters are hurting after everything they lost.
The dragon lore is fascinating and the pacing keeps you hooked until the last page. If you like fantasy books with high stakes, complicated politics, and cool magic, you will love this.
Thank you, NetGalley, Orbit Books, and Annabel Campbell, author for providing me with a copy of this ebook for review consideration. All review opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
#OrbitBooks
#AnnabelCampbell
#TheVoidDragon
http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...
http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Void Dragon raises the bar on the already exciting Shattered Lands series. The stakes ratchet up as does the action with additional characters and even more of the world encountered by the main characters that were introduced in The Outcast Mage. Readers who enjoyed the start of the series will find this book's style similar. Though we have more dragons in this book, they aren't the dragons of most dragon-rider academia stories. There are twists and turns and the players reshuffling with different sides and new motivations coming to light. Favorite characters become even more complex and politics and power struggles are even larger looming. The plot gets more and more complicated all the way to the epilogue and I am looking forward to following these characters into the next phase of this epic story. I would say that this was a successful sophomore entry into the series, keeping the momentum of the first book and, in the end, making me crave the next book for more.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
October 15, 2026
The Void Dragon (The Shattered Lands #2) by Annabel Campbell
This was a great second book in the series. It built on the first book nicely and expanded the worldbuilding, but I do think it's still playing it safe with the plot, as nothing crazy or shocking happened. I’m not one for unnecessary shock value, but I’m still waiting for a big wow moment from this series.I like all of the characters a lot, they are all very real. The main character is less boring than in the first book. This book also had a lot of dragons which surprised me for some reason despite the title having the word dragon in it. I'm really excited for book three. I really love the classic fantasy vibe from this series.
Genre: fantasy
Format: physical book
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Worldbuilding: 8/10
Emotional Impact: 9/10
Magic System: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Overall: 10/10
This was a great second book in the series. It built on the first book nicely and expanded the worldbuilding, but I do think it's still playing it safe with the plot, as nothing crazy or shocking happened. I’m not one for unnecessary shock value, but I’m still waiting for a big wow moment from this series.I like all of the characters a lot, they are all very real. The main character is less boring than in the first book. This book also had a lot of dragons which surprised me for some reason despite the title having the word dragon in it. I'm really excited for book three. I really love the classic fantasy vibe from this series.
Genre: fantasy
Format: physical book
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Worldbuilding: 8/10
Emotional Impact: 9/10
Magic System: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Overall: 10/10
October 14, 2026
What a gripping sequel! I absolutely adored the first book and was so happy to be back into this amazing world Campbell has created and with these characters who mean so much to me. Also, thank you so much Annabel for providing a recap at the beginning of the book, I need all fantasy series to be doing this!
This book had me on the edge of my seat and feeling incredibly tense for what was going to happen to these characters, who find themselves in more dangerous situations. Something I love about these characters is how flawed and realistic they come across. Each is struggling and at times make questionable decisions. They are all complex and that just makes them more interesting.
I love where this book has taken us and I'm so invested in each characters story. I cannot wait for the next book, especially with the way this one ended!
This book had me on the edge of my seat and feeling incredibly tense for what was going to happen to these characters, who find themselves in more dangerous situations. Something I love about these characters is how flawed and realistic they come across. Each is struggling and at times make questionable decisions. They are all complex and that just makes them more interesting.
I love where this book has taken us and I'm so invested in each characters story. I cannot wait for the next book, especially with the way this one ended!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Void Dragon is a fantastic, action-packed continuation of the story that began in The Outcast Mage. Following Naila as she flees to the great library of Awasef while grappling with a dangerous, hungry new power inside her makes for a gripping hook. Annabel Campbell excels at balancing high-stakes political conspiracies, civil war tensions, and pure dragonfire. The "friends turned to rivals" dynamic with Haelius adds incredible emotional weight to the plot. My only minor complaint is that the middle section slows down slightly under the weight of heavy lore setup. Even so, the magical duels and fierce character development make this a stellar, enchanting sequel!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Outcast Mage has political intrigue, dangerous magic, dragons, and high-stakes adventure. The adventure was exciting, the magic was fascinating, and the emotional journey kept me invested from beginning to end.
I thought this was a fun and thrilling read. Great characters and world-building with a plot that kept me turning the page.
Overall, readers who enjoy epic fantasy with dragons, politics and character-driven journey will enjoy this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I thought this was a fun and thrilling read. Great characters and world-building with a plot that kept me turning the page.
Overall, readers who enjoy epic fantasy with dragons, politics and character-driven journey will enjoy this!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Void Dragon (The Shattered Lands, #2)
by Annabel Campbell
This book is a good resource for college and high school libraries. Its has a lot of cultural references to sub continental India. The culture is expected to be known and understood in relation to the references. The book also jumps scenes and characters without notice. Its difficult to follow.
by Annabel Campbell
This book is a good resource for college and high school libraries. Its has a lot of cultural references to sub continental India. The culture is expected to be known and understood in relation to the references. The book also jumps scenes and characters without notice. Its difficult to follow.
October 14, 2026
I will never be over haelius and naila, i fear. 😭
October 15, 2026
An excellent sequel. I was worried I’d have trouble remembering the first book but the brief recap at the beginning was hugely helpful.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The great library of Awasef was the highlight of this book for me! It’s exactly the kind of place I want to get lost in, and it gave the story such a cozy yet dangerous backdrop. Around it, the political tension in Dahran kept everything feeling like it could snap at any moment. The Wazira abducting mages is such a deliciously creepy threat, and the stakes around Haelius had me flipping pages way past my bedtime.
That setting works so well because of Naila. After the chaos in Amoria, she’s hunted by dragonriders, her allies have scattered, and there’s a hungry, dangerous power growing inside her that she (we) can’t make sense of. I’m always a sucker for a heroine who is a little afraid of herself, and her struggle with that power really pulled me in. If you loved The Outcast Mage like I did, this sequel brings back everything that made that first book so special.
So why four stars instead of five? Middle books can be tricky, and there were a few stretches where I felt the pacing wobble while the story set up pieces for what’s coming next. I also wanted a bit more breathing room with a couple of the side characters. But those are small quibbles for a book that kept me this invested.
If you love dragons, found-family vibes, magic that feels truly risky, and political scheming, put this series on your list. Thank you to Annabel Campbell for allowing me to embark on another adventure with Naila. Thank you to Orbit Books for being the dragon in this epic that gave me another piece of its horde. Absolute gem and cannot wait for the next installment.
That setting works so well because of Naila. After the chaos in Amoria, she’s hunted by dragonriders, her allies have scattered, and there’s a hungry, dangerous power growing inside her that she (we) can’t make sense of. I’m always a sucker for a heroine who is a little afraid of herself, and her struggle with that power really pulled me in. If you loved The Outcast Mage like I did, this sequel brings back everything that made that first book so special.
So why four stars instead of five? Middle books can be tricky, and there were a few stretches where I felt the pacing wobble while the story set up pieces for what’s coming next. I also wanted a bit more breathing room with a couple of the side characters. But those are small quibbles for a book that kept me this invested.
If you love dragons, found-family vibes, magic that feels truly risky, and political scheming, put this series on your list. Thank you to Annabel Campbell for allowing me to embark on another adventure with Naila. Thank you to Orbit Books for being the dragon in this epic that gave me another piece of its horde. Absolute gem and cannot wait for the next installment.
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