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Apidecca #2
Our Ways Unmasked
Return to Knyadrea, a world of sea-born people shaped by tumultuous forces. Nearly a year after the events of Far Removed, the resourceful Oklas and guarded Prismer face a unique set of challenges in their socially stratified society.
Knyadrea’s sovereigns grow ever more paranoid. Armed enforcers patrol Apidecca’s streets, and tensions escalate. With nothing to lose, Oklas Sayve turns to resyn for solutions. Could the mystical substance that unravelled his life also prove to be his salvation? There is no room for doubt. Too many are relying on his expertise. The knyads he once considered charities are now close friends and allies … and one of them might even be something more.
New threats stand between Prismer and the dreams she’s only beginning to open herself up to. Venturing out from under the shadow of the Pentarchy, can she recover her faith in the knyad god, in herself, and in the people who see past her mask? In Our Ways Unmasked, the second book in the Apidecca Duology, Oklas and Prismer are not the only ones with an eye on the city’s future. Rebels, traitors, and scumbled outcasts have a myriad of reasons to seek change. Together, can they overcome an oppressive regime that has stood for hundreds of years?
No Gen AI was used in the production of this book.
Knyadrea’s sovereigns grow ever more paranoid. Armed enforcers patrol Apidecca’s streets, and tensions escalate. With nothing to lose, Oklas Sayve turns to resyn for solutions. Could the mystical substance that unravelled his life also prove to be his salvation? There is no room for doubt. Too many are relying on his expertise. The knyads he once considered charities are now close friends and allies … and one of them might even be something more.
New threats stand between Prismer and the dreams she’s only beginning to open herself up to. Venturing out from under the shadow of the Pentarchy, can she recover her faith in the knyad god, in herself, and in the people who see past her mask? In Our Ways Unmasked, the second book in the Apidecca Duology, Oklas and Prismer are not the only ones with an eye on the city’s future. Rebels, traitors, and scumbled outcasts have a myriad of reasons to seek change. Together, can they overcome an oppressive regime that has stood for hundreds of years?
No Gen AI was used in the production of this book.
- GenresFantasy
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 26, 2026
A wonderful sequel
‘Geshan may be a friend to Oklas the minister, but I know Oklas the maskad best.’
This book was everything I needed in life. It was great (and unexpected) to see the development between Prismer Oaklas’s relationship. If you enjoyed the first book this will be the perfect sequel
‘Geshan may be a friend to Oklas the minister, but I know Oklas the maskad best.’
This book was everything I needed in life. It was great (and unexpected) to see the development between Prismer Oaklas’s relationship. If you enjoyed the first book this will be the perfect sequel
September 7, 2026
It isn't often I am left so speechless reading a book that I lose control of my two mental languages. Like the border region of my mind that knows which language to prioritize for a given situation, the exciting and criminally underrated finale of the Apidecca duology explores the innermost feelings of knyadkind and the relationship forged between the boastful Oklas and the subdued Prismer.
At 600 pages, I didn't realize I read 70% of it in just a few hours. I couldn't put it down. So, apologies if the rest of the review is in Spanish, I simply cannot properly display how I feel about the book using English.
Sacando eso de mi mente, sólo podría decir que este libro está perrísimo, sublime e imperdible. Te atrapa y no te permite soltar entre las vicisitudes de una sociedad abogando por cambios, y los deseos de ambos protagonistas. Mientras que Oklas se sumerge en la desesperanza, Prismer empieza a sacar lo mejor de sí misma, dejándome sentir un tanto sorprendida e igualmente satisfecha por su crecimiento personal.
El diálogo es exquisito y un tanto personal, donde no solo se exploran nuevos aspectos de la sociedad Mascada, sino de . En verdad, si tienen oportunidad de leerla, ¡anímense! ¡Hazlo, hazlo! ¡Es un libro de lo más ñomoso!
At 600 pages, I didn't realize I read 70% of it in just a few hours. I couldn't put it down. So, apologies if the rest of the review is in Spanish, I simply cannot properly display how I feel about the book using English.
Sacando eso de mi mente, sólo podría decir que este libro está perrísimo, sublime e imperdible. Te atrapa y no te permite soltar entre las vicisitudes de una sociedad abogando por cambios, y los deseos de ambos protagonistas. Mientras que Oklas se sumerge en la desesperanza, Prismer empieza a sacar lo mejor de sí misma, dejándome sentir un tanto sorprendida e igualmente satisfecha por su crecimiento personal.
El diálogo es exquisito y un tanto personal, donde no solo se exploran nuevos aspectos de la sociedad Mascada, sino de . En verdad, si tienen oportunidad de leerla, ¡anímense! ¡Hazlo, hazlo! ¡Es un libro de lo más ñomoso!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Our Ways Unmasked by C.B. Lansdell brings the unique and beautiful Apidecca duology to an emotional and satisfying conclusion. It follows on from the original Far Removed which I do encourage readers to pick up because it is unlike anything else I have read. I fell in love with Oklas and Prismer and their friendship in the first book so I was very excited to see where Our Ways Unmasked would take them.
This book begins about one year after the events of Far Removed, and Knyadrea is a world teetering on the brink of revolt. The ruling class is fearful and desperate, and the Maskad community in particular is faced with increased brutality and more rigid enforcement of the rules than ever before. Oklas and Prismer are working together to learn more about the mysterious Resyn that powers much of the city but is also used with brutality in the scumbling process , hoping that they will find a way to harness its use for good, but time seems to be against them.
The world that Lansdell has created continues to fascinate me, it is abundantly clear that a huge amount of thought has gone into everything from how time is measured to the organisation of the social classes and even the creation of a religion for the world , something that comes more to the forefront in this book as Prismer in particular finds a way to reconnect with her spiritual side and find comfort in her faith. In contrast Oklas is still struggling to come to terms with his scumbling, and his continued attempts to find a scientific way to work with Resyn and his hope that it could be used for something good really moved me. The relationship between Prismer and Oklas is of course the emotional heart of the book and seeing the growth in that relationship over the course of the book left me quite emotional , the love and acceptance they had for one another was beautiful, as was their understanding that that connection would still remain even when circumstances forced them apart. There was more drama and tension in this book than I expected, but that was no bad thing, in fact it was a pleasant surprise because that darkness allowed the hopefulness of the ending to shine even brighter. A worthy conclusion to this duology but I cannot help but selfishly wish that there were more books to come, characters like these are rare and special and they will be missed.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
This book begins about one year after the events of Far Removed, and Knyadrea is a world teetering on the brink of revolt. The ruling class is fearful and desperate, and the Maskad community in particular is faced with increased brutality and more rigid enforcement of the rules than ever before. Oklas and Prismer are working together to learn more about the mysterious Resyn that powers much of the city but is also used with brutality in the scumbling process , hoping that they will find a way to harness its use for good, but time seems to be against them.
The world that Lansdell has created continues to fascinate me, it is abundantly clear that a huge amount of thought has gone into everything from how time is measured to the organisation of the social classes and even the creation of a religion for the world , something that comes more to the forefront in this book as Prismer in particular finds a way to reconnect with her spiritual side and find comfort in her faith. In contrast Oklas is still struggling to come to terms with his scumbling, and his continued attempts to find a scientific way to work with Resyn and his hope that it could be used for something good really moved me. The relationship between Prismer and Oklas is of course the emotional heart of the book and seeing the growth in that relationship over the course of the book left me quite emotional , the love and acceptance they had for one another was beautiful, as was their understanding that that connection would still remain even when circumstances forced them apart. There was more drama and tension in this book than I expected, but that was no bad thing, in fact it was a pleasant surprise because that darkness allowed the hopefulness of the ending to shine even brighter. A worthy conclusion to this duology but I cannot help but selfishly wish that there were more books to come, characters like these are rare and special and they will be missed.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
C.B. Landell delights with her magnificent prose that bring the alien moon of Knyadrea and it's well developed characters to life. Once again our POV is switching between Prismer and Oklas as they navigate their new lives together against the backdrop of a city on the verge of unrest.
Oklas spends the early chapters adjusting to his new life as a Maskad. Learning how to live again with a new face and social status. Throwing himself into the research of Resyncraft, seeking a way to create a sustainable source of the precious resource with the ultimate goal of returning the face of himself, Prismer, and every other scumbled Knyad disfigured by the ruling Pentarchy. While Prismer, who has long since found an inner peace with what she's been made into, and has accepted the solitude that comes with being the "Ghoul of the Canal", finds herself in a relationship for the first time in a long time.
All the while, forces are moving around them, vying for control of the capital city, Apidecca. Prismer and Oklas have chosen a side. The ruling Pentarchy has long been corrupt, and a group called the Ardedrian's work in secret planning for a better future where maskads like Prismer and Oklas could reintegrate into society, while a third faction gathers in the shadows unknown to either side.
The political upheaval provides the conflict that drives the story, but where it truly shines is in the small moments. Knyadrea is an alien setting in every way. Nothing here exists one-to-one with what we know here in the real world, and yet, it all feels so familiar. This comes down to the astounding character work. Prismer, Oklas, and the large supporting cast all feel real. Their emotions, their actions, their wants and desires, all feel grounded in reality.
At its core, Our Ways Unmasked is a love story with a revolution as the backdrop. It's a story about learning to love yourself, and learning to let yourself be loved. It's a story of science. It's a story of faith. It's a story about holding on to what you have, and letting go of what you can't keep. A story that feels grounded, even when it isn't. And an ending that I found profoundly beautiful and hopeful.
A must read for anyone that enjoyed Far Removed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Oklas spends the early chapters adjusting to his new life as a Maskad. Learning how to live again with a new face and social status. Throwing himself into the research of Resyncraft, seeking a way to create a sustainable source of the precious resource with the ultimate goal of returning the face of himself, Prismer, and every other scumbled Knyad disfigured by the ruling Pentarchy. While Prismer, who has long since found an inner peace with what she's been made into, and has accepted the solitude that comes with being the "Ghoul of the Canal", finds herself in a relationship for the first time in a long time.
All the while, forces are moving around them, vying for control of the capital city, Apidecca. Prismer and Oklas have chosen a side. The ruling Pentarchy has long been corrupt, and a group called the Ardedrian's work in secret planning for a better future where maskads like Prismer and Oklas could reintegrate into society, while a third faction gathers in the shadows unknown to either side.
The political upheaval provides the conflict that drives the story, but where it truly shines is in the small moments. Knyadrea is an alien setting in every way. Nothing here exists one-to-one with what we know here in the real world, and yet, it all feels so familiar. This comes down to the astounding character work. Prismer, Oklas, and the large supporting cast all feel real. Their emotions, their actions, their wants and desires, all feel grounded in reality.
At its core, Our Ways Unmasked is a love story with a revolution as the backdrop. It's a story about learning to love yourself, and learning to let yourself be loved. It's a story of science. It's a story of faith. It's a story about holding on to what you have, and letting go of what you can't keep. A story that feels grounded, even when it isn't. And an ending that I found profoundly beautiful and hopeful.
A must read for anyone that enjoyed Far Removed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 16, 2026
Great story. It’s always hard to follow the success of a first book in a series, but Our Ways Unmasked, the sequel and conclusion to The Apidecca Duology, does just that.
Set on a moon populated by seafaring folk, this world (Knyadrea) is unlike anything I’ve read before – yet many of the themes are familiar: social injustice, corruption, those who abuse power and those who suffer because of it. In this way, the world fully draws you into the plot.
Prismer and Oklas are both well-rounded characters. They are somewhat opposites, but the way they respect one another and grow because of the other is heartwarming. I liked how their arcs didn’t change their personalities but was more related to acceptance of who they are. When it comes to vanity, Oklas will always be Oklas!
Both characters have been altered by the corrupt Pentarchy – the government of Apidecca. Oklas much more recently – the text really makes you feel the desperation he has to ‘fix’ his condition. Prismer has long learned to live with herself. She finds herself in more and more danger as the story moves forward – there were scenes that made me really fear and feel so much empathy for her character.
Our Ways Unmasked is generally quite a cosy read, despite the themes mentioned above, yet during the last quarter of the book or so, things really start to ramp up and there is a whole lot of tension. I like how the climax was handled. Are those who want Oklas and Prismer’s support any better than the Pentarchy? I really enjoyed how Lansdell explored this. Their treatment from others because of their ‘otherness’ was really heartbreaking at times.
The book has a spiritual element too. There are some profound moments – I particularly liked a scene where air spirits engulf a boat, and yet there is some ambiguity about their purpose. As ever, Lansdell’s writing makes me think of Le Guin: big ideas, obscure/incredible worlds and beautifully written prose.
Special mention to the ‘Ghost of the Canal’ phrase!
I’m looking forward to seeing what Lansdell writes next. Highly recommended.
Set on a moon populated by seafaring folk, this world (Knyadrea) is unlike anything I’ve read before – yet many of the themes are familiar: social injustice, corruption, those who abuse power and those who suffer because of it. In this way, the world fully draws you into the plot.
Prismer and Oklas are both well-rounded characters. They are somewhat opposites, but the way they respect one another and grow because of the other is heartwarming. I liked how their arcs didn’t change their personalities but was more related to acceptance of who they are. When it comes to vanity, Oklas will always be Oklas!
Both characters have been altered by the corrupt Pentarchy – the government of Apidecca. Oklas much more recently – the text really makes you feel the desperation he has to ‘fix’ his condition. Prismer has long learned to live with herself. She finds herself in more and more danger as the story moves forward – there were scenes that made me really fear and feel so much empathy for her character.
Our Ways Unmasked is generally quite a cosy read, despite the themes mentioned above, yet during the last quarter of the book or so, things really start to ramp up and there is a whole lot of tension. I like how the climax was handled. Are those who want Oklas and Prismer’s support any better than the Pentarchy? I really enjoyed how Lansdell explored this. Their treatment from others because of their ‘otherness’ was really heartbreaking at times.
The book has a spiritual element too. There are some profound moments – I particularly liked a scene where air spirits engulf a boat, and yet there is some ambiguity about their purpose. As ever, Lansdell’s writing makes me think of Le Guin: big ideas, obscure/incredible worlds and beautifully written prose.
Special mention to the ‘Ghost of the Canal’ phrase!
I’m looking forward to seeing what Lansdell writes next. Highly recommended.
September 1, 2026
I loved the characters of Oklas and Prismer and the wonderfully detailed world building that CB Lansdell set up in the first book of this duology, with resincasting and scumbling and a terrible authoritarian regime that is oppressing its citizens and turning those who dare speak out into faceless monsters. Book one leaves us with Oklas in a place where he is just been altered and is still scrambling to accept what has happened to him, with only steady Prismer as his guide. I loved how book two dug so much deeper into the layers of bodily acceptance and grief and friendship and love as they both explored what it meant to live as they now were, and also what their changing feelings for one another were, and how they might make a better world. I devoured this, and loved every page. Such a great duology! 5/5 stars.
August 26, 2026
Lovely, lovely book. We get to see and learn even more of the world in this one (and what a vibrant world it is) and there is quite a lot of character development. There are also romantic developments (which I liked) but I'll refrain from commenting on those to avoid spoilers. Suffice to say, it felt very satisfying and realistic.
I *was* left craving resolutions to some conflicts/problems, but ultimately I understand that that's not what this story is about. It is about people, and that was done masterfully. I just wish there were more books coming along...
Anyway, 10/10 read. If you liked the first book, go ahead and get this one. And if you haven't read the first book yet, you should!
I *was* left craving resolutions to some conflicts/problems, but ultimately I understand that that's not what this story is about. It is about people, and that was done masterfully. I just wish there were more books coming along...
Anyway, 10/10 read. If you liked the first book, go ahead and get this one. And if you haven't read the first book yet, you should!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews