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Mkalis Cycle #2
Second Spear
Kerstin Hall's Second Spear is the thrilling follow-up to the Nommo Award finalist, The Border Keeper.
After surviving the schemes of a vengeful goddess and learning some shattering truths about her former life, the warrior Tyn feels estranged from her role guarding her ruler. Grappling with knowledge of her identity, she unleashes her frustrations on all the wrong people.
When an old enemy returns wielding an unstoppable, realm-crushing weapon and Tyn is swept up in the path of destruction, she must make a choice about who she is and who she wants to be.
After surviving the schemes of a vengeful goddess and learning some shattering truths about her former life, the warrior Tyn feels estranged from her role guarding her ruler. Grappling with knowledge of her identity, she unleashes her frustrations on all the wrong people.
When an old enemy returns wielding an unstoppable, realm-crushing weapon and Tyn is swept up in the path of destruction, she must make a choice about who she is and who she wants to be.
287 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2022
17 people are currently reading
2374 people want to read
About the author
Kerstin Hall
11 books368 followersKERSTIN HALL is the author of Asunder, The Border Keeper, Second Spear, and Star Eater. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 26, 2021
I’ve been waiting in agony for this sequel ever since Kerstin Hall exploded onto the scene with her marvelous Border Keeper novella. This follow-up surpassed my expectations by leaps and bounds, proving that second book syndrome isn’t an illness that every series catches.
Second Spear delivered all of the best parts of The Border Keeper—eye-popping new worlds, dense godly politics, frightening adversaries—all while elevating character complexity to new heights.
We return to the phantasmagorical land of Mkalis to reconnect with faces old and new: I loved Tyn’s promotion to protagonist status. Having a dweller take the reins offers fresh perspective that neither Eris nor Vasethe can offer: moreover, having a Spear at the helm gives us an in-depth look into Tahmais and Res Lfae’s realm, a stand-out favorite for me. Tyn herself blazes like a bonfire: kind, conflicted, and loyal, and is backed up by the taciturn, moralistic First Spear Vehn and the shrewd, temperamental Mkalis newcomer Rion. Without giving spoilers, let me just say that all three undergo an amazing transformation, revealing Hall’s talent for imbuing depth, development, and emotionality in her creations. I loved getting a glimpse of Eris and Vasethe, but I liked that they served as supporting characters to a broader narrative.
Speaking of narrative, the extended page length of this book gives Hall a lot more room to breathe, shaping the plot rather than shooting it out of a slingshot. As a consequence, there are sections of this that feel somewhat slower, but not to the story’s detriment: I savored every page I spent exploring a new realm.
Hall is a creative genius: this is one of the most enchanting sequels I have read in a long time, and I am thrilled to have been an early reader. I encourage anyone who hasn’t picked up The Border Keep to do so ASAP, and look forward to future installments in this incredible world.
Second Spear delivered all of the best parts of The Border Keeper—eye-popping new worlds, dense godly politics, frightening adversaries—all while elevating character complexity to new heights.
We return to the phantasmagorical land of Mkalis to reconnect with faces old and new: I loved Tyn’s promotion to protagonist status. Having a dweller take the reins offers fresh perspective that neither Eris nor Vasethe can offer: moreover, having a Spear at the helm gives us an in-depth look into Tahmais and Res Lfae’s realm, a stand-out favorite for me. Tyn herself blazes like a bonfire: kind, conflicted, and loyal, and is backed up by the taciturn, moralistic First Spear Vehn and the shrewd, temperamental Mkalis newcomer Rion. Without giving spoilers, let me just say that all three undergo an amazing transformation, revealing Hall’s talent for imbuing depth, development, and emotionality in her creations. I loved getting a glimpse of Eris and Vasethe, but I liked that they served as supporting characters to a broader narrative.
Speaking of narrative, the extended page length of this book gives Hall a lot more room to breathe, shaping the plot rather than shooting it out of a slingshot. As a consequence, there are sections of this that feel somewhat slower, but not to the story’s detriment: I savored every page I spent exploring a new realm.
Hall is a creative genius: this is one of the most enchanting sequels I have read in a long time, and I am thrilled to have been an early reader. I encourage anyone who hasn’t picked up The Border Keep to do so ASAP, and look forward to future installments in this incredible world.
August 28, 2022
Second Spear follows the titular Second Spear, Tyn, a warrior and loyal subject of Res Lfae, the demon lord who cares deeply for those who dwell in his realm. When Res Lfae comes under threat of another unruly demon who is rumored to have dealt with forbidden god instruments, it falls to Tyn; Rion, a distraught new recruit to her tribe; and her ever disapproving First Spear, Vehn, to save the realm they serve.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I do think that it will click better with readers that have read the first novella in the series, but having read Second Spear as a standalone, it was still a fun ride. Hall crafts a beautiful and lush underworld that any fantasy fan would love, and Tyn really stood out to me as a stellar main character, resilient and persevering, though not always understood by the people around her.
Thanks to TorForge-Macmillan and Netgalley for the eARC!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I do think that it will click better with readers that have read the first novella in the series, but having read Second Spear as a standalone, it was still a fun ride. Hall crafts a beautiful and lush underworld that any fantasy fan would love, and Tyn really stood out to me as a stellar main character, resilient and persevering, though not always understood by the people around her.
Thanks to TorForge-Macmillan and Netgalley for the eARC!
September 12, 2022
Ahoy there mateys! The entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I was missing something and had been tossed in over me 'ead. Apparently this was the second book in the Mkalis Cycle. This takes place in the "nine hundred and ninety-nine realms of Mkalis, the world of spirits, where gods and demons wage endless war" according to the blurb of the first book, the border keeper. I wish I would have read that book first because this novella had no real descriptions about how and why this world worked the way it did and other reviews say this is a direct follow up to the events in the first book. I did really enjoy the main character Tyn, a warrior, who finds herself at the center of trying to keep her realm safe. I enjoyed the plot while I read this book because I wanted to know what was going on. Upon finishing it, I will still scratching me noggin. I don't plan on going to read book one. Not sure if I would read more of the author's work. Arrrr!
June 27, 2022
3 stars
my overall thoughts…
it was tough to come to a rating for this book, since it can’t really be fairly compared to the Border Keeper. Though Second Spear is a direct sequel to the Border Keeper, is follows a different protagonist and has a VERY different writing style and tone. It also does not follow up on some of the major questions you are left with at the end of the Border Keeper which was a pretty major let down for me. Like the prior novella, this is a journey style plot, however it feels far more disjointed and aimless than in the Border Keeper. This books goes one without dwelling on anything important, but wastes chapters in what could have been paragraphs, and with little explanation. The lush style of the Border Keeper supported the ambiguity, without that, Second Spear is a plainly written fantasy with a confusing plot and underdeveloped characters.
the strongest points…
Tyn is this book’s only particularly strong point. As our point of view character we get a much more grounded point of view of Mkalis. Her fears and insecurities were incredibly relatable, and I would have put the book down if not for her character.
and everything else…
as you can tell from the three star rating, i don’t think this book is bad. but it is not nearly as interesting as the Border Keeper, and I think that leaving Vasethe’s point of view without answering the big questions about his character was a serious misstep.
Vein’s character was very testing to me. I felt so interest if sympathy for her and did not understand how I, as the reader, was supposed to. Besides understanding that Tyn felt a duty to protect Vehn and desired Vehn’s approval, I felt nothing for that character other than irritation. The other side character as well, whose name starts with an R but I have otherwise forgotten, also didn’t do anything for me.
I don’t know, this book was just fine. If you read the Border Keeper and want answers, unfortunately this book doesn’t really give them. It expands on everything from book 1 slightly, and continues the over arching plot with Kan Buyak, but i’m not sure how interested I am in reading the third novella whenever it comes out.
my overall thoughts…
it was tough to come to a rating for this book, since it can’t really be fairly compared to the Border Keeper. Though Second Spear is a direct sequel to the Border Keeper, is follows a different protagonist and has a VERY different writing style and tone. It also does not follow up on some of the major questions you are left with at the end of the Border Keeper which was a pretty major let down for me. Like the prior novella, this is a journey style plot, however it feels far more disjointed and aimless than in the Border Keeper. This books goes one without dwelling on anything important, but wastes chapters in what could have been paragraphs, and with little explanation. The lush style of the Border Keeper supported the ambiguity, without that, Second Spear is a plainly written fantasy with a confusing plot and underdeveloped characters.
the strongest points…
Tyn is this book’s only particularly strong point. As our point of view character we get a much more grounded point of view of Mkalis. Her fears and insecurities were incredibly relatable, and I would have put the book down if not for her character.
and everything else…
as you can tell from the three star rating, i don’t think this book is bad. but it is not nearly as interesting as the Border Keeper, and I think that leaving Vasethe’s point of view without answering the big questions about his character was a serious misstep.
Vein’s character was very testing to me. I felt so interest if sympathy for her and did not understand how I, as the reader, was supposed to. Besides understanding that Tyn felt a duty to protect Vehn and desired Vehn’s approval, I felt nothing for that character other than irritation. The other side character as well, whose name starts with an R but I have otherwise forgotten, also didn’t do anything for me.
I don’t know, this book was just fine. If you read the Border Keeper and want answers, unfortunately this book doesn’t really give them. It expands on everything from book 1 slightly, and continues the over arching plot with Kan Buyak, but i’m not sure how interested I am in reading the third novella whenever it comes out.
Read
August 17, 2024DNF @ the end of chapter 4. The back of the book described it as a standalone, which… sure, barely. This was objectively good but I wasn’t as in the mood for this kind of high fantasy writing as I thought I would be, and the young-ish protagonist has a bad case of “if I try hard enough the assholes will like me, right? Right?” which… extremely not feeling that rn.
September 29, 2022
After establishing some foothold in the world with The Border Keeper, Second Spear feels more grounded, or perhaps I just went in more prepared to be lost. Much like The Border Keeper, it continues to lead us through strange and sometimes disturbing realms that stretch the imagination. The writing is evocative and the story is engaging, following characters who care deeply and do not shy away from struggles internal or external. It did exactly what I wanted it to, and I hope to get to see more of the weirdly wonderful realms of Mkalis.
August 11, 2022
HIGHLIGHTS
~#NotLikeOtherAfterlives
~beware places without rules
~suspicious book is suspicious
~put flowers in the skull for luck
~time to take down a god
Second Spear is everything I hoped for from a second visit to the incredible afterlife realm first introduced us to in The Border keeper!
I adored Border Keeper, but I always wanted to see and know more about Mkalis – a world made up of hundreds of strange, magical, intricate realms, each ruled over by a god or demon who can set any rules they please for those who live in or visit their dominion – like not being able to speak lies, or not being able to move in the presence of the Ruler. In Border Keeper we saw beautiful things and grotesque things (and others that were both) but we were viewing it all through the eyes of a visitor. Second Spear, on the other hand, is told from the perspective of Tyn, who has lived in Mkalis for as long as she can remember – which means we get so much more insight into this world than we had before!
The story here opens with Tyn being healed from the injuries she sustained at the end of Border Keeper, and the plot is in direct response to the fallout of what happened in that novella. I’m going to try and write this review without spoiling the specifics of Border Keeper, but bear in mind: this is not a standalone! Second Spear follows on directly from the events of Border Keeper, and you really need to read (or reread) that first before diving into this book!
Now that that’s said: let’s get to it!
I was immediately enchanted by Second Spear: the whole book reads as if Hall wrote it just for me. It opens with a look at (relatively) normal life within Tyn’s home; Tahmais, the City of the Spinelight, capital of the 194th Realm, ruled by the demon Lfae. We finally learn what being Second Spear actually means, and begin to see how the society of the 194th realm is arranged, the community Tyn is an intrinsic part of, with the nonbinary Lfae at the top and the Firsts of each tribe answering directly to said ruler. Glimpses we received in Border Keeper are expanded on here; tantalising hints from the previous book unfold and reveal themselves. What was esoteric and infinitely complicated to the main character of Keeper is Tyn’s daily life, taken for granted. One scene that drives this home pretty well is when the Spears gain a new member: Rion, who has just died in Ahri and been transported to Mkalis for his ‘afterlife’. Rion is, pretty understandably, freaking out, but for Tyn and the others, it’s just another Tuesday.
Lfae’s realm is…well, an idealised fantasy realm, in aesthetic; beautiful and strange, but not so strange as to be uncomfortable or feel alien, watched over by Lfae’s fey mechanical creations. Hall’s imagination and prose is simply breathtaking, and I was entranced by the pictures she painted in my mind as I read;
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
~#NotLikeOtherAfterlives
~beware places without rules
~suspicious book is suspicious
~put flowers in the skull for luck
~time to take down a god
Second Spear is everything I hoped for from a second visit to the incredible afterlife realm first introduced us to in The Border keeper!
I adored Border Keeper, but I always wanted to see and know more about Mkalis – a world made up of hundreds of strange, magical, intricate realms, each ruled over by a god or demon who can set any rules they please for those who live in or visit their dominion – like not being able to speak lies, or not being able to move in the presence of the Ruler. In Border Keeper we saw beautiful things and grotesque things (and others that were both) but we were viewing it all through the eyes of a visitor. Second Spear, on the other hand, is told from the perspective of Tyn, who has lived in Mkalis for as long as she can remember – which means we get so much more insight into this world than we had before!
The story here opens with Tyn being healed from the injuries she sustained at the end of Border Keeper, and the plot is in direct response to the fallout of what happened in that novella. I’m going to try and write this review without spoiling the specifics of Border Keeper, but bear in mind: this is not a standalone! Second Spear follows on directly from the events of Border Keeper, and you really need to read (or reread) that first before diving into this book!
Now that that’s said: let’s get to it!
I was immediately enchanted by Second Spear: the whole book reads as if Hall wrote it just for me. It opens with a look at (relatively) normal life within Tyn’s home; Tahmais, the City of the Spinelight, capital of the 194th Realm, ruled by the demon Lfae. We finally learn what being Second Spear actually means, and begin to see how the society of the 194th realm is arranged, the community Tyn is an intrinsic part of, with the nonbinary Lfae at the top and the Firsts of each tribe answering directly to said ruler. Glimpses we received in Border Keeper are expanded on here; tantalising hints from the previous book unfold and reveal themselves. What was esoteric and infinitely complicated to the main character of Keeper is Tyn’s daily life, taken for granted. One scene that drives this home pretty well is when the Spears gain a new member: Rion, who has just died in Ahri and been transported to Mkalis for his ‘afterlife’. Rion is, pretty understandably, freaking out, but for Tyn and the others, it’s just another Tuesday.
Lfae’s realm is…well, an idealised fantasy realm, in aesthetic; beautiful and strange, but not so strange as to be uncomfortable or feel alien, watched over by Lfae’s fey mechanical creations. Hall’s imagination and prose is simply breathtaking, and I was entranced by the pictures she painted in my mind as I read;
Curling strips of copper wire and old painted bones hung from the branches. Femurs, vertebrae, ribs, some wrapped in strands of precious stones and pearls. They served as mementos to Spears who had fallen defending Tahmais and Res Lfae.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
August 23, 2022
Once again, as with the Border Keeper, this is a beautifully-written poem of a novella. The descriptions are intense and beautiful, the realms are strange and bound to odd rules. There's a section of horror in the middle that genuinely got me, its shift from the outright horror to the more subtle horror absolutely chilling. Really good stuff.
The characters were realistic and believable; I cried near the end at one character point, and I could genuinely believe how all their flaws lead to the way the story came out. There's a lot of it that didn't feel fair for the characters because I wanted things to be better for them, but even if they weren't fair, they were right.
It felt very much like a middle book; a lot of the events in this novella were clearly written to set up how things will play out in later books, so quite a bit of it felt unresolved; it was a way of getting the overarching story from a to b. It did have its own plot, of course, and an important one (Lfae's life and realm being at stake!) but in terms of the greater plot we've been told so far, it was about moving pieces into place more than about resolving the major issues that this story raised. (I did wish we got to spend more time with Lfae -- by far my favorite character -- than we actually did! Not a flaw with the writing, just something I missed).
I did occasionally feel like I didn't understand the reasonings behind the God Instrument-related rules. You're not allowed to make new ones, but finding, stealing, and using existing ones appears to be just fine? I assume there's reasoning behind it, but I wish those details had gone into the extensive text of God Instruments and their Makers so I'd have had some grounding in what was and wasn't allowed, since that tied heavily into the plot.
An enjoyable read -- I'm looking forward to the next book in the cycle.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Tor for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were realistic and believable; I cried near the end at one character point, and I could genuinely believe how all their flaws lead to the way the story came out. There's a lot of it that didn't feel fair for the characters because I wanted things to be better for them, but even if they weren't fair, they were right.
It felt very much like a middle book; a lot of the events in this novella were clearly written to set up how things will play out in later books, so quite a bit of it felt unresolved; it was a way of getting the overarching story from a to b. It did have its own plot, of course, and an important one (Lfae's life and realm being at stake!) but in terms of the greater plot we've been told so far, it was about moving pieces into place more than about resolving the major issues that this story raised. (I did wish we got to spend more time with Lfae -- by far my favorite character -- than we actually did! Not a flaw with the writing, just something I missed).
I did occasionally feel like I didn't understand the reasonings behind the God Instrument-related rules. You're not allowed to make new ones, but finding, stealing, and using existing ones appears to be just fine? I assume there's reasoning behind it, but I wish those details had gone into the extensive text of God Instruments and their Makers so I'd have had some grounding in what was and wasn't allowed, since that tied heavily into the plot.
An enjoyable read -- I'm looking forward to the next book in the cycle.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Tor for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2022
4.5/5 ⭐️
August 6, 2022
3.5 Stars
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Video review: https://youtu.be/2BNkyPme_7Q
Second Spear deposits the reader a complex and rich world that continues to be built out as the novella continues. It's a little jarring at first with very little explanation, but over time more becomes clear as the story continues on. While this is presented as a story that does not require reading the other novella in this world, I do wonder if having read that first would have made things a little clearer early on.
We're introduced to a world that is compromised of hundreds of realms each ruled by a god or demon, each with its own unique elements, and each with its own rules. A lot of terms are thrown out with little explanation, but patience will get you more answers as the story continues. Hall utilizes a very much "show, don't tell" approach for most of the book (barring some more in depth explanation on God Instruments which are an important part of the plot) which means many answers are not handed to you, but have to be inferred from other details in the story.
My biggest complaint overall is the lack of explanation on the motivation of the characters on a large scale. The main character, Tyn, and other characters as well do have fairly clear motivations in regards to their personal struggle, but I felt an overall look at the broader implications was a bit lacking. That said, while this was a slow start for me, I found myself very engaged by the end, and the ending itself to be quite satisfying.
Reading this story feels like just scratching the surface of what the world has to offer, and certainly has me curiosus to read more stories in this setting and start to uncover more of the mysteries it hides.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Video review: https://youtu.be/2BNkyPme_7Q
Second Spear deposits the reader a complex and rich world that continues to be built out as the novella continues. It's a little jarring at first with very little explanation, but over time more becomes clear as the story continues on. While this is presented as a story that does not require reading the other novella in this world, I do wonder if having read that first would have made things a little clearer early on.
We're introduced to a world that is compromised of hundreds of realms each ruled by a god or demon, each with its own unique elements, and each with its own rules. A lot of terms are thrown out with little explanation, but patience will get you more answers as the story continues. Hall utilizes a very much "show, don't tell" approach for most of the book (barring some more in depth explanation on God Instruments which are an important part of the plot) which means many answers are not handed to you, but have to be inferred from other details in the story.
My biggest complaint overall is the lack of explanation on the motivation of the characters on a large scale. The main character, Tyn, and other characters as well do have fairly clear motivations in regards to their personal struggle, but I felt an overall look at the broader implications was a bit lacking. That said, while this was a slow start for me, I found myself very engaged by the end, and the ending itself to be quite satisfying.
Reading this story feels like just scratching the surface of what the world has to offer, and certainly has me curiosus to read more stories in this setting and start to uncover more of the mysteries it hides.
August 21, 2022
Second Spear is the fantastic sequel to The Border Keeper. In this latest installment, an enemy returns to challenge Tyn and her chosen family. As Tyn grapples with the revelations about herself that were unveiled in The Border Keeper, she must decide what family means and whether she still holds the same convictions. Tyn must choose what she will fight for and who she wants to be.
I devoured Second Spear; I couldn’t put it down! Kerstin Hall beautifully draws readers into a world where vengeful gods and goddesses exist and political tensions are sky high. I loved learning more about Tyn and getting to see her point of view. She is a fiercely loyal and devoted character with strong convictions, which are tested throughout her journey. The world-building is extensive for a relatively short book. The magic and secrets of Mkalis are fascinating and I look forward to seeing what Kerstin Hall writes next! Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire (Every Heart A Doorway) and Neil Gaiman (Neverwhere) should check out this series!
Thank you to Kerstin Hall, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I devoured Second Spear; I couldn’t put it down! Kerstin Hall beautifully draws readers into a world where vengeful gods and goddesses exist and political tensions are sky high. I loved learning more about Tyn and getting to see her point of view. She is a fiercely loyal and devoted character with strong convictions, which are tested throughout her journey. The world-building is extensive for a relatively short book. The magic and secrets of Mkalis are fascinating and I look forward to seeing what Kerstin Hall writes next! Readers who enjoy Seanan McGuire (Every Heart A Doorway) and Neil Gaiman (Neverwhere) should check out this series!
Thank you to Kerstin Hall, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2022
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor.com Publishing for providing an ARC of this novel.
Amazingly enough, I enjoyed Second Spear even more than I enjoyed The Border Keeper. I think the biggest reason for this is that I “knew” the world the story was taking place in. I knew the whole thing was going to be odd, and I knew that there was going to be little to no explanation as to why, too. To be fair, though, Second Spear felt a little less fantastical. Sure, absolutely wild stuff still happens, but nothing odd enough that I was flat out confused.
The main character, Tyn, is likeable and has motivations that are easy to understand — the protector of the realm that she lives in is in danger, and she needs to do what she can to protect them. Unlike the main character from The Border Keeper, she is not carrying secrets that are unknown to the reader. The air of mystery from the first novella is just plain absent in Second Spear. Honestly, I liked that it was gone. There’s a straight forward plot in this novella, and it just worked better for me that way. The other characters in Second Spear are equally enjoyable, especially the demon-god-realm-protector that was living fungi. They were SO cool, and the scenes that take place in their world are so imaginative and tangible you feel like you’re actually there.
Overall, I recommend the Mkalis Cycle, especially if you like awesome world-building, and a general air of mystery.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor.com Publishing for providing an ARC of this novel.
Amazingly enough, I enjoyed Second Spear even more than I enjoyed The Border Keeper. I think the biggest reason for this is that I “knew” the world the story was taking place in. I knew the whole thing was going to be odd, and I knew that there was going to be little to no explanation as to why, too. To be fair, though, Second Spear felt a little less fantastical. Sure, absolutely wild stuff still happens, but nothing odd enough that I was flat out confused.
The main character, Tyn, is likeable and has motivations that are easy to understand — the protector of the realm that she lives in is in danger, and she needs to do what she can to protect them. Unlike the main character from The Border Keeper, she is not carrying secrets that are unknown to the reader. The air of mystery from the first novella is just plain absent in Second Spear. Honestly, I liked that it was gone. There’s a straight forward plot in this novella, and it just worked better for me that way. The other characters in Second Spear are equally enjoyable, especially the demon-god-realm-protector that was living fungi. They were SO cool, and the scenes that take place in their world are so imaginative and tangible you feel like you’re actually there.
Overall, I recommend the Mkalis Cycle, especially if you like awesome world-building, and a general air of mystery.
January 17, 2024
Kerstin Hall has improved a lot in their writing between book 1 and book 2. I felt more engaged with the story and characters than the first one. However, I wish this was a much longer book because I felt like we were missing part of the story and the world because it was constrained to a shorter page count.
I would pick up another book from this author again in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I would pick up another book from this author again in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 7, 2024
I was enthralled by this book. The Border Keeper was great, but this sequel was next level. The protagonist was so easy to relate to and her qualities were so easy to admire. The different worlds were unique and the powers people wielded were like nothing id ever read before. I was wholeheartedly invested the entire novel and I am devastated that it ended here. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
June 18, 2025
Aus Sicht einer anderen Hauptfigur wird nahtlos der erste Band fortgesetzt (leider ohne genug Kontext, wenn man den schon vergessen hat). Spannende Handlung, interessante Figuren, hab es in einem Satz durchgelesen.
August 3, 2024
This is a hell of an intriguing follow up to the first novella and the side story, and if this ends up continuing further, I will definitely be interested in seeing how it develops further. It's a nicely hallucinatory book, and it's fun to see the breadth of what Hall is willing to do.
August 15, 2022
Well, I accidentally read a book two before a book one…. It’s an odd universe. There are numerous pocket realms, each ruled by a god or demon. There are passages between these universes if a ruler has made a deal with the head of another realm in the past. They make me think of realms of the fae all separate worlds even if they hold just a single village. It’s an odd world but it’s so well written that despite not having the background of book one I could follow the story easily. I’m going to go back and read book one…
August 11, 2022
TL;DR
Second Spear by Kerstin Hall cements the Mkalis Cycle as an imaginative fantasy series worth reading. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: Second Spear by Kerstin Hall
Fantasy drew me in as a reader because of the possibilities. It is a genre that allows the imagination to run free to its wildest edges. Some authors choose to stick close to reality with small changes made here and there. Others choose to invent worlds wholly out of the depths of their minds. It is this variety that keeps the genre diverse and enticing. As a reader, this variety gives me plenty of worlds for my own imagination to take respite. I love fictional worldbuidling because of the possibilities. In the Mkalis Cycle, Kerstin Hall’s imagination builds many worlds to tell her tale. Hall began the story in The Border Keeper and continues in Second Spear. This tale of worlds within worlds lets Hall tell a weird, wonderful story about devotion. Second Spear takes readers on a journey through realms and tickles the imagination with possibilities.
Tyn made a mistake. Second Spear opens in the wake of that mistake. Because of her, her ruler, Res Lfae, angered the powerful ruler of a different realm in Mkalis. She is recovering under the care of the healer tribe. Soon the First Spear suspends Tyn for her actions that put Res Lfae in danger in The Border Keeper. But Tyn is needed to testify against the ruler of a different realm in an important Tribunal of Buyak, a trial that has the potential to shake up the 999 realms of Mkalis.
Second Spear is a third person story focused on Tyn. She learned some important secrets in The Border Keeper, and she’s dealing with them in this story. She’s questioning who she is and if her place in Res Lfae’s community is the correct one. For a novella, there’s a lot of characters in Second Sister. Tyn, Vehn (First Spear), and Rion (a new arrival to Mkalis) get the most screen time here. Vehn and Rion are complementary to Tyn. Though the three are often at odds, they make a good trio. Their social dynamic kept me glued to the book.
The Mkalis Cycle
Second Spear is the second novella in the Mkalis Cycle. Before I requested this, I hadn’t read the first book, The Border Keeper. But since these were short works, I requested book one from the library. I read through it quickly. The story impressed me, and I wanted to see what more Hall could dream up. I would also highly recommend The Border Keeper. As soon as I finished the first book, I immediately began Second Spear. I wanted to be back in Hall’s weird world.
The setting of the Mkalis Cycle consists of two worlds: Ahri and Mkalis. When a person dies in Ahri, they are reborn in Mkalis. And vice versa, I think. It was less clear if those who die in Mkalis return to Ahri. The border between those two worlds is guarded by…the Border Keeper. “She lived where the railway tracks met the saltpan, on the Ahri side of the shadowline. In the old days, when people still talked about her, she was known as the end-of-the-line woman.” Vasethe seeks her out because he wishes to find someone in Mkalis, and only the Border Keeper can let a living person pass from Ahri into Mkalis. His adventures with the Border Keeper throw both of their lives into chaos.
That chaos forms the basis for Second Spear. Both Vasethe and the Border Keeper appear in this novella, but it’s very much Tyn’s story. She’s living through the consequences of Vasethe’s and the Border Keeper’s actions. And like any good guard, Tyn’s first duty is to protect the ruler of her realm. Like any good fictional hero, she rises above and beyond that call of duty to become a legend of her own.
I’m a fan of the Mkalis Cycle. I hope we get a lot more installments. Second Spear kept the story moving while introducing a new point of view. I wonder if future installments will follow this pattern. Regardless, I’ll be reading.
The Realms of Mkalis
As I said in the introduction, I love worldbuilding. Hall has created something special here. The nine hundred and ninety-nine realms of Mkalis offer her so many possibilities as an author. Since Mkalis is the afterlife, the realms don’t have to conform to reality. Each realm is as its ruler wishes it to be. In addition, the ruler of the realm can create rules that all within must abide. For example, in Buyak’s realm the truth must be told. Falsehoods result in pain. There’s a realm in which the inhabitants cannot step backwards; they must travel forwards. The Tribunal takes place in the air over a city described as a burning coal. Another realm is described as having sheets of fungi growing everywhere.
Both The Border Keeper and Second Spear are excellent books with a lot to like about each book. I keep coming back to the worlds Hall has made because they’re fascinating. Though each book is slim by the standards of fantasy publishing, the worlds within are expansive, imaginative, and yet believable. I think what makes them work is that each realm is internally consistent, and Hall’s character treat them as such. Each realm reveals bits and pieces about the characters in how they act within.
Journey, Not Destination
Second Spear is Tyn’s book. But here she’s continuing a journey that began in The Border Keeper. She’s a warrior and a damn good one. We know that she rose quickly through the ranks to become Second Spear. Her ascension through the ranks earned her the nickname of ‘Upstart’ because she is young and yet so capable. We see this throughout the story. Yet, in this story, she begins to question her place as a guard. For the realm of Res Lfae, this means questioning her tribal identity as well. It seems that in their realm the tribe determines the occupation. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s one that most stick to. So, her questioning has larger implications for her.
Complicating her questioning is her devotion to her ruler. Tyn is a protector, and she’s very concerned protecting Res Lfae. This is because whoever kills a realm’s ruler can claim the realm. Lfae is a good ruler, and Tyn wishes to keep them. Tyn’s devotion to Lfae and need to make amends for her mistake drive much of her action here. It’s this devotion to Lfae and her people that make Tyn so interesting to read about. She dedicates herself to protecting others, and she’s very good at it. But it may not be what she wants. I look forward to seeing how this develops in future installments of the Mkalis Cycle.
Conclusion
Kerstin Hall’s Second Spear is an excellent, imaginative story. It expands and deepens the worlds Hall created in The Border Keeper. Highly recommended.
Second Spear by Kerstin Hall is available from Tor.com on August 16th, 2022.
Second Spear by Kerstin Hall cements the Mkalis Cycle as an imaginative fantasy series worth reading. Highly recommended.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: Second Spear by Kerstin Hall
Fantasy drew me in as a reader because of the possibilities. It is a genre that allows the imagination to run free to its wildest edges. Some authors choose to stick close to reality with small changes made here and there. Others choose to invent worlds wholly out of the depths of their minds. It is this variety that keeps the genre diverse and enticing. As a reader, this variety gives me plenty of worlds for my own imagination to take respite. I love fictional worldbuidling because of the possibilities. In the Mkalis Cycle, Kerstin Hall’s imagination builds many worlds to tell her tale. Hall began the story in The Border Keeper and continues in Second Spear. This tale of worlds within worlds lets Hall tell a weird, wonderful story about devotion. Second Spear takes readers on a journey through realms and tickles the imagination with possibilities.
Tyn made a mistake. Second Spear opens in the wake of that mistake. Because of her, her ruler, Res Lfae, angered the powerful ruler of a different realm in Mkalis. She is recovering under the care of the healer tribe. Soon the First Spear suspends Tyn for her actions that put Res Lfae in danger in The Border Keeper. But Tyn is needed to testify against the ruler of a different realm in an important Tribunal of Buyak, a trial that has the potential to shake up the 999 realms of Mkalis.
Second Spear is a third person story focused on Tyn. She learned some important secrets in The Border Keeper, and she’s dealing with them in this story. She’s questioning who she is and if her place in Res Lfae’s community is the correct one. For a novella, there’s a lot of characters in Second Sister. Tyn, Vehn (First Spear), and Rion (a new arrival to Mkalis) get the most screen time here. Vehn and Rion are complementary to Tyn. Though the three are often at odds, they make a good trio. Their social dynamic kept me glued to the book.
The Mkalis Cycle
Second Spear is the second novella in the Mkalis Cycle. Before I requested this, I hadn’t read the first book, The Border Keeper. But since these were short works, I requested book one from the library. I read through it quickly. The story impressed me, and I wanted to see what more Hall could dream up. I would also highly recommend The Border Keeper. As soon as I finished the first book, I immediately began Second Spear. I wanted to be back in Hall’s weird world.
The setting of the Mkalis Cycle consists of two worlds: Ahri and Mkalis. When a person dies in Ahri, they are reborn in Mkalis. And vice versa, I think. It was less clear if those who die in Mkalis return to Ahri. The border between those two worlds is guarded by…the Border Keeper. “She lived where the railway tracks met the saltpan, on the Ahri side of the shadowline. In the old days, when people still talked about her, she was known as the end-of-the-line woman.” Vasethe seeks her out because he wishes to find someone in Mkalis, and only the Border Keeper can let a living person pass from Ahri into Mkalis. His adventures with the Border Keeper throw both of their lives into chaos.
That chaos forms the basis for Second Spear. Both Vasethe and the Border Keeper appear in this novella, but it’s very much Tyn’s story. She’s living through the consequences of Vasethe’s and the Border Keeper’s actions. And like any good guard, Tyn’s first duty is to protect the ruler of her realm. Like any good fictional hero, she rises above and beyond that call of duty to become a legend of her own.
I’m a fan of the Mkalis Cycle. I hope we get a lot more installments. Second Spear kept the story moving while introducing a new point of view. I wonder if future installments will follow this pattern. Regardless, I’ll be reading.
The Realms of Mkalis
As I said in the introduction, I love worldbuilding. Hall has created something special here. The nine hundred and ninety-nine realms of Mkalis offer her so many possibilities as an author. Since Mkalis is the afterlife, the realms don’t have to conform to reality. Each realm is as its ruler wishes it to be. In addition, the ruler of the realm can create rules that all within must abide. For example, in Buyak’s realm the truth must be told. Falsehoods result in pain. There’s a realm in which the inhabitants cannot step backwards; they must travel forwards. The Tribunal takes place in the air over a city described as a burning coal. Another realm is described as having sheets of fungi growing everywhere.
Both The Border Keeper and Second Spear are excellent books with a lot to like about each book. I keep coming back to the worlds Hall has made because they’re fascinating. Though each book is slim by the standards of fantasy publishing, the worlds within are expansive, imaginative, and yet believable. I think what makes them work is that each realm is internally consistent, and Hall’s character treat them as such. Each realm reveals bits and pieces about the characters in how they act within.
Journey, Not Destination
Second Spear is Tyn’s book. But here she’s continuing a journey that began in The Border Keeper. She’s a warrior and a damn good one. We know that she rose quickly through the ranks to become Second Spear. Her ascension through the ranks earned her the nickname of ‘Upstart’ because she is young and yet so capable. We see this throughout the story. Yet, in this story, she begins to question her place as a guard. For the realm of Res Lfae, this means questioning her tribal identity as well. It seems that in their realm the tribe determines the occupation. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s one that most stick to. So, her questioning has larger implications for her.
Complicating her questioning is her devotion to her ruler. Tyn is a protector, and she’s very concerned protecting Res Lfae. This is because whoever kills a realm’s ruler can claim the realm. Lfae is a good ruler, and Tyn wishes to keep them. Tyn’s devotion to Lfae and need to make amends for her mistake drive much of her action here. It’s this devotion to Lfae and her people that make Tyn so interesting to read about. She dedicates herself to protecting others, and she’s very good at it. But it may not be what she wants. I look forward to seeing how this develops in future installments of the Mkalis Cycle.
Conclusion
Kerstin Hall’s Second Spear is an excellent, imaginative story. It expands and deepens the worlds Hall created in The Border Keeper. Highly recommended.
Second Spear by Kerstin Hall is available from Tor.com on August 16th, 2022.
August 1, 2022
OK, yes. Second Spear did exactly what I was hoping it would do for The Border Keeper. It added so much more to the world of Mkalis and our understanding of it and the souls. It was beautiful and sad and I greatly enjoyed this read.
Second Spear is more like a traditional, straight forward read. There are still hints of of the languid and lush prose we got in the Border Keeper, but there's less dream like states and more actual plot. We get to spend a lot more and in-depth, time with Tyn, our main character - who is fantastic btw. We are given a much more comprehensive understanding of how Mkalis works and cycle of lives between the two worlds. I was deeply captivated by the different realms and their environments. Each one is so unique and has their own rich history/culture that the stories for the Mkalis Cycle could be endless. I am looking forward to the exploration.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Second Spear is more like a traditional, straight forward read. There are still hints of of the languid and lush prose we got in the Border Keeper, but there's less dream like states and more actual plot. We get to spend a lot more and in-depth, time with Tyn, our main character - who is fantastic btw. We are given a much more comprehensive understanding of how Mkalis works and cycle of lives between the two worlds. I was deeply captivated by the different realms and their environments. Each one is so unique and has their own rich history/culture that the stories for the Mkalis Cycle could be endless. I am looking forward to the exploration.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 20, 2022
Not entirely satisfactory sequel. I was very excited for this because The Border Keeper is so excellent, but I'm not sure the sequel work all that well. The world building is still super cool, horrifying and beautiful in turns (do NOT read this if you don't like worms) but I found it hard to relate to Tyn as a main character, and I'm not quite sure she really had a fully formed character arc. At the same time, we see very little of Eris or Vasethe, who were the people that actually compelled me. I still liked the book but I hope there's a third one that pivots back to those two and resolves the plot.
September 22, 2022
3.5*
When I first requested Second Spear from NetGalley, I didn’t know it was actually the second in a series. Luckily, Tordotcom provided the first one, The Border Keeper, as their free eBook of the month, so I was able to catch up pretty quickly. I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Border Keeper. I felt that there wasn’t much of a plot, and the whole book was just vibes. They were cool vibes, though, so I decided to keep going with Second Spear.
Second Spear seemed to have more of an actual plot than The Border Keeper. It follows Tyn, the second spear to Res Lfae, a ruling demon. Tyn was a minor character in TBK, and I was glad to follow more of her storyline in Second Spear.
The world of this series is very interesting: there’s multiple realms run by either gods or demons, after they’ve come to an agreement that one will not rule over the other. While The Border Keeper vaguely goes through how the realms work, Second Spear delves more into the politics that goes on between realms. Second Spear also has a more clear villain than TBK. This world is very interesting, and I enjoy seeing these little slices of each realm. I hope there are more stories in this world, as I’d love to continue on with the series.
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
CW for blood, murder, and death
When I first requested Second Spear from NetGalley, I didn’t know it was actually the second in a series. Luckily, Tordotcom provided the first one, The Border Keeper, as their free eBook of the month, so I was able to catch up pretty quickly. I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Border Keeper. I felt that there wasn’t much of a plot, and the whole book was just vibes. They were cool vibes, though, so I decided to keep going with Second Spear.
Second Spear seemed to have more of an actual plot than The Border Keeper. It follows Tyn, the second spear to Res Lfae, a ruling demon. Tyn was a minor character in TBK, and I was glad to follow more of her storyline in Second Spear.
The world of this series is very interesting: there’s multiple realms run by either gods or demons, after they’ve come to an agreement that one will not rule over the other. While The Border Keeper vaguely goes through how the realms work, Second Spear delves more into the politics that goes on between realms. Second Spear also has a more clear villain than TBK. This world is very interesting, and I enjoy seeing these little slices of each realm. I hope there are more stories in this world, as I’d love to continue on with the series.
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
CW for blood, murder, and death
November 17, 2022
** I received a copy of this work from the publisher, Tordotcom, through NetGalley**
Having previously read Border Keeper, the first book in the series, I can confidently say that Kerstin Hall's writing improved in Second Spear. In this installment we follow Tyn, Second Spear to the Demon Lfae who rules over one of the realms of Mkalis, the underworld. Tyn was just a side character in the first book and I am very happy to have gotten to know her further in this book.
I do hope that Hall continues writing stories from Mkalis. It is a very expansive and complex world that I would love to see more stories told from. Each realm has it's own unique rules and inhabitants, the possibilities are really endless for what can be done there.
Having previously read Border Keeper, the first book in the series, I can confidently say that Kerstin Hall's writing improved in Second Spear. In this installment we follow Tyn, Second Spear to the Demon Lfae who rules over one of the realms of Mkalis, the underworld. Tyn was just a side character in the first book and I am very happy to have gotten to know her further in this book.
I do hope that Hall continues writing stories from Mkalis. It is a very expansive and complex world that I would love to see more stories told from. Each realm has it's own unique rules and inhabitants, the possibilities are really endless for what can be done there.
July 17, 2022
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Macmillian- Tor/Forge for an advanced copy of this second volume in this fantasy series.
The problem with a lot of fantasy books and series is that for all the fantastic imagery authors think up, magic, exotic and different creatures, sometimes dragons, mostly swords is that the stories don't really vary that much in ideas and writing styles. One book pretty much reads the same way as the previous book. Kerstin Hall is not that kind of author. In the second book in the Mkalis Cycle, Second Spear Hall expands on ideas touched on in the first book, changes the protagonist, and even changes her writing style and the readers view of this totally original and different fantasy world.
Our story begins just as the last book ended, , however we have a new protagonist with a very different view of the world around her, and the magical worlds that exist. Tyn is a warrior, Second Spear for the defense of her world, one of 998 worlds that make up Mkalis. Beset by enemies Tyn takes part in a court case to stop their enemy, one that goes badly for our heroes and leads to Tyn suspension. At the same time Tyn has ideas of what she was before she came to be in service to her ruler, and her confusion is effecting not only her job but the security of the realm. Soon their enemy attacks armed with a God Sword, a weapon that kills without slashing, and guards a person without moving, stopping all attacks almost before they begin. Tyn, a new member of ther group and her superior the First Spear begin to travel around the many worlds seeking allies, and her own ruler a demon who had to flee from the God Sword.
For a slim book there is a lot going on. The writing is a bit different from the first book, a little clearer in spots, but also with a different voice, one that fit Tyn perfectly as she battles physically and mentally for her people. A few chapters go on a little, one that features cats is a chapter that didn't seem to go anywhere. However the plotting is good, and never loses sight of where the story is going, and what is going on. This is the second book, and there is a bit of a learning curve in figuring things out, but the story does a good job of telling the reader what is going on, so that shouldn't be a problem.
A really very good fantasy story, that is going a lot of places storywise, one that I am excited to read more of. The world is interesting, and is presented well, and makes sense. Looking at it from different characters is a good way to give reader a sense of scope and how things work. My only complaint, and this is more for the publishers, please in the beginning just a brief reminder to readers about what is going on and basic who's who. I know that this might be a money thing, but I can't be the only reader who reads a lot of books, and with the passage of time sometimes even a book a reader loves, can be forgotten, or confused for something else. This is a minor quibbe. A very enjoyable, intriguing fantasy series, that works really well at the novella size.
The problem with a lot of fantasy books and series is that for all the fantastic imagery authors think up, magic, exotic and different creatures, sometimes dragons, mostly swords is that the stories don't really vary that much in ideas and writing styles. One book pretty much reads the same way as the previous book. Kerstin Hall is not that kind of author. In the second book in the Mkalis Cycle, Second Spear Hall expands on ideas touched on in the first book, changes the protagonist, and even changes her writing style and the readers view of this totally original and different fantasy world.
Our story begins just as the last book ended, , however we have a new protagonist with a very different view of the world around her, and the magical worlds that exist. Tyn is a warrior, Second Spear for the defense of her world, one of 998 worlds that make up Mkalis. Beset by enemies Tyn takes part in a court case to stop their enemy, one that goes badly for our heroes and leads to Tyn suspension. At the same time Tyn has ideas of what she was before she came to be in service to her ruler, and her confusion is effecting not only her job but the security of the realm. Soon their enemy attacks armed with a God Sword, a weapon that kills without slashing, and guards a person without moving, stopping all attacks almost before they begin. Tyn, a new member of ther group and her superior the First Spear begin to travel around the many worlds seeking allies, and her own ruler a demon who had to flee from the God Sword.
For a slim book there is a lot going on. The writing is a bit different from the first book, a little clearer in spots, but also with a different voice, one that fit Tyn perfectly as she battles physically and mentally for her people. A few chapters go on a little, one that features cats is a chapter that didn't seem to go anywhere. However the plotting is good, and never loses sight of where the story is going, and what is going on. This is the second book, and there is a bit of a learning curve in figuring things out, but the story does a good job of telling the reader what is going on, so that shouldn't be a problem.
A really very good fantasy story, that is going a lot of places storywise, one that I am excited to read more of. The world is interesting, and is presented well, and makes sense. Looking at it from different characters is a good way to give reader a sense of scope and how things work. My only complaint, and this is more for the publishers, please in the beginning just a brief reminder to readers about what is going on and basic who's who. I know that this might be a money thing, but I can't be the only reader who reads a lot of books, and with the passage of time sometimes even a book a reader loves, can be forgotten, or confused for something else. This is a minor quibbe. A very enjoyable, intriguing fantasy series, that works really well at the novella size.
October 4, 2022
Kerstin Hall is back! Second Spear is the second novel in her Mkalis Cycle series, and I have to tell you – I've been SO curious to see where the story was going to go. So I'm thrilled to have this novel in my hands.
Tyn has been tasked with guarding her ruler – a task she has succeeded in, despite all the danger of recent events (including a vengeful goddess, mind you). But those events left Tyn questioning her role in all of this. More specifically, it makes her feel estranged and isolated from the very ruler she's been assigned to protect.
Naturally, another enemy will rise and strike before Tyn can come to terms with everything that has already occurred. She will be thrown from one danger to the next, all in the name of following her duty.
I think I've already said this, but I was looking forward to Second Spear. Some series just get stuck in your mind, you know? Mkalis Cycle happened to be one of those series for me.
Tyn is by far one of my favorite fantasy characters (at the moment, it changes too much for me not to add this caveat). She's strong, determined, and probably a dozen other adjectives I could throw into the mix if I felt so inclined.
I am pleased that my expectations were met, even if they were perhaps a little unfairly high (anticipation does that). Second Spear was a delightful read and is the perfect second novel to this series.
This series has done an outstanding job of driving home Tyn's purpose in life. Or, more accurately, how everyone in the world (especially those she is sworn to protect) seems to take that (and thus her) for granted. It made my teeth grind at points, but that further proves how invested I got in this tale.
Long story short, Second Spear is a fantastic novella, and I can't wait to see what else Kerstin Hall comes up with!
Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Tyn has been tasked with guarding her ruler – a task she has succeeded in, despite all the danger of recent events (including a vengeful goddess, mind you). But those events left Tyn questioning her role in all of this. More specifically, it makes her feel estranged and isolated from the very ruler she's been assigned to protect.
Naturally, another enemy will rise and strike before Tyn can come to terms with everything that has already occurred. She will be thrown from one danger to the next, all in the name of following her duty.
I think I've already said this, but I was looking forward to Second Spear. Some series just get stuck in your mind, you know? Mkalis Cycle happened to be one of those series for me.
Tyn is by far one of my favorite fantasy characters (at the moment, it changes too much for me not to add this caveat). She's strong, determined, and probably a dozen other adjectives I could throw into the mix if I felt so inclined.
I am pleased that my expectations were met, even if they were perhaps a little unfairly high (anticipation does that). Second Spear was a delightful read and is the perfect second novel to this series.
This series has done an outstanding job of driving home Tyn's purpose in life. Or, more accurately, how everyone in the world (especially those she is sworn to protect) seems to take that (and thus her) for granted. It made my teeth grind at points, but that further proves how invested I got in this tale.
Long story short, Second Spear is a fantastic novella, and I can't wait to see what else Kerstin Hall comes up with!
Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
September 1, 2023
Kerstin Hall's Second Spear is a thrilling and captivating fantasy novel that will take readers on an unforgettable journey through a world of demons, magic, and gods. Set in a beautiful and lush underworld, the story follows Tyn, the titular Second Spear, a loyal warrior and subject of Res Lfae, the demon lord who cares deeply for those who dwell in his realm.
When Res Lfae's realm comes under threat from an unruly demon who is rumored to have dealt with forbidden god instruments, Tyn, along with Rion, a distraught new recruit to her tribe, and her ever-disapproving First Spear, Vehn, must embark on a dangerous mission to save the realm they serve. As they journey through the underworld, they encounter a series of challenges, from dangerous creatures to treacherous terrain, and must rely on their wits and skills to overcome them.
Hall's writing is exquisite, and her attention to detail is superb. She masterfully paints a vivid picture of the world and its characters, immersing the reader in the story from the very first page. Tyn, in particular, is a standout character, resilient and persevering, even when the people around her do not always understand her. Her loyalty to Res Lfae is unwavering, and her determination to protect his realm is admirable.
While Second Spear is a sequel to Hall's first book, readers can easily pick up the story and enjoy it as a standalone. Even though readers who have read the first book may appreciate the continuity and background information, new readers can easily follow the plot and enjoy the story on its own.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves to get lost in a fantasy world that is nothing like our own. The underworld that Hall has created is mesmerizing and immersive, and readers will find themselves fully engrossed in the story. Second Spear is a thrilling and enjoyable read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
In conclusion, Kerstin Hall's Second Spear is a beautifully written book that will take readers on a captivating journey through a magical world. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and exquisite writing, it is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy novels.
When Res Lfae's realm comes under threat from an unruly demon who is rumored to have dealt with forbidden god instruments, Tyn, along with Rion, a distraught new recruit to her tribe, and her ever-disapproving First Spear, Vehn, must embark on a dangerous mission to save the realm they serve. As they journey through the underworld, they encounter a series of challenges, from dangerous creatures to treacherous terrain, and must rely on their wits and skills to overcome them.
Hall's writing is exquisite, and her attention to detail is superb. She masterfully paints a vivid picture of the world and its characters, immersing the reader in the story from the very first page. Tyn, in particular, is a standout character, resilient and persevering, even when the people around her do not always understand her. Her loyalty to Res Lfae is unwavering, and her determination to protect his realm is admirable.
While Second Spear is a sequel to Hall's first book, readers can easily pick up the story and enjoy it as a standalone. Even though readers who have read the first book may appreciate the continuity and background information, new readers can easily follow the plot and enjoy the story on its own.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves to get lost in a fantasy world that is nothing like our own. The underworld that Hall has created is mesmerizing and immersive, and readers will find themselves fully engrossed in the story. Second Spear is a thrilling and enjoyable read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
In conclusion, Kerstin Hall's Second Spear is a beautifully written book that will take readers on a captivating journey through a magical world. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and exquisite writing, it is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy novels.
August 21, 2022
***Thank you to Tor.com for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***
I decided to read and review this book because the promotional material I received indicated it would work fine as an entry point to the series, but I don't recommend reading this one until you've read the first book. The plot of this story doesn't really hinge on anything that came before, and it is actually pretty straightforward and easy to follow. However, a great deal of the first part of the book is just the characters talking about the events of the previous book and dealing with their aftermath. Some of the parts of the book with the heaviest emotional resonance also fell a bit flat for me because it seemed they relied on relationship development that occurred in the previous story.
Now on to my thoughts about this particular story. As I mentioned above, the plot was fairly straightforward and mostly focused on finding a particular MacGuffin that the protagonists needed to protect their realm from an invader. There were plenty of interesting characters, and they all had distinct arcs of growth that reached satisfying conclusions. The world-building was the biggest strength in this story. There were so many cool dimensions with fascinating and frightening features, and the descriptions brought them to life in a way that sucked me into the worlds. Unfortunately, the vast world-building came at the expense of the story and much of the journey felt pointless by the end. Therefore, I rate this one 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed quite a few aspects of it, especially the cool worlds, but I was never really gripped by the story or characters in a way that made me NEED to keep reading. Although, I do wonder if maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the first book prior to this one... So, this could totally be on me rather than the book.
See more of my reviews and other bookish content here!
I decided to read and review this book because the promotional material I received indicated it would work fine as an entry point to the series, but I don't recommend reading this one until you've read the first book. The plot of this story doesn't really hinge on anything that came before, and it is actually pretty straightforward and easy to follow. However, a great deal of the first part of the book is just the characters talking about the events of the previous book and dealing with their aftermath. Some of the parts of the book with the heaviest emotional resonance also fell a bit flat for me because it seemed they relied on relationship development that occurred in the previous story.
Now on to my thoughts about this particular story. As I mentioned above, the plot was fairly straightforward and mostly focused on finding a particular MacGuffin that the protagonists needed to protect their realm from an invader. There were plenty of interesting characters, and they all had distinct arcs of growth that reached satisfying conclusions. The world-building was the biggest strength in this story. There were so many cool dimensions with fascinating and frightening features, and the descriptions brought them to life in a way that sucked me into the worlds. Unfortunately, the vast world-building came at the expense of the story and much of the journey felt pointless by the end. Therefore, I rate this one 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed quite a few aspects of it, especially the cool worlds, but I was never really gripped by the story or characters in a way that made me NEED to keep reading. Although, I do wonder if maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I'd read the first book prior to this one... So, this could totally be on me rather than the book.
See more of my reviews and other bookish content here!
August 15, 2022
Tyn survived a vengeful goddess and learning truths that left her estranged from her role as guard. Now that she knows who she is, her frustration erupts in all the wrong ways. It's when an old enemy returns with a weapon able to destroy an entire realm, Tyn must decide what her future will be.
This is a sequel to "Border Keeper," which I hadn't read. Even so, this novel starts off with Tyn recovering from events in the first book and explaining some things to a brand new recruit causing problems. On top of that is a trial for the bad guy, so we're brought up to speed pretty quickly. Of course, the trial doesn't go according to plan, and Kan Buyak is s exonerated. This truly kicks off the plot for this novel, which is fascinating. Gods and demons in different realms, God killer weapons and a quest for allies are all major things for Tyn to deal with, especially when the allies she's working with on her journey don't exactly like her. She hasn't been especially likable so far, but the deaths from the first book were traumatizing. Even for a hardened warrior, seeing friends and healers killed as a way to draw her attention is still something to shake her spirits.
The book is a complicated journey through different realms with the purpose of finding allies. The Mkalis system is fascinating, with gods, demons, and different realms that have their own rules and realities. Tyr is a warrior, and her last life was that of a scholar. The two aspects are expected to be diametrically opposite, but it's her study that ultimately leads her to find a way to combat her enemy. Tyr holds her ruler and superior officer in high esteem, but she's usually called Upstart. I can see why, because she doesn't always do the expected thing, and questions tradition. This and her need for the approval of those she cares about drives her forward. It's a thrilling fantasy system and one that will be wonderful to explore as the series continues.
This is a sequel to "Border Keeper," which I hadn't read. Even so, this novel starts off with Tyn recovering from events in the first book and explaining some things to a brand new recruit causing problems. On top of that is a trial for the bad guy, so we're brought up to speed pretty quickly. Of course, the trial doesn't go according to plan, and Kan Buyak is s exonerated. This truly kicks off the plot for this novel, which is fascinating. Gods and demons in different realms, God killer weapons and a quest for allies are all major things for Tyn to deal with, especially when the allies she's working with on her journey don't exactly like her. She hasn't been especially likable so far, but the deaths from the first book were traumatizing. Even for a hardened warrior, seeing friends and healers killed as a way to draw her attention is still something to shake her spirits.
The book is a complicated journey through different realms with the purpose of finding allies. The Mkalis system is fascinating, with gods, demons, and different realms that have their own rules and realities. Tyr is a warrior, and her last life was that of a scholar. The two aspects are expected to be diametrically opposite, but it's her study that ultimately leads her to find a way to combat her enemy. Tyr holds her ruler and superior officer in high esteem, but she's usually called Upstart. I can see why, because she doesn't always do the expected thing, and questions tradition. This and her need for the approval of those she cares about drives her forward. It's a thrilling fantasy system and one that will be wonderful to explore as the series continues.
August 11, 2022
This is the story of Tyn, who is the Second Spear in the realm of her ruler, which is one of, as I understand it, 999 realms, all ruled by different gods and demons. Throughout the course of this story, Tyn is swept up into some serious realm-on-realm fighting, and has to make some hard choices.
Now, to start, this novella seems to be a sequel to a previous novel, and I got the feeling often that I was missing some important information, not so much as to what was happening, but on things that had happened before. It read well enough that I could follow what was happening to Tyn in this story alone, but there was definitely a whole bunch of shenanigans that were alluded to from a story set in a previous time than this one. Characters she already knows, events that happened before this story, etc. I don't think it's 100% necessary to read that first, especially if you're hoping to just try out the story/writing, but keep in mind that stuff like that is present.
The world sounded really interesting, in that everyone who dwells in it, aside from the rulers (though, perhaps them as well) had a previous life... somewhere? I don't know if this is a died-and-came-to-heaven/hell situation or if they just lived somewhere previously. The best thing I can compare this to is an anime named Haibane Renmei, in that the characters seem to die or something similar and are reborn as dwellers of these realms.
All told, I really liked the writing and I thought that the story was interesting. It made me want to read the first book, and at the same time, made me worried that this story will have now spoiled the ending of that one for myself. I suppose I'll find out? Perhaps if I wait long enough between them, I'll forget some of the details! ^_^
Thanks to the author, as well as Tordotcom via NetGalley for the review copy!
Now, to start, this novella seems to be a sequel to a previous novel, and I got the feeling often that I was missing some important information, not so much as to what was happening, but on things that had happened before. It read well enough that I could follow what was happening to Tyn in this story alone, but there was definitely a whole bunch of shenanigans that were alluded to from a story set in a previous time than this one. Characters she already knows, events that happened before this story, etc. I don't think it's 100% necessary to read that first, especially if you're hoping to just try out the story/writing, but keep in mind that stuff like that is present.
The world sounded really interesting, in that everyone who dwells in it, aside from the rulers (though, perhaps them as well) had a previous life... somewhere? I don't know if this is a died-and-came-to-heaven/hell situation or if they just lived somewhere previously. The best thing I can compare this to is an anime named Haibane Renmei, in that the characters seem to die or something similar and are reborn as dwellers of these realms.
All told, I really liked the writing and I thought that the story was interesting. It made me want to read the first book, and at the same time, made me worried that this story will have now spoiled the ending of that one for myself. I suppose I'll find out? Perhaps if I wait long enough between them, I'll forget some of the details! ^_^
Thanks to the author, as well as Tordotcom via NetGalley for the review copy!
August 9, 2022
This is the second book in the Mkalis Cycle; in some areas I thought it was better than the first, and in other areas I thought it struggled with some of the same things.
Synopsis: The trial against Kan Buyak has failed, there’s at least one God Instrument out there, The Border Keeper is struggling, and the realms are in danger. Tyn, the Second Spear of Res Lfae’s realm, is our POV for this book and she sets out to save her realm. In the process she learns more about herself, grows into a better leader, deciphers treason, takes on some truly wild enemies, visits many realms (and this aspect of these books I think is hands down the strongest), and is a certifiable badass.
The best part of these books is the world building. Each realm is crafted with such care and beauty or danger and the world truly feels alive.
However, I found myself unsatisfied with certain aspects that I don’t entirely know how to communicate. While this book had a fairly clear goal, the understanding of that goal continually morphs, reshapes, and redirects itself many times throughout the book, which left me feeling like the stakes were underdeveloped and that parts of the story just came out of nowhere. And I may have just forgotten about details from the first book, but I feel like we’re still waiting for resolution - or even follow up - on the first page of the first book.
Ultimately, these are interesting and entertaining books with masterful world building. There is plenty to find and enjoy within them and, while they're not for everyone, if you enjoyed the first one I think you'd enjoy the second!
Synopsis: The trial against Kan Buyak has failed, there’s at least one God Instrument out there, The Border Keeper is struggling, and the realms are in danger. Tyn, the Second Spear of Res Lfae’s realm, is our POV for this book and she sets out to save her realm. In the process she learns more about herself, grows into a better leader, deciphers treason, takes on some truly wild enemies, visits many realms (and this aspect of these books I think is hands down the strongest), and is a certifiable badass.
The best part of these books is the world building. Each realm is crafted with such care and beauty or danger and the world truly feels alive.
However, I found myself unsatisfied with certain aspects that I don’t entirely know how to communicate. While this book had a fairly clear goal, the understanding of that goal continually morphs, reshapes, and redirects itself many times throughout the book, which left me feeling like the stakes were underdeveloped and that parts of the story just came out of nowhere. And I may have just forgotten about details from the first book, but I feel like we’re still waiting for resolution - or even follow up - on the first page of the first book.
Ultimately, these are interesting and entertaining books with masterful world building. There is plenty to find and enjoy within them and, while they're not for everyone, if you enjoyed the first one I think you'd enjoy the second!
August 31, 2022
"They seem nice, so I assume they are planning to murder us?"
In this sequel to The Border Keeper, we find a twisty plot and psychedelic realms worthy of its predecessor. It compounds the mysteries and confusion of the first book, so I recommend reading them back to back. While I liked the mental work in book one, it felt more of a burden in the sequel since no amount of rereading paragraphs or slowing down to sift for meaning was going to recover detailed memories of the previous book. It seems to closely follow the first in time and plot, so it's kind of a big deal if you remember what on earth is going on.
I did better with the story once it shifted into quest mode, taking us into the orbits of new gods and demons that serve as friends and foes on our journey. In each realm, the characters must learn its rules and break them at their peril. All of their stops have an otherworldly ambience of their own, one of the greatest strengths of the book. Furthermore, Tyn is an intriguing protagonist. While she serves faithfully as the Second Spear of her realm, she's also connecting with herself from a past life. That means we see her stubbornly protecting her ruler and compatriots at all costs, but we also see her visiting a magical college library that talks to itself as she wonders about the scholar she once was. Tyn is smart, fierce, and loyal, so I found it easy to root for her.
This was an enjoyable reading experience, but the thing holding me back from a higher rating is how frustrated and confused I felt at certain points, especially but not limited to the beginning. Thanks to Tordotcom for my copy to read and review!
In this sequel to The Border Keeper, we find a twisty plot and psychedelic realms worthy of its predecessor. It compounds the mysteries and confusion of the first book, so I recommend reading them back to back. While I liked the mental work in book one, it felt more of a burden in the sequel since no amount of rereading paragraphs or slowing down to sift for meaning was going to recover detailed memories of the previous book. It seems to closely follow the first in time and plot, so it's kind of a big deal if you remember what on earth is going on.
I did better with the story once it shifted into quest mode, taking us into the orbits of new gods and demons that serve as friends and foes on our journey. In each realm, the characters must learn its rules and break them at their peril. All of their stops have an otherworldly ambience of their own, one of the greatest strengths of the book. Furthermore, Tyn is an intriguing protagonist. While she serves faithfully as the Second Spear of her realm, she's also connecting with herself from a past life. That means we see her stubbornly protecting her ruler and compatriots at all costs, but we also see her visiting a magical college library that talks to itself as she wonders about the scholar she once was. Tyn is smart, fierce, and loyal, so I found it easy to root for her.
This was an enjoyable reading experience, but the thing holding me back from a higher rating is how frustrated and confused I felt at certain points, especially but not limited to the beginning. Thanks to Tordotcom for my copy to read and review!
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