Book: A Kingdom of Sand and Ice by J.F. Johns
Reviewed by plotdrunk
Rating: 5/5
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This sequel reminded me exactly why I fell in love with this series. The prose is as gorgeous as ever, lyrical, layered, and full of atmosphere.
The emotional peak for me was Alina and Hessa’s relationship, and her death truly hit hard. I was also hooked by the underworld threads with Hades, Thanatos, and Mal, which felt mythic and mysterious. There were moments that literally made me gasp, which is always the sign of a good read.
That said, this was definitely a “setup book.” The ending didn’t land like a proper cliffhanger, but it expanded the chessboard in a way that makes me eager for the next installment. I am most invested in seeing where Mal and Ash’s cursed path leads, what becomes of Kai and Dawn with their banter, and where Alina’s desert wandering will take her.
Overall, 4.5 stars that I am rounding up to 5, because even with its slower pacing, it kept me hooked, gutted, and already waiting for book three.