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Rising Gale
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Expected 16 Jun 26633 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 1, 2026
“God fucking damn, how long is this story?”
-Redlin
Well Redlin, my guess is as long as people are captivated by it. Now, hush up and let someone else narrate for a few minutes. I’ll try to explain why that is.
Rising Gale is the second book in the Song of the Damned series. Once again, our protagonist continues his harrowing life tale while in custody.
I found this sequel definitely bleaker than Whispers of the Storm. There is still some great humour and wit but it’s more of an emotional roller coaster. Redlin has some real insecurities built from both his abandonment and troubling life experiences. We begin to see a real turn in his personality here. As with most change in oneself, it begins with having to hit all time lows.
The writing is superb. The characters and their relationships to one another truly feels real. Each personality is unique and a real joy to be part of. Even when Redlin is at odds with someone, it’s due to THEIR truth. And they remain friends despite this. It’s very humanizing.
The second half of the book grounds our protagonist. New characters. New setting. I absolutely loved his humbling and hope for a better life.
But c’mon.
This is Z.B.Steele we are talking here so that ain’t going to happen. Gotta grind this boy into dust.😉
The battles, magics and blade work are spectacular. The villains vile. The friendships charming. The heartbreaks completely gutting.
An incredibly addicting saga where it’s hard to put the book down. Loved it and ready for book three.
Guaranteed to crush those annoying feelings of happiness.
Much thanks to the author for providing this ARC.
-Redlin
Well Redlin, my guess is as long as people are captivated by it. Now, hush up and let someone else narrate for a few minutes. I’ll try to explain why that is.
Rising Gale is the second book in the Song of the Damned series. Once again, our protagonist continues his harrowing life tale while in custody.
I found this sequel definitely bleaker than Whispers of the Storm. There is still some great humour and wit but it’s more of an emotional roller coaster. Redlin has some real insecurities built from both his abandonment and troubling life experiences. We begin to see a real turn in his personality here. As with most change in oneself, it begins with having to hit all time lows.
The writing is superb. The characters and their relationships to one another truly feels real. Each personality is unique and a real joy to be part of. Even when Redlin is at odds with someone, it’s due to THEIR truth. And they remain friends despite this. It’s very humanizing.
The second half of the book grounds our protagonist. New characters. New setting. I absolutely loved his humbling and hope for a better life.
But c’mon.
This is Z.B.Steele we are talking here so that ain’t going to happen. Gotta grind this boy into dust.😉
The battles, magics and blade work are spectacular. The villains vile. The friendships charming. The heartbreaks completely gutting.
An incredibly addicting saga where it’s hard to put the book down. Loved it and ready for book three.
Guaranteed to crush those annoying feelings of happiness.
Much thanks to the author for providing this ARC.
June 1, 2026
ZB Steele once again blows me away with his ingenious story-telling and nuanced character-work.
First off, Redlin (of course). His character growth is so believable but of course not in the way of the traditional hero or even villain. He seems to be owning his actions more, instead of being “forced” into decisions, but what chaos it brings. The subverted tropes are just so delicious. He is getting that recognition, mentorship, chances to lead, etc. but every time he tries to do the right thing, he gets it twisted and thrown back in his face.
And then we get a lull. A chance to see the “what-ifs” of his life. But there’s a feeling of wrongness that pervades. And daydreams can’t last forever.
The world is just so visceral and humanity is on full display from evil to whatever Redlin is to the good. Juck as a shining light in this story and feels like Redlin’s lifeline a lot of the time.
And that ending. You need to read these just to get to that moment.
Before I start descending into spoilers, I’ll leave it there.
Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First off, Redlin (of course). His character growth is so believable but of course not in the way of the traditional hero or even villain. He seems to be owning his actions more, instead of being “forced” into decisions, but what chaos it brings. The subverted tropes are just so delicious. He is getting that recognition, mentorship, chances to lead, etc. but every time he tries to do the right thing, he gets it twisted and thrown back in his face.
And then we get a lull. A chance to see the “what-ifs” of his life. But there’s a feeling of wrongness that pervades. And daydreams can’t last forever.
The world is just so visceral and humanity is on full display from evil to whatever Redlin is to the good. Juck as a shining light in this story and feels like Redlin’s lifeline a lot of the time.
And that ending. You need to read these just to get to that moment.
Before I start descending into spoilers, I’ll leave it there.
Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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March 9, 2026Review to come when I'm allowed...
GET PUMPED!!!
GET PUMPED!!!
Want to Read
June 1, 2026Glad we got a cover reveal and release date! I really liked book one, excited to see where the story goes in this instalment.
I'm glad I was able to get an arc because I don't want to wait to read this. The only thing that's kind of a bummer is that this new cover art won't match the old cover art from book one...book collector problems;)
If you haven't checked out Whispers of the Storm or the prequel novella set in this world, then go out and pick them up!
I'm glad I was able to get an arc because I don't want to wait to read this. The only thing that's kind of a bummer is that this new cover art won't match the old cover art from book one...book collector problems;)
If you haven't checked out Whispers of the Storm or the prequel novella set in this world, then go out and pick them up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok. I woke up this morning on page 440 of 633. I finished this today. Reading nearly 200 pages gripped to the point where I just could not stop. That should tell you a little bit about how I feel about this book.
If you didn’t know Whispers of the Storm by ZB Steele was one of my absolute favorite reads of 2025- which automatically made Rising Gale one of my most anticipated reads of this year.
Rising Gale begins where Whispers leaves us, and in that regard I cannot tell you more. But this book continues to follow Redlin, still in the clutches of an inquisitorial interview, as he gives us his side of his story - the tale how one of the worlds greatest heroes became reviled as its greatest villain. How he continues down his own path in the face of the gods themselves and pretty much everyone else too.
If you liked or loved Whispers of the Storm, you will love this. Steele continues to impress with his elevated yet accessible prose. The combination of his prose, nearly perfect pacing and emotional stakes make this book extremely easy to read and incredibly hard to put down.
This books puts you through the emotional grinder, you love Redlin, you hate Redlin, you want to protect Redlin, he doesn't deserve it. But I will tell you this- Redlin is flawed in more ways than one but I now know he may not be a good guy all the time but he is a GOOD MAN. The side characters will do the same thing. There are ones you will hate, others you will love, some who make you feel loved and others who actions will feel like betrayal of the highest order.
The slow moments are meaningful, the action is wild, the introspection and self doubt is intense. You feel all of the things throughout this book, but even in the high moments you are weighed by the heaviness that Redlin is saddled with. All of this is to say, this is yet another master work from ZB Steele. This will be a book of the year contender.
If you liked Whispers of the Storm at all, this book is more everything. More grim. More dark. More emotional. More action. More pages. ZB ups his game in every single way.
As an aside, this is also a love letter to indie fantasy books and reading in general; throughout the book you will find references and easter eggs that relate to other books such as He Who Ate the Wild, book reviewers such as Petrik Leo and more.
If you didn’t know Whispers of the Storm by ZB Steele was one of my absolute favorite reads of 2025- which automatically made Rising Gale one of my most anticipated reads of this year.
Rising Gale begins where Whispers leaves us, and in that regard I cannot tell you more. But this book continues to follow Redlin, still in the clutches of an inquisitorial interview, as he gives us his side of his story - the tale how one of the worlds greatest heroes became reviled as its greatest villain. How he continues down his own path in the face of the gods themselves and pretty much everyone else too.
If you liked or loved Whispers of the Storm, you will love this. Steele continues to impress with his elevated yet accessible prose. The combination of his prose, nearly perfect pacing and emotional stakes make this book extremely easy to read and incredibly hard to put down.
This books puts you through the emotional grinder, you love Redlin, you hate Redlin, you want to protect Redlin, he doesn't deserve it. But I will tell you this- Redlin is flawed in more ways than one but I now know he may not be a good guy all the time but he is a GOOD MAN. The side characters will do the same thing. There are ones you will hate, others you will love, some who make you feel loved and others who actions will feel like betrayal of the highest order.
The slow moments are meaningful, the action is wild, the introspection and self doubt is intense. You feel all of the things throughout this book, but even in the high moments you are weighed by the heaviness that Redlin is saddled with. All of this is to say, this is yet another master work from ZB Steele. This will be a book of the year contender.
If you liked Whispers of the Storm at all, this book is more everything. More grim. More dark. More emotional. More action. More pages. ZB ups his game in every single way.
As an aside, this is also a love letter to indie fantasy books and reading in general; throughout the book you will find references and easter eggs that relate to other books such as He Who Ate the Wild, book reviewers such as Petrik Leo and more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of Advanced Reader Copy sent by the author.
What can I say about Redlin that he wouldn’t readily say himself? He’s witty and stubborn, brave and stupid. He’s a perfect sword for author Z.B. Steele to cut his readers with.
At times, Redlin’s narration of his own story might be a bit blunt. Steele’s telling of his story through the prose not as perfect as a literary artiste might seek. But, that’s not really the point of a narration technique like this… It’s raw and gritty, flawed and soulful. That’s not to say any flaws are immediately swept under the carpet by convenience, but Zeele does a wonderful job of building the world that Redlin sees and breathes, and we truly feel like passengers on his shoulders. That’s a brilliant tapestry to weave and it’s done well.
If you enjoyed Whispers of the Storm you will obviously enjoy the sequel. If you haven’t tried Book One and are a fan of epic fantasy, or novels such as Empire to the Vampire, then I implore you to try the Song of the Damned series.
If I could give 4.5 stars I would, but it’s definitely a round UP situation and not down.
What can I say about Redlin that he wouldn’t readily say himself? He’s witty and stubborn, brave and stupid. He’s a perfect sword for author Z.B. Steele to cut his readers with.
At times, Redlin’s narration of his own story might be a bit blunt. Steele’s telling of his story through the prose not as perfect as a literary artiste might seek. But, that’s not really the point of a narration technique like this… It’s raw and gritty, flawed and soulful. That’s not to say any flaws are immediately swept under the carpet by convenience, but Zeele does a wonderful job of building the world that Redlin sees and breathes, and we truly feel like passengers on his shoulders. That’s a brilliant tapestry to weave and it’s done well.
If you enjoyed Whispers of the Storm you will obviously enjoy the sequel. If you haven’t tried Book One and are a fan of epic fantasy, or novels such as Empire to the Vampire, then I implore you to try the Song of the Damned series.
If I could give 4.5 stars I would, but it’s definitely a round UP situation and not down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review
Empty, that's what I feel now.
Whispers of the Storm is fantastic, but Rising Gale is another level. Sitting and brewing a canon of a epic continuation that will make you sit and wonder what masterpiece you have just read.
This is a book that will leave me in different stages of grief for the next week's, probably even months.
Broken, hurt, bloodthirsty and stained by the past, ZB really shows you how much a person can be put though, and has one of the most comfortable writing style, to keep you getting lost and engaged in all the pain he puts Redlin in.
Think what I love the most here, compared to Whispers of the Storm. Is all the amazing side characters, that keeps the journey going with Redlin. They are each incredible, and fantastic in how they are written to be.
Empty, that's what I feel now.
Whispers of the Storm is fantastic, but Rising Gale is another level. Sitting and brewing a canon of a epic continuation that will make you sit and wonder what masterpiece you have just read.
This is a book that will leave me in different stages of grief for the next week's, probably even months.
Broken, hurt, bloodthirsty and stained by the past, ZB really shows you how much a person can be put though, and has one of the most comfortable writing style, to keep you getting lost and engaged in all the pain he puts Redlin in.
Think what I love the most here, compared to Whispers of the Storm. Is all the amazing side characters, that keeps the journey going with Redlin. They are each incredible, and fantastic in how they are written to be.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Even more grim, gripping, and gutting than the first, Rising Gale picks up right where Whispers left us and becomes unputdownable right away. Redlin’s world is unforgiving, his rise & fall as captivating as it is tragic. And don’t get me started on the side characters. (Your honor, I love them!!!!)
Steele crushes the frame story format, weaving past & present with absolute wizardry. Even when we think we know what’s coming, there’s always something waiting in the shadows.
I gasped, I cried, I dared to hope, and now I’m desperate for book three.
Steele crushes the frame story format, weaving past & present with absolute wizardry. Even when we think we know what’s coming, there’s always something waiting in the shadows.
I gasped, I cried, I dared to hope, and now I’m desperate for book three.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I beta read this book, and can confidently say it doesn't suffer from sophomore syndrome. I pitied Redlin, liked him, disliked him, hated him, and ultimately ended the novel sympathizing with him while knowing it was partly his own actions that led him here.
Stellar action, more drips and drops of the lore of this world, and great character work made this chunky book a fairly quick read for me.
Stellar action, more drips and drops of the lore of this world, and great character work made this chunky book a fairly quick read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Everything from this author is excellent! Can’t wait for the last book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews