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Song of the Damned #2
Rising Gale
My execution draws near...
The noose beckons. My days dwindle. And still, my story is unfinished.
Tears are left to be shed. Blood has yet to be spilled. Lend me your ear once more to hear of sins and failures. Of swords and shadows. Of violet lightning and black blood.
For it was I who began the war of the gods.
The noose beckons. My days dwindle. And still, my story is unfinished.
Tears are left to be shed. Blood has yet to be spilled. Lend me your ear once more to hear of sins and failures. Of swords and shadows. Of violet lightning and black blood.
For it was I who began the war of the gods.
- GenresFantasy
633 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
4.5 stars
Well, I made absolutely no secret of the fact that Whispers of the Storm was one of my favourite reads of last year, but I was still somehow not remotely prepared for how much Z.B. Steele would blow me away with Rising Gale. This is one of those sequels that takes everything that worked in the first book and then just cranks it up to an unholy degree of brilliance. It’s darker, bloodier, sharper, more tragic, more brutal, more poignant, and somehow even more melodramatic in a way that really should not work but absolutely does.
“This isn’t a happy tale where the boy slays the dragon and gets the girl. This is a tale of blood and loss, dead heroes and victorious villains. Steel and shadow. In so many words: this is a tragedy.”
And look, I think going into a sequel you have absurdly high expectations for is always equal parts exciting and terrifying, but it took me about one chapter of Rising Gale to realise I had absolutely nothing to worry about. I mean, I re-read Whispers of the Storm beforehand because I wanted to be fully immersed again, but I honestly don’t think it was even necessary because Steele’s sharp and eloquent storytelling is just that damn captivating. We pick up literally right where we left off, and within seconds I felt like I was living Redlin’s catastrophic trainwreck of a life right along with him again, for better or worse.
“A friend once told me that rage is blindness and grief is deep water. I contained both. A blind man thrashing in black waters. In a way, I deserved it. At the very least, I thought I had earned that pain. I deemed myself an unlovable, craven creature, and I was— subconsciously— eager to prove myself correct.”
Now, the framed narrative structure was already one of my favourite aspects of Whispers of the Storm, but I loved how Rising Gale just felt so much more confident in its execution as it really steps out of the shadow of its inspirations to become its own beast. Although, I did find myself noticing more Sun Eater influences this time around, not just because Redlin and Hadrian Marlowe would probably get along wonderfully while competing for the title of patron saint of Melodrama and Self-Inflicted Suffering, but also because the story reaches divine levels of gravitas, tragedy and moral messiness. The interwoven religious and political turmoil deepens, the gods are meddling hard, the magic grows more terrifying, and I just loved how everything started feeling grander and more divine without ever losing sight of its painfully human emotional core.
“The hardship of men is that the world condemns you for closing your heart, but it will stab you if you open it.”
And dear god, the emotions are overflowing here because Redlin goes through it in Rising Gale. Like, from the very beginning of this series there’s been this constant sense of delicious anticipatory dread hanging over everything as Redlin keeps hinting at how he has become the notorious yet broken man he is right now, but truly nothing could have prepared me for the sheer number of emotional gut punches waiting in this book. There were admittedly a few moments where the heavy and repetitive foreshadowing became almost too effective in the sense that I didn’t even bother getting attached to side characters anymore, which really lessened some emotional blows. But even then, I loved how Steele constantly found new ways to subvert my expectations by taking every opportunity he could to remind us that Redlin’s life can, in fact, get worse.
“It’s obvious what was happening in retrospect, and I imagine you hate me as you read this. I don’t blame you. That’s how hindsight works. Wisdom paid for in blood is always paid at a premium; conspiracies could have been stifled and stopped easily. You, O dear Archon, could have stopped all of this if you were in our place. But life is never simple. We do the best we can with what we have, and believe me, we tried. We tried so hard to prevent the destruction that would be unleashed. All for naught. A new age was coming.”
Honestly, maybe it says more about my own cold, shrivelled heart than it does about the book that I wasn’t left completely emotionally destroyed by every tragedy, because Steele handles the themes of trauma, grief, abuse, loneliness, guilt, (lack of?) faith, and suicidal ideation with an incredible amount of care, weight, and nuance. Seeing how much Redlin internally wrestles with his guilt and regret is honestly one of my favourite aspects of Rising Gale, and the fact that he is so painfully aware of the fact that many of the scars he carries were earned through his own mistakes is exactly what makes him such a rootable and fascinating anti-hero to me.
“Life is repeating the same mistake again and again, just on different canvases. The people, the location, and the stakes were always in flux, but the one constant was me being the same fuckup I always have been.”
At times I did get a bit tired of all his self-indulgent wallowing, even if I was happily highlighting half the damn book (as evidenced by all the many quotes in this review, sorry not sorry) because Redlin just has a way with words that stirs my soul and tugs on all my heartstrings. And speaking of that heart, I actually really loved that we got to see more of Redlin’s good nature in the quieter moments throughout the second half of Rising Gale, and those almost cozy scenes ended up hitting me harder than some of the larger tragedies because they offer such a heartbreaking glimpse what could or should have been if only fate had not dealt him such a comically bad hand. But unfortunately, as Redlin himself would probably say, the gods are greedy, and it seems like my man did his best to personally offend every single one of them.
“I thought that never letting anyone in was a sign of strength. Of resilience. If I had been able to strip myself of that armor, things could have gone differently. I could have connected with someone. Been vulnerable. Human. But I wasn’t, and they didn’t.”
The weirdest thing is that despite all the misery, Rising Gale is also just ridiculously fun. The sharp banter is fantastic (especially with Inquisitor Maya, can we please get more Maya???), Redlin remains an absolutely delightful broody bastard of a man, and I spent an embarrassing amount of time laughing at things I probably shouldn’t have been laughing at. Also, there are also so many sneaky references to authors, books, fictional characters, and book reviewers (even myself, say what?!?!) that it almost started to feel like a fun easter egg hunt to me, all without ever feeling forced or breaking my immersion or taking me out of the story.
“Please spare me your self- pity. I liked you far better when you owned your mistakes, now you show me an army of your own creation and belabor its existence. No one has been given more than you, and no one has fucked it all up more. But that’s not—”
Safe to say, Z.B. Steele absolutely did it again. And by ‘’it’ I mean “emotionally torture me with Redlin’s trauma while making me love every second of it”. Even if I had to slow down to give myself a little break from all of Redlin’s drama at times, Rising Gale had me in a complete chokehold and I was constantly torn between the urge to binge the hell out of it and savour it for as long as possible. It’s messy, painful, frustrating, perfectly imperfect, and I loved how it all led up to an ending that is so bold, so cruel, and so diabolical that I immediately started desperately craving the finale despite being hella scared of what is waiting for me. I will be singing the praises for The Song of the Damned until eternity, this is just character-driven grimdark at its absolute finest.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Rising Gale is scheduled for release on June 16th, 2026.
4.5 stars
Well, I made absolutely no secret of the fact that Whispers of the Storm was one of my favourite reads of last year, but I was still somehow not remotely prepared for how much Z.B. Steele would blow me away with Rising Gale. This is one of those sequels that takes everything that worked in the first book and then just cranks it up to an unholy degree of brilliance. It’s darker, bloodier, sharper, more tragic, more brutal, more poignant, and somehow even more melodramatic in a way that really should not work but absolutely does.
“This isn’t a happy tale where the boy slays the dragon and gets the girl. This is a tale of blood and loss, dead heroes and victorious villains. Steel and shadow. In so many words: this is a tragedy.”
And look, I think going into a sequel you have absurdly high expectations for is always equal parts exciting and terrifying, but it took me about one chapter of Rising Gale to realise I had absolutely nothing to worry about. I mean, I re-read Whispers of the Storm beforehand because I wanted to be fully immersed again, but I honestly don’t think it was even necessary because Steele’s sharp and eloquent storytelling is just that damn captivating. We pick up literally right where we left off, and within seconds I felt like I was living Redlin’s catastrophic trainwreck of a life right along with him again, for better or worse.
“A friend once told me that rage is blindness and grief is deep water. I contained both. A blind man thrashing in black waters. In a way, I deserved it. At the very least, I thought I had earned that pain. I deemed myself an unlovable, craven creature, and I was— subconsciously— eager to prove myself correct.”
Now, the framed narrative structure was already one of my favourite aspects of Whispers of the Storm, but I loved how Rising Gale just felt so much more confident in its execution as it really steps out of the shadow of its inspirations to become its own beast. Although, I did find myself noticing more Sun Eater influences this time around, not just because Redlin and Hadrian Marlowe would probably get along wonderfully while competing for the title of patron saint of Melodrama and Self-Inflicted Suffering, but also because the story reaches divine levels of gravitas, tragedy and moral messiness. The interwoven religious and political turmoil deepens, the gods are meddling hard, the magic grows more terrifying, and I just loved how everything started feeling grander and more divine without ever losing sight of its painfully human emotional core.
“The hardship of men is that the world condemns you for closing your heart, but it will stab you if you open it.”
And dear god, the emotions are overflowing here because Redlin goes through it in Rising Gale. Like, from the very beginning of this series there’s been this constant sense of delicious anticipatory dread hanging over everything as Redlin keeps hinting at how he has become the notorious yet broken man he is right now, but truly nothing could have prepared me for the sheer number of emotional gut punches waiting in this book. There were admittedly a few moments where the heavy and repetitive foreshadowing became almost too effective in the sense that I didn’t even bother getting attached to side characters anymore, which really lessened some emotional blows. But even then, I loved how Steele constantly found new ways to subvert my expectations by taking every opportunity he could to remind us that Redlin’s life can, in fact, get worse.
“It’s obvious what was happening in retrospect, and I imagine you hate me as you read this. I don’t blame you. That’s how hindsight works. Wisdom paid for in blood is always paid at a premium; conspiracies could have been stifled and stopped easily. You, O dear Archon, could have stopped all of this if you were in our place. But life is never simple. We do the best we can with what we have, and believe me, we tried. We tried so hard to prevent the destruction that would be unleashed. All for naught. A new age was coming.”
Honestly, maybe it says more about my own cold, shrivelled heart than it does about the book that I wasn’t left completely emotionally destroyed by every tragedy, because Steele handles the themes of trauma, grief, abuse, loneliness, guilt, (lack of?) faith, and suicidal ideation with an incredible amount of care, weight, and nuance. Seeing how much Redlin internally wrestles with his guilt and regret is honestly one of my favourite aspects of Rising Gale, and the fact that he is so painfully aware of the fact that many of the scars he carries were earned through his own mistakes is exactly what makes him such a rootable and fascinating anti-hero to me.
“Life is repeating the same mistake again and again, just on different canvases. The people, the location, and the stakes were always in flux, but the one constant was me being the same fuckup I always have been.”
At times I did get a bit tired of all his self-indulgent wallowing, even if I was happily highlighting half the damn book (as evidenced by all the many quotes in this review, sorry not sorry) because Redlin just has a way with words that stirs my soul and tugs on all my heartstrings. And speaking of that heart, I actually really loved that we got to see more of Redlin’s good nature in the quieter moments throughout the second half of Rising Gale, and those almost cozy scenes ended up hitting me harder than some of the larger tragedies because they offer such a heartbreaking glimpse what could or should have been if only fate had not dealt him such a comically bad hand. But unfortunately, as Redlin himself would probably say, the gods are greedy, and it seems like my man did his best to personally offend every single one of them.
“I thought that never letting anyone in was a sign of strength. Of resilience. If I had been able to strip myself of that armor, things could have gone differently. I could have connected with someone. Been vulnerable. Human. But I wasn’t, and they didn’t.”
The weirdest thing is that despite all the misery, Rising Gale is also just ridiculously fun. The sharp banter is fantastic (especially with Inquisitor Maya, can we please get more Maya???), Redlin remains an absolutely delightful broody bastard of a man, and I spent an embarrassing amount of time laughing at things I probably shouldn’t have been laughing at. Also, there are also so many sneaky references to authors, books, fictional characters, and book reviewers (even myself, say what?!?!) that it almost started to feel like a fun easter egg hunt to me, all without ever feeling forced or breaking my immersion or taking me out of the story.
“Please spare me your self- pity. I liked you far better when you owned your mistakes, now you show me an army of your own creation and belabor its existence. No one has been given more than you, and no one has fucked it all up more. But that’s not—”
Safe to say, Z.B. Steele absolutely did it again. And by ‘’it’ I mean “emotionally torture me with Redlin’s trauma while making me love every second of it”. Even if I had to slow down to give myself a little break from all of Redlin’s drama at times, Rising Gale had me in a complete chokehold and I was constantly torn between the urge to binge the hell out of it and savour it for as long as possible. It’s messy, painful, frustrating, perfectly imperfect, and I loved how it all led up to an ending that is so bold, so cruel, and so diabolical that I immediately started desperately craving the finale despite being hella scared of what is waiting for me. I will be singing the praises for The Song of the Damned until eternity, this is just character-driven grimdark at its absolute finest.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Rising Gale is scheduled for release on June 16th, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25 stars!
A great follow-up to Whispers of the Storm! RTC
A great follow-up to Whispers of the Storm! RTC
June 20, 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 16, 2026
Another fantastic entry into a series that will go down as one of the GOATs.
June 12, 2026
Alright, let’s be honest… this was always going to be a 5-star read for me. Redlin is the most delectable flavor of broken and Steele has a particular proclivity for seasoning the trauma his characters experience with both poetry and ruthlessness.
As a character-first reader, Rising Gale is a song comprised of a perfectly harmonious melody - a beautifully philosophic breakdown of a person as they struggle with obstacles inside and out. Couple it with effect-laden guitar solos (magic fights) and a groove of percussion (a broken found family), and Song of the Damned comes alive in this second volume as a prog-metal symphony.
As with the first book, Whispers of the Storm, Steele excels in writing characters in their formative years. All of young Redlin’s trauma translates to young adult Redlin exactly as you would expect it to. From a psychological perspective, it’s brilliant, even if it leaves you cringing at some of the decisions Redlin makes as a reader. The fact that you can have such emotional, visceral responses is a testament to the prose and to the storytelling present.
I said in my review of book 1 that Whispers of the Storm is a resounding indictment on what storytelling can be. Rising Gale is its better.
I do think there are areas of the book that explored elements that I didn’t see coming as a reader. The plot takes a major turn at one point, sending Redlin further away from the character we expect him to be as a vanguard into a new way of life. I won’t get into spoilers, but at first, it surprised me more than I expected it would. I wasn’t necessarily in love with how the plot developed over those pages, but now I find them to be the ones I think back on the most. Seeing Redlin away from combat and violence, but still perpetuating his need for acceptance, was eerie. He is a character longing for approval, for companionship, and yet time and time again it becomes stripped from him. Seeing what it does to his psyche was haunting. If you thought you knew Redlin’s villain origin story, think again (though I’m not quite sure he’s going to turn out as villainous as he makes himself out to be).
With all that being said, Rising Gale is a sensational book and a worthy successor to the first. There were points where I feel the snarky, snappy dialogue exchanges could have been shortened, but the book is by no means bloated. Overall, this is going to be one of the best books I read this year by a long stretch, and I’m so happy for all the success it will invariably see!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a character-first reader, Rising Gale is a song comprised of a perfectly harmonious melody - a beautifully philosophic breakdown of a person as they struggle with obstacles inside and out. Couple it with effect-laden guitar solos (magic fights) and a groove of percussion (a broken found family), and Song of the Damned comes alive in this second volume as a prog-metal symphony.
As with the first book, Whispers of the Storm, Steele excels in writing characters in their formative years. All of young Redlin’s trauma translates to young adult Redlin exactly as you would expect it to. From a psychological perspective, it’s brilliant, even if it leaves you cringing at some of the decisions Redlin makes as a reader. The fact that you can have such emotional, visceral responses is a testament to the prose and to the storytelling present.
I said in my review of book 1 that Whispers of the Storm is a resounding indictment on what storytelling can be. Rising Gale is its better.
I do think there are areas of the book that explored elements that I didn’t see coming as a reader. The plot takes a major turn at one point, sending Redlin further away from the character we expect him to be as a vanguard into a new way of life. I won’t get into spoilers, but at first, it surprised me more than I expected it would. I wasn’t necessarily in love with how the plot developed over those pages, but now I find them to be the ones I think back on the most. Seeing Redlin away from combat and violence, but still perpetuating his need for acceptance, was eerie. He is a character longing for approval, for companionship, and yet time and time again it becomes stripped from him. Seeing what it does to his psyche was haunting. If you thought you knew Redlin’s villain origin story, think again (though I’m not quite sure he’s going to turn out as villainous as he makes himself out to be).
With all that being said, Rising Gale is a sensational book and a worthy successor to the first. There were points where I feel the snarky, snappy dialogue exchanges could have been shortened, but the book is by no means bloated. Overall, this is going to be one of the best books I read this year by a long stretch, and I’m so happy for all the success it will invariably see!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read
June 10, 20265 well deserved ⭐️s
How do I review a sequel to a book that has both inspired & influenced my writing?
You would think it would be easy, but I have been at a loss for words for well over a month.
I think a huge reason why I fell in love with this series and Z.B. Steele's writing is because it speaks to me on a personal level. His poetic yet accessible prose blends banter & tortured inner dialogue. It demands your attention & involvement without permission.
Redlin's story & his character contain so many elements I could apply to my own life. His character has captivated readers in so many ways whether it's because we love him, can sympathize with him or simply want to shake some sense in him. In all reality we would be terrified of him if he were right in front of us.
I find it fascinating that Redlin is able to shift from the mind of a killer to one who wishes to protect a child. He genuinely thrives on violence, yet in Rising Gale we gain another perspective of him (With no lack thereof violence, he does not hold back!).
I enjoyed the quiet & reflective portions of this story, just as much as the quick-witted interactions, bloody violent action & heart-stopping moments.
I was consumed by every aspect of this tale. I felt the weight of his desires & regrets. The framed narrative storytelling is tailored to perfection, just as book one was - if not better. We get more moments of Redlin & inquisitor Maya leading up to present day throughout recounting his story - and let me say, IT DOES NOT DISSAPOINT.
ZB is able to utilize Redlin's melodramatic tone to force readers to not only feel the weight of his emotions but actually begin to root for him. Countless times we watch him make horrid choices, but they don't typically come from thin air.
Steele isn't just a master at sharp character work; he weaves a plot with intention. He doesn't foreshadow with the hopes of us readers unraveling it, but with the satisfaction we will bask in the aftermath of realization.
The magic in this series comes with a high cost & so do all of Redlin's rash decisions. The world is actually quite brutal & many of the characters he has conflicts with, are arguably some of the most hate-able antagonists I have ever read.
There are also the characters that make us cheer, especially when they support Redlin. Juck & Cade both stood out to me in this sequel as notable characters that I both loved & felt contributed a great deal to the plot & evolution of Redlin's character. Without them, the bloodlust may as well have consumed him & we wouldn't have gotten to see the bits of what ifs.
What if Redlin had been raised by a loving family. What if Redlin had friends who valued him. What if everyone didn't abandon him. What if he didn't make hateful choices, could he be a GOOD MAN?
Now I won't get into spoilers because I have already hinted at too much, but the way Steele ends this installment of The Song of the Damned series isn't an ending at all, yet a beginning of The Reaper who we know to be as Redlin of the Wolves.
Prepare for devastation. Not even the Vanguard can protect you now.
This is my honest review - I beta read this book & enjoyed being apart of the process!
How do I review a sequel to a book that has both inspired & influenced my writing?
You would think it would be easy, but I have been at a loss for words for well over a month.
I think a huge reason why I fell in love with this series and Z.B. Steele's writing is because it speaks to me on a personal level. His poetic yet accessible prose blends banter & tortured inner dialogue. It demands your attention & involvement without permission.
Redlin's story & his character contain so many elements I could apply to my own life. His character has captivated readers in so many ways whether it's because we love him, can sympathize with him or simply want to shake some sense in him. In all reality we would be terrified of him if he were right in front of us.
I find it fascinating that Redlin is able to shift from the mind of a killer to one who wishes to protect a child. He genuinely thrives on violence, yet in Rising Gale we gain another perspective of him (With no lack thereof violence, he does not hold back!).
I enjoyed the quiet & reflective portions of this story, just as much as the quick-witted interactions, bloody violent action & heart-stopping moments.
I was consumed by every aspect of this tale. I felt the weight of his desires & regrets. The framed narrative storytelling is tailored to perfection, just as book one was - if not better. We get more moments of Redlin & inquisitor Maya leading up to present day throughout recounting his story - and let me say, IT DOES NOT DISSAPOINT.
ZB is able to utilize Redlin's melodramatic tone to force readers to not only feel the weight of his emotions but actually begin to root for him. Countless times we watch him make horrid choices, but they don't typically come from thin air.
Steele isn't just a master at sharp character work; he weaves a plot with intention. He doesn't foreshadow with the hopes of us readers unraveling it, but with the satisfaction we will bask in the aftermath of realization.
The magic in this series comes with a high cost & so do all of Redlin's rash decisions. The world is actually quite brutal & many of the characters he has conflicts with, are arguably some of the most hate-able antagonists I have ever read.
There are also the characters that make us cheer, especially when they support Redlin. Juck & Cade both stood out to me in this sequel as notable characters that I both loved & felt contributed a great deal to the plot & evolution of Redlin's character. Without them, the bloodlust may as well have consumed him & we wouldn't have gotten to see the bits of what ifs.
What if Redlin had been raised by a loving family. What if Redlin had friends who valued him. What if everyone didn't abandon him. What if he didn't make hateful choices, could he be a GOOD MAN?
Now I won't get into spoilers because I have already hinted at too much, but the way Steele ends this installment of The Song of the Damned series isn't an ending at all, yet a beginning of The Reaper who we know to be as Redlin of the Wolves.
Prepare for devastation. Not even the Vanguard can protect you now.
This is my honest review - I beta read this book & enjoyed being apart of the process!
June 4, 2026
First of all, a huge thank you to the author for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This has easily been one of my most anticipated sequels, and I am so happy to say it absolutely delivered!
This is one of those series that completely snuck up on me. I originally picked up the first book as part of a personal indie author challenge and had no idea what to expect, but I was hooked almost immediately. The writing is just so effortless where the banter feels natural, the dialogue never feels forced, and the world building and characters are developed in a way that makes it incredibly easy to become invested in everything that’s happening.
All of that continues on in this amazing sequel, immediately picking up on so many of the things we were waiting to see after book one, with zero disappointments. The progression of this story is honestly wild and escalated so quickly that I was starting to get scared for where we were gonna leave off.
And then there’s Redlin himself…Listen…..I love this man, I really do! BUT there were so many moments where I found myself questioning his decisions and wanting to reach through the pages and shake some sense into him. At the same time, the more we learn about him, the more my heart breaks for him. His abandonment issues run so deep, and it feels like so much of what drives him comes from this desperate need to belong somewhere and to have people choose him. Every loss, every rejection, every disappointment just seems to add another layer to the person he’s becoming.
What I found especially compelling was watching that darkness continue to creep in. You can feel it happening. It’s in the way he thinks, the way he talks, and the desires he’s starting to embrace. There were moments where it genuinely felt like watching someone lose a battle with themselves in slow motion, and it was impossible to look away. At this point….my guy desperately needs therapy.
And can we talk about that ending for a second? Because I was not emotionally prepared for it. At all.
The worst part is that I didn’t even see it coming. One minute I was completely engrossed in everything unfolding, and the next I was genuinely upset and trying to process what had just happened. I have some feelings about it, and I’m honestly not convinced I’ve recovered yet.
Regarding the pacing, there were maybe one or two sections that felt a little slower than the rest, but honestly, even those moments felt important. They gave us time to sit with the characters, understand their motivations, and see how all the pieces are being positioned for what’s coming next.
Overall, I was completely invested from beginning to end like I knew I would be. The characters continue to be one of the strongest parts of this series, the world building keeps expanding in interesting ways, and the emotional depth keeps pulling me in. This series has become one of my favorite indie fantasy discoveries, and after that ending, I need the next book immediately because I have way too many questions and not nearly enough answers!
This has easily been one of my most anticipated sequels, and I am so happy to say it absolutely delivered!
This is one of those series that completely snuck up on me. I originally picked up the first book as part of a personal indie author challenge and had no idea what to expect, but I was hooked almost immediately. The writing is just so effortless where the banter feels natural, the dialogue never feels forced, and the world building and characters are developed in a way that makes it incredibly easy to become invested in everything that’s happening.
All of that continues on in this amazing sequel, immediately picking up on so many of the things we were waiting to see after book one, with zero disappointments. The progression of this story is honestly wild and escalated so quickly that I was starting to get scared for where we were gonna leave off.
And then there’s Redlin himself…Listen…..I love this man, I really do! BUT there were so many moments where I found myself questioning his decisions and wanting to reach through the pages and shake some sense into him. At the same time, the more we learn about him, the more my heart breaks for him. His abandonment issues run so deep, and it feels like so much of what drives him comes from this desperate need to belong somewhere and to have people choose him. Every loss, every rejection, every disappointment just seems to add another layer to the person he’s becoming.
What I found especially compelling was watching that darkness continue to creep in. You can feel it happening. It’s in the way he thinks, the way he talks, and the desires he’s starting to embrace. There were moments where it genuinely felt like watching someone lose a battle with themselves in slow motion, and it was impossible to look away. At this point….my guy desperately needs therapy.
And can we talk about that ending for a second? Because I was not emotionally prepared for it. At all.
The worst part is that I didn’t even see it coming. One minute I was completely engrossed in everything unfolding, and the next I was genuinely upset and trying to process what had just happened. I have some feelings about it, and I’m honestly not convinced I’ve recovered yet.
Regarding the pacing, there were maybe one or two sections that felt a little slower than the rest, but honestly, even those moments felt important. They gave us time to sit with the characters, understand their motivations, and see how all the pieces are being positioned for what’s coming next.
Overall, I was completely invested from beginning to end like I knew I would be. The characters continue to be one of the strongest parts of this series, the world building keeps expanding in interesting ways, and the emotional depth keeps pulling me in. This series has become one of my favorite indie fantasy discoveries, and after that ending, I need the next book immediately because I have way too many questions and not nearly enough answers!
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.
June 16, 2026
An amazing sequel, flawed character, interesting story developments, character development and world building, all highly anticipated in this world, which is expanded in this novel, but could it also have delved further? We will have to wait and see.
Another exceptional story by the Z B Steele, who has created this story with new artwork which adds to the feel of the story and characters.
5-stars for this highly anticipated book.
Another exceptional story by the Z B Steele, who has created this story with new artwork which adds to the feel of the story and characters.
5-stars for this highly anticipated book.
July 9, 2026
Much like its predecessor, Rising Gale is a book that should be on every grimdark lover's reading list.
ZB Steele is really building up something special here with the Song of the Damned, and Redlin of the Wolves continues to be a wonderfully crafted character.
Say one thing for Steele, say he knows how to--wait fuck wrong author. Well regardless this guy knows how to write an ending that leaves you eager for the next book.
Gale does plod around a little too much at points here and there - and there's a little suspension of disbelief required for the frame story to fully work this time around - but how it all builds up for to all come crashing down is always beautifully tragic, and Steele really knows how to tug at the heartstrings and punt your heart out of your chest at Gale's heavier moments, and have you cheering at the badass moments.
Great stuff all around.
ZB Steele is really building up something special here with the Song of the Damned, and Redlin of the Wolves continues to be a wonderfully crafted character.
Say one thing for Steele, say he knows how to--wait fuck wrong author. Well regardless this guy knows how to write an ending that leaves you eager for the next book.
Gale does plod around a little too much at points here and there - and there's a little suspension of disbelief required for the frame story to fully work this time around - but how it all builds up for to all come crashing down is always beautifully tragic, and Steele really knows how to tug at the heartstrings and punt your heart out of your chest at Gale's heavier moments, and have you cheering at the badass moments.
Great stuff all around.
July 22, 2026
Really enjoyable second book.
This was a very enjoyable sequel. The story continues right on from the first book throwing you back into the world. I want to read the next book immediately so I hope their is a third book, I need to know what happens next
This was a very enjoyable sequel. The story continues right on from the first book throwing you back into the world. I want to read the next book immediately so I hope their is a third book, I need to know what happens next
July 26, 2026
The Rising Gale by Z.B. Steele is not only one of my favourite reads of 2026, but it has firmly established this series as one of the most criminally underrated in the genre today.
At the heart of the story is Redlin, a protagonist who has become one of my all-time favourite fantasy characters. He feels authentic, layered, and endlessly compelling, with every decision, victory, and failure carrying genuine emotional weight. It's rare to connect so deeply with a character, but Steele has created someone whose journey is impossible not to become invested in.
What impressed me most is how The Rising Gale takes the familiar foundations of epic fantasy and breathes new life into them. There are echoes of the stories that have defined the genre, yet nothing ever feels derivative. Instead, Steele builds on those foundations to create something that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly original. The pacing is excellent, the character work is exceptional, and the world continues to expand in ways that feel organic rather than overwhelming.
Every new revelation enriches the history of the world, every chapter raises the stakes, and every character has a purpose. The story balances intimate character moments with sweeping epic fantasy on a scale that kept me completely immersed from beginning to end. It's the kind of book where "just one more chapter" quickly becomes fifty pages.
What makes this series so special is that it deserves to be spoken about alongside the giants of modern fantasy. While names like The Bound and the Broken, The Faithful and the Fallen, The Echoes Saga, and The Riyria Revelations rightly receive widespread praise, The Rising Gale belongs in that same conversation. It has the heart, the ambition, the memorable characters, and the immersive world-building to stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best the genre has to offer.
I genuinely believe this series deserves a much wider audience. If you've somehow never heard of Z.B. Steele, now is the time to change that. The Rising Gale isn't just an outstanding sequel, it's proof that some of fantasy's greatest stories are still waiting to be discovered.
This series deserves to be known everywhere, and I'll happily keep recommending it until it is.
At the heart of the story is Redlin, a protagonist who has become one of my all-time favourite fantasy characters. He feels authentic, layered, and endlessly compelling, with every decision, victory, and failure carrying genuine emotional weight. It's rare to connect so deeply with a character, but Steele has created someone whose journey is impossible not to become invested in.
What impressed me most is how The Rising Gale takes the familiar foundations of epic fantasy and breathes new life into them. There are echoes of the stories that have defined the genre, yet nothing ever feels derivative. Instead, Steele builds on those foundations to create something that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly original. The pacing is excellent, the character work is exceptional, and the world continues to expand in ways that feel organic rather than overwhelming.
Every new revelation enriches the history of the world, every chapter raises the stakes, and every character has a purpose. The story balances intimate character moments with sweeping epic fantasy on a scale that kept me completely immersed from beginning to end. It's the kind of book where "just one more chapter" quickly becomes fifty pages.
What makes this series so special is that it deserves to be spoken about alongside the giants of modern fantasy. While names like The Bound and the Broken, The Faithful and the Fallen, The Echoes Saga, and The Riyria Revelations rightly receive widespread praise, The Rising Gale belongs in that same conversation. It has the heart, the ambition, the memorable characters, and the immersive world-building to stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best the genre has to offer.
I genuinely believe this series deserves a much wider audience. If you've somehow never heard of Z.B. Steele, now is the time to change that. The Rising Gale isn't just an outstanding sequel, it's proof that some of fantasy's greatest stories are still waiting to be discovered.
This series deserves to be known everywhere, and I'll happily keep recommending it until it is.
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!
June 16, 2026
ARC REVIEW
HOLY PANTHEON BATMAN
Since the war is one orchestrated by the gods, I was happy that we got to see glimpses of them in the physical world. They are beings that operate outside of the morality and rules of humans, and the few moments we see them interact with people highlights how unsettlingly other they are. I hope we get to see even more of them in book three.
AND FOR THE LADY, PERHAPS SOME PHILOSOPHY
Redlin decided to pop off with some life lessons and leaned into his philosophical nature when he was telling his story to Maya. Sometimes I was really moved by what he had to say and other times I was rolling my eyes and felt patronized. I wanted to shake him violently on occasion.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
I was! There were so many things to love about Rising Gale. The action, the drama, and the betrayals were all top notch. More than that though, were the layers that were slowly peeled away to show us how absolutely festering and rotten Usmal is. It would be easiest to let it mulch itself into nonexistence, but still we see so many people from all stations in life fighting to cut out the infection and save her. They are all sort of fighting one another on the best way to perform the surgery though, and that added friction is equally delicious and frustrating.
DO I LIKE REDLIN?
This is Redlin telling his own story, so obviously that needs to be taken into account, but despite his best efforts to convince me that he’s an evil piece of shit as rotten as I’ve just described Usmal, I remain unconvinced. He’s selfish, a liar, hypocritical, and frustrating. Still, I am waiting for him to show me that he is as evil as he professes to be. Maybe I just don’t see myself being any better than him if I were to be placed in the same situations. Maybe my bar is so low, I excuse his atrocities as easily as he does? Whatever it is, I like him. He’s a mess.
HOLY PANTHEON BATMAN
Since the war is one orchestrated by the gods, I was happy that we got to see glimpses of them in the physical world. They are beings that operate outside of the morality and rules of humans, and the few moments we see them interact with people highlights how unsettlingly other they are. I hope we get to see even more of them in book three.
AND FOR THE LADY, PERHAPS SOME PHILOSOPHY
Redlin decided to pop off with some life lessons and leaned into his philosophical nature when he was telling his story to Maya. Sometimes I was really moved by what he had to say and other times I was rolling my eyes and felt patronized. I wanted to shake him violently on occasion.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
I was! There were so many things to love about Rising Gale. The action, the drama, and the betrayals were all top notch. More than that though, were the layers that were slowly peeled away to show us how absolutely festering and rotten Usmal is. It would be easiest to let it mulch itself into nonexistence, but still we see so many people from all stations in life fighting to cut out the infection and save her. They are all sort of fighting one another on the best way to perform the surgery though, and that added friction is equally delicious and frustrating.
DO I LIKE REDLIN?
This is Redlin telling his own story, so obviously that needs to be taken into account, but despite his best efforts to convince me that he’s an evil piece of shit as rotten as I’ve just described Usmal, I remain unconvinced. He’s selfish, a liar, hypocritical, and frustrating. Still, I am waiting for him to show me that he is as evil as he professes to be. Maybe I just don’t see myself being any better than him if I were to be placed in the same situations. Maybe my bar is so low, I excuse his atrocities as easily as he does? Whatever it is, I like him. He’s a mess.
June 15, 2026
This book hurt so good!
I am convinced Z. B. Steele is replenishing his aether by emotionally destroying his readers because WHAT in The Black was that?! The way this story grabs hold of your heart, puts it through the absolute wringer, and still has you begging for more should be illegal.
Rising Gale continues to showcase Steele’s talent for creating a world that feels alive — filled with intensity, emotion, danger, and characters you can’t help but become invested in. The battles, the magic, the heartbreak… every piece works together to pull you deeper into this brutal and beautiful world.
Redlin, my man. We need to talk.
Because the emotional damage? The choices? The absolute audacity? I have questions, feelings, and possibly a strongly worded letter. Yet somehow, I’m still sitting here completely attached and needing to know what happens next.
Z. B. Steele has a way of making you suffer and somehow thanking him for it. I came for the fantasy. I stayed for the emotional damage. Everyone needs to pick up this series - just maybe keep some emotional support nearby. ✨
“The Gods are Greedy”
“Good Man”
I am convinced Z. B. Steele is replenishing his aether by emotionally destroying his readers because WHAT in The Black was that?! The way this story grabs hold of your heart, puts it through the absolute wringer, and still has you begging for more should be illegal.
Rising Gale continues to showcase Steele’s talent for creating a world that feels alive — filled with intensity, emotion, danger, and characters you can’t help but become invested in. The battles, the magic, the heartbreak… every piece works together to pull you deeper into this brutal and beautiful world.
Redlin, my man. We need to talk.
Because the emotional damage? The choices? The absolute audacity? I have questions, feelings, and possibly a strongly worded letter. Yet somehow, I’m still sitting here completely attached and needing to know what happens next.
Z. B. Steele has a way of making you suffer and somehow thanking him for it. I came for the fantasy. I stayed for the emotional damage. Everyone needs to pick up this series - just maybe keep some emotional support nearby. ✨
“The Gods are Greedy”
“Good Man”
June 30, 2026
3rd
I need the 3rd book now. Part two continues to captivate you and bring you back wanting more of Redlin
I need the 3rd book now. Part two continues to captivate you and bring you back wanting more of Redlin
Review of advance copy received from Author
The second book in this epic fantasy series builds brilliantly on everything that came before. The story feels bigger, more emotional, and even stronger when it comes to its characters. While the first book focused on shaping the main character, this sequel explores the consequences of the person he has become, creating a story that feels both deeply personal and wonderfully epic.
At the centre of it all is a protagonist who remains one of the most interesting antiheroes I've come across in fantasy. He's brave, stubborn, flawed, and often the cause of his own problems. What makes him so compelling is that the author never tries to excuse his mistakes or make him seem better than he is. Instead, we see a complex person shaped by abandonment, betrayal, loss, and a constant need to prove himself. His journey feels genuine, painful, and incredibly human.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its emotional depth. Themes of identity, loyalty, grief, friendship, and redemption are handled with real honesty and care. The relationships feel meaningful, and both the triumphs and heartbreaks leave a lasting impression. The author has a wonderful ability to make readers feel every setback and every victory alongside the characters without ever becoming overly sentimental.
The supporting cast is just as memorable. Friends, mentors, allies, and rivals all play important roles, and several characters make a strong impact despite not being the main focus. Their interactions feel natural and believable, helping the world feel full of real people rather than simple fantasy archetypes.
The world itself expands beautifully in this instalment. What starts as a personal story gradually opens up into larger conflicts involving kingdoms, ancient powers, and divine forces. The world-building feels rich and immersive, with its history and lore woven naturally into the story rather than explained in lengthy passages.
The writing is straightforward, engaging, and emotionally honest. Because the story is told through the protagonist's perspective, the narrative voice feels raw, personal, and immediate. Readers looking for highly literary fantasy may prefer a different style, but for me, this approach creates a strong sense of connection and authenticity.
Verdict: A fantastic continuation of the series that delivers outstanding character development, genuine emotional depth, and an ever-expanding world. With a deeply human antihero at its heart and stakes that continue to grow, this is exactly the kind of sequel you hope for. Highly recommended.
Thank you, Z.B., for the opportunity to read and review an eARC. I truly appreciate your generosity and thoroughly enjoyed returning to this incredible world and spending more time with these unforgettable characters.
At the centre of it all is a protagonist who remains one of the most interesting antiheroes I've come across in fantasy. He's brave, stubborn, flawed, and often the cause of his own problems. What makes him so compelling is that the author never tries to excuse his mistakes or make him seem better than he is. Instead, we see a complex person shaped by abandonment, betrayal, loss, and a constant need to prove himself. His journey feels genuine, painful, and incredibly human.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its emotional depth. Themes of identity, loyalty, grief, friendship, and redemption are handled with real honesty and care. The relationships feel meaningful, and both the triumphs and heartbreaks leave a lasting impression. The author has a wonderful ability to make readers feel every setback and every victory alongside the characters without ever becoming overly sentimental.
The supporting cast is just as memorable. Friends, mentors, allies, and rivals all play important roles, and several characters make a strong impact despite not being the main focus. Their interactions feel natural and believable, helping the world feel full of real people rather than simple fantasy archetypes.
The world itself expands beautifully in this instalment. What starts as a personal story gradually opens up into larger conflicts involving kingdoms, ancient powers, and divine forces. The world-building feels rich and immersive, with its history and lore woven naturally into the story rather than explained in lengthy passages.
The writing is straightforward, engaging, and emotionally honest. Because the story is told through the protagonist's perspective, the narrative voice feels raw, personal, and immediate. Readers looking for highly literary fantasy may prefer a different style, but for me, this approach creates a strong sense of connection and authenticity.
Verdict: A fantastic continuation of the series that delivers outstanding character development, genuine emotional depth, and an ever-expanding world. With a deeply human antihero at its heart and stakes that continue to grow, this is exactly the kind of sequel you hope for. Highly recommended.
Thank you, Z.B., for the opportunity to read and review an eARC. I truly appreciate your generosity and thoroughly enjoyed returning to this incredible world and spending more time with these unforgettable characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Open eyes lead to closed hearts.”
It's been around a little over a year ago I finished Whispers of the Storm, and by then end of 2025 it was in retained a place in my top 3 reads for the year, so when my ARC of Rising Gale arrived it did so with the heady weight of high expectations.
In terms of structure, this picks up where the first book leaves off,with the aftermath of loss of one of his few true connections, some shattering revelations and having to deal with choices he has made.
Once again the story is largely told by Redlin himself, retelling events from his own life to a Collector called Maya at the behest of The Archon. Due to the nature of the way this is told, it is worth asking the question of just how reliable a narrator is Redlin of his own history? As for the answer, well, it's complicated.
The exception to this is the interludes where it leaps to the current day and the interactions between Maya and Redlin, and for me these are the best moments, with and older and apparently wiser and defeated Redlin reminiscing, but their are little tells here that something is not quite as is being shown, and this leaks into certain moments of Redlin's accounting of events at certain points that tonally feel off in a way that feels deliberate, certain things breezed over and others focussed on that felt like a deliberate distraction, but I do wonder if I would have noticed if I was not looking for it.
AS for the tale itself, this is very much the story of the aftermath of events that led to Redlin's initial fall from grace, and his sense of listless loss and apathy, feeding into character beats already established in book 1 around feelings ambition, pride and self deception as a mechanism to deal with (or avoid) the pervading sense of abandonment and low self worth, culminating in a moment in the second half of the book where it almost looks like happiness is within reach for Redlin, before it is all torn away by an apparent coincidence. Of course the question of if Redlin deserves happiness, never mind redemption is one that is a tough one to answer, and something tells me worse revelations are to come soon, but I digress.
This leads into the ending, which kind of confirmed a theory I had devolved over the course of the book, but was shown off in a way that I had not expected and was in a way genuinely shocking in its execution, and left me feeling very excited for what comes next in this series.
So, to answer my unspoken question, does Rising Gale live up to the high bar of Whispers? Yes, but in many ways its the other side of the mountain, and I cannot wait to see how the impending fall into the chasm plays out.
ARC Received for free in return for an honest review
It's been around a little over a year ago I finished Whispers of the Storm, and by then end of 2025 it was in retained a place in my top 3 reads for the year, so when my ARC of Rising Gale arrived it did so with the heady weight of high expectations.
In terms of structure, this picks up where the first book leaves off,with the aftermath of loss of one of his few true connections, some shattering revelations and having to deal with choices he has made.
Once again the story is largely told by Redlin himself, retelling events from his own life to a Collector called Maya at the behest of The Archon. Due to the nature of the way this is told, it is worth asking the question of just how reliable a narrator is Redlin of his own history? As for the answer, well, it's complicated.
The exception to this is the interludes where it leaps to the current day and the interactions between Maya and Redlin, and for me these are the best moments, with and older and apparently wiser and defeated Redlin reminiscing, but their are little tells here that something is not quite as is being shown, and this leaks into certain moments of Redlin's accounting of events at certain points that tonally feel off in a way that feels deliberate, certain things breezed over and others focussed on that felt like a deliberate distraction, but I do wonder if I would have noticed if I was not looking for it.
AS for the tale itself, this is very much the story of the aftermath of events that led to Redlin's initial fall from grace, and his sense of listless loss and apathy, feeding into character beats already established in book 1 around feelings ambition, pride and self deception as a mechanism to deal with (or avoid) the pervading sense of abandonment and low self worth, culminating in a moment in the second half of the book where it almost looks like happiness is within reach for Redlin, before it is all torn away by an apparent coincidence. Of course the question of if Redlin deserves happiness, never mind redemption is one that is a tough one to answer, and something tells me worse revelations are to come soon, but I digress.
This leads into the ending, which kind of confirmed a theory I had devolved over the course of the book, but was shown off in a way that I had not expected and was in a way genuinely shocking in its execution, and left me feeling very excited for what comes next in this series.
So, to answer my unspoken question, does Rising Gale live up to the high bar of Whispers? Yes, but in many ways its the other side of the mountain, and I cannot wait to see how the impending fall into the chasm plays out.
ARC Received for free in return for an honest review
July 14, 2026
This review was originally posted on sffinsiders.com
If I could describe the Song of the Damned series in a single sentence, it would be something like; Z. B. Steele tortures his readers as much as he does his characters, and, somehow, he makes us all love every second of it. Now, I’m not sure who that reflects more poorly on (actually I’m well aware it's probably I, the reader, but lets just say I truly have no idea, for old time’s sake and my dignity both).
Rising Gale is the much awaited sequel to Whispers of the Storm, Book 1 in the Song of the Damned. And when I say much awaited, I truly need to emphasize that. If you were to look at my goodreads, I finished 0 books for about three months (excluding manga) before the ARC of Rising Gale fell into my hands. And boy did I devour it.
Our journey alongside Redlin continues, reeling from the losses and sorrows of book 1. Quickly, relations with the Seraph devolve, veering towards war between church, crown, and Vanguards. At the center of it all is Redlin, renowned amongst the Vanguard, now friend to the prince, and hated by the Seraph (can’t really blame the guy, to be honest, I’d hate Redlin too). The story kicks off with a funeral, an emotional, heartbreaking one, that steadily turns into Redlin’s services being pulled every which way. Along it, he finds around him friends, lovers, redemption, and absolute, utter defeat.
The atmosphere is everything we had and more from Book 1, as are the characters. Namely, I was deeply moved by the evolution of Redlin’s relationship with Asher, and how it affected them both. The other relationships, which I won’t name because of spoilers, make me absolutely furious with Z. B. But I guess that means he did his job, right? The emotions are certainly high, Redlin’s own wallowing notwithstanding, and they pull on our heartstrings from the get go. The supporting characters get fleshed out in ways we didn’t see as much in Whispers that I particularly appreciated, bringing all sorts of new perspectives, connections, and favorites that Z. B. always does a great job at establishing.
I’m sure you’ve heard of this book (or at the very least the series) but if you haven’t started it yet, what are you waiting for? Perfect for fans of dark, gritty, irredeemably wonderful characters in a world just as twisted, Rising Gale by Z. B. Steele was a massive highlight of 2026.
If I could describe the Song of the Damned series in a single sentence, it would be something like; Z. B. Steele tortures his readers as much as he does his characters, and, somehow, he makes us all love every second of it. Now, I’m not sure who that reflects more poorly on (actually I’m well aware it's probably I, the reader, but lets just say I truly have no idea, for old time’s sake and my dignity both).
Rising Gale is the much awaited sequel to Whispers of the Storm, Book 1 in the Song of the Damned. And when I say much awaited, I truly need to emphasize that. If you were to look at my goodreads, I finished 0 books for about three months (excluding manga) before the ARC of Rising Gale fell into my hands. And boy did I devour it.
Our journey alongside Redlin continues, reeling from the losses and sorrows of book 1. Quickly, relations with the Seraph devolve, veering towards war between church, crown, and Vanguards. At the center of it all is Redlin, renowned amongst the Vanguard, now friend to the prince, and hated by the Seraph (can’t really blame the guy, to be honest, I’d hate Redlin too). The story kicks off with a funeral, an emotional, heartbreaking one, that steadily turns into Redlin’s services being pulled every which way. Along it, he finds around him friends, lovers, redemption, and absolute, utter defeat.
The atmosphere is everything we had and more from Book 1, as are the characters. Namely, I was deeply moved by the evolution of Redlin’s relationship with Asher, and how it affected them both. The other relationships, which I won’t name because of spoilers, make me absolutely furious with Z. B. But I guess that means he did his job, right? The emotions are certainly high, Redlin’s own wallowing notwithstanding, and they pull on our heartstrings from the get go. The supporting characters get fleshed out in ways we didn’t see as much in Whispers that I particularly appreciated, bringing all sorts of new perspectives, connections, and favorites that Z. B. always does a great job at establishing.
I’m sure you’ve heard of this book (or at the very least the series) but if you haven’t started it yet, what are you waiting for? Perfect for fans of dark, gritty, irredeemably wonderful characters in a world just as twisted, Rising Gale by Z. B. Steele was a massive highlight of 2026.
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
This review is spoiler-free. Thank you to Z.B. Steele for the opportunity to read the ARC prior to the release on June 16th.
Rising Gale is the sequel to Whispers of the Storm in the Song of the Damned series by Z.B. Steele.
Where (to me) Whispers felt a bit spotty, Gale was more intentional and confident in its execution. The framed narrative no longer seems like a gimmick, but an integral part of the story, even at the cost of making the present-timeline Redlin bordering on insufferable. Whether that was premeditated or not, it works in favor of the overarching story. However, from what I've gleaned, Z.B. strikes me as more of a feel-it-out/intuitive writer, which melds well with Redlin's somewhat unpredictable personality. The protagonist is a true anti-hero who can't really be fixed, much like Jorg Ancrath, but unlike the Emperor of Thorns, I very much doubt Redlin shall be redeemed in any shape or form.
The world-building and setting still feel a bit generic, but less so than in the first book. Character work and especially the stellar, unreliable style continue to shine, keeping the reader on their toes and carrying the momentum in conjunction with a mostly satisfying plot progression. It's one of those stories that will either mesmerize you to a point of dumbfoundness or keep you flipping pages, wondering when does it get good, only for you to realize it's about the journey, not the destination.
While some of my more petty grievances with the series remain, the displayed craft acumen is undeniable. Seeing an author grow is always appreciated, and at this rate, I can see Rising Gale or the next book in the series make waves in the broader fantasy community, not just indie. Ultimately, if you liked the first book, you'll enjoy the second as well if not even more.
Song of the Damned has a broader fantasy appeal. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the more mainstream take on fantasy akin to The Realm of the Elderlings or The Kingkiller Chronicle but also craves a bit of the darker edge explored in The Broken Empire and The First Law books.
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Moral Gray Meets Feral Wit — 4.00 / 5.00
Rising Gale is the sequel to Whispers of the Storm in the Song of the Damned series by Z.B. Steele.
Where (to me) Whispers felt a bit spotty, Gale was more intentional and confident in its execution. The framed narrative no longer seems like a gimmick, but an integral part of the story, even at the cost of making the present-timeline Redlin bordering on insufferable. Whether that was premeditated or not, it works in favor of the overarching story. However, from what I've gleaned, Z.B. strikes me as more of a feel-it-out/intuitive writer, which melds well with Redlin's somewhat unpredictable personality. The protagonist is a true anti-hero who can't really be fixed, much like Jorg Ancrath, but unlike the Emperor of Thorns, I very much doubt Redlin shall be redeemed in any shape or form.
The world-building and setting still feel a bit generic, but less so than in the first book. Character work and especially the stellar, unreliable style continue to shine, keeping the reader on their toes and carrying the momentum in conjunction with a mostly satisfying plot progression. It's one of those stories that will either mesmerize you to a point of dumbfoundness or keep you flipping pages, wondering when does it get good, only for you to realize it's about the journey, not the destination.
While some of my more petty grievances with the series remain, the displayed craft acumen is undeniable. Seeing an author grow is always appreciated, and at this rate, I can see Rising Gale or the next book in the series make waves in the broader fantasy community, not just indie. Ultimately, if you liked the first book, you'll enjoy the second as well if not even more.
Song of the Damned has a broader fantasy appeal. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the more mainstream take on fantasy akin to The Realm of the Elderlings or The Kingkiller Chronicle but also craves a bit of the darker edge explored in The Broken Empire and The First Law books.
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Moral Gray Meets Feral Wit — 4.00 / 5.00
Review of advance copy received from Author
The sequel I was most excited and nervous to read this year.
Whispers of the Storm was in my top five books last year. I am notorious for struggling with middle books. I didn’t know how something could live up to my experience of book one.
I’m happy to say this has put ZB Steele in the ranks of authors such as Jay Kristoff (Empire of the Vampire), Christopher Ruocchio (Suneater) and Anthony Ryan (Blood Song) for me.
I’d been given everything I asked for. I was a hero, slaying Reapers and leading Vanguards. The finest and the most dangerous men in the world, and I was one of the few at the helm. A leader amongst leaders, an assassin amongst killers.
If you are unfamiliar with book one, this is a framed narrative where Redlin tells his dark, bloody, and fairly unhappy life story whilst being led to his execution.
This combines the philosophical reflections of Suneater (Empire of Silence), the grittiness of Joe Abercrombie (First Law), and the clever snark of Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind). I’m not just listing authors, I’m describing how poetic, addicting, witty, dark yet vulnerable Steele’s story is.
This isn’t a happy tale where the boy slays the dragon and gets the girl. This is a tale of blood and loss, dead heroes and victorious villains. Steel and shadow. In so many words: this is a tragedy.
“Oftentimes, tragedies are better left unsaid. Unmarked by history. Forgotten.”
It’s like Steele knows exactly what I look for and also dislike in my gritty fantasy books. He subverts tropes, knows exactly how to keep a story moving (no faffing around with travelling), and nails that difficult balance between an angry hero (morally grey? anti-hero?) and a vulnerable, raw, lone character.
If you’re involved in the book community, particularly the indie side, there are also Easter eggs to look out for that I loved catching.
Overall, a very worthy sequel. I know this series will one day be extremely popular, so you need to jump on the bandwagon now - especially if you love the authors I have mentioned.
Physical arc gifted by author.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Whispers of the Storm was in my top five books last year. I am notorious for struggling with middle books. I didn’t know how something could live up to my experience of book one.
I’m happy to say this has put ZB Steele in the ranks of authors such as Jay Kristoff (Empire of the Vampire), Christopher Ruocchio (Suneater) and Anthony Ryan (Blood Song) for me.
I’d been given everything I asked for. I was a hero, slaying Reapers and leading Vanguards. The finest and the most dangerous men in the world, and I was one of the few at the helm. A leader amongst leaders, an assassin amongst killers.
If you are unfamiliar with book one, this is a framed narrative where Redlin tells his dark, bloody, and fairly unhappy life story whilst being led to his execution.
This combines the philosophical reflections of Suneater (Empire of Silence), the grittiness of Joe Abercrombie (First Law), and the clever snark of Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind). I’m not just listing authors, I’m describing how poetic, addicting, witty, dark yet vulnerable Steele’s story is.
This isn’t a happy tale where the boy slays the dragon and gets the girl. This is a tale of blood and loss, dead heroes and victorious villains. Steel and shadow. In so many words: this is a tragedy.
“Oftentimes, tragedies are better left unsaid. Unmarked by history. Forgotten.”
It’s like Steele knows exactly what I look for and also dislike in my gritty fantasy books. He subverts tropes, knows exactly how to keep a story moving (no faffing around with travelling), and nails that difficult balance between an angry hero (morally grey? anti-hero?) and a vulnerable, raw, lone character.
If you’re involved in the book community, particularly the indie side, there are also Easter eggs to look out for that I loved catching.
Overall, a very worthy sequel. I know this series will one day be extremely popular, so you need to jump on the bandwagon now - especially if you love the authors I have mentioned.
Physical arc gifted by author.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
Review of advance copy received from Author
I legitimately could not put this book down. Book one was good, but book two was on another level. If this had been a physical ARC, I'd have tabs everywhere!!
I'm impressed by how much Z.B. Steele's writing has improved between Whispers and Rising Gale. The narration feels smoother, the characters are more developed, and his authorial voice really shines through.
I'm not sure if it's the writing itself that improved or the fact that we get a more experienced Redlin. This Redlin I felt so deeply for. We get less of the childish immaturity that comes with an inexperienced young boy, something I struggled with in book one, and more of a young man trying to heal the hurt his past has caused him. You can't help but feel so much sadness for him as setback after setback crashes down around him. He can't catch a break!
It was painful watching Redlin endure abandonment and hatred. He is the product of a world without of love, even as he desperately longs for it. Every betrayal and rejection cuts deep, and it's painful to watch him slowly become the monster everyone sees him as. UGH I'm so messed up about him :(
This story also explores men's mental health and the damage caused by the expectation that men should simply "man up" and endure hardship alone. It was difficult watching Redlin and the men around him carry their pain in isolation, and the book opens the door for important conversations about a reality many men still face today.
Chapter 41 was easily one of my favorite chapters. As a Christian, I absolutely love the deep dives into faith throughout the book, particularly the hypocrisy of the church, church hurt, and the struggle with God's perceived absence when you need Him most. I connected so deeply to Hazel and Eran in these moments.
This review is getting long, haha, so I'll wrap it up. I loved this book! There were moments when I got lost in the sauce with some of the philosophical discussions and sometimes the banter felt a bit cheesy, but those are minor criticisms in an otherwise fantastic story.
Overall, a stellar story. I can't wait for the next book!!!
I'm impressed by how much Z.B. Steele's writing has improved between Whispers and Rising Gale. The narration feels smoother, the characters are more developed, and his authorial voice really shines through.
I'm not sure if it's the writing itself that improved or the fact that we get a more experienced Redlin. This Redlin I felt so deeply for. We get less of the childish immaturity that comes with an inexperienced young boy, something I struggled with in book one, and more of a young man trying to heal the hurt his past has caused him. You can't help but feel so much sadness for him as setback after setback crashes down around him. He can't catch a break!
It was painful watching Redlin endure abandonment and hatred. He is the product of a world without of love, even as he desperately longs for it. Every betrayal and rejection cuts deep, and it's painful to watch him slowly become the monster everyone sees him as. UGH I'm so messed up about him :(
This story also explores men's mental health and the damage caused by the expectation that men should simply "man up" and endure hardship alone. It was difficult watching Redlin and the men around him carry their pain in isolation, and the book opens the door for important conversations about a reality many men still face today.
Chapter 41 was easily one of my favorite chapters. As a Christian, I absolutely love the deep dives into faith throughout the book, particularly the hypocrisy of the church, church hurt, and the struggle with God's perceived absence when you need Him most. I connected so deeply to Hazel and Eran in these moments.
This review is getting long, haha, so I'll wrap it up. I loved this book! There were moments when I got lost in the sauce with some of the philosophical discussions and sometimes the banter felt a bit cheesy, but those are minor criticisms in an otherwise fantastic story.
Overall, a stellar story. I can't wait for the next book!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
RISING GALE - Z.B. STEELE
Maya prosigue el interrogatorio a Redlin of the Wolves, camino de encontrarse con el Archon. Soldado. Vanguard. Heraldo. Reaper. Traidor. ¿Cómo y cuando se convirtió el joven y prometedor soldado en el causante de la mayor guerra entre hombres y dioses? Sigamos este trayecto, hasta que seamos capaces de darnos cuenta que Redlin no es un héroe. Es el villano. De verdad.
⭐⭐⭐ La mezcla perfecta entre Rothfuss y Abercrombie. Y si crees que exagero, te reto a que lo leas. ⭐⭐⭐
Z.B. Steele sigue a buen ritmo la trilogía de la Canción de los Condenados. Con un serio problema. Que necesito la tercera parte YA. Para ayer. Esta mezcla de Grimdark, antihéroe, interrogatorio, Dioses traicionados y conspiraciones al más alto nivel es tremendamente adictiva. Tanto que me volví a leer Whispers of the Storm para llegar calentito a Rising Gale.
No sé qué me impresiona más de Rising Gale.
⭐ Lo bien que escribe Z.B. Steele, el ritmo, la capacidad de detallar lo necesario, entretenerse en lo divertido, ser agudo y con mordiente cuando toca, e ignorar lo obvio. Sobran pocos párrafos, no hay descripciones innecesarias ni nada que sobre. 👌🏻
🦉O quizás es la sabiduría que destila en cada línea. Las lecciones acerca de los dioses (Gods are greedy), sobre el ser o no una buena persona (always the hero) o cómo somos los hombres (no los Hombres). Las lecciones vitales que vamos aprendiendo a cada paso de Redlin, viendo como deja pasar cada ocasión de medirse, en vez de dejarse llevar por sus buenos impulsos, y donde le llevan. ⛪
👺 Tal vez sea la capacidad para haber convertido en un villano al héroe de la historia. O cumplir lo que Rothfuss es incapaz de cumplir: implicaciones reales a personajes muy impulsivos. Y tal vez darnos una tercera parte. ¿Oíste, Patricio? 🍃
No entiendo cómo es posible que la gente no se esté dando de tortas por este libro.
Valoración: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺 (5 lobos)
Maya prosigue el interrogatorio a Redlin of the Wolves, camino de encontrarse con el Archon. Soldado. Vanguard. Heraldo. Reaper. Traidor. ¿Cómo y cuando se convirtió el joven y prometedor soldado en el causante de la mayor guerra entre hombres y dioses? Sigamos este trayecto, hasta que seamos capaces de darnos cuenta que Redlin no es un héroe. Es el villano. De verdad.
⭐⭐⭐ La mezcla perfecta entre Rothfuss y Abercrombie. Y si crees que exagero, te reto a que lo leas. ⭐⭐⭐
Z.B. Steele sigue a buen ritmo la trilogía de la Canción de los Condenados. Con un serio problema. Que necesito la tercera parte YA. Para ayer. Esta mezcla de Grimdark, antihéroe, interrogatorio, Dioses traicionados y conspiraciones al más alto nivel es tremendamente adictiva. Tanto que me volví a leer Whispers of the Storm para llegar calentito a Rising Gale.
No sé qué me impresiona más de Rising Gale.
⭐ Lo bien que escribe Z.B. Steele, el ritmo, la capacidad de detallar lo necesario, entretenerse en lo divertido, ser agudo y con mordiente cuando toca, e ignorar lo obvio. Sobran pocos párrafos, no hay descripciones innecesarias ni nada que sobre. 👌🏻
🦉O quizás es la sabiduría que destila en cada línea. Las lecciones acerca de los dioses (Gods are greedy), sobre el ser o no una buena persona (always the hero) o cómo somos los hombres (no los Hombres). Las lecciones vitales que vamos aprendiendo a cada paso de Redlin, viendo como deja pasar cada ocasión de medirse, en vez de dejarse llevar por sus buenos impulsos, y donde le llevan. ⛪
👺 Tal vez sea la capacidad para haber convertido en un villano al héroe de la historia. O cumplir lo que Rothfuss es incapaz de cumplir: implicaciones reales a personajes muy impulsivos. Y tal vez darnos una tercera parte. ¿Oíste, Patricio? 🍃
No entiendo cómo es posible que la gente no se esté dando de tortas por este libro.
Valoración: 🐺🐺🐺🐺🐺 (5 lobos)
June 18, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐ (rounded up to 5)
I received an ARC of Rising Gale in exchange for an honest review, and I absolutely loved it.
If Whispers of the Storm laid the foundation, Rising Gale kicks the door down. It’s darker, deeper, more immersive, and raises the stakes in every possible way. More action. More magic. More gods. More bloodshed. Just an all-around badass fantasy novel.
The writing and pacing reminded me at times of the Red Rising saga mixed with the gritty style of John Gwynne. It has that same relentless momentum that keeps you saying, “Just one more chapter.”
Redlin continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. He’s flawed, complicated, and constantly forced into impossible situations, making him endlessly entertaining to follow. Rather than feeling like an untouchable hero, he earns every victory, and his imperfections make the story that much more compelling.
The mythology and expanding world continue to be major strengths. I especially enjoyed seeing more of the gods and the growing role they play in the story. That said, if I had one wish, it would simply be…more. More history. More mythology. More time with the gods. Z.B. Steele has created a world that’s so interesting that I found myself wanting additional exposition and lore throughout the book.
My only other critique is similar to what I felt after the first novel. Once the story reaches its climax, the conclusion wraps up a bit too quickly for my taste. I would have loved a little more room for the ending to breathe before the credits rolled.
That said, these are minor criticisms in what was otherwise an outstanding read. Rising Gale builds on everything that made the first book enjoyable while delivering a bigger, bolder, and more emotionally impactful story. If you enjoy character-driven epic fantasy with brutal action, compelling mythology, and memorable characters, this series deserves a spot on your TBR.
I can’t wait to see where Z.B. Steele takes Redlin’s journey next.
I received an ARC of Rising Gale in exchange for an honest review, and I absolutely loved it.
If Whispers of the Storm laid the foundation, Rising Gale kicks the door down. It’s darker, deeper, more immersive, and raises the stakes in every possible way. More action. More magic. More gods. More bloodshed. Just an all-around badass fantasy novel.
The writing and pacing reminded me at times of the Red Rising saga mixed with the gritty style of John Gwynne. It has that same relentless momentum that keeps you saying, “Just one more chapter.”
Redlin continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series. He’s flawed, complicated, and constantly forced into impossible situations, making him endlessly entertaining to follow. Rather than feeling like an untouchable hero, he earns every victory, and his imperfections make the story that much more compelling.
The mythology and expanding world continue to be major strengths. I especially enjoyed seeing more of the gods and the growing role they play in the story. That said, if I had one wish, it would simply be…more. More history. More mythology. More time with the gods. Z.B. Steele has created a world that’s so interesting that I found myself wanting additional exposition and lore throughout the book.
My only other critique is similar to what I felt after the first novel. Once the story reaches its climax, the conclusion wraps up a bit too quickly for my taste. I would have loved a little more room for the ending to breathe before the credits rolled.
That said, these are minor criticisms in what was otherwise an outstanding read. Rising Gale builds on everything that made the first book enjoyable while delivering a bigger, bolder, and more emotionally impactful story. If you enjoy character-driven epic fantasy with brutal action, compelling mythology, and memorable characters, this series deserves a spot on your TBR.
I can’t wait to see where Z.B. Steele takes Redlin’s journey next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rising Gale
By: Z. B. Steele
5 of 5 stars
After reading Whispers of the Storm, I immediately jumped into Rising Gale. I was not prepared for this experience. This book was emotionally draining. I was wrecked the entire time. I felt all of Redlin’s pains and struggles… and… I loved it. Not because I enjoy emotional darkness.. but because other than Robin Hobb, no author has personally grabbed my heart strings like Z. B. did through Redlin.
Z. B.’s talent to write a lead character is so good. I often found myself wondering what drama does he have locked away in his closet to put such emotional depth to paper. And if I’m being honest, I’m not sure Redlin was my favorite character. That award may go to Juck. How did Steele write such a powerful character that grabs you like Juck did, when this is a single POV novel? All I can say to that is, “Good man.”
Where Whispers of the Storm focuses on the boy of Redlin, Rising Gale shows us the man he becomes. In doing so, we get a much larger scope of what’s at stake. From small villages to gods who rule. The world building is phenomenal and really opens up the possibilities of where this trilogy can take us.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I would say this novel is a total page turner…. And it is, but the emotional depth forced me to take breaks. I needed, rather, wanted to take in just how much pain Redlin carried on his shoulders. Understanding his pain is key to the stories plot.
“In that moment, after a barrage of loneliness and broken bonds, I wanted something more. I wanted to be seen as me: the good, the bad, and everything in the middle. I didn't want to posture, nor to insult. I simply wanted to be seen as I was.”
By: Z. B. Steele
5 of 5 stars
After reading Whispers of the Storm, I immediately jumped into Rising Gale. I was not prepared for this experience. This book was emotionally draining. I was wrecked the entire time. I felt all of Redlin’s pains and struggles… and… I loved it. Not because I enjoy emotional darkness.. but because other than Robin Hobb, no author has personally grabbed my heart strings like Z. B. did through Redlin.
Z. B.’s talent to write a lead character is so good. I often found myself wondering what drama does he have locked away in his closet to put such emotional depth to paper. And if I’m being honest, I’m not sure Redlin was my favorite character. That award may go to Juck. How did Steele write such a powerful character that grabs you like Juck did, when this is a single POV novel? All I can say to that is, “Good man.”
Where Whispers of the Storm focuses on the boy of Redlin, Rising Gale shows us the man he becomes. In doing so, we get a much larger scope of what’s at stake. From small villages to gods who rule. The world building is phenomenal and really opens up the possibilities of where this trilogy can take us.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I would say this novel is a total page turner…. And it is, but the emotional depth forced me to take breaks. I needed, rather, wanted to take in just how much pain Redlin carried on his shoulders. Understanding his pain is key to the stories plot.
“In that moment, after a barrage of loneliness and broken bonds, I wanted something more. I wanted to be seen as me: the good, the bad, and everything in the middle. I didn't want to posture, nor to insult. I simply wanted to be seen as I was.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Redlin of the Wolves is turning into one of my favorite fantasy characters ever. He's right up there with Rand al'Thor, Logen Ninefingers, and Whiskeyjack. Not that Redlin is like those characters, necessarily, I mean in the sense that he's so well fleshed out. Living. Breathing. Z.B. Steele has managed to create a person you gravitate to, even though some of the things he does are monstrous or misguided. He's this story's narrator. The antihero. Unreliable? We'll see!
The 2nd book in the Song of the Damned finds Redlin still on the way to his demise, and wanting (and in the end, demanding) that his story be told, chronicled. As he dictates, we see him go from dizzying highs to heartbreaking lows. Friends, lovers, father and mother figures, and everything in between, come and go through his life, but he's driven by that early need to prove himself worthy, to say, "Hey, remember me dad? The one you gave away for a sack of silver? Look at me now!"
I simply couldn't put this book down, and even when life intruded, I couldn't stop thinking about it until I was able to read more. I'm in awe of how the author has gotten me so damned hooked on what is going on. Redlin's flawed yet spectacular characterization is simply sublime. The supporting characters are amazing as well. Juck, Eran, Maya, Hazel, the list goes on and on. Asher, in particular, has stuck with me. To me, Z.B. Steele has the gift of creating people and conversations, including the wit, like that of Abercrombie and Erikson. The world building of Sanderson and Jordan. I'm very, very impressed by this novel and the one before it, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The 2nd book in the Song of the Damned finds Redlin still on the way to his demise, and wanting (and in the end, demanding) that his story be told, chronicled. As he dictates, we see him go from dizzying highs to heartbreaking lows. Friends, lovers, father and mother figures, and everything in between, come and go through his life, but he's driven by that early need to prove himself worthy, to say, "Hey, remember me dad? The one you gave away for a sack of silver? Look at me now!"
I simply couldn't put this book down, and even when life intruded, I couldn't stop thinking about it until I was able to read more. I'm in awe of how the author has gotten me so damned hooked on what is going on. Redlin's flawed yet spectacular characterization is simply sublime. The supporting characters are amazing as well. Juck, Eran, Maya, Hazel, the list goes on and on. Asher, in particular, has stuck with me. To me, Z.B. Steele has the gift of creating people and conversations, including the wit, like that of Abercrombie and Erikson. The world building of Sanderson and Jordan. I'm very, very impressed by this novel and the one before it, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rising Gale – Z. B. Steele
Song of the Damned #2
**Obtuve este libro como una copia de lectura anticipada (ARC) de parte de Z. B. El libro sale al mundo el 16 de junio de este año.**
Rising Gale de @zb_steele es un libro que explota en tantos sentidos. Sufrimiento, reivindicación, lealtad, estigmas, impotencia, prejuicios, traición, amistad.
En este segundo libro, Z. B. profundiza más en Redlin y sus relaciones, nuestro protagonista, héroe y villano de su propia historia. Pero tras la primera entrega, su pluma parece soltarse y puede escribir libremente de este antihéroe descarnado. Ya no tiene miedo a si lo querremos o no, no importa, Z. B. retrata a Redlin por lo que es, un sujeto con muchos defectos lleno de miedos y frustraciones. Pero lo hace con una autenticidad y confianza dignas de admirar.
“You’ve interviewed how many of my victims by now? Read how many accounts? We’ve had a few laughs, shared a few secrets. Did that make you think of me as a good man?”
Redlin fue vendido cuando pequeño. Se formó en una escuela de guerreros a quienes consideró su nueva familia. Hizo todo por ellos, por sus dioses, pero los traicionó y fue traicionado. Encontró una nueva familia, pero nuevamente los perdió. Empezó una nueva vida de autoconocimiento, de amar a otros y cuidarlos, pero su destino era volver a blandir su espada, su misión no había acabado.
“You’re a monster.” He nodded in agreement. His hand fell, but the buzzing of Aether remained. “I am, and I will tell this tale by force if I must.”
Congrats Z. B. for this fucking awesome novel!
And @jeffbrown_graphics what insane covers!
5/5 estrellas
#ZBSteele #RisingGale #SongOfTheDamned #Fantasy #DarkFantasy #GrimDark #books #libros
Song of the Damned #2
**Obtuve este libro como una copia de lectura anticipada (ARC) de parte de Z. B. El libro sale al mundo el 16 de junio de este año.**
Rising Gale de @zb_steele es un libro que explota en tantos sentidos. Sufrimiento, reivindicación, lealtad, estigmas, impotencia, prejuicios, traición, amistad.
En este segundo libro, Z. B. profundiza más en Redlin y sus relaciones, nuestro protagonista, héroe y villano de su propia historia. Pero tras la primera entrega, su pluma parece soltarse y puede escribir libremente de este antihéroe descarnado. Ya no tiene miedo a si lo querremos o no, no importa, Z. B. retrata a Redlin por lo que es, un sujeto con muchos defectos lleno de miedos y frustraciones. Pero lo hace con una autenticidad y confianza dignas de admirar.
“You’ve interviewed how many of my victims by now? Read how many accounts? We’ve had a few laughs, shared a few secrets. Did that make you think of me as a good man?”
Redlin fue vendido cuando pequeño. Se formó en una escuela de guerreros a quienes consideró su nueva familia. Hizo todo por ellos, por sus dioses, pero los traicionó y fue traicionado. Encontró una nueva familia, pero nuevamente los perdió. Empezó una nueva vida de autoconocimiento, de amar a otros y cuidarlos, pero su destino era volver a blandir su espada, su misión no había acabado.
“You’re a monster.” He nodded in agreement. His hand fell, but the buzzing of Aether remained. “I am, and I will tell this tale by force if I must.”
Congrats Z. B. for this fucking awesome novel!
And @jeffbrown_graphics what insane covers!
5/5 estrellas
#ZBSteele #RisingGale #SongOfTheDamned #Fantasy #DarkFantasy #GrimDark #books #libros
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rising Gales picks up at the cliffhanger we were left with in Whispers of the Storm...Thanks Steele...
ZB Steele explores the political landscape and throws Redlin right in the thick of it. The politics are well done and Redlin is forced to make some really heavy decisions. The plot continues to unwind further as we see more of Redlin 's life as told by him.
The pacing is better, the plot is clearer and our guy Redlin is dragged even further through the dirt.
The magic system, which is extremely well thought out, is laid bare. Some of the lingering questions I had about it were revealed and I'm thoroughly impressed with the amount of presence it has in the series...
And we still have the fantastic fantasy book references that ZB Steele wears on his sleeve...
But nothing shines quite like the character work for me. I will always be a character first reader...
"But being better isn’t something that’s forced upon us. It’s a choice. A choice to be made daily, time and time again. Even when we fail. Especially when we fail."
After recently finishing Whispers of the Storm, and just closing Gale, I've decided Redlin is my favorite character in fantasy...No, not the most noble or the most loved... definitely not the most wise...but this guy WANTS to be good. He tries his best to make good decisions when he can. It doesn't always work out... and such is life.
People are always trying to tear him down, but no one hates him as much as he hates himself.
This character is all of us on a different scale.
Eagerly awaiting book 3 in the beautiful series that is Song of the Damned...
ZB Steele explores the political landscape and throws Redlin right in the thick of it. The politics are well done and Redlin is forced to make some really heavy decisions. The plot continues to unwind further as we see more of Redlin 's life as told by him.
The pacing is better, the plot is clearer and our guy Redlin is dragged even further through the dirt.
The magic system, which is extremely well thought out, is laid bare. Some of the lingering questions I had about it were revealed and I'm thoroughly impressed with the amount of presence it has in the series...
And we still have the fantastic fantasy book references that ZB Steele wears on his sleeve...
But nothing shines quite like the character work for me. I will always be a character first reader...
"But being better isn’t something that’s forced upon us. It’s a choice. A choice to be made daily, time and time again. Even when we fail. Especially when we fail."
After recently finishing Whispers of the Storm, and just closing Gale, I've decided Redlin is my favorite character in fantasy...No, not the most noble or the most loved... definitely not the most wise...but this guy WANTS to be good. He tries his best to make good decisions when he can. It doesn't always work out... and such is life.
People are always trying to tear him down, but no one hates him as much as he hates himself.
This character is all of us on a different scale.
Eagerly awaiting book 3 in the beautiful series that is Song of the Damned...
June 17, 2026
I am super honored to have gotten to be both a beta reader and an ARC reader for this. "Rising Gale" is the sequel to Mr. Steele's indie hit "Whispers of the Storm" and the second book in his "Song of the Damned" series. I'll be honest—his first book was INCREDIBLE, and I found myself wondering if Book 2 would be able to keep the same pace, emotional depth, characters, and world lore that had sold me so much in Book 1.
Y'ALL.
I will not post spoilers, but I finished this book last night, and my jaw is still on the floor from this book. This book was absolutely INSANE in the best possible way. "Rising Gale" was a seamless transition from the first book, and honestly gave me everything I wanted and then some! This was a dark, dark tale for our protagonist, and the storm clouds are gathering for both Redlin and the Prisoner. I pride myself on guessing plot twists, but Y'ALL—this book got me, and got me GOOD. There are several major plot twists at the end that have left me absolutely reeling and wishing Book 3 was already out! Beyond the insane plot, the character development, world building, and exposition are all top notch! I tend to be picky with my praise, but I really have no complaints with this one, which is crazy considering it's 633 pages on eBook. 😳
For the parents out there, this is solidly an adult book. There is quite a lot of R-rated cursing, gory violence, and two open door scenes (albeit, not in extreme detail). In addition, there are several dark themes such as torture, execution, child sacrifice, and war. I highly recommend this one for adults, but if you're a kiddo or a teen, I recommend waiting a bit longer here. 🙂
Y'ALL.
I will not post spoilers, but I finished this book last night, and my jaw is still on the floor from this book. This book was absolutely INSANE in the best possible way. "Rising Gale" was a seamless transition from the first book, and honestly gave me everything I wanted and then some! This was a dark, dark tale for our protagonist, and the storm clouds are gathering for both Redlin and the Prisoner. I pride myself on guessing plot twists, but Y'ALL—this book got me, and got me GOOD. There are several major plot twists at the end that have left me absolutely reeling and wishing Book 3 was already out! Beyond the insane plot, the character development, world building, and exposition are all top notch! I tend to be picky with my praise, but I really have no complaints with this one, which is crazy considering it's 633 pages on eBook. 😳
For the parents out there, this is solidly an adult book. There is quite a lot of R-rated cursing, gory violence, and two open door scenes (albeit, not in extreme detail). In addition, there are several dark themes such as torture, execution, child sacrifice, and war. I highly recommend this one for adults, but if you're a kiddo or a teen, I recommend waiting a bit longer here. 🙂
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