Creatures of the Continent: Book II of the Shapewalker's Song

The Shapewalker's Song #2

by J.H. Tomen

In Creatures of the Continent, the second book of the Shapewalker’s Song series, Sumi is on the run with Erso, looking for a safe place to hide as she learns more about her powers. Only months ago, she was just a simple shopkeeper, and now she has a centuries old magic to contend with. Erso isn’t new to being on the run, but for the first time, he’s taken a student with him on the road. They head first to Amoriai, where Erso’s family lives, but find an unstable city where alliances are shifting quickly. Detective Parimu isn’t far behind, desperate to capture the Shapewalker who escaped him. As Sumi explores the other kingdoms of Wellonai, she’ll be forced to face the difficult and bloody history of the Continent that she never knew. Can she change this world, or should she just find her place in it? As kingdoms and beliefs collide, there may be more at stake than which country she calls home.

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2020

About the author

J.H. Tomen is a fantasy writer based in Chicago. He loves all things cats, cookies, and cookie cats! He also loves his readers! Feel free to look him up or write to him anytime!

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best sequels pull off a perfect paradox by going bigger and smaller at the same time. Creatures of the Continent expands on the story set up in the first book of the Shapewalker's Song in many ways- a larger world with new sights to see, an expanded cast of characters to follow and feel for, and much higher stakes, indeed the fate of nations, resting on their shoulders. CotC simultaneously some of its focus by offering more intimate moments, more nuanced relationships between key characters, a closer look at the underlying magic of their world. The characterization is so well done in this book I almost resent it - without spoiling anything I was plenty happy disliking a certain character in the first book, but Tomen refuses to write any individual entirely black or white, so having spent more time with this person I've really grown to care for him and am rooting for a full #redemptionarc.

All that said, I think I like CotC even more than the original, which is super rare for me. I almost always love 'first acts' most; that beautiful time of first meeting the characters, exploring the world, and getting my head around a brand new magic. Maybe when the series is complete I'll raise Book One back to the top of the list, holding it most dear for having introduced me to the world of the Shapewalkers, but for now the more expansive and exciting sequel takes the cake.

Excited to reread when I can get my hands on a hard copy.