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Sisters of Shadow and Light #2
Warriors of Wing and Flame
Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson continues her enchanting YA fantasy duology with a timeless fairytale feel in an original voice.
The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
Unknown Binding
First published October 27, 2020
33 people are currently reading
1663 people want to read
About the author
Sara B. Larson
12 books1,900 followersSara B. Larson is the best-selling and critically acclaimed author of multiple YA fantasy books,
including A Promised Vengeance (coming Oct 2025), the Defy trilogy, the Dark Breaks the Dawn duology, and the
Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. Every Beat After will be her adult debut 6.2.26. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever, where she also runs a commercial preschool. When she’s not mothering, preschooling, or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction
She’s online at www.SaraBLarson.com.
including A Promised Vengeance (coming Oct 2025), the Defy trilogy, the Dark Breaks the Dawn duology, and the
Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. Every Beat After will be her adult debut 6.2.26. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever, where she also runs a commercial preschool. When she’s not mothering, preschooling, or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction
She’s online at www.SaraBLarson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
November 23, 2020
I am so happy I had to the opportunity to read & review Warriors of Wing & Flame by one of my favorite locals Sara B. Larson. I loved sisters of Shadow & Light so much!
These two sisters are so badass! Both of them have unique abilities and we get to see so much more of them in Warriors. I really like that even in moments where they're separated they can still feel each other to some extent. Their bond is so strong and no matter what they will fight to get back to one another.
This book is fast-paced adventure from beginning to end. It picks up right where we left off with Zhura and Inara working to bring down Barloc. They'll face many challenges along the way but with the help of their family and the other Palladin's they just might succeed.
I can't forget to mention there is romance and my goodness the kissing scenes!! The love interests were so swoony!
I'm going to miss this world and hope that maybe one day we'll get to see more of Visempirum. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good YA Fantasy!
These two sisters are so badass! Both of them have unique abilities and we get to see so much more of them in Warriors. I really like that even in moments where they're separated they can still feel each other to some extent. Their bond is so strong and no matter what they will fight to get back to one another.
This book is fast-paced adventure from beginning to end. It picks up right where we left off with Zhura and Inara working to bring down Barloc. They'll face many challenges along the way but with the help of their family and the other Palladin's they just might succeed.
I can't forget to mention there is romance and my goodness the kissing scenes!! The love interests were so swoony!
I'm going to miss this world and hope that maybe one day we'll get to see more of Visempirum. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good YA Fantasy!
November 13, 2020
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Warriors of Wing and Flame is the second part of author Sara B. Larson's Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. The story alternates between 18-year old Zuhra, and her 16-year old sister Inara. Picking up immediately following the events of Sisters of Shadow and Light, things are at a tipping point. Zuhra has returned home from Visimperum, home of the Paladin’s, bringing with her long-lost father Adelric, and a team of Gryphon Riders to the Citadel for the first time in 16 years. Paladin, who once fought a war against humans, were sent away after Inara was born which closed the gates between worlds while also separating Adelric from his human wife.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Warriors of Wing and Flame is the second part of author Sara B. Larson's Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. The story alternates between 18-year old Zuhra, and her 16-year old sister Inara. Picking up immediately following the events of Sisters of Shadow and Light, things are at a tipping point. Zuhra has returned home from Visimperum, home of the Paladin’s, bringing with her long-lost father Adelric, and a team of Gryphon Riders to the Citadel for the first time in 16 years. Paladin, who once fought a war against humans, were sent away after Inara was born which closed the gates between worlds while also separating Adelric from his human wife.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 29, 2020
Phew. I’ve been waiting for this book! I finally read it, and here we go... The finale.
The sequel picks up much where the cliffhanger leaves off in the first book. I noticed this time around it was harder for me to distinguish between the sisters, Zuhra and Inara. This made for confusing reading at times, and I’d have to break to turn back a few pages to remind myself who it was. Maybe it’s because Inara grew so much that she resembled her older sister. Nevertheless, it was confuddling at times.
Plus side, the numerous side characters that were introduced in the first book are fleshed out more in the sequel and this made me happy. There is a point in the book with Loukas that I squealed over and that’s all I’m saying.
Plot wise, it was enjoyable but it really felt as though it were treading water until the end. The conclusion surprised me, I wasn’t sure if that was truly it or a trick, but it was the final battle and it felt a little lackluster to me. All the steam building up just to let out a little toot...
All in all, I enjoyed it. A solid 3. But for a finale it left me wanting a little more.
The sequel picks up much where the cliffhanger leaves off in the first book. I noticed this time around it was harder for me to distinguish between the sisters, Zuhra and Inara. This made for confusing reading at times, and I’d have to break to turn back a few pages to remind myself who it was. Maybe it’s because Inara grew so much that she resembled her older sister. Nevertheless, it was confuddling at times.
Plus side, the numerous side characters that were introduced in the first book are fleshed out more in the sequel and this made me happy. There is a point in the book with Loukas that I squealed over and that’s all I’m saying.
Plot wise, it was enjoyable but it really felt as though it were treading water until the end. The conclusion surprised me, I wasn’t sure if that was truly it or a trick, but it was the final battle and it felt a little lackluster to me. All the steam building up just to let out a little toot...
All in all, I enjoyed it. A solid 3. But for a finale it left me wanting a little more.
March 1, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this ARC not realizing that it was book 2 of a series, so I had to pick up book 1 to give it a full review. The first book was disappointing - there were some problematic things I saw with parental relationships and romances but Warriors of Wing and Flame did improve in generally doing away with some of the problematic relationships there were.
Unfortunately, I found the book generally difficult to get through. I wasn't really invested in the characters or their relationships. In fact, whenever anything vaguely romantic came up and either sister got distracted from the plot I just felt myself getting frustrated and wanting the plot to move on. Furthermore, the issue I had with Zuhra in book 1 and her inability to focus whenever she met a boy got transferred to Inara. While I finished the book, it was just an overwhelmingly average experience.
I requested this ARC not realizing that it was book 2 of a series, so I had to pick up book 1 to give it a full review. The first book was disappointing - there were some problematic things I saw with parental relationships and romances but Warriors of Wing and Flame did improve in generally doing away with some of the problematic relationships there were.
Unfortunately, I found the book generally difficult to get through. I wasn't really invested in the characters or their relationships. In fact, whenever anything vaguely romantic came up and either sister got distracted from the plot I just felt myself getting frustrated and wanting the plot to move on. Furthermore, the issue I had with Zuhra in book 1 and her inability to focus whenever she met a boy got transferred to Inara. While I finished the book, it was just an overwhelmingly average experience.
October 27, 2020
Hold on tight because this story is one wild and exciting gryphon ride!
Spoilers for book 1 below:
Picking up where SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT ended, Zuhra and Inara are finally reunited but the cost is high. The deaths of others including their grandfather and almost Inara. Barloc has escaped with Inara’s power and continues to kill. He must be stopped at all costs. But the more he kills the more powerful he becomes. If they can find him, will they be strong enough to stop him?
Larson masterfully spins tension, action, and romance together. There are plenty of steamy kisses that will make your toes curl! And surprises that will make your jaw drop. But the heart and beauty of the story is the love and devotion between the two sisters.
Spoilers for book 1 below:
Picking up where SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT ended, Zuhra and Inara are finally reunited but the cost is high. The deaths of others including their grandfather and almost Inara. Barloc has escaped with Inara’s power and continues to kill. He must be stopped at all costs. But the more he kills the more powerful he becomes. If they can find him, will they be strong enough to stop him?
Larson masterfully spins tension, action, and romance together. There are plenty of steamy kisses that will make your toes curl! And surprises that will make your jaw drop. But the heart and beauty of the story is the love and devotion between the two sisters.
November 20, 2020
Warriors of Wing and Flame picks up right where Sisters of Shadow and Light left off. Inara no longer has her intense Paladin powers after Barloc steals them following his gruesome attack. After years of thinking that she was completely powerless, Zuhra finds out that she is in fact an enhancer, which is a rare gift among the Paladin. And if both of those things weren’t wild enough, now that the doorway between Visempirum and the human world has been reopened, Zuhra and Inara have been reunited with their father Adelric who they believed was either dead or abandoned them.
Where Sisters of Shadow and Light focused more on laying the foundation for the world building and magic and built up to an INTENSE ending, Warriors of Wing and Flame starts off with a high octane level thanks to the utter chaos that ensued, and that intensity is maintained throughout the story. The desperation and urgency to save both the human and Paladin realms from Barloc and his increasing army is palpable. The author does a phenomenal job highlighting the importance that both realms must work together if anyone is to survive.
I’ll be honest, for the majority of book one, I found both Zuhra and Inara to be a bit frustrating because that was due to their isolation and naivete thanks to their mother. I also viewed the two of them more as two sides of the same coin, but that is definitely not the case in Warriors of Wing and Flame. After Inara loses her powers, that reliance that Inara had on Zuhra is no longer there, and we see Inara really start to learn about herself and become independent. She evolves from being this frightened and broken person, into this griphon riding badass that I loved. As far as Zuhra goes, I love that she finds strength and solace outside of Inara as well as renewed faith in herself since she is no longer “helpless”.
The romance subplot was a larger focus in this book, but I welcomed it. I think that the romance interests for both Zuhra and Inara complemented their personalities and pushed them to embrace their inner strengths more so than they did in the past. I don’t want to give away names because of spoilers, but the blossoming romances were done well.
Okay, the griphons! The griphons are back in full force, and I absolutely love them. There is griphon riding and adventures. They are just incredible creatures, and I wish I had a griphon companion.
Overall, if you’re looking for a series that has fantastic world building, magic, self-discovery, exploration of sibling relationships, and romance then this series is for you!
Thank you to Turn the Pages Tours for the tour invite. Thank you to Tor Teen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Where Sisters of Shadow and Light focused more on laying the foundation for the world building and magic and built up to an INTENSE ending, Warriors of Wing and Flame starts off with a high octane level thanks to the utter chaos that ensued, and that intensity is maintained throughout the story. The desperation and urgency to save both the human and Paladin realms from Barloc and his increasing army is palpable. The author does a phenomenal job highlighting the importance that both realms must work together if anyone is to survive.
I’ll be honest, for the majority of book one, I found both Zuhra and Inara to be a bit frustrating because that was due to their isolation and naivete thanks to their mother. I also viewed the two of them more as two sides of the same coin, but that is definitely not the case in Warriors of Wing and Flame. After Inara loses her powers, that reliance that Inara had on Zuhra is no longer there, and we see Inara really start to learn about herself and become independent. She evolves from being this frightened and broken person, into this griphon riding badass that I loved. As far as Zuhra goes, I love that she finds strength and solace outside of Inara as well as renewed faith in herself since she is no longer “helpless”.
The romance subplot was a larger focus in this book, but I welcomed it. I think that the romance interests for both Zuhra and Inara complemented their personalities and pushed them to embrace their inner strengths more so than they did in the past. I don’t want to give away names because of spoilers, but the blossoming romances were done well.
Okay, the griphons! The griphons are back in full force, and I absolutely love them. There is griphon riding and adventures. They are just incredible creatures, and I wish I had a griphon companion.
Overall, if you’re looking for a series that has fantastic world building, magic, self-discovery, exploration of sibling relationships, and romance then this series is for you!
Thank you to Turn the Pages Tours for the tour invite. Thank you to Tor Teen for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2021
I think I liked this one even better than the first book. I was not expecting a lot of things that happened and it went against a lot of tropes.
SPOILERS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sorry, I just had to say how bad I felt for Halvor!
To be honest I was never sure about the relationship between him and Inara. I liked her and Loukas, but I just felt bad that while he was dying, the girl he loved was kissing someone else. I mean I felt like it was right, but I felt so bad for him!
There was a lot more death in this book than I was expecting! It was a bit more intense. To be honest I faded out sometimes during the battle, but it was better than a quick fix that a lot of YA authors do.
I also couldn't believe they destroyed the gate at the end! I didn't see that coming at all. I thought they were going to meet the human king at some point and make an alliance, but humans really had little to do with this book. Which I actually kind of liked. It didn't do the things I expected. Overall really enjoyed this one!
September 30, 2020
Well here I am back talking about the sisters Zuhra and Inara. As the previous book ended Inara cruelly had her Paladin powers quite literally ripped out of her by Barloc and this sequel catches up right after the events. The story is told equally by both sisters which gave great insight into their thoughts and feelings although I confess a couple of times I had to check which sisters point of view I was reading . Why ? I think that previously Zuhra had dominated as one, she was older but perhaps more crucially Inara spent a lot of time lost or rather trapped in her own mind and now she’s lucid and able to form opinions and make plans. The plan is simple find Barloc and prevent him killing the humans and more critically stop him unleashing death and destruction. Sadly like so many plans things don’t exactly work out .
Both sisters face challenges in this book whether because of feelings being confused or quite simply because they make the wrong choice yet the author seeks to make them characters we have sympathy with. There’s an odd triangle or maybe that should be quadrangle floating through as misunderstandings and confusion arise as to just who is interested romantically with whom. One relationship was easy to understand but I hate to say this but I did strongly feel as the events progressed that there was a strong LGBT vibe although it changed dramatically at the end. Did the author realise she was hinting at this or was it simply something she changed her mind about ? As I say it remained a sweet , clean YA read that focused on the magic of the Paladin race and the relationships that they formed. I am a little disappointed but nevertheless did enjoy this story.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
Both sisters face challenges in this book whether because of feelings being confused or quite simply because they make the wrong choice yet the author seeks to make them characters we have sympathy with. There’s an odd triangle or maybe that should be quadrangle floating through as misunderstandings and confusion arise as to just who is interested romantically with whom. One relationship was easy to understand but I hate to say this but I did strongly feel as the events progressed that there was a strong LGBT vibe although it changed dramatically at the end. Did the author realise she was hinting at this or was it simply something she changed her mind about ? As I say it remained a sweet , clean YA read that focused on the magic of the Paladin race and the relationships that they formed. I am a little disappointed but nevertheless did enjoy this story.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair
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February 9, 2020OHHH I'm LOVING this cover!
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January 14, 2025
I really did not like this lol. The first one was so promising :(
It felt like this entire book was romance. And like a cheesy childish romance. What happened to the PLOT. The MYSTERY???
This book is also just SO repetitive. Feels like every other chapter ends with someone dramatically passing out. Then the next chapter is everyone like “we thought you were gonna die!!” Really? Every time you think they’re gonna die? As if this hasn’t happened 3 times already? ok.
Also, the main character girls SUCK in this book lmao. Like one of them cheats on her boyfriend like a chapter after he (unknown to her) DIES. What??? Did the author just get sick of his character? Please. And I’m supposed to feel sorry for HER when she discovers he’s dead? Baby you already cheated on him!! Then she’s described as “pure of heart and soul.” THE GIRL WHO CHEATED?? And then moved on from him immediately after his death??? And she tells her new man something like “if it weren’t for him, we never would’ve found each other” girl, Halvor is rolling over in his shallow grave knowing he used his last words to say he loved your raggedy ass.
Anyways, it wasn’t good. A 1 star feels harsh, but a 2 feels generous. Idk.
It felt like this entire book was romance. And like a cheesy childish romance. What happened to the PLOT. The MYSTERY???
This book is also just SO repetitive. Feels like every other chapter ends with someone dramatically passing out. Then the next chapter is everyone like “we thought you were gonna die!!” Really? Every time you think they’re gonna die? As if this hasn’t happened 3 times already? ok.
Also, the main character girls SUCK in this book lmao. Like one of them cheats on her boyfriend like a chapter after he (unknown to her) DIES. What??? Did the author just get sick of his character? Please. And I’m supposed to feel sorry for HER when she discovers he’s dead? Baby you already cheated on him!! Then she’s described as “pure of heart and soul.” THE GIRL WHO CHEATED?? And then moved on from him immediately after his death??? And she tells her new man something like “if it weren’t for him, we never would’ve found each other” girl, Halvor is rolling over in his shallow grave knowing he used his last words to say he loved your raggedy ass.
Anyways, it wasn’t good. A 1 star feels harsh, but a 2 feels generous. Idk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2020
Wow, this book. It is one exciting twist after another!
As this is a second book, I won't go into detail.
There was no down time in the Warriors of Wing and Flame. We rejoin the group as they continue fighting the Jackla and the stakes are high. I feel like the first book was mostly focused on the sisterly bond between Inara and Zurha and this second book focuses more on the love interests. This wasn't a bad thing, for me, as I feel the characters gained more depth as they continued to learn about themselves, their power, and emotions.
This is definitely a nonstop story! It didn't lag for me at all through the middle, the author had so many interesting situations to place her characters into and I never felt bored. There were some choices made towards the end that I thought may have been rather convenient but they were necessary to end the story on such a bright note.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one just as much as the first book. I'm so happy to have been included in this book tour and found this amazing author! I will always pick up her work. Read this duology if you love fast paced fantasy, romance, and gryphons!(Can't forget about the gryphons :))
As this is a second book, I won't go into detail.
There was no down time in the Warriors of Wing and Flame. We rejoin the group as they continue fighting the Jackla and the stakes are high. I feel like the first book was mostly focused on the sisterly bond between Inara and Zurha and this second book focuses more on the love interests. This wasn't a bad thing, for me, as I feel the characters gained more depth as they continued to learn about themselves, their power, and emotions.
This is definitely a nonstop story! It didn't lag for me at all through the middle, the author had so many interesting situations to place her characters into and I never felt bored. There were some choices made towards the end that I thought may have been rather convenient but they were necessary to end the story on such a bright note.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one just as much as the first book. I'm so happy to have been included in this book tour and found this amazing author! I will always pick up her work. Read this duology if you love fast paced fantasy, romance, and gryphons!(Can't forget about the gryphons :))
October 23, 2020
Oh, my heart! Warriors of Wing and Flame picks up where Sisters of Shadow and Light left off, and I loved every action-packed second of it! Barloc escaped, and Zuhra and Inara must work together with friends and family to defeat him before he destroys all that they hold dear.
Sara B. Larson creates a magical world with cool powers and fantastic magical beings. Her writing is beautiful and immersive, easily pulling the reader into a world with gryphons, magic portals, murderous monsters, and more. Larson’s skillful use of imagery and sensory language creates a rich and vivid world and fantastically developed characters. Her books are so easy to get lost in.
The story switches perspectives between Zuhra and Inara, which gives the reader a look at the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of each sister. It is fascinating to see these young women experience the world around them, especially considering how sheltered their lives have been. Both sisters grow from naive, frightened girls into assured and brave women.
The sisterly bond is at the forefront of the novel, and it is one of my favorite relationships in the duology. Zuhra and Inara have a beautiful relationship, and it is clear that they love each other very much. Zuhra and Inara love each other unconditionally, and this love is their main motivation throughout the story. They understand each other well, and they remain a wonderful support for each other. I like how the sisters bring out the best in each other, and that, even though they are very different, they are also quite similar. They are intelligent, loyal, adaptable, and fierce young women who value family and friendship and find pleasure in helping and developing relationships with others.
The book also explores several other relationships in the story, from a new, budding romance to the rekindling of a long-lost love to life-long friendships. I liked this aspect of the story, as it highlighted the impact that different types of love have on a person’s life. Zuhra and Inara’s confusing relationship with their parents, Raidyn’s friendships, and more are exceptionally written.
Of course, I always love the romance, and this story has many to root for. Inara, her parents, her grandparents, and others deal with the ups and downs of romance. I loved Zuhra’s budding romance with Raidyn. They have a deep bond, and it is lovely to see their relationship grow stronger.
A beautifully written story with amazing world-building, fascinating characters, and strong messages about love, prejudice, and the bonds of family, Warriors of Wing and Flame is a poignant and powerful YA fantasy. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Tor Teen for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Sara B. Larson creates a magical world with cool powers and fantastic magical beings. Her writing is beautiful and immersive, easily pulling the reader into a world with gryphons, magic portals, murderous monsters, and more. Larson’s skillful use of imagery and sensory language creates a rich and vivid world and fantastically developed characters. Her books are so easy to get lost in.
The story switches perspectives between Zuhra and Inara, which gives the reader a look at the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of each sister. It is fascinating to see these young women experience the world around them, especially considering how sheltered their lives have been. Both sisters grow from naive, frightened girls into assured and brave women.
The sisterly bond is at the forefront of the novel, and it is one of my favorite relationships in the duology. Zuhra and Inara have a beautiful relationship, and it is clear that they love each other very much. Zuhra and Inara love each other unconditionally, and this love is their main motivation throughout the story. They understand each other well, and they remain a wonderful support for each other. I like how the sisters bring out the best in each other, and that, even though they are very different, they are also quite similar. They are intelligent, loyal, adaptable, and fierce young women who value family and friendship and find pleasure in helping and developing relationships with others.
The book also explores several other relationships in the story, from a new, budding romance to the rekindling of a long-lost love to life-long friendships. I liked this aspect of the story, as it highlighted the impact that different types of love have on a person’s life. Zuhra and Inara’s confusing relationship with their parents, Raidyn’s friendships, and more are exceptionally written.
Of course, I always love the romance, and this story has many to root for. Inara, her parents, her grandparents, and others deal with the ups and downs of romance. I loved Zuhra’s budding romance with Raidyn. They have a deep bond, and it is lovely to see their relationship grow stronger.
A beautifully written story with amazing world-building, fascinating characters, and strong messages about love, prejudice, and the bonds of family, Warriors of Wing and Flame is a poignant and powerful YA fantasy. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Tor Teen for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2020
Mon avis en français
My review in English
I loved the first volume and I was really looking forward to discovering the rest of Inara and Zuhra’s adventures after all the events that had taken place.
Now that the two sisters are together again, they have to deal with the consequences of everything that happened beforehand, and it’s far from easy! With their allies, they will soon have to go after Barloc in order to neutralize him. Unfortunately, Barloc is becoming increasingly powerful and deadly.
It was a pleasure to see all the characters get together, and especially to really witness the reunion of this family that has been separated for so long. Raidyn and Zuhra’s relationship is very touching and it’s nice to see them both trying to understand what they want from each other. And what about Loukas? He’s also a character I really liked!
As in the first volume, the novel alternates between Zuhra’s and Inara’s point of view and if I have a little preference for Zuhra’s, I was also curious to see what her sister thought.
The author offered us two very good volumes and this novel really concludes the story well!
My review in English
I loved the first volume and I was really looking forward to discovering the rest of Inara and Zuhra’s adventures after all the events that had taken place.
Now that the two sisters are together again, they have to deal with the consequences of everything that happened beforehand, and it’s far from easy! With their allies, they will soon have to go after Barloc in order to neutralize him. Unfortunately, Barloc is becoming increasingly powerful and deadly.
It was a pleasure to see all the characters get together, and especially to really witness the reunion of this family that has been separated for so long. Raidyn and Zuhra’s relationship is very touching and it’s nice to see them both trying to understand what they want from each other. And what about Loukas? He’s also a character I really liked!
As in the first volume, the novel alternates between Zuhra’s and Inara’s point of view and if I have a little preference for Zuhra’s, I was also curious to see what her sister thought.
The author offered us two very good volumes and this novel really concludes the story well!
October 28, 2020
After reading the first book in this duology, I was anxiously awaiting this book. The first book left off in a cliff hanger place so it felt like a rough place to end and a long time to wait. You really must read the first book before you read this book.
This book picks up pretty much where the last book leaves off. It has excellent pacing and plenty going on that kept me interested in the story and invested in the characters. I loved the mix of adventure, action, romance and magic. I also loved how all the characters came together to fight against Barloc. It was satisfying to watch both Zuhra and Inara grow into power and confidence while the people around them support and build them up.
The only little glitch I had was telling the sisters apart. Their voices became very similar in this book and because the author changes the character narrative with each chapter, I found I had to go back and remind myself who was talking. Not always, but a few times for sure.
This is a fun young adult fantasy duology and I really enjoyed it.
Content: peril, violence, death, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book picks up pretty much where the last book leaves off. It has excellent pacing and plenty going on that kept me interested in the story and invested in the characters. I loved the mix of adventure, action, romance and magic. I also loved how all the characters came together to fight against Barloc. It was satisfying to watch both Zuhra and Inara grow into power and confidence while the people around them support and build them up.
The only little glitch I had was telling the sisters apart. Their voices became very similar in this book and because the author changes the character narrative with each chapter, I found I had to go back and remind myself who was talking. Not always, but a few times for sure.
This is a fun young adult fantasy duology and I really enjoyed it.
Content: peril, violence, death, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 26, 2020
'Warriors of Wing and Flame' is the second and final book in an enchanting young adult fantasy duology that fans of the genre and of the author are definitely going to love. I've read several of the author's other books - including the first book of this duology - and absolutely loved them. After finishing the first installment, I couldn't wait to see how Inara's and Zuhra's stories wrapped up.
The main characters, Inara and Zuhra, continued to be incredibly realistic and easy for me to connect with. I was able to slip right back inside their world within the first couple of paragraphs and it was like I had never left. I loved watching them learn more about themselves, each other, and their lives in the crazy new mixed world they find themselves in. I really liked seeing their relationship with one another continue to grow and change. Of course, I loved watching each of their romantic relationships blossom throughout the book too.
Another huge thing for me personally was the writing style. I almost always prefer the first person point of view when reading because I feel it lets the reader have a much deeper connection with the narrator than any other style. I was so glad when the author chose to write this in the first person but with the added bonus of dual narratives from Inara and Zuhra both. I absolutely adored getting to experience the story through each one of their perspectives and to see things through both of their eyes. It let me get a fuller, deeper look of everything that was happening and how the girls were feeling during it all. Having the book done in the first person was fantastic, but having it done from alternating viewpoints of Inara and Zuhra took it up a notch and made it incredible. I very highly recommend this book (and series) to fans of the author and readers who enjoy YA, fantasy, action, adventure, romance, and fairy tales.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters, Inara and Zuhra, continued to be incredibly realistic and easy for me to connect with. I was able to slip right back inside their world within the first couple of paragraphs and it was like I had never left. I loved watching them learn more about themselves, each other, and their lives in the crazy new mixed world they find themselves in. I really liked seeing their relationship with one another continue to grow and change. Of course, I loved watching each of their romantic relationships blossom throughout the book too.
Another huge thing for me personally was the writing style. I almost always prefer the first person point of view when reading because I feel it lets the reader have a much deeper connection with the narrator than any other style. I was so glad when the author chose to write this in the first person but with the added bonus of dual narratives from Inara and Zuhra both. I absolutely adored getting to experience the story through each one of their perspectives and to see things through both of their eyes. It let me get a fuller, deeper look of everything that was happening and how the girls were feeling during it all. Having the book done in the first person was fantastic, but having it done from alternating viewpoints of Inara and Zuhra took it up a notch and made it incredible. I very highly recommend this book (and series) to fans of the author and readers who enjoy YA, fantasy, action, adventure, romance, and fairy tales.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2020
Warriors of Wing and Flame is the second and last book in the Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. I very much enjoyed this conclusion to the series, enjoyed the mix of fantasy action (big battle scenes) and character growth.
Zuhra has returned home, bringing with her her long-lost father and teams of Riders with their gryphons. But they must now face the devastation they found upon their return. Inara is reeling from the loss of her powers and the Paladin are desperately trying to track down the man who stole them and who now poses a risk to both worlds and both Paladin and humans. Everything the sisters have finally gained could be threatened if they don’t act quickly.
I love that there are only two books in this series - I’m not a huge fan of big series and so often the second book of a trilogy just feels like a placeholder. In this series, you get action and romance and world building throughout both two books. They are exciting and lots of fun to read.
The gryphons are awesome -so magnificent and I loved that we got to hang out with them and their riders a bit more in this second book. They suffer some pretty significant losses, so animal lovers be warned.
I really loved what was done with Inara’s storyline. I really enjoyed her chapters - the book alternates between Inara and Zuhra each chapter - as she learns to experience her world. She is also grieving the loss of her powers and trying to be as brave as her sister. Her character growth and strength was surprising and was my favourite part of the book - except for maybe the kissing. Two romances (1 was a surprise and was so awesome - loved that match-up) make for some swoony kissing scenes.
All in all, a great fantasy series for those who love magical worlds, magical creatures and strong characters with strong romance.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Zuhra has returned home, bringing with her her long-lost father and teams of Riders with their gryphons. But they must now face the devastation they found upon their return. Inara is reeling from the loss of her powers and the Paladin are desperately trying to track down the man who stole them and who now poses a risk to both worlds and both Paladin and humans. Everything the sisters have finally gained could be threatened if they don’t act quickly.
I love that there are only two books in this series - I’m not a huge fan of big series and so often the second book of a trilogy just feels like a placeholder. In this series, you get action and romance and world building throughout both two books. They are exciting and lots of fun to read.
The gryphons are awesome -so magnificent and I loved that we got to hang out with them and their riders a bit more in this second book. They suffer some pretty significant losses, so animal lovers be warned.
I really loved what was done with Inara’s storyline. I really enjoyed her chapters - the book alternates between Inara and Zuhra each chapter - as she learns to experience her world. She is also grieving the loss of her powers and trying to be as brave as her sister. Her character growth and strength was surprising and was my favourite part of the book - except for maybe the kissing. Two romances (1 was a surprise and was so awesome - loved that match-up) make for some swoony kissing scenes.
All in all, a great fantasy series for those who love magical worlds, magical creatures and strong characters with strong romance.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
November 22, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Warriors of Wing and Flame
Author: Sara B. Larson
Book Series: Sisters of Shadow and Light Book 2
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended For...: Sister books, duology, fantasy, viking inspired, romance
Publication Date: October 27, 2020
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 382
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, sexual content, romance)
Synopsis: The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book and series immensely. The book did well with the character development and I loved seeing Inara's voice more in this book. The world building was great, the pacing was good, and I really enjoyed the plot and ending.
The only things I didn't like were that the tone of the book felt a bit too somber for it in certain parts and that the book had too much action for a tone that was somber and emotional. Don't get me wrong, it was emotional and sometimes heartbreaking, but in the action scenes I felt a little depressed.
Verdict: it's a good series!!
Book: Warriors of Wing and Flame
Author: Sara B. Larson
Book Series: Sisters of Shadow and Light Book 2
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended For...: Sister books, duology, fantasy, viking inspired, romance
Publication Date: October 27, 2020
Publisher: TorTeen
Pages: 382
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, sexual content, romance)
Synopsis: The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book and series immensely. The book did well with the character development and I loved seeing Inara's voice more in this book. The world building was great, the pacing was good, and I really enjoyed the plot and ending.
The only things I didn't like were that the tone of the book felt a bit too somber for it in certain parts and that the book had too much action for a tone that was somber and emotional. Don't get me wrong, it was emotional and sometimes heartbreaking, but in the action scenes I felt a little depressed.
Verdict: it's a good series!!
September 2, 2020
*I was given an e-arc of this book by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.*
Warriors of Wing and Flame by Sara B. Larson picks up almost directly where Sisters of Shadow and Light leaves off. Barloc has escaped and now it is up to Zuhra and Inara and friends to stop him before he destroys all that they know and love.
The plot was very well written for the most part, although there were a few parts that got a bit wordy and it felt like the author used that as filler until the conclusion, which was a bit anti-climactic. It left me wanting more.
Inara and Zuhra were great, but their points of view got a bit muddled in this book. I couldn't tell at times who was talking and and had to flip back and see who it was, which wasn't an issue with the first book.
The side characters from the first book are fleshed out more and it's interesting to see what the author did with some of them.
In summary, I liked the book, but was a bit disheartened by the ending. Wishing there was one more book.
Warriors of Wing and Flame by Sara B. Larson picks up almost directly where Sisters of Shadow and Light leaves off. Barloc has escaped and now it is up to Zuhra and Inara and friends to stop him before he destroys all that they know and love.
The plot was very well written for the most part, although there were a few parts that got a bit wordy and it felt like the author used that as filler until the conclusion, which was a bit anti-climactic. It left me wanting more.
Inara and Zuhra were great, but their points of view got a bit muddled in this book. I couldn't tell at times who was talking and and had to flip back and see who it was, which wasn't an issue with the first book.
The side characters from the first book are fleshed out more and it's interesting to see what the author did with some of them.
In summary, I liked the book, but was a bit disheartened by the ending. Wishing there was one more book.
October 31, 2020
*Part of the Turn the Pages Tour*
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. That happens a lot but I think it's because I understand the world better than before and understand the characters. I enjoyed the pacing for this book and the author's writing. The story picked off after book one (kind of right after). This book was more complex though I wished there was a bigger villain. I wanted to get to know more about him and felt that I didn't. Though I did enjoy the main characters and the supporting ones.
This book is written in two povs which are from both of the sisters. I enjoyed both POVs because each sister was going through something that the other one didn't or didn't want to freak the other out. The character development was there and more than from book one. There is also more romance in this book than before and also a love triangle. You will also see a death that you wouldn't have expected.
The reason I didn't give this book 4/5 stars is that I wanted to know more about the villain and get his side of the story also it wasn't a wow book. But this book was written better than book one and I rated that 3/5 stars so this would for sure get 4/5 stars. I recommend this book to those who would enjoy sisterly bonds and magic all combined in one.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. That happens a lot but I think it's because I understand the world better than before and understand the characters. I enjoyed the pacing for this book and the author's writing. The story picked off after book one (kind of right after). This book was more complex though I wished there was a bigger villain. I wanted to get to know more about him and felt that I didn't. Though I did enjoy the main characters and the supporting ones.
This book is written in two povs which are from both of the sisters. I enjoyed both POVs because each sister was going through something that the other one didn't or didn't want to freak the other out. The character development was there and more than from book one. There is also more romance in this book than before and also a love triangle. You will also see a death that you wouldn't have expected.
The reason I didn't give this book 4/5 stars is that I wanted to know more about the villain and get his side of the story also it wasn't a wow book. But this book was written better than book one and I rated that 3/5 stars so this would for sure get 4/5 stars. I recommend this book to those who would enjoy sisterly bonds and magic all combined in one.
May 20, 2021
3 stars
A satisfying conclusion. But I still wasn't able to connect to this story or world.
What I Liked
Well written, faster paced than book 1, unique story and world … I just couldn't find myself caring. Overall I enjoyed this read but I wouldn't read it again.
What I did not like
My lack of connection is really the only complaint that I have and I can't exactly pinpoint why I wasn't able to connect.
In Conclusion
I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed book 1. It was an interesting world and story. I would recommend to some people.
A satisfying conclusion. But I still wasn't able to connect to this story or world.
What I Liked
Well written, faster paced than book 1, unique story and world … I just couldn't find myself caring. Overall I enjoyed this read but I wouldn't read it again.
What I did not like
My lack of connection is really the only complaint that I have and I can't exactly pinpoint why I wasn't able to connect.
In Conclusion
I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed book 1. It was an interesting world and story. I would recommend to some people.
January 20, 2021
I had high hopes for this book, but it fell flat for me. I found the characters to be super predictable and a lot less interesting. I did not care for the romance at all. I really didn't get into the story at all. I personally feel like it was just as good as the first but I wasn't feeling it at this moment in time.
December 9, 2021
Lawson’s strength is always the romance and family relationships. So visceral and relatable. The magic and worlds are beautiful too but what pulls me in every time are those relationships she brings to life! Swoon worthy romance for sure 💗
February 16, 2025
I think I was into the story better with this second book, I was less bugged by the overly dramatic writing. Good story.
Content: two instances of mild swearing, and a couple clean steam moments that literally made me say "oh my"
Content: two instances of mild swearing, and a couple clean steam moments that literally made me say "oh my"
April 1, 2021
I love the sister relationship between Inara and Zhura. The love triangle was dismantled a little too conveniently, but overall a great story. It was so fun to listen to.
January 25, 2021
A great continuation of the story, strong characters.
March 10, 2021
The Sisters of Shadow and Light duology by Sara B Larson is a good story if you can stick with it, and I give it an overall of 3.25 rating. Containing minor Strange the Dreamer vibes with parallel universes and blind prejudice, it is its own story though and unique. But before we ride into the land of the Paladins and Gryphons they rode in on, we must first go over the rules for you uninitiated:
Rule #1: No telling them they have an ugly baby. The writer put themselves into the story; they put a lot of work into it and truly believe in it and its merits. Who am I to tell them they created an ugly baby? So even if I am disappointed in it, I will not be cruel and a hater, but will be honest without being mean. On the reverse side, it has to be REALLY AWESOME to earn a 5-star rating. Don’t want to cheapen the rating system by giving out too many 5-star ratings; they have to be earned by gum!
Rule #2: No spoilers! You would not want me in a theater telling you what was going to happen next or expose a pivotal point before you get to experience it for yourself, so why would it be okay to tell you an important part of the story and ruin it for you? Not cool and won't happen.
Rule #3: If it is a series, I will review the entire series instead of each individual book. I may state that one book or part of the story arc is better than another, or that it started off slow and picked up or the reverse, but will review the whole instead of each separate part. This is partly due to my own laziness, but also to provide my opinion on the entire story. Using the movie metaphor again, you wouldn't review half a movie and then come back and review the second half separately, that would be silly. I will review the entire story, regardless if it is a duology, trilogy, or more.
Rule #4: and most importantly, take my review with a grain of salt. Read the story for yourself and make your own decisions. I am only giving my opinion and I may not be as impressed with it as you or you may think I am totally out of my mind and wonder if I read the same story as you. You always have the right to ignore what I write or disagree with me.
Using an analogy of proxemics or social distancing zones, think of the interaction of the author and the story told as individuals and the proximity they are allowed into the readers personal space based on how well the reader enjoyed the book. The extent a person enjoys a book is based not only on the story but the writing style. The two are interlocked and equal in importance. A very strong story can be “ruined” by poor writing and adversely, a rather weak story can be bolstered by a more appealing writing style.
As in proxemics, the books an individual “allows” into their different zones is completely unique based upon the reader’s own personality and reading preferences. Also, like interpersonal relationship proxemics, it can show a lot about the reader themselves in the proxemics of the books they choose and why, the specific writing style preferred or the type of story one gravitates towards.
Here is how I classify, based on Proxemics, the “distance of space” zones a reader gives a book:
Intimate Space: a very rare number of books can make it into the “intimate space” where the story and the telling totally absorb the reader. The book is kind of like a very close family member or lover. The reader has a strong connection to the story and are emotionally invested in it. The story is so well written it touches the soul of the reader. The reader can’t wait to see how it turns out but is sad that it is concluded and feels a loss almost grieve when they finish it. Often these will be rated 4.5 or 5.
Personal Space: most books we are drawn to tend to be in the “personal space” zone. These stories are like close friends. We enjoy them and have minor emotional investment in them but not to the extent as with the “intimate” ones. These are enjoyable stories that draw the reader in and keep them involved throughout. We are sorry to see the finale of these books or series, but don’t feel an emptiness as is felt with the conclusion of stories we allow into our intimate space zone. These books, in the personal space zone, are often rated as 3.5 to 4.5.
Social Space: Stories in the “social space” are okay but not very impressive. Often a story will be in the “social range” because it did not live up to expectations and was found somewhat lacking due to storyline or writing style. Sometimes a story will end up in this zone due to not being what was expected or how it was described in the summary. Disappointingly, the expectations of the reader are not met. It is not judged by the reader as a “bad” attempt, just not up to expected standards or anything to get enthusiastic about. Often these books will rate a 2 to low 3 as the reader found it to be mediocre.
Public Space: if a book finds itself in the readers “public space”, often it will end up a DNF. The writing is horrid or the story is not worthwhile, whatever the reason, the book does not hold the readers interests and is grossly disappointing. If the reader does persevere and read it to its entirety, the rating will be lucky to reach a 2.
This duology by Sara B. Larson was in my “social space” zone of books. I really enjoyed the story itself; I was a little disappointed in the writing style. To me her style was somewhat dry and didn’t truly embrace me.
But before we delve into the actual overall review, let’s introduce a few concepts and the major players:
Brief Glossary
Paladins: race of beings possessing different types of magic and have glowing blue eyes from the parallel world of Visimperum. Greatly hated by humans they had been driven out of the world years earlier.
Rasaka: monsters or creatures that live in Visimperum and attack the Paladins; sometimes they escape through the gate to Vanalis to wreak all sorts of havoc.
Visimperum: the world of the Paladins and the rasaka
Vanalis: the Paladian name for the world where the humans live
Citadel: the large castle in Vanalis where the Paladins had resided before being chased back to Visimperum. It is protected by a large hedge that surrounds it isolating the small family that resides inside while preventing anybody from entering.
Jakla: somebody who steals and absorbs the power of a Paladin by drinking their blood enhancing their own powers
Residents of the Citadel:
Cinnia: the mother of Zuhra & Inara, a very cold withdrawn woman who shows little affection towards her daughters since her husband disappeared the night her youngest daughter was born.
Zuhra: the elder sister who though half-paladin like her younger sister, does not exhibit the Paladin powers or tell-tale glowing blue eyes
Inara: the younger sister who exhibits her paladin heritage with the way she can coax plants to grow, but exhibits behavior much like autism in that she is very withdrawn into herself and quite infrequently has lucid periods of time
Sami: the maid/ caretaker at the Citadel; she is more of the mother figure for Zuhr and Inara than their own mother.
Halvor: a young man that shows up at the Citadel, a student of the paladin, he is making a pilgrimage to the last known residence of the Paladins before they were forced back into their own world.
From Visimperum:
Ederra: the head of the Paladian counsel
General Adelric: the leader of the battalion who has taken Raidon, Loukas & Charmaine under his protective wing
Raidon: a healer who comes to Zuhra’s aid
Loukas: friend of Raidon’s who ends up helping Inara, due to his unique magic is somewhat of an outcast from the Paladins
Charmaine: the friend of Loukas and Raidon who possesses a widely desired strong magic but her allegiance to her friends kept her from abandoning them for a better position.
Getting through the first 150 pages of the first book was a challenge for me and took perseverance to slog through it without abandoning it. This one of the reasons I was disappointed in it. The first part Ms. Larson went into excruciating detail building the atmosphere and world, introducing the characters and dynamics. Not really sure this part is necessary to the story to the extent of the detail and number of pages that went into it. I believe she could have completed this part in about fifty pages and not lose any of the atmosphere. Introducing the characters, showing how they are all isolated from the outside world. The citadel they reside in, which was built by the Paladins, a race of magical beings from another dimension, cut-off from the rest of the village by a large magical hedge that surrounds the grounds not allowing anybody to enter or exit. Inside the Citadel is the gateway to the other world, Visimperum, where the Paladins reside. Inara and Zuhra are both half Paladin, from their father. Inara, the younger sister, exhibits the Paladin trait of magical glowing blue eyes but is trapped within herself. Zuhra, the older sister is totally devoted to her younger sister, but too meek to stand up to their mother. Zuhra, although half-paladin too, exhibits no Paladin powers or physical traits (glowing eyes). Their mother is extremely bitter, cold and cruel since the day Inara was born and her husband disappeared. Sami, the caretaker/maid is the glue that holds the family together. These four people are the only ones who reside in the Citadel for about fifteen years until Halvor, a young man, is able to enter and is trapped within the Citadel with them. The story only really takes off in the second part when Inara opens the gate and Zuhra is pulled (literally) into Visimperum. This is where the story becomes interesting and really draws the reader in to where it is difficult to find a stopping point. Here Ms. Larson really begins to show her abilities in crafting the story and keeping the attention of the reader. Switching back and forth from the POV of Zuhra and Inara, the reader is shown what is going on and the dynamics as the sisters and the people around them attempt to once again open the gate from the side they are on so they can be reunited. Zuhra, in Visimperum meets not only her father but her grandparents, as well as Raidon, Charmaine and Loukas and their gryphons which is their main mode of transportation. Here she learns about her heritage and the Paladian people as well as the hidden paladian power she possesses. Both sides face some difficulties but ultimately the gate is reopened and Zuhra returns only to find her sister being attacked by a Jackla who steals her power and then escapes. Raidon, Loukas, Charmaine and a couple other Paladins come through the gate into the Citadel before the gate closes once again to stop the Jakla.
The second book, Warriors of Wing & Flame picks up in the chase to stop the Jakla. The second book is better than the first in that the story moved at a good pace and there was enough going on to keep it interesting. The characters were established and the worldbuilding complete, so it was mainly the story being told. And she told it well in keeping it interesting.
There were some problems with it. A large issue I have is when a character knowingly and intentionally does something really stupid that obviously will cause risks to themselves and others. Or when they keep secrets unnecessarily posing a threat by withholding the information. I always just want to reach into the story and slap the character and tell them to “Knock it off! Quit being a dolt!”. In this story it occurred a couple times where bad decisions were made and secrets kept that obviously had severe consequences. Of course, they were remorseful afterwards…too late!!! You done screwed up and there are no take-backs!!! But other than that, it was an interesting if not completely predictable story. It did have some twists that were unexpected, but the romance and the ultimate outcome was not a surprise and was tidy.
Overall, other than taking too long for the world building and character development at the beginning of the first book, Ms. Larson wrote a very interesting and adventurous story. Her storytelling style was not what I would consider very “intimate” but more as if she is relating a story third person to a large group. It does not feel as if she is telling me the story directly as some writers do. In the interaction of the story and the storytelling, this is one of those books where the story was really good but the writing style was disappointing to me. Not bad, but not a style I was really “taken with” that is why this is more in the “personal Space” for me, great story/unsatisfying style. In her defense, Ms. Larson did keep me interested throughout the entire saga. I plan on reading other works of hers in the near future. I would recommend this series with the warning to stay with it through the first section, it does get much better after that, promise.
Rule #1: No telling them they have an ugly baby. The writer put themselves into the story; they put a lot of work into it and truly believe in it and its merits. Who am I to tell them they created an ugly baby? So even if I am disappointed in it, I will not be cruel and a hater, but will be honest without being mean. On the reverse side, it has to be REALLY AWESOME to earn a 5-star rating. Don’t want to cheapen the rating system by giving out too many 5-star ratings; they have to be earned by gum!
Rule #2: No spoilers! You would not want me in a theater telling you what was going to happen next or expose a pivotal point before you get to experience it for yourself, so why would it be okay to tell you an important part of the story and ruin it for you? Not cool and won't happen.
Rule #3: If it is a series, I will review the entire series instead of each individual book. I may state that one book or part of the story arc is better than another, or that it started off slow and picked up or the reverse, but will review the whole instead of each separate part. This is partly due to my own laziness, but also to provide my opinion on the entire story. Using the movie metaphor again, you wouldn't review half a movie and then come back and review the second half separately, that would be silly. I will review the entire story, regardless if it is a duology, trilogy, or more.
Rule #4: and most importantly, take my review with a grain of salt. Read the story for yourself and make your own decisions. I am only giving my opinion and I may not be as impressed with it as you or you may think I am totally out of my mind and wonder if I read the same story as you. You always have the right to ignore what I write or disagree with me.
Using an analogy of proxemics or social distancing zones, think of the interaction of the author and the story told as individuals and the proximity they are allowed into the readers personal space based on how well the reader enjoyed the book. The extent a person enjoys a book is based not only on the story but the writing style. The two are interlocked and equal in importance. A very strong story can be “ruined” by poor writing and adversely, a rather weak story can be bolstered by a more appealing writing style.
As in proxemics, the books an individual “allows” into their different zones is completely unique based upon the reader’s own personality and reading preferences. Also, like interpersonal relationship proxemics, it can show a lot about the reader themselves in the proxemics of the books they choose and why, the specific writing style preferred or the type of story one gravitates towards.
Here is how I classify, based on Proxemics, the “distance of space” zones a reader gives a book:
Intimate Space: a very rare number of books can make it into the “intimate space” where the story and the telling totally absorb the reader. The book is kind of like a very close family member or lover. The reader has a strong connection to the story and are emotionally invested in it. The story is so well written it touches the soul of the reader. The reader can’t wait to see how it turns out but is sad that it is concluded and feels a loss almost grieve when they finish it. Often these will be rated 4.5 or 5.
Personal Space: most books we are drawn to tend to be in the “personal space” zone. These stories are like close friends. We enjoy them and have minor emotional investment in them but not to the extent as with the “intimate” ones. These are enjoyable stories that draw the reader in and keep them involved throughout. We are sorry to see the finale of these books or series, but don’t feel an emptiness as is felt with the conclusion of stories we allow into our intimate space zone. These books, in the personal space zone, are often rated as 3.5 to 4.5.
Social Space: Stories in the “social space” are okay but not very impressive. Often a story will be in the “social range” because it did not live up to expectations and was found somewhat lacking due to storyline or writing style. Sometimes a story will end up in this zone due to not being what was expected or how it was described in the summary. Disappointingly, the expectations of the reader are not met. It is not judged by the reader as a “bad” attempt, just not up to expected standards or anything to get enthusiastic about. Often these books will rate a 2 to low 3 as the reader found it to be mediocre.
Public Space: if a book finds itself in the readers “public space”, often it will end up a DNF. The writing is horrid or the story is not worthwhile, whatever the reason, the book does not hold the readers interests and is grossly disappointing. If the reader does persevere and read it to its entirety, the rating will be lucky to reach a 2.
This duology by Sara B. Larson was in my “social space” zone of books. I really enjoyed the story itself; I was a little disappointed in the writing style. To me her style was somewhat dry and didn’t truly embrace me.
But before we delve into the actual overall review, let’s introduce a few concepts and the major players:
Brief Glossary
Paladins: race of beings possessing different types of magic and have glowing blue eyes from the parallel world of Visimperum. Greatly hated by humans they had been driven out of the world years earlier.
Rasaka: monsters or creatures that live in Visimperum and attack the Paladins; sometimes they escape through the gate to Vanalis to wreak all sorts of havoc.
Visimperum: the world of the Paladins and the rasaka
Vanalis: the Paladian name for the world where the humans live
Citadel: the large castle in Vanalis where the Paladins had resided before being chased back to Visimperum. It is protected by a large hedge that surrounds it isolating the small family that resides inside while preventing anybody from entering.
Jakla: somebody who steals and absorbs the power of a Paladin by drinking their blood enhancing their own powers
Residents of the Citadel:
Cinnia: the mother of Zuhra & Inara, a very cold withdrawn woman who shows little affection towards her daughters since her husband disappeared the night her youngest daughter was born.
Zuhra: the elder sister who though half-paladin like her younger sister, does not exhibit the Paladin powers or tell-tale glowing blue eyes
Inara: the younger sister who exhibits her paladin heritage with the way she can coax plants to grow, but exhibits behavior much like autism in that she is very withdrawn into herself and quite infrequently has lucid periods of time
Sami: the maid/ caretaker at the Citadel; she is more of the mother figure for Zuhr and Inara than their own mother.
Halvor: a young man that shows up at the Citadel, a student of the paladin, he is making a pilgrimage to the last known residence of the Paladins before they were forced back into their own world.
From Visimperum:
Ederra: the head of the Paladian counsel
General Adelric: the leader of the battalion who has taken Raidon, Loukas & Charmaine under his protective wing
Raidon: a healer who comes to Zuhra’s aid
Loukas: friend of Raidon’s who ends up helping Inara, due to his unique magic is somewhat of an outcast from the Paladins
Charmaine: the friend of Loukas and Raidon who possesses a widely desired strong magic but her allegiance to her friends kept her from abandoning them for a better position.
Getting through the first 150 pages of the first book was a challenge for me and took perseverance to slog through it without abandoning it. This one of the reasons I was disappointed in it. The first part Ms. Larson went into excruciating detail building the atmosphere and world, introducing the characters and dynamics. Not really sure this part is necessary to the story to the extent of the detail and number of pages that went into it. I believe she could have completed this part in about fifty pages and not lose any of the atmosphere. Introducing the characters, showing how they are all isolated from the outside world. The citadel they reside in, which was built by the Paladins, a race of magical beings from another dimension, cut-off from the rest of the village by a large magical hedge that surrounds the grounds not allowing anybody to enter or exit. Inside the Citadel is the gateway to the other world, Visimperum, where the Paladins reside. Inara and Zuhra are both half Paladin, from their father. Inara, the younger sister, exhibits the Paladin trait of magical glowing blue eyes but is trapped within herself. Zuhra, the older sister is totally devoted to her younger sister, but too meek to stand up to their mother. Zuhra, although half-paladin too, exhibits no Paladin powers or physical traits (glowing eyes). Their mother is extremely bitter, cold and cruel since the day Inara was born and her husband disappeared. Sami, the caretaker/maid is the glue that holds the family together. These four people are the only ones who reside in the Citadel for about fifteen years until Halvor, a young man, is able to enter and is trapped within the Citadel with them. The story only really takes off in the second part when Inara opens the gate and Zuhra is pulled (literally) into Visimperum. This is where the story becomes interesting and really draws the reader in to where it is difficult to find a stopping point. Here Ms. Larson really begins to show her abilities in crafting the story and keeping the attention of the reader. Switching back and forth from the POV of Zuhra and Inara, the reader is shown what is going on and the dynamics as the sisters and the people around them attempt to once again open the gate from the side they are on so they can be reunited. Zuhra, in Visimperum meets not only her father but her grandparents, as well as Raidon, Charmaine and Loukas and their gryphons which is their main mode of transportation. Here she learns about her heritage and the Paladian people as well as the hidden paladian power she possesses. Both sides face some difficulties but ultimately the gate is reopened and Zuhra returns only to find her sister being attacked by a Jackla who steals her power and then escapes. Raidon, Loukas, Charmaine and a couple other Paladins come through the gate into the Citadel before the gate closes once again to stop the Jakla.
The second book, Warriors of Wing & Flame picks up in the chase to stop the Jakla. The second book is better than the first in that the story moved at a good pace and there was enough going on to keep it interesting. The characters were established and the worldbuilding complete, so it was mainly the story being told. And she told it well in keeping it interesting.
There were some problems with it. A large issue I have is when a character knowingly and intentionally does something really stupid that obviously will cause risks to themselves and others. Or when they keep secrets unnecessarily posing a threat by withholding the information. I always just want to reach into the story and slap the character and tell them to “Knock it off! Quit being a dolt!”. In this story it occurred a couple times where bad decisions were made and secrets kept that obviously had severe consequences. Of course, they were remorseful afterwards…too late!!! You done screwed up and there are no take-backs!!! But other than that, it was an interesting if not completely predictable story. It did have some twists that were unexpected, but the romance and the ultimate outcome was not a surprise and was tidy.
Overall, other than taking too long for the world building and character development at the beginning of the first book, Ms. Larson wrote a very interesting and adventurous story. Her storytelling style was not what I would consider very “intimate” but more as if she is relating a story third person to a large group. It does not feel as if she is telling me the story directly as some writers do. In the interaction of the story and the storytelling, this is one of those books where the story was really good but the writing style was disappointing to me. Not bad, but not a style I was really “taken with” that is why this is more in the “personal Space” for me, great story/unsatisfying style. In her defense, Ms. Larson did keep me interested throughout the entire saga. I plan on reading other works of hers in the near future. I would recommend this series with the warning to stay with it through the first section, it does get much better after that, promise.
October 19, 2020
Warriors of Wing and Flame was a highly anticipated sequel for me, and Sara B. Larson did not hold back!
From the twists and turns, the heart-wrenching sacrifices Inara and Zuhra make for the good of both worlds, and the non-stop action, I couldn't put this one down! I've been a huge fan of Larson's books since she wrote the Defy trilogy, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this tale!
From the twists and turns, the heart-wrenching sacrifices Inara and Zuhra make for the good of both worlds, and the non-stop action, I couldn't put this one down! I've been a huge fan of Larson's books since she wrote the Defy trilogy, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this tale!
December 10, 2020
Ok I powered through....
The first half of the book was torture...stab me with a spoon type torture...everyone is a fucking idiot torture.....I'd rather pick my grandfathers toes type torture....you get the drift. However, I powered through and it got considerably better when I got to Part 2. By the end of Part 2, I decided that it wasn't a complete waste of time and raised my rating considerably.
Bottom line:
first part of the book everyone sucked
Zuhra lost my respect
Raiden was embarrasing
Inara was an idiot
Part 2: Loukas. Enough said.
The first half of the book was torture...stab me with a spoon type torture...everyone is a fucking idiot torture.....I'd rather pick my grandfathers toes type torture....you get the drift. However, I powered through and it got considerably better when I got to Part 2. By the end of Part 2, I decided that it wasn't a complete waste of time and raised my rating considerably.
Bottom line:
first part of the book everyone sucked
Zuhra lost my respect
Raiden was embarrasing
Inara was an idiot
Part 2: Loukas. Enough said.
October 26, 2020
“𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔? 𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒆𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅.” —Sara B Larson
MY SYNOPSIS: Paladin are once again living within the citadel and sisters Inara and Zuhra are reunited, but it has come at great cost. Barloc has stolen Inara’s immense power, leaving behind a gaping hole that continues to threaten her life. She feels empty, and questions whether life is still worth living. But Barloc hasn’t stopped there. His power grows, and he continues to take the lives of other Paladins. Inara and Zuhra must find a way to defeat him while navigating the treacherous path of self-discovery that leads to deeper bonds with each other and unexpected love.
MY THOUGHTS: This was a satisfying end to an enchanting fantasy. It was sweet, fulfilling, and had the perfect fairytale feel. I could not put it down. Part of this was because the chapter POVs switch between the sisters, and each leaves on a cliff hanger that has you racing on to the next. What I loved was all the romance woven into Zuhra and Inara’s stories, their character growth, and the way the events of the plot challenged them.
The romance stood out the most for me. I was pleasantly surprised by how much more romance there was compared to the first book. And if you know me, you know I loooove my fantasy plots with TONS of romance. This did not disappoint. While it is YA, the spice level was done well. There weren’t any sex scenes, nothing beyond kissing, yet, some of the romantic scenes were still spicy (in a sweet way—since this has a fairytale feel to it). Better still, both sisters had their own romantic stories. So it was like a two-for-one. Double the romance fun!
I also liked the parallel this book created compared to the last. In the first book, it is Zuhra who goes through the portal. This time, it’s Inara. I was so thrilled that she got to see all the wonders that her sister saw before her. Those were some of the most exciting chapters for me, especially because it allowed her some time with Louk, and for their developing feelings. And on that note, their romance was definitely UNEXPECTED!!! I did not predict that AT ALL!! And it didn’t happen until after the 50% mark, but it felt so right, and so needed. So satisfying.
The sisterhood bond is still prevalent throughout this story. But this time, the bond is challenged as Zuhra and Inara must face their own obstacles. Yet, even though the bond is tested, they still love each other and they still always come back to each other for support. This created a feel-good aspect that I adored! By the end, I found myself tearing up with some of the final chapters. It is definitely going on my favorite duologies list! I think it’s a great story conclusion and a must read for anyone who likes enchanting fantasy stories with romance woven into them. MY RATING: 4.5/5⭐️
A big thank you to NetGalley and TorTeen for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
MY SYNOPSIS: Paladin are once again living within the citadel and sisters Inara and Zuhra are reunited, but it has come at great cost. Barloc has stolen Inara’s immense power, leaving behind a gaping hole that continues to threaten her life. She feels empty, and questions whether life is still worth living. But Barloc hasn’t stopped there. His power grows, and he continues to take the lives of other Paladins. Inara and Zuhra must find a way to defeat him while navigating the treacherous path of self-discovery that leads to deeper bonds with each other and unexpected love.
MY THOUGHTS: This was a satisfying end to an enchanting fantasy. It was sweet, fulfilling, and had the perfect fairytale feel. I could not put it down. Part of this was because the chapter POVs switch between the sisters, and each leaves on a cliff hanger that has you racing on to the next. What I loved was all the romance woven into Zuhra and Inara’s stories, their character growth, and the way the events of the plot challenged them.
The romance stood out the most for me. I was pleasantly surprised by how much more romance there was compared to the first book. And if you know me, you know I loooove my fantasy plots with TONS of romance. This did not disappoint. While it is YA, the spice level was done well. There weren’t any sex scenes, nothing beyond kissing, yet, some of the romantic scenes were still spicy (in a sweet way—since this has a fairytale feel to it). Better still, both sisters had their own romantic stories. So it was like a two-for-one. Double the romance fun!
I also liked the parallel this book created compared to the last. In the first book, it is Zuhra who goes through the portal. This time, it’s Inara. I was so thrilled that she got to see all the wonders that her sister saw before her. Those were some of the most exciting chapters for me, especially because it allowed her some time with Louk, and for their developing feelings. And on that note, their romance was definitely UNEXPECTED!!! I did not predict that AT ALL!! And it didn’t happen until after the 50% mark, but it felt so right, and so needed. So satisfying.
The sisterhood bond is still prevalent throughout this story. But this time, the bond is challenged as Zuhra and Inara must face their own obstacles. Yet, even though the bond is tested, they still love each other and they still always come back to each other for support. This created a feel-good aspect that I adored! By the end, I found myself tearing up with some of the final chapters. It is definitely going on my favorite duologies list! I think it’s a great story conclusion and a must read for anyone who likes enchanting fantasy stories with romance woven into them. MY RATING: 4.5/5⭐️
A big thank you to NetGalley and TorTeen for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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