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Divinity's Twilight #2
Remnant
Power is a curse.
As Vallen and his fellow cadets flee fallen Darmatia, he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. The friend who perished that he might live. The girl whose smile haunts his nightmares. Now, a third voice joins them—something dark, something ancient. And the more Vallen uses his magic, the stronger it becomes.
Tools exist to be used.
The flames of Sylette's vengeance are all but quenched. With each passing day, the dominion of the Sarconian Empire grows, and her treacherous father's throat drifts further from her reach. Sylette's last hope is a coded message, one that promises a growing resistance against the Empire. But even if she gains the means to avenge her mother's murder, one question remains: how many 'tools' is she willing to sacrifice to see her vengeance through?
What color is love?
Renar has learned to hide a great many things: his emotions, his art, and one truly devastating family secret. But when he must face the man who's controlled his life from the shadows, will he choose the family he's always known, or the dysfunctional crew he's been shackled with?
For every ending, a beginning.
Embers of conspiracy flare in Nemare and Sarconia. A resurrected Sarcon plots to reclaim his imprisoned flesh. As the winds of war swirl and forgotten myths rise, the choices these cadets make could save their country . . .
. . . or unleash something far, far worse.
As Vallen and his fellow cadets flee fallen Darmatia, he is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. The friend who perished that he might live. The girl whose smile haunts his nightmares. Now, a third voice joins them—something dark, something ancient. And the more Vallen uses his magic, the stronger it becomes.
Tools exist to be used.
The flames of Sylette's vengeance are all but quenched. With each passing day, the dominion of the Sarconian Empire grows, and her treacherous father's throat drifts further from her reach. Sylette's last hope is a coded message, one that promises a growing resistance against the Empire. But even if she gains the means to avenge her mother's murder, one question remains: how many 'tools' is she willing to sacrifice to see her vengeance through?
What color is love?
Renar has learned to hide a great many things: his emotions, his art, and one truly devastating family secret. But when he must face the man who's controlled his life from the shadows, will he choose the family he's always known, or the dysfunctional crew he's been shackled with?
For every ending, a beginning.
Embers of conspiracy flare in Nemare and Sarconia. A resurrected Sarcon plots to reclaim his imprisoned flesh. As the winds of war swirl and forgotten myths rise, the choices these cadets make could save their country . . .
. . . or unleash something far, far worse.
733 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2022
5 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Russell
6 books102 followersI'm Christopher Russell, a weaver of words and the wondrous worlds that spring from them. I might also be a fan of alliteration.
My gripping epic fantasy series, Divinity's Twilight, follows a band of military cadets torn from their peaceful lives when a tragic failure by their ancestors, a mistake seven centuries old, dredges itself from an all too shallow grave. Book one, Divinity's Twilight: Rebirth, is currently available from all major retailers. Book two is set to release in February or March of 2022.
Sample chapters from the novel and assorted short stories are available at the "Free Reads" tab of my website (christopherrussellauthor.com)--and check out the rest of my site for setting details, character previews, new projects, and more.
About The Author
Christopher Russell (native of Williamsburg, VA) is a 28-year-old mechanical and aerospace engineer (graduate of the University of Virginia) who has loved reading since the day he picked up a book and writing since he could scrawl his first letters. After voraciously consuming titles from every genre—ranging from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings—he decided to combine the expertise from his professional education, passions, and Christian faith into a fantasy epic bridging the gap between magic and science. He currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his loyal dog, Vallen, named after the protagonist of his first work. For behind-the-scenes information on all of Christopher Russell’s works, visit christopherrussellauthor.com.
My gripping epic fantasy series, Divinity's Twilight, follows a band of military cadets torn from their peaceful lives when a tragic failure by their ancestors, a mistake seven centuries old, dredges itself from an all too shallow grave. Book one, Divinity's Twilight: Rebirth, is currently available from all major retailers. Book two is set to release in February or March of 2022.
Sample chapters from the novel and assorted short stories are available at the "Free Reads" tab of my website (christopherrussellauthor.com)--and check out the rest of my site for setting details, character previews, new projects, and more.
About The Author
Christopher Russell (native of Williamsburg, VA) is a 28-year-old mechanical and aerospace engineer (graduate of the University of Virginia) who has loved reading since the day he picked up a book and writing since he could scrawl his first letters. After voraciously consuming titles from every genre—ranging from Star Wars to Lord of the Rings—he decided to combine the expertise from his professional education, passions, and Christian faith into a fantasy epic bridging the gap between magic and science. He currently resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his loyal dog, Vallen, named after the protagonist of his first work. For behind-the-scenes information on all of Christopher Russell’s works, visit christopherrussellauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 30, 2023
This book was stunning, amazing, heart reaching, blood pumping, character driven and BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED IT ALL
September 17, 2022
“A phantom smile formed on Tabitha’s pale lips… “Magic-which you do put faith in-is much like a song or prayer. It is a plea ta da forces o’ the universe ta come ta yer aid and grant yer desires” … “Is there any purer medium for that wish than this? That yer loved ones may be joyous and blessed for eternity?” Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant is the second book in Christopher Russell’s masterful Divinity’s Twilight series. In short, this is how a series is done. Rebirth focused on the downfall of Darmatia, with the incredible airship battles, along with the excitement of the main protagonists, cadets from military school, thrown into battle and evading capture. Remnant picks up right where Rebirth ended, with the cadets trying to figure out where the Darmatian Resistance has fled. This book focused on in-depth character development, combined with Mr. Russell’s signature action scenes. We see further development of the magic system, how Lozaria has changed with devastation of the Sarconian invasion, and flashbacks scenes that add to the character growth. New characters are introduced, both protagonists and antagonists, who play pivotal roles in the book, and I would imagine in the rest of the series. Mr. Russell has the keen ability to write very real, relatable characters, exciting action, while eliciting a range of emotional responses from the reader. Remant was not non-stop battle after battle. The quiet moments of character introspection are just as important, and the change to action scenes become more visceral since we have come to know these characters. The action scenes are very different from Rebirth. Since Darmatia has been conquered, the citizen’s that are left are fighting what I would describe as “guerrilla warfare”. They don’t have the resources for an all-out attack, so they organize and strike in small groups, trying to disrupt Sarconian occupation as much as they can. This is far more realistic and played out very well. Remnant is an excellent second entry into the Divinity’s Twilight series.
The cadets, Vallen, Sylette, Lillith, Matteo, Renar, and Unter, remain the main focus of the book. We know Leon is being used by the risen Sarcon as his “vessel” to regain his full power, although all the others believe Leon died in battle. Most of them suffer from events in their past, few that we knew of in Rebirth. We know Sylette is angry and abrasive from the trauma of being forced to watch her mother die, and then being exiled as a child. The scene in Rebirth where her mother sings to Sylette as she is executed is one of the most moving and heartbreaking scenes I have ever read in fantasy. Knowing this, we can certainly understand that Sylette’s singular motivation is revenge against her father, Emperor Sarchon. Renar, once Vallen’s biggest rival, is hiding a big secret, the revealing of which ventures into spoiler territory. However, what he really wanted was to be an artist, and his talent is unrivaled. His cruel and unyielding father, General Iolus, would not hear of it, and Renar hides his talent from him. Vallen grew up in Sewertown, living with a gang and stealing to survive for both food and water. There are glimpses into his deep friendship with a young woman named Elaine, and while we know she dies, we are not yet privy to how, just that Vallen feels he killed her. It puts his arrogant façade into perspective. I enjoyed this character development that we didn’t get to see in Rebirth. As the stakes are higher with Darmatia conquered, they need to work together. In order to that, they must learn to let go of some of the demons of their past. It is through flashback scenes that Mr. Rusell calls “Idyllic Days” and other, less idyllic days, that we get glimpses into the past lives of the other cadets. These scenes help the reader understand their actions and what molded them into who they have become.
There are other characters that also play a major role in how the story unfolds. From the Academy is major Jis Reev, the Ice Queen of Darmatia, named for her extraordinary ice magic and fighting skills. Next is Colonel Rodale Holcomb, Jis’s former lover and fiancé, who has become a disgraced drunk, but he helps Matteo use his magic. One of the best new character’s is Mother Superior Tabitha, leader of The Way of the Will. She is the leader of the Darmation Church of Light, and “one of the most powerful people in the country-if not the world.” She is Jis’ “mother”, having raised the major since she was a child. Her arrival at the Resistance Base is pivotal. Tabitha is there to see Jis, but also to help the wounded, both in mind and body. It is she who helps Vallen shed one the weights he carries; that he feels he is responsible for Leon’s death. In her wisdom, she tells him he cannot take responsibility for the choices others make, and Leon made a choice. It is only then that Vallen can shed the ghost of Leon:
“That night, after everyone had gone to bed, the lights still off and the fires but ash and smoke, a solitary lantern labeled Leon in crudely drawn charcoal lettering reached the far end of the lake and started its travel to wherever it might go.
Find your peace, Leon. Find your peace.”
Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
We are also introduced to new characters in the Sarconian Empire. Rittermarschal Auvrea Titania, military leader and the emperor’s lover, she is also the new Governor of conquered Darmatia. She is ruthless and cruel, and hiding secrets of her own from the emperor. There are others that we meet in the Sarconian Empire, then mentioning of some would venture into some spoilers. We know that the empire seems unstoppable with their superior air ships and mage-technology. Sarcon, resurrected in Leon’s body, is searching for a way to find his own body. Leon is mentally fighting Sarcon from completely controlling him, remaining sealed off in a corner of his mind, resisting the false parts of his life he shows Leon. Leon’s mind is strong, but it’s hard to watch Vallen’s best friend struggling to keep himself free and losing himself to Sarcon.
“The pain intensified. A pain that was somehow familiar, like it had been branded into Leon’s flesh over months and years instead of mere seconds. Screams roared in the distance: his false brothers calling for a doctor…
A blurry shape huddled over him, shrouding Leon in darkness. “Let go,” Archimas cajoled. “Let go and enjoy the dream.”
Leon’s senses flickered…hurling him back into the abyss of nothingness.”
Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
The pacing and prose were excellent. The pacing was even and the character development was excellent. It is once again told in the third person narrative of quite a few characters, but it was never confusing. As noted in the quotes, one can see that Mr. Russell writes beautifully. As he delves into the character’s past, we feel their heartache, we feel their sadness, and we feel relief when they can let go of the past. The battle in Rebirth decimated Darmatia, so the fighting is much different, but nonetheless exciting. The Darmatians cannot hope to match the empire’s air ship abilities, so they rely on guerilla tactics. They are covert attacks on the empire’s forces that give hope the embattled people. This was certainly a brilliant and more realistic way of portraying the struggling, but not quite yet defeated Darmatians. I will say the final battle is absolutely epic. I am in awe of Mr. Russell’s ability to write gut wrenching, emotional scenes, and exciting action scenes that are all so different from each other. I love the creativity he used in developing the air ships that combine magic and technology. The magic is as it was in Rebirth, though we do see further development and training of the former cadets by Major Reev to fully use their power.
“After all, you were right, Tabitha, Jis thought, smiling as she stared at the emerging stars in the twilight sky, each a fledgling light slowly coming into its own. That brat was worth teaching. They all were.” Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
Overall Thoughts
Christopher Russell’s second entry into the Divinity’s Twilight series, Remnant, is another amazing and epic story. I was pulled in from the first page and it didn’t let up until the end. With Darmatia conquered by the Sarconian Empire, Remnant becomes a military fantasy with different strategies. Gone are the big air ship battles, as Darmatia’s were decimated. The citizen’s however, are not without hope. In a genius move by Mr. Russell, they now switch to guerilla tactics to disrupt the empires forces as much as they can. It was just as thrilling and exciting as the big battles. While much of the characters remain the same, we are introduced to new, pivotal characters on both the Darmatia and Sarconian sides. The character development was exceptional, as we delve into the past of many of the cadets. It gives us insight into the trauma that have shaped their lives, and how they are working together to overcome these obstacles. Many of them have heartbreaking pasts, and Mr. Russell has a way of running the reader through so many emotions as we peer into their lives. They are training with what’s left of the Darmatian Resistance, so there is still hope. For me, Rebirth actually focused on loss. Loss of friends, like Leon, and loss of their home, Darmatia. It was also the Rebirth of Sarcon, the evilest of the three brothers who was sealed away by the other two hundreds of years ago, as told in the prologue of Rebirth. Remant, perhaps the remnants of Darmatia, is about hope. The hope that lies with small bands of citizens fighting back, and the remaining forces of the army in a Rebel Base, training to take on the empire. I absolutely loved this book and the ending is epic. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend both Divinity’s Twilight Rebirth and Remnant.
My thanks to Christopher Russell for eBook ARC for review
Subscribe to my blog for updates: https://bookandnatureprofessor.com/
Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant is the second book in Christopher Russell’s masterful Divinity’s Twilight series. In short, this is how a series is done. Rebirth focused on the downfall of Darmatia, with the incredible airship battles, along with the excitement of the main protagonists, cadets from military school, thrown into battle and evading capture. Remnant picks up right where Rebirth ended, with the cadets trying to figure out where the Darmatian Resistance has fled. This book focused on in-depth character development, combined with Mr. Russell’s signature action scenes. We see further development of the magic system, how Lozaria has changed with devastation of the Sarconian invasion, and flashbacks scenes that add to the character growth. New characters are introduced, both protagonists and antagonists, who play pivotal roles in the book, and I would imagine in the rest of the series. Mr. Russell has the keen ability to write very real, relatable characters, exciting action, while eliciting a range of emotional responses from the reader. Remant was not non-stop battle after battle. The quiet moments of character introspection are just as important, and the change to action scenes become more visceral since we have come to know these characters. The action scenes are very different from Rebirth. Since Darmatia has been conquered, the citizen’s that are left are fighting what I would describe as “guerrilla warfare”. They don’t have the resources for an all-out attack, so they organize and strike in small groups, trying to disrupt Sarconian occupation as much as they can. This is far more realistic and played out very well. Remnant is an excellent second entry into the Divinity’s Twilight series.
The cadets, Vallen, Sylette, Lillith, Matteo, Renar, and Unter, remain the main focus of the book. We know Leon is being used by the risen Sarcon as his “vessel” to regain his full power, although all the others believe Leon died in battle. Most of them suffer from events in their past, few that we knew of in Rebirth. We know Sylette is angry and abrasive from the trauma of being forced to watch her mother die, and then being exiled as a child. The scene in Rebirth where her mother sings to Sylette as she is executed is one of the most moving and heartbreaking scenes I have ever read in fantasy. Knowing this, we can certainly understand that Sylette’s singular motivation is revenge against her father, Emperor Sarchon. Renar, once Vallen’s biggest rival, is hiding a big secret, the revealing of which ventures into spoiler territory. However, what he really wanted was to be an artist, and his talent is unrivaled. His cruel and unyielding father, General Iolus, would not hear of it, and Renar hides his talent from him. Vallen grew up in Sewertown, living with a gang and stealing to survive for both food and water. There are glimpses into his deep friendship with a young woman named Elaine, and while we know she dies, we are not yet privy to how, just that Vallen feels he killed her. It puts his arrogant façade into perspective. I enjoyed this character development that we didn’t get to see in Rebirth. As the stakes are higher with Darmatia conquered, they need to work together. In order to that, they must learn to let go of some of the demons of their past. It is through flashback scenes that Mr. Rusell calls “Idyllic Days” and other, less idyllic days, that we get glimpses into the past lives of the other cadets. These scenes help the reader understand their actions and what molded them into who they have become.
There are other characters that also play a major role in how the story unfolds. From the Academy is major Jis Reev, the Ice Queen of Darmatia, named for her extraordinary ice magic and fighting skills. Next is Colonel Rodale Holcomb, Jis’s former lover and fiancé, who has become a disgraced drunk, but he helps Matteo use his magic. One of the best new character’s is Mother Superior Tabitha, leader of The Way of the Will. She is the leader of the Darmation Church of Light, and “one of the most powerful people in the country-if not the world.” She is Jis’ “mother”, having raised the major since she was a child. Her arrival at the Resistance Base is pivotal. Tabitha is there to see Jis, but also to help the wounded, both in mind and body. It is she who helps Vallen shed one the weights he carries; that he feels he is responsible for Leon’s death. In her wisdom, she tells him he cannot take responsibility for the choices others make, and Leon made a choice. It is only then that Vallen can shed the ghost of Leon:
“That night, after everyone had gone to bed, the lights still off and the fires but ash and smoke, a solitary lantern labeled Leon in crudely drawn charcoal lettering reached the far end of the lake and started its travel to wherever it might go.
Find your peace, Leon. Find your peace.”
Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
We are also introduced to new characters in the Sarconian Empire. Rittermarschal Auvrea Titania, military leader and the emperor’s lover, she is also the new Governor of conquered Darmatia. She is ruthless and cruel, and hiding secrets of her own from the emperor. There are others that we meet in the Sarconian Empire, then mentioning of some would venture into some spoilers. We know that the empire seems unstoppable with their superior air ships and mage-technology. Sarcon, resurrected in Leon’s body, is searching for a way to find his own body. Leon is mentally fighting Sarcon from completely controlling him, remaining sealed off in a corner of his mind, resisting the false parts of his life he shows Leon. Leon’s mind is strong, but it’s hard to watch Vallen’s best friend struggling to keep himself free and losing himself to Sarcon.
“The pain intensified. A pain that was somehow familiar, like it had been branded into Leon’s flesh over months and years instead of mere seconds. Screams roared in the distance: his false brothers calling for a doctor…
A blurry shape huddled over him, shrouding Leon in darkness. “Let go,” Archimas cajoled. “Let go and enjoy the dream.”
Leon’s senses flickered…hurling him back into the abyss of nothingness.”
Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
The pacing and prose were excellent. The pacing was even and the character development was excellent. It is once again told in the third person narrative of quite a few characters, but it was never confusing. As noted in the quotes, one can see that Mr. Russell writes beautifully. As he delves into the character’s past, we feel their heartache, we feel their sadness, and we feel relief when they can let go of the past. The battle in Rebirth decimated Darmatia, so the fighting is much different, but nonetheless exciting. The Darmatians cannot hope to match the empire’s air ship abilities, so they rely on guerilla tactics. They are covert attacks on the empire’s forces that give hope the embattled people. This was certainly a brilliant and more realistic way of portraying the struggling, but not quite yet defeated Darmatians. I will say the final battle is absolutely epic. I am in awe of Mr. Russell’s ability to write gut wrenching, emotional scenes, and exciting action scenes that are all so different from each other. I love the creativity he used in developing the air ships that combine magic and technology. The magic is as it was in Rebirth, though we do see further development and training of the former cadets by Major Reev to fully use their power.
“After all, you were right, Tabitha, Jis thought, smiling as she stared at the emerging stars in the twilight sky, each a fledgling light slowly coming into its own. That brat was worth teaching. They all were.” Christopher Russell, Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant
Overall Thoughts
Christopher Russell’s second entry into the Divinity’s Twilight series, Remnant, is another amazing and epic story. I was pulled in from the first page and it didn’t let up until the end. With Darmatia conquered by the Sarconian Empire, Remnant becomes a military fantasy with different strategies. Gone are the big air ship battles, as Darmatia’s were decimated. The citizen’s however, are not without hope. In a genius move by Mr. Russell, they now switch to guerilla tactics to disrupt the empires forces as much as they can. It was just as thrilling and exciting as the big battles. While much of the characters remain the same, we are introduced to new, pivotal characters on both the Darmatia and Sarconian sides. The character development was exceptional, as we delve into the past of many of the cadets. It gives us insight into the trauma that have shaped their lives, and how they are working together to overcome these obstacles. Many of them have heartbreaking pasts, and Mr. Russell has a way of running the reader through so many emotions as we peer into their lives. They are training with what’s left of the Darmatian Resistance, so there is still hope. For me, Rebirth actually focused on loss. Loss of friends, like Leon, and loss of their home, Darmatia. It was also the Rebirth of Sarcon, the evilest of the three brothers who was sealed away by the other two hundreds of years ago, as told in the prologue of Rebirth. Remant, perhaps the remnants of Darmatia, is about hope. The hope that lies with small bands of citizens fighting back, and the remaining forces of the army in a Rebel Base, training to take on the empire. I absolutely loved this book and the ending is epic. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend both Divinity’s Twilight Rebirth and Remnant.
My thanks to Christopher Russell for eBook ARC for review
Subscribe to my blog for updates: https://bookandnatureprofessor.com/
August 3, 2022
Phenomenal sequel to an astonishing debut. I had the privilege of being one of the first people to read this and let me tell you: you'll want to clear time on your calendar on release day because once this story grabs you, it doesn't let you go. Vallen and the rest of the cadets are back to deal with the aftermath of book 1, and they're joined by some new POV character who I LOVE more than life itself. Seriously, I would die for some of these people... which is probably how they get their soldiers to follow them...
The bad guys get even badder, the good guys start figuring out how to overcome their trauma, and we find out so much more about the past of our core group of characters. I whooped out loud and cried like a baby several times. Oh, and laughed my ass off, too.
With gorgeous prose and really tight pacing, this book takes everything that made the first one good and dials it up to 1,000,000!
There is a reveal about halfway through that will have your jaw on the floor, which is good because it allows all the strangled cursing to come out directly afterward as you wrap your mind around the stunning implications. Seriously, I was ready to throw the book at the author's head for having the temerity of being this good.
So to recap: if you like epic battles with airships and magic, anguishing and glorious character arcs, entrancing mysteries, and a heavy sprinkling of every emotion a human heart can manage, this is the book for you.
The bad guys get even badder, the good guys start figuring out how to overcome their trauma, and we find out so much more about the past of our core group of characters. I whooped out loud and cried like a baby several times. Oh, and laughed my ass off, too.
With gorgeous prose and really tight pacing, this book takes everything that made the first one good and dials it up to 1,000,000!
There is a reveal about halfway through that will have your jaw on the floor, which is good because it allows all the strangled cursing to come out directly afterward as you wrap your mind around the stunning implications. Seriously, I was ready to throw the book at the author's head for having the temerity of being this good.
So to recap: if you like epic battles with airships and magic, anguishing and glorious character arcs, entrancing mysteries, and a heavy sprinkling of every emotion a human heart can manage, this is the book for you.
September 27, 2022
Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✻ (4,25 out of 5 stars)
Full review link: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Divinity's Twilight: Remnant as part of this Book Tour. This hasn't influenced either the score or the review.
Divinity's Twilight: Remnant (for the rest of the review Remnant) is the second installment in the Divinity's Twilight series, by Christopher Russell. I was originally pulled by this series due to the aesthetic of the cover and the steampunk elements, and remained for the characters and the world, and we will follow them as they try to deal with the aftermath after the fall of Darmatia, the end of Rebirth.
We are going to follow again our favourite cadets meanwhile they're looking for the Resistance base to join them, while at the same time they continue their interrupted formation. Vallen will take a more prominent spot in the narrative, becoming one of the main points of view and increasing his importance in the plot. In comparison with the first book, we get a slower plot, more focused on the characters, and it feels like a way to drive the aftermath of the acts in Book 1; but it is true that it changes in the second half of the book, where action recovers part of the importance.
As shown during Rebirth, writing fighting scenes is one of the strongest abilities that Russell has. It doesn't matter if we are seeing the cadets fighting a Drakken, if it's a fight between two of the cadets, or a major battle scene; all of them are perfectly narrated, but with the adequate amount of chaos that you can expect during a violent scene; keeping in mind also the dimension of what we are seeing.
Worldbuilding is another aspect I loved. It's not a secret I personally like steampunk, and that I was mainly driven into the series for the aesthetic on Rebirth's cover; and Russell takes this strong American Civil War vibes mixed with magical elements to the next level. This shines more when we are in the Imperial scenes, following the different conspirations for power; it is true that the cadets' plot is mainly centered around the characters, but it gives some details of this worldbuilding, and we are rewarded for waiting during the second half of Remnant.
Pace is correct throughout the book, but I feel that I would have enjoyed it more if the first half would have been shorter. Despite the characters are developed perfectly, it gives another layer of complexity to the story (the tribulations of Renar get real importance; Vallen and his inner demons); I feel that sometimes we are too much time stopped at it. The second half action recovers its importance throughout the series, but it's true that all the foundation made in the first half gets used for enhancing the plot at this point.
An aspect I would like to comment before finishing the review is not about the craft of the story, but some details of the book which I think deserve a mention. First of all, it includes some inner illustrations of great quality, which reflects either characters or important moments of the story. It also includes a summary of what happened in Rebirth, which is so useful for refreshing your memory and preparing for Remnant; I think more fantasy series could include this. Apart from these, there's also a glossary and a list of characters, all of them details I appreciate when the series has this big scope.
In summary, I enjoyed my journey through Remnant, being a book that I recommend to all these people who love steampunk settings, and in comparison with Rebirth, to those who prefer more character-driven stories, as the aftermath of Rebirth certainly slows the pace. I can't wait to return to Constella with the third book of Divinity Twilight.
Full review link: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Divinity's Twilight: Remnant as part of this Book Tour. This hasn't influenced either the score or the review.
Divinity's Twilight: Remnant (for the rest of the review Remnant) is the second installment in the Divinity's Twilight series, by Christopher Russell. I was originally pulled by this series due to the aesthetic of the cover and the steampunk elements, and remained for the characters and the world, and we will follow them as they try to deal with the aftermath after the fall of Darmatia, the end of Rebirth.
We are going to follow again our favourite cadets meanwhile they're looking for the Resistance base to join them, while at the same time they continue their interrupted formation. Vallen will take a more prominent spot in the narrative, becoming one of the main points of view and increasing his importance in the plot. In comparison with the first book, we get a slower plot, more focused on the characters, and it feels like a way to drive the aftermath of the acts in Book 1; but it is true that it changes in the second half of the book, where action recovers part of the importance.
As shown during Rebirth, writing fighting scenes is one of the strongest abilities that Russell has. It doesn't matter if we are seeing the cadets fighting a Drakken, if it's a fight between two of the cadets, or a major battle scene; all of them are perfectly narrated, but with the adequate amount of chaos that you can expect during a violent scene; keeping in mind also the dimension of what we are seeing.
Worldbuilding is another aspect I loved. It's not a secret I personally like steampunk, and that I was mainly driven into the series for the aesthetic on Rebirth's cover; and Russell takes this strong American Civil War vibes mixed with magical elements to the next level. This shines more when we are in the Imperial scenes, following the different conspirations for power; it is true that the cadets' plot is mainly centered around the characters, but it gives some details of this worldbuilding, and we are rewarded for waiting during the second half of Remnant.
Pace is correct throughout the book, but I feel that I would have enjoyed it more if the first half would have been shorter. Despite the characters are developed perfectly, it gives another layer of complexity to the story (the tribulations of Renar get real importance; Vallen and his inner demons); I feel that sometimes we are too much time stopped at it. The second half action recovers its importance throughout the series, but it's true that all the foundation made in the first half gets used for enhancing the plot at this point.
An aspect I would like to comment before finishing the review is not about the craft of the story, but some details of the book which I think deserve a mention. First of all, it includes some inner illustrations of great quality, which reflects either characters or important moments of the story. It also includes a summary of what happened in Rebirth, which is so useful for refreshing your memory and preparing for Remnant; I think more fantasy series could include this. Apart from these, there's also a glossary and a list of characters, all of them details I appreciate when the series has this big scope.
In summary, I enjoyed my journey through Remnant, being a book that I recommend to all these people who love steampunk settings, and in comparison with Rebirth, to those who prefer more character-driven stories, as the aftermath of Rebirth certainly slows the pace. I can't wait to return to Constella with the third book of Divinity Twilight.
October 24, 2022
“On distant shore, where mist a-abounds,
The god of wind and sea is found.
His jagged crest, worn and . . . pocked,
Is lined in shadow where none may dock.
Beneath the yet eternal flame,
The wooden trappings of mortals came,
And only where his light did shine,
could they avoid the def’s confine.
Stoic, stout, firm he stands,
Protecting all beneath his hands.”
And we’re back! Remnant was a book that I’ve been eagerly waiting for after really enjoying Rebirth, although I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting such a chonk as a follow up (but I am by no means complaining as that means more of this world and these characters). As always, there is a bonus point for the fact that this book has maps – and lovely ones at that and given the scale of this world and the way events play out, these are a fantastic inclusion. There is also ‘The Story Thus Far’ section at the back if you need to catch up with what has happened so far, and as the first book was action packed this was a great help, and there are also content warnings, a glossary and a Dramatis Personae as well – and I have to say I love that the author has shown so much attention to detail and in making that detail accessible. The love and care the author has for this book and series is evident throughout every aspect of the presentation and writing, and absolutely deserves acknowledgement.
Now, Remnant – big book though it is – had huge shoes to fill, because Rebirth was an incredibly strong debut and packed such a punch. However, with the excellent foundation and worldbuilding that had been established in the first book, and Russell’s ability to make every aspect of his world and writing sing, this chonky book was more than up to the task.
What really made Remnant work for me was that it confronted the consequences. I love stories that take up the threads of what had happened and explore all the various effects that has had on the characters, on the world and on the plot, and this book which picks up immediately in the aftermath of Rebirth does that and more. It also not only maintained the momentum from the first book but built on it and added to it – not an easy task when the first book dealt with the fall of Darmatia; and I think the main reason it achieved this is because of the character development that we get to enjoy in this book.
In my review of Rebirth, I said that there was room for further development of the characters, as a lot of that book had been focused on the action, and oh boy did Remnant deliver. Here, we got to really see Russell’s skill with characterisation shine, as Remnant not only deals with the present events and immediate impact from the events of book one on the characters we know, and a whole cast of new ones, but he also takes the time to dive into the past of our main characters. This exploration of the events and elements that made them the characters we see now, adds a whole new dimension to this book. Not, only does it give us as the reader more insight into how they came to be how we have seen them so far, and how they react to the situation and interact with one another, but it gives us ways to relate to them. The use of flashbacks can be risky, as it can affect the pacing, but here it works really well, although ‘idyllic days’ is not really true! But, that introspection, and exploration of their demons had me deeply invested in the characters throughout this book, which in turn plays into the action and the developing plot, because you become that much more caught up in the stakes because these are people you know and understand.
In terms of the characters, we are still mainly focusing on the same cast, and it was a pleasure to return to most of them – and even those that I don’t necessarily like as a person are compelling to read about, and this extends to the antagonists. Russell makes them human, even in the depth of cruelty and war, and through shades of grey to black; and that is what makes Remnant so strong because it would be easy in a world at war, with everything split and shattered to lose that focus, that humanity, but instead he has doubled down on it and that character focus gives this book so much soul and impact.
Vallen was one of my favourites from the first book and has firmly held onto that position in this book – even though he is also one of the characters that I don’t like as a ‘person’ and here is really where we see the impact of that delving into the character’s past. The insight we get into his childhood in Sewertown and the lengths he had to go to survive, as well as a friendship with someone called Elaine, and the grief and guilt he carries, casts so much of his personality in a different light. Sylette’s motivation has always been a lot more evident, and we saw the reasoning for that in the first book, and while her abrasiveness makes her difficult to read and for the characters to work with, she is possibly the character that I felt changed the most throughout Remnant as we saw her demons and sharp corners being softened.
‘As always, that imbecile Vallen strived to make her regret every scrap of armor she stripped from her heart.’
Jis Reey was another character that stole my heart, especially with how the book ended – and damn the author for being able to deliver such potent emotional blows; and really her story and her relationship with her Rodale is a potent reminder of the cost of fighting and war. Amongst the new characters, Mother Superior Tabitha is a standout, not just because of the role she plays as a healer and emotional support to those in resistance, but also as a representative of the faith, and it felt as though she bridged the gap between faith and magic in a world of war and science. It also felt like she was the embodiment of the ‘mother’ in her title, and I think that role, and the emotional weight it brought and just being a sounding board with wisdom for the younger members, was a steadying hand that this group needed. A rock in turbulent times.
“What little trust you place in our deities, Major Reev,” Mother Tabitha said as she hobbled toward them. Jis whispered a silent word of thanks the nun hadn’t called her Jisarivel in front of her worst student. “If yer faith were but da size o’ a tiny ferras grain, perhaps da Empire would already be vanquished.”
However, the character that really stole the show – and that I desperately want more of is also one of the darkest additions to Remnant. Crown Prince Vasuron, who we had glimpsed in the first book as a side character in Sylette’s adventures before her life fell apart, steps into the limelight in this book. Sarcon might be our principal antagonist, but Vasuron is something different. Russell has managed to create a character that is both charismatic and compelling in his own way, and incredibly, deeply unsettling at the same time; and I think what gripped me was that it was clear that we were being given an appetiser in Remnant as we given glimpses into his thoughts and scheming and motivations. It felt like we were dipping our toes in the edge of a very dark pool, with a lot more hidden beneath the surface and honestly – I cannot wait for the next book to see that taken further.
‘A grin split Vasuron’s soft lips. “And still the water’s surface remains unbroken. You are so much more than you say, General. When we meet again”—the prince’s dark gaze seemed to flood with pitch, growing into a chasm that swallowed Vier’s lies whole—“I plan to discover exactly what you’re hiding.”‘
Remnant is very much character-driven, but that isn’t to say that we don’t get to enjoy Russell’s ability to write gripping, cinematic action in Remnant. It’s just the scale that is different for the most part, as here we see more guerrilla fighting in occupied territory, which is yet another example of the thought and care given to making this world and conflict as realistic and grounded as possible. We saw the fall, and we know that the resistance are at a disadvantage in terms of numbers and resources, and we see the consequences of that play out in their approach to trying to disrupt the enemy forces. It also lets us see Russell flex his action scenes in a different way, but still maintains the excitement and cinematic aspects of the larger scale battles; and certainly added momentum to the story, and a feeling that everything was always on a knife edge, because what would be a small attack for the enemy could tie up far more for the resistance.
The action has also benefited from the care and time taken with the character development, because the stakes were raised by the fact that we know these characters now. We know them, and care about them and don’t want to see their stories cut short.
However, while some of the battles might have reduced in scale, the world and the impact of the war did not and one of my favourite aspects of this book is that it does explore that impact. Not just on the personal level, although we certainly get to see how it has affected not just our main characters, but the entire cast of secondary characters, and on all sides of the conflict. But, for the groups and peoples involved as well. That we get to see the different sides of the conflict adds a wonderful depth to the world and the story, and a richness to the world that Russell has created, because it demonstrates the myriad grey zones of war and how people view it and react to it, far more effectively than just following the protagonists or even the main antagonists would. It also gives us that scale, that context for everything else that is happening, and that backdrop and the idea that everything is happening against
I also liked that there was a consideration – without getting bogged down in it – of what the future could hold, not just for those fighting, but for the places being laid low and for the people and society that would be trying to survive in the aftermath.
‘Trees had been reduced to stumps. No grasses swayed atop the plains; only mud and clay remained. Even without looking, the Rittermarschal knew that their precious fields had been salted. No crops would grow here for decades, maybe longer.
This was the cost of war. Beiras’ wall of glimmering towers, resplendent in the morning sunlight, hid a darkness in their shadow, one that hugged its drab, factory-choked outskirts and pressed on toward the far horizon. Dust, Valescar realized. They’re kicking up plumes o’ dust as they evacuate the city.
And what then? After they made refugees of the whole population, did they plan to destroy the settlement? Set it back centuries just to deny resources to the enemy?’
Rebirth had felt a little predictable in places, but Remnant cast that aside. Yes, we see the consequences of previous events, and the expected fallout, but at the same time it felt like Remnant embraced the organic chaos of a world in conflict with different moving pieces, many of whom had their own motivations. There were twists and turns, new players joining the board – and surprises aplenty, all within the cohesive whole that is this fantastically realised world that Russell has created. What it gives us is a fluid, flowering story that does an excellent job of balancing action and character introspection, worldbuilding and emotional depth. The pacing is spot on throughout, with the bursts of action balanced with quieter moments, but with the plot constantly moving forward and pulling us along for the ride. While the prose, and emotional depth of this book are top notch, and Russell has certainly managed to wield emotion like a knife point in this one, and the heartache and grief and guilt, and the relief and moments of connection and love are beautifully brought to life.
Remnant was an incredibly strong sequel to Rebirth and has taken Russell’s writing and storycraft to a whole new level across the board. It was in this book that the characters really came to life for me, while it was a pleasure to dive back into the action which remains one of Russell’s greatest strengths; but what really struck me about this book was the emotion. This was a book that you felt in every part of your heart as you read it, and I loved it. This is a series that is going from strength to strength, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!
The god of wind and sea is found.
His jagged crest, worn and . . . pocked,
Is lined in shadow where none may dock.
Beneath the yet eternal flame,
The wooden trappings of mortals came,
And only where his light did shine,
could they avoid the def’s confine.
Stoic, stout, firm he stands,
Protecting all beneath his hands.”
And we’re back! Remnant was a book that I’ve been eagerly waiting for after really enjoying Rebirth, although I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting such a chonk as a follow up (but I am by no means complaining as that means more of this world and these characters). As always, there is a bonus point for the fact that this book has maps – and lovely ones at that and given the scale of this world and the way events play out, these are a fantastic inclusion. There is also ‘The Story Thus Far’ section at the back if you need to catch up with what has happened so far, and as the first book was action packed this was a great help, and there are also content warnings, a glossary and a Dramatis Personae as well – and I have to say I love that the author has shown so much attention to detail and in making that detail accessible. The love and care the author has for this book and series is evident throughout every aspect of the presentation and writing, and absolutely deserves acknowledgement.
Now, Remnant – big book though it is – had huge shoes to fill, because Rebirth was an incredibly strong debut and packed such a punch. However, with the excellent foundation and worldbuilding that had been established in the first book, and Russell’s ability to make every aspect of his world and writing sing, this chonky book was more than up to the task.
What really made Remnant work for me was that it confronted the consequences. I love stories that take up the threads of what had happened and explore all the various effects that has had on the characters, on the world and on the plot, and this book which picks up immediately in the aftermath of Rebirth does that and more. It also not only maintained the momentum from the first book but built on it and added to it – not an easy task when the first book dealt with the fall of Darmatia; and I think the main reason it achieved this is because of the character development that we get to enjoy in this book.
In my review of Rebirth, I said that there was room for further development of the characters, as a lot of that book had been focused on the action, and oh boy did Remnant deliver. Here, we got to really see Russell’s skill with characterisation shine, as Remnant not only deals with the present events and immediate impact from the events of book one on the characters we know, and a whole cast of new ones, but he also takes the time to dive into the past of our main characters. This exploration of the events and elements that made them the characters we see now, adds a whole new dimension to this book. Not, only does it give us as the reader more insight into how they came to be how we have seen them so far, and how they react to the situation and interact with one another, but it gives us ways to relate to them. The use of flashbacks can be risky, as it can affect the pacing, but here it works really well, although ‘idyllic days’ is not really true! But, that introspection, and exploration of their demons had me deeply invested in the characters throughout this book, which in turn plays into the action and the developing plot, because you become that much more caught up in the stakes because these are people you know and understand.
In terms of the characters, we are still mainly focusing on the same cast, and it was a pleasure to return to most of them – and even those that I don’t necessarily like as a person are compelling to read about, and this extends to the antagonists. Russell makes them human, even in the depth of cruelty and war, and through shades of grey to black; and that is what makes Remnant so strong because it would be easy in a world at war, with everything split and shattered to lose that focus, that humanity, but instead he has doubled down on it and that character focus gives this book so much soul and impact.
Vallen was one of my favourites from the first book and has firmly held onto that position in this book – even though he is also one of the characters that I don’t like as a ‘person’ and here is really where we see the impact of that delving into the character’s past. The insight we get into his childhood in Sewertown and the lengths he had to go to survive, as well as a friendship with someone called Elaine, and the grief and guilt he carries, casts so much of his personality in a different light. Sylette’s motivation has always been a lot more evident, and we saw the reasoning for that in the first book, and while her abrasiveness makes her difficult to read and for the characters to work with, she is possibly the character that I felt changed the most throughout Remnant as we saw her demons and sharp corners being softened.
‘As always, that imbecile Vallen strived to make her regret every scrap of armor she stripped from her heart.’
Jis Reey was another character that stole my heart, especially with how the book ended – and damn the author for being able to deliver such potent emotional blows; and really her story and her relationship with her Rodale is a potent reminder of the cost of fighting and war. Amongst the new characters, Mother Superior Tabitha is a standout, not just because of the role she plays as a healer and emotional support to those in resistance, but also as a representative of the faith, and it felt as though she bridged the gap between faith and magic in a world of war and science. It also felt like she was the embodiment of the ‘mother’ in her title, and I think that role, and the emotional weight it brought and just being a sounding board with wisdom for the younger members, was a steadying hand that this group needed. A rock in turbulent times.
“What little trust you place in our deities, Major Reev,” Mother Tabitha said as she hobbled toward them. Jis whispered a silent word of thanks the nun hadn’t called her Jisarivel in front of her worst student. “If yer faith were but da size o’ a tiny ferras grain, perhaps da Empire would already be vanquished.”
However, the character that really stole the show – and that I desperately want more of is also one of the darkest additions to Remnant. Crown Prince Vasuron, who we had glimpsed in the first book as a side character in Sylette’s adventures before her life fell apart, steps into the limelight in this book. Sarcon might be our principal antagonist, but Vasuron is something different. Russell has managed to create a character that is both charismatic and compelling in his own way, and incredibly, deeply unsettling at the same time; and I think what gripped me was that it was clear that we were being given an appetiser in Remnant as we given glimpses into his thoughts and scheming and motivations. It felt like we were dipping our toes in the edge of a very dark pool, with a lot more hidden beneath the surface and honestly – I cannot wait for the next book to see that taken further.
‘A grin split Vasuron’s soft lips. “And still the water’s surface remains unbroken. You are so much more than you say, General. When we meet again”—the prince’s dark gaze seemed to flood with pitch, growing into a chasm that swallowed Vier’s lies whole—“I plan to discover exactly what you’re hiding.”‘
Remnant is very much character-driven, but that isn’t to say that we don’t get to enjoy Russell’s ability to write gripping, cinematic action in Remnant. It’s just the scale that is different for the most part, as here we see more guerrilla fighting in occupied territory, which is yet another example of the thought and care given to making this world and conflict as realistic and grounded as possible. We saw the fall, and we know that the resistance are at a disadvantage in terms of numbers and resources, and we see the consequences of that play out in their approach to trying to disrupt the enemy forces. It also lets us see Russell flex his action scenes in a different way, but still maintains the excitement and cinematic aspects of the larger scale battles; and certainly added momentum to the story, and a feeling that everything was always on a knife edge, because what would be a small attack for the enemy could tie up far more for the resistance.
The action has also benefited from the care and time taken with the character development, because the stakes were raised by the fact that we know these characters now. We know them, and care about them and don’t want to see their stories cut short.
However, while some of the battles might have reduced in scale, the world and the impact of the war did not and one of my favourite aspects of this book is that it does explore that impact. Not just on the personal level, although we certainly get to see how it has affected not just our main characters, but the entire cast of secondary characters, and on all sides of the conflict. But, for the groups and peoples involved as well. That we get to see the different sides of the conflict adds a wonderful depth to the world and the story, and a richness to the world that Russell has created, because it demonstrates the myriad grey zones of war and how people view it and react to it, far more effectively than just following the protagonists or even the main antagonists would. It also gives us that scale, that context for everything else that is happening, and that backdrop and the idea that everything is happening against
I also liked that there was a consideration – without getting bogged down in it – of what the future could hold, not just for those fighting, but for the places being laid low and for the people and society that would be trying to survive in the aftermath.
‘Trees had been reduced to stumps. No grasses swayed atop the plains; only mud and clay remained. Even without looking, the Rittermarschal knew that their precious fields had been salted. No crops would grow here for decades, maybe longer.
This was the cost of war. Beiras’ wall of glimmering towers, resplendent in the morning sunlight, hid a darkness in their shadow, one that hugged its drab, factory-choked outskirts and pressed on toward the far horizon. Dust, Valescar realized. They’re kicking up plumes o’ dust as they evacuate the city.
And what then? After they made refugees of the whole population, did they plan to destroy the settlement? Set it back centuries just to deny resources to the enemy?’
Rebirth had felt a little predictable in places, but Remnant cast that aside. Yes, we see the consequences of previous events, and the expected fallout, but at the same time it felt like Remnant embraced the organic chaos of a world in conflict with different moving pieces, many of whom had their own motivations. There were twists and turns, new players joining the board – and surprises aplenty, all within the cohesive whole that is this fantastically realised world that Russell has created. What it gives us is a fluid, flowering story that does an excellent job of balancing action and character introspection, worldbuilding and emotional depth. The pacing is spot on throughout, with the bursts of action balanced with quieter moments, but with the plot constantly moving forward and pulling us along for the ride. While the prose, and emotional depth of this book are top notch, and Russell has certainly managed to wield emotion like a knife point in this one, and the heartache and grief and guilt, and the relief and moments of connection and love are beautifully brought to life.
Remnant was an incredibly strong sequel to Rebirth and has taken Russell’s writing and storycraft to a whole new level across the board. It was in this book that the characters really came to life for me, while it was a pleasure to dive back into the action which remains one of Russell’s greatest strengths; but what really struck me about this book was the emotion. This was a book that you felt in every part of your heart as you read it, and I loved it. This is a series that is going from strength to strength, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next!
November 26, 2022
Divinity's Twilight: Remnant is a virtuous example of how a sequel should be written.
Christopher Russell has realised (not a foregone conclusion, believe me) that bigger does not mean better. Because yes, this second volume is bigger than the previous one, but it is not the classic novel where a young author works by accumulation and loses control of his story.
Remnant is better than the previous one, in fact, because it develops the characters better. The dialogues are better, the interactions more meaningful and profound.
The sense of the wonder and the pure fun with the dense bestiary that populates the novel (already a very good feature in volume 1) persists.
All in all, it was good to be immersed again in a story with a complex lore, a rich setting and endearing characters.
And it is also nice to find confirmation of Russell's talent, who has succeeded in carrying out a project that does not ride on the coat-tails of predictable literary cliché and at the same time indicates such good craftsmanship.
If after the first volume you were uncertain whether to continue reading this series or not, Remnant will sweep away any doubts. Give it a chance as soon as possible!
Christopher Russell has realised (not a foregone conclusion, believe me) that bigger does not mean better. Because yes, this second volume is bigger than the previous one, but it is not the classic novel where a young author works by accumulation and loses control of his story.
Remnant is better than the previous one, in fact, because it develops the characters better. The dialogues are better, the interactions more meaningful and profound.
The sense of the wonder and the pure fun with the dense bestiary that populates the novel (already a very good feature in volume 1) persists.
All in all, it was good to be immersed again in a story with a complex lore, a rich setting and endearing characters.
And it is also nice to find confirmation of Russell's talent, who has succeeded in carrying out a project that does not ride on the coat-tails of predictable literary cliché and at the same time indicates such good craftsmanship.
If after the first volume you were uncertain whether to continue reading this series or not, Remnant will sweep away any doubts. Give it a chance as soon as possible!
October 14, 2022
I am LOVING this series. It’s like if Dune and Brandon Sanderson had a baby. It’s so intricate, well thought out, and crazy addicting.
Book 2 found our gang going into new adventures, battles, a training sequence, and some really cool character growth! Matteo especially I feel like, he started out as a slow burn to like type of character and then he really came into his own!
Remnant has a freaking water dragon battle, more airship battles, political intrigue, magtech, a really unique magic system with consequences, a darker plot brewing, and found family (although Stylette and Vallen might deny that 😜) In this book, The Ice Queen took the cake for me for favorite character!!! Plus this book has beautiful sketches throughout!
I can’t wait for book 3!!!
Book 2 found our gang going into new adventures, battles, a training sequence, and some really cool character growth! Matteo especially I feel like, he started out as a slow burn to like type of character and then he really came into his own!
Remnant has a freaking water dragon battle, more airship battles, political intrigue, magtech, a really unique magic system with consequences, a darker plot brewing, and found family (although Stylette and Vallen might deny that 😜) In this book, The Ice Queen took the cake for me for favorite character!!! Plus this book has beautiful sketches throughout!
I can’t wait for book 3!!!
September 7, 2022
Every now and again, you just need to sink your teeth into an epic story. And when that epic story comes with an equally epic sequel? Well, there go my weekend plans! I was really excited, therefore, to read Christopher Russel’s Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant, the sequel to the first book, where everything goes from oh my, to ohmygoodnesswhatjusthappened.
1. Thoughts on the plot
As with book one, there’s a great deal going on in this book. This book primarily focuses on the aftermath of the fall of Darmatia. There are a few people who find the Rebellion, there’s the schemes of the Sarconian emperor, and the plans of other ancient forces finally being brought to fruition. I would go into more detail, but honestly there’s a massive amount going on in this book. I enjoyed the plot a fair bit, especially given that itw as a sequel. Oftentimes, sequels can fall flat, as they require a bit of extra plot to fill in the gaps between the first book and the dramatic next book. In this case, there was a bit more of a focus on character development than in book one, but the plot did not feel flat in any way at all. And towards the end, it got very dramatic indeed!
2. Thoughts on the characters
This book focused a great deal more on character development as the catalyst for the story than book one, which, frankly, I did not mind at all. I think this focus worked fairly well, especially given how, ah, unlikeable certain characters were in book one (coughVallencough). I think that the focus on character worked especially well because it was used in conjunction with plot, not as replacement for plot.
I will say that the only part of this book that didn’t flow as smoothly as the other parts was the reconciliation of Major Reev and Colonel Holcome. It made sense up to a certain point, but the final situation, at least on Reev’s part, felt a little too fast.
3. Favourite part
Renar and his art. Very cool!
4. Critique
To be honest, there’s not a great deal for me to critique in this book, except that one thing mentioned in section 2. Otherwise, mostly, I’m just waiting for Vallen to continue with his improvement. Maybe by the end of book three, I’ll actually like him as a person instead of just liking him as a character.
Overall, I would say that Remnant is a great sequel to a great first book, and I cannot wait for the epic story to continue. Also, I have theories that I need confirmed!
1. Thoughts on the plot
As with book one, there’s a great deal going on in this book. This book primarily focuses on the aftermath of the fall of Darmatia. There are a few people who find the Rebellion, there’s the schemes of the Sarconian emperor, and the plans of other ancient forces finally being brought to fruition. I would go into more detail, but honestly there’s a massive amount going on in this book. I enjoyed the plot a fair bit, especially given that itw as a sequel. Oftentimes, sequels can fall flat, as they require a bit of extra plot to fill in the gaps between the first book and the dramatic next book. In this case, there was a bit more of a focus on character development than in book one, but the plot did not feel flat in any way at all. And towards the end, it got very dramatic indeed!
2. Thoughts on the characters
This book focused a great deal more on character development as the catalyst for the story than book one, which, frankly, I did not mind at all. I think this focus worked fairly well, especially given how, ah, unlikeable certain characters were in book one (coughVallencough). I think that the focus on character worked especially well because it was used in conjunction with plot, not as replacement for plot.
I will say that the only part of this book that didn’t flow as smoothly as the other parts was the reconciliation of Major Reev and Colonel Holcome. It made sense up to a certain point, but the final situation, at least on Reev’s part, felt a little too fast.
3. Favourite part
Renar and his art. Very cool!
4. Critique
To be honest, there’s not a great deal for me to critique in this book, except that one thing mentioned in section 2. Otherwise, mostly, I’m just waiting for Vallen to continue with his improvement. Maybe by the end of book three, I’ll actually like him as a person instead of just liking him as a character.
Overall, I would say that Remnant is a great sequel to a great first book, and I cannot wait for the epic story to continue. Also, I have theories that I need confirmed!
November 24, 2022
This book was even better than the first book! While the author spent most of the first book giving basic introductions to the characters, setting the scene and world building, he spent most of this book on character history and development and moved the plot along further. The action in this book gets crazy intense and there were several moments where I cried.
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING AND THE ACTION HAS ME LITERALLY ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THROUGH IT ALL!!!
Spoilers are down below so read on at your own risk!
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Things I liked most about this book:
Vallen finally got the reality check I was hoping he would get and he finally stopped being so arrogant and cocky.
Matteo's character growth to include being less cowardly and his ability to control his powers better
Rodale and his name calling was quite humorous and I may borrow some of said names HAHA
Renar and his artistic abilities and how his power comes about and it incorporates what he is so passionate about.
things I am displeased about:
We still have no idea what exactly happened with Elaine. I know I know, not everything can be revealed at once and it is a darn good way to ensure the reader comes back for the next book. But, it will bug me to no end til I know what happened.
Velle's past is still a mystery.
WHAT WAS IN THIS PAPERS THAT SARCON SO DESPERSTELY WANTED!
OK clearly I have an issue with unsolved mysteries.
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING AND THE ACTION HAS ME LITERALLY ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT THROUGH IT ALL!!!
Spoilers are down below so read on at your own risk!
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Things I liked most about this book:
Vallen finally got the reality check I was hoping he would get and he finally stopped being so arrogant and cocky.
Matteo's character growth to include being less cowardly and his ability to control his powers better
Rodale and his name calling was quite humorous and I may borrow some of said names HAHA
Renar and his artistic abilities and how his power comes about and it incorporates what he is so passionate about.
things I am displeased about:
We still have no idea what exactly happened with Elaine. I know I know, not everything can be revealed at once and it is a darn good way to ensure the reader comes back for the next book. But, it will bug me to no end til I know what happened.
Velle's past is still a mystery.
WHAT WAS IN THIS PAPERS THAT SARCON SO DESPERSTELY WANTED!
OK clearly I have an issue with unsolved mysteries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2023
Christopher Russell. Remember that name. Only two books in and he shot like a rocket to near the top of my list of names in Fantasy!
Book One, Rebirth, was a tough four-star review for me. It was jarring and difficult at times. I almost DNF'ed it. But I pushed through, growing to enjoy it and giving it four stars. Well, there's no mistake about this one. It's an easy five-star book.
One of my favorite TV shows of all time is Friday Night Lights. Yes, it was about high school football but it was so much more than that. The characters were real. They acted like actual people do in real life. The show made me cry so many times. This book is a lot like Friday Night Lights.
The character work is phenomenal. It would be difficult for you to find another author who brings real characters to life with real issues, flaws, and dilemmas that is not named Brandon Sanderson. There will be characters that you love and that you hate. And your feelings for them may change multiple times during the course of the same book. The author acknowledges that the theme of this book is love and it's abundantly clear that's the case. There are two sections, one is a Graduation Day and another is a letter that someone reads, which absolutely broke me. I can not praise this book enough for its character work.
For all you action fans, don't worry. The action is still there and it comes about like an avalanche at times.
The pacing of this book is much better. In fact, it's just a million times better and deserving of more than even five stars! I'm so excited for more from this universe!
Book One, Rebirth, was a tough four-star review for me. It was jarring and difficult at times. I almost DNF'ed it. But I pushed through, growing to enjoy it and giving it four stars. Well, there's no mistake about this one. It's an easy five-star book.
One of my favorite TV shows of all time is Friday Night Lights. Yes, it was about high school football but it was so much more than that. The characters were real. They acted like actual people do in real life. The show made me cry so many times. This book is a lot like Friday Night Lights.
The character work is phenomenal. It would be difficult for you to find another author who brings real characters to life with real issues, flaws, and dilemmas that is not named Brandon Sanderson. There will be characters that you love and that you hate. And your feelings for them may change multiple times during the course of the same book. The author acknowledges that the theme of this book is love and it's abundantly clear that's the case. There are two sections, one is a Graduation Day and another is a letter that someone reads, which absolutely broke me. I can not praise this book enough for its character work.
For all you action fans, don't worry. The action is still there and it comes about like an avalanche at times.
The pacing of this book is much better. In fact, it's just a million times better and deserving of more than even five stars! I'm so excited for more from this universe!
September 14, 2022
First I'd like to say that when an author gives us a brilliantly written first novel like Rebirth, it makes me wonder if the second novel can be as good or better. Well, I'm here to tell you this second novel is even better! I was not disappointed. This book is amazing... Vallen and companions are back plus some new characters. I like the growth and changes I'm seeing in Vallen and I really like Renar and Sylette. There is a lot more character development in this book which was well done. The pacing was spot on and we get deep in the plot. I loved it. Adventure, danger, mystery, twists and turns, everything I love in an epic fantasy, and believe me this story is "Epic"! This is truly a fantastic and extremely well written book! Now, I can't wait to read book three.....
October 14, 2022
The world building in this is next level! I thought book one was good, this one was just as good if not better! I love it when a series gets better with each book!
Russel's prose is absolutely breathtaking. Fans of Brandon Sanderson and the like will love this series! This book picks up where Rebirth left off and we find the cadets searching the resistance base and what is left of the Darmatian army. This story is full of magic, amazing characters, a mythical water creature, and so much more!
It was great to see the further development of characters I adored in this book, and the introduction of new characters. I still love Matteo, but I also fell in love with the Ice Queen! An engaging read that was impossible to put down. This one is the epic fantasy story you have been wanting to read! Do yourself a favor and pick up this series. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review! Clearly a 5 star read for me!
Russel's prose is absolutely breathtaking. Fans of Brandon Sanderson and the like will love this series! This book picks up where Rebirth left off and we find the cadets searching the resistance base and what is left of the Darmatian army. This story is full of magic, amazing characters, a mythical water creature, and so much more!
It was great to see the further development of characters I adored in this book, and the introduction of new characters. I still love Matteo, but I also fell in love with the Ice Queen! An engaging read that was impossible to put down. This one is the epic fantasy story you have been wanting to read! Do yourself a favor and pick up this series. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Thank you so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review! Clearly a 5 star read for me!
September 11, 2022
When I read book one way back in... last year... I compared Christopher Russell's skills as a writer, particularly in the building of worlds, to Brandon Sanderson.
Heady praise but book two of Divinity's Twilight, Remnant, has only compounded that point.
This is a fantastic sequel to a superb first book. The worldbuilding, scale, and imagination is still very much on point, but what Remnant does that elevates Divinity's Twilight is to really delve deeply into the characters as they deal with the aftermath on book one's events. New facets are shown, fresh motivations are given, and greater understanding is achieved by the reader.
And there's also a turning point that makes you re-examine everything you've read before in this series. Epic, deep, rip-roaring fun.
Heady praise but book two of Divinity's Twilight, Remnant, has only compounded that point.
This is a fantastic sequel to a superb first book. The worldbuilding, scale, and imagination is still very much on point, but what Remnant does that elevates Divinity's Twilight is to really delve deeply into the characters as they deal with the aftermath on book one's events. New facets are shown, fresh motivations are given, and greater understanding is achieved by the reader.
And there's also a turning point that makes you re-examine everything you've read before in this series. Epic, deep, rip-roaring fun.
September 16, 2022
An absolutely fantastic sequel, cementing this series as one of my new favourites! Everything about this book is just better than the first and I was right to look forward to this!
A highly recommended series and watch out for my review on the Escapist Blog tour coming soon!
A highly recommended series and watch out for my review on the Escapist Blog tour coming soon!
January 15, 2023
I absolutely love this book! My only issue is Goodreads has the page count wrong. It is 972 pages! Plus, it has a very detailed glossary.
This book is unique with fascinating weapons, airships, high-tech everything, and flawed and fleshed out characters. Diversity at its finest for sure. I found it to be well paced. I highly recommend this (and book 1, of course) if you wish to read something different.
This book is unique with fascinating weapons, airships, high-tech everything, and flawed and fleshed out characters. Diversity at its finest for sure. I found it to be well paced. I highly recommend this (and book 1, of course) if you wish to read something different.
July 14, 2023
Russell is full steam ahead and I am on board. I found this exciting with great characters and incredible world building. I can not wait for the next one.
March 18, 2023
Very epic, very fun
January 12, 2023
Beware: the following review is my scattered thoughts on this book. You've been warned.
If the book wasn't so dang pretty, I would have chucked it against the wall by now. If I ever meet Chris in person... I might aim for his head instead. I'm joking of course, or not. I guess we will see. However, I am reeling after finishing this!
The cadets have joined the Resistance and they begin their training with much reluctance of the Major. But with Rodale to guide them, they are able to hone in on their abilities.
The Sarconian Empire is the leading force, being able to conquer territories and defeat their enemies. Their leaders are quite intelligent - I dare say, Valescar is my favorite.
I really enjoyed the stories within stories, the intricate world building and the character development. Each character has a really interesting backstory and you can't help but root for them, especially when they have their own demons they are fighting, which makes them relatable.
If you can't tell already, I'm a firm believer what makes a fantastic read is a brilliant villain...this sequel did not disappoint! So...where's book 3, Chris??
If the book wasn't so dang pretty, I would have chucked it against the wall by now. If I ever meet Chris in person... I might aim for his head instead. I'm joking of course, or not. I guess we will see. However, I am reeling after finishing this!
The cadets have joined the Resistance and they begin their training with much reluctance of the Major. But with Rodale to guide them, they are able to hone in on their abilities.
The Sarconian Empire is the leading force, being able to conquer territories and defeat their enemies. Their leaders are quite intelligent - I dare say, Valescar is my favorite.
I really enjoyed the stories within stories, the intricate world building and the character development. Each character has a really interesting backstory and you can't help but root for them, especially when they have their own demons they are fighting, which makes them relatable.
If you can't tell already, I'm a firm believer what makes a fantastic read is a brilliant villain...this sequel did not disappoint! So...where's book 3, Chris??
November 4, 2023
I’m about a year late to finishing this one, but I’m so glad I finally got to it. And it’s a thicc one.
This one takes off right where Rebirth left off. The empire has struck, and Darmatia has fallen. The cadets must find the remnants of the army, and reenlist to help the rebel movements.
To reference my comments from my review of book one, this book definitely delivers on character development. It does still take about another 400ish pages to get there, but it delivers in spades. Lots of it. The characters grow and groan in believable and rewarding changes.
This continues to deliver on being perhaps the best scifi-fantasy blend I’ve ever read. It has spaceships and technology, that can lead you to thinking like Star Wars, but with magic and a world that feels far more grounded in fantasy. The weaponry reads like a mix of flintlock-, civil war-, WWII-era with its mixture of pistols, rifles, bayonets and tanks. And yet when the magic wielders use handheld weapons, it just makes sense.
The climax of this one launches and launches and launches. The warfare is dark, gritty, bloody, heartbreaking and terrible. Honestly, while reading the descriptors more than once throughout I was like…no wait, this is totally horror. And I feel like that horrid reality can often be lost in fantasy, so that was refreshing.
Personally a 5/5*. Triumphantly a SEQUEL.
This one takes off right where Rebirth left off. The empire has struck, and Darmatia has fallen. The cadets must find the remnants of the army, and reenlist to help the rebel movements.
To reference my comments from my review of book one, this book definitely delivers on character development. It does still take about another 400ish pages to get there, but it delivers in spades. Lots of it. The characters grow and groan in believable and rewarding changes.
This continues to deliver on being perhaps the best scifi-fantasy blend I’ve ever read. It has spaceships and technology, that can lead you to thinking like Star Wars, but with magic and a world that feels far more grounded in fantasy. The weaponry reads like a mix of flintlock-, civil war-, WWII-era with its mixture of pistols, rifles, bayonets and tanks. And yet when the magic wielders use handheld weapons, it just makes sense.
The climax of this one launches and launches and launches. The warfare is dark, gritty, bloody, heartbreaking and terrible. Honestly, while reading the descriptors more than once throughout I was like…no wait, this is totally horror. And I feel like that horrid reality can often be lost in fantasy, so that was refreshing.
Personally a 5/5*. Triumphantly a SEQUEL.
September 13, 2022
I received Remnant from Christopher Russell as an ARC (it’s available on the 14th for everyone!) after I absolutely fell in love with Lozaria and its characters in book one. I thought it would be a tall order and nigh near impossible task to write a sequel that challenges my love and adoration for book one, but boy did Russell raise the bar even further. Russell has not only become my favorite indie author, he is, without question, one of my favorite fantasy authors of all time.
The book continues to follow the stories of the cadets from the Darmatian Military Academy; Vallen, Sylette, Renar, Matteo, Velle, Unter, Lillith, and Leon. Joining the merry band of misfits is Jis, the Ice Queen of Darmatia—an extremely powerful ice mage and the cadets former instructor at the Academy. Picking up seamlessly where Rebirth ended, the beginning of Remnant finds the cadets on a seeming goose-chase to locate the remainder of the Darmatian army, now called the Rebellion. While attempting to locate the base, the cadets are attacked by a Primal—a legendary, mythical creature that dwells in the water, protecting the lighthouse and illyrium crystal. The cadets, ravaged from the recent battle in Etrus and barely alive, all but give-up after trying, unsuccessfully, to defeat the Primal. Luckily, Major Jis Reev arrives in time to save the cadets and bring them to the Darmatian hideout. After initially refusing and following an interaction with her adopted mother, Major Reev agrees to train the cadets in both physical and magical combat. While our protagonists train physically, each also has to internally grapple with their own mental blocks and shortcomings. As Rodale, Jis’ former lover and a Colonel, says “they’re all a little Void-touched.” As the cadets deal with their mental and physical challenges, the Sarconian Empire moves to crush Rabban and secure dominance over the entire continent of Lozaria. However, all of Sychon’s Rittermarschals are not as loyal to him as he thinks, creating a network of lies and deceit that will inevitably come to a head. Sarcon, now in a new and improved host body, fights against the remaining consciousness of his host, leaving him slightly incapacitated during the book. However, he sends his loyal henchman, Hans, to Sychon’s palace to retrieve documents regarding the Darmatian bloodline. If there is an heir still alive, their blood can release Sarcon’s body from its prison, thus returning the mage to his full power. Hans enlists the help of an assassin with very peculiar powers, powers that allow him to morph into another person just by touching their hand. While the assassin is successful in his endeavor, he, very literally, runs into Sychon’s son, Vasuron. Even though Vasuron is Sychon’s son and heir to the throne, he has his own motives and aspirations, ones that begin to play out at the very end of the book.
While Rebirth was action-packed, Remnant is definitely driven by character development. That’s not to say that there is no action, the last third of the book literally made my palms sweat while reading and my Apple Watch told me on multiple occasions to ‘breathe’. Rebirth had to focus on large events, plot points, and world building in order to provide appropriate context for the series. I felt that the character development and slowed plot for Remnant was perfectly done and well placed. I enjoyed getting to really know each of the main players in the story, and was tickled to be introduced to even more characters.
In particular, Vasuron is an incredibly interesting addition. While we were introduced briefly in book one, he was a side character to Sylette’s misadventures as a Sarconian princess. Remnant, however, allows us to see him now as an adult, and glimpse into his (very dark) mind. While Sarcon is the main baddie and is definitely not one to be trifled with, he absolutely pales in comparison to the absolute evil of Vasuron—his character legitimately scares me and sets my teeth on edge. Russell did a fantastic job of giving us just a little taste of Vasuron, while also showing that there is so much more to him, his character, and the role he will play in the story going forward.
Again, Russell utilizes a plethora of POVs from many different characters. Similar to last book, I thoroughly enjoyed each POV and felt that each character’s voice was unique and well developed. I love reading from both the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ characters’ perspectives as each POV adds little details to the overall conflict and world as a whole. I do hope that Rusesll writes from Velle’s and Lillith’s perspectives in the coming books—I’m fairly positive that these are the only two characters that we haven’t received a POV from. Though, with the revelations coming from Velle in the next book, I’m certain her POV will be present. Lillith is still an enigma to me, and many of the cadets; I’m anxious to read about her backstory and motives.
This is an absolute must-read, and I encourage everyone to go buy it on the 14th. I’m so very disappointed that I now have to wait potentially another two full years before I can jump into Lozaria again. So no pressure or anything, Christopher, but write faster.
The book continues to follow the stories of the cadets from the Darmatian Military Academy; Vallen, Sylette, Renar, Matteo, Velle, Unter, Lillith, and Leon. Joining the merry band of misfits is Jis, the Ice Queen of Darmatia—an extremely powerful ice mage and the cadets former instructor at the Academy. Picking up seamlessly where Rebirth ended, the beginning of Remnant finds the cadets on a seeming goose-chase to locate the remainder of the Darmatian army, now called the Rebellion. While attempting to locate the base, the cadets are attacked by a Primal—a legendary, mythical creature that dwells in the water, protecting the lighthouse and illyrium crystal. The cadets, ravaged from the recent battle in Etrus and barely alive, all but give-up after trying, unsuccessfully, to defeat the Primal. Luckily, Major Jis Reev arrives in time to save the cadets and bring them to the Darmatian hideout. After initially refusing and following an interaction with her adopted mother, Major Reev agrees to train the cadets in both physical and magical combat. While our protagonists train physically, each also has to internally grapple with their own mental blocks and shortcomings. As Rodale, Jis’ former lover and a Colonel, says “they’re all a little Void-touched.” As the cadets deal with their mental and physical challenges, the Sarconian Empire moves to crush Rabban and secure dominance over the entire continent of Lozaria. However, all of Sychon’s Rittermarschals are not as loyal to him as he thinks, creating a network of lies and deceit that will inevitably come to a head. Sarcon, now in a new and improved host body, fights against the remaining consciousness of his host, leaving him slightly incapacitated during the book. However, he sends his loyal henchman, Hans, to Sychon’s palace to retrieve documents regarding the Darmatian bloodline. If there is an heir still alive, their blood can release Sarcon’s body from its prison, thus returning the mage to his full power. Hans enlists the help of an assassin with very peculiar powers, powers that allow him to morph into another person just by touching their hand. While the assassin is successful in his endeavor, he, very literally, runs into Sychon’s son, Vasuron. Even though Vasuron is Sychon’s son and heir to the throne, he has his own motives and aspirations, ones that begin to play out at the very end of the book.
While Rebirth was action-packed, Remnant is definitely driven by character development. That’s not to say that there is no action, the last third of the book literally made my palms sweat while reading and my Apple Watch told me on multiple occasions to ‘breathe’. Rebirth had to focus on large events, plot points, and world building in order to provide appropriate context for the series. I felt that the character development and slowed plot for Remnant was perfectly done and well placed. I enjoyed getting to really know each of the main players in the story, and was tickled to be introduced to even more characters.
In particular, Vasuron is an incredibly interesting addition. While we were introduced briefly in book one, he was a side character to Sylette’s misadventures as a Sarconian princess. Remnant, however, allows us to see him now as an adult, and glimpse into his (very dark) mind. While Sarcon is the main baddie and is definitely not one to be trifled with, he absolutely pales in comparison to the absolute evil of Vasuron—his character legitimately scares me and sets my teeth on edge. Russell did a fantastic job of giving us just a little taste of Vasuron, while also showing that there is so much more to him, his character, and the role he will play in the story going forward.
Again, Russell utilizes a plethora of POVs from many different characters. Similar to last book, I thoroughly enjoyed each POV and felt that each character’s voice was unique and well developed. I love reading from both the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ characters’ perspectives as each POV adds little details to the overall conflict and world as a whole. I do hope that Rusesll writes from Velle’s and Lillith’s perspectives in the coming books—I’m fairly positive that these are the only two characters that we haven’t received a POV from. Though, with the revelations coming from Velle in the next book, I’m certain her POV will be present. Lillith is still an enigma to me, and many of the cadets; I’m anxious to read about her backstory and motives.
This is an absolute must-read, and I encourage everyone to go buy it on the 14th. I’m so very disappointed that I now have to wait potentially another two full years before I can jump into Lozaria again. So no pressure or anything, Christopher, but write faster.
November 19, 2022
Christopher Russell’s Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant is the sequel to Divinity’s Twilight: Rebirth in which readers have eagerly awaited for. Rightfully so, as I found it surpassing other great titles, such as Lord of the Rings. Remnant is worth your time and attention as it brings so much to its readers. This story takes all the best parts of Final Fantasy, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and other classic literature without feeling like it borrows too much from them, it allows the title to stand out and be something unique, of its own.
So let’s jump right in. This will be spoiler-free and will allow you to hopefully see if this title is a book for you. The adventure continues, following our fellow cadets in the Constella Multi-verse which Russell has created and mostly built in its predecessor, Rebirth. However, where we were lacking a little character development in book one, book two is all about the characters. By the end of the second book, you will have a good understanding of each of our characters and you will find yourself rather attached to each one. The cast reminded me of the one from Guardians of the Galaxy at least on the Darmatian side, whereas many of the Sarconians gave me Game of Thrones vibes.
I found several portions of the book to be almost poetic in how Christopher wrote the scenes as they unfolded, such as this bit:
“And Matteo felt that heat. It was a weathered hand on his cheek. A whisper in his ear that everything would be alright. It was a kiss on his forehead. Fingers ruffling his hair, a hug of encouragement at his bleakest moment. It was safety on a dark night. A bed to sneak to when the shadows held monsters and a stern word when he ripped his clothes or left the dishes unwashed. It was a new book on his Nameday. A shelter from every storm, a steaming mug and thick blanket set between him and everything cold and chilling and frightening in the world. In short, it was love. A light in the darkness, a voice in the dark.” pg. 636
But by the Veneer…the humor…is the best:
-“They have spicy seafood carbonara that would put hair on Ellara’s stones.”
Jis frowned. “Ellara’s female. She doesn’t have stones.”
“My point still stands.” pg.491
-As if on cue, Rodale leaned back, slung his boots onto the table, and belched loud enough to wake Darmatus’ departed spirit. pg. 444
And so many more bits that I loved but I will let you discover for yourself as a reader. Give Divinity’s Twilight Rebirth and Remnant a read, it’s a steampunk/military fantasy that you will cling to even after you have read all the pages. I’m giving Remnant a 10/10! I look forward to reading the third book in the series, on its release day.
So let’s jump right in. This will be spoiler-free and will allow you to hopefully see if this title is a book for you. The adventure continues, following our fellow cadets in the Constella Multi-verse which Russell has created and mostly built in its predecessor, Rebirth. However, where we were lacking a little character development in book one, book two is all about the characters. By the end of the second book, you will have a good understanding of each of our characters and you will find yourself rather attached to each one. The cast reminded me of the one from Guardians of the Galaxy at least on the Darmatian side, whereas many of the Sarconians gave me Game of Thrones vibes.
I found several portions of the book to be almost poetic in how Christopher wrote the scenes as they unfolded, such as this bit:
“And Matteo felt that heat. It was a weathered hand on his cheek. A whisper in his ear that everything would be alright. It was a kiss on his forehead. Fingers ruffling his hair, a hug of encouragement at his bleakest moment. It was safety on a dark night. A bed to sneak to when the shadows held monsters and a stern word when he ripped his clothes or left the dishes unwashed. It was a new book on his Nameday. A shelter from every storm, a steaming mug and thick blanket set between him and everything cold and chilling and frightening in the world. In short, it was love. A light in the darkness, a voice in the dark.” pg. 636
But by the Veneer…the humor…is the best:
-“They have spicy seafood carbonara that would put hair on Ellara’s stones.”
Jis frowned. “Ellara’s female. She doesn’t have stones.”
“My point still stands.” pg.491
-As if on cue, Rodale leaned back, slung his boots onto the table, and belched loud enough to wake Darmatus’ departed spirit. pg. 444
And so many more bits that I loved but I will let you discover for yourself as a reader. Give Divinity’s Twilight Rebirth and Remnant a read, it’s a steampunk/military fantasy that you will cling to even after you have read all the pages. I’m giving Remnant a 10/10! I look forward to reading the third book in the series, on its release day.
September 10, 2022
When the narrative is so captivating, one is lulled, almost hypnotised, by the text, reading furiously to capture each and every moment, to the point I forgot where I was, hell, I forgot WHO I was! The author mentions in his profile that he's a weaver of words, which I must say is spot on! He weaves a richly textured tapestry, pulling the yarn in a perfectly co-ordinated manner, to expose a masterpiece.
The development and world building is outstanding, vast and varied, easy to sink one's teeth into, like the most delicious cake causing an explosion of my taste buds, allowing me to savour every bite. The characters surpassed my expectations, their growth steadily increasing, until I'm not sure who I like and who I dislike! Ok, that ain't true, I DO know I love Matteo, he's probably my favourite character and Rener is stunning! His drawings are so important to him that in one scene where the cadets are facing off with a draken, he's actually trying to capture the image! I particularly enjoyed seeing how Matteo went from hiding behind his fear to a force to be reckoned with.There are no half measured characters, they are expanded in such a way, their personalities literally attack your senses and your imagination! The introduction of new characters were skilful brought in, upping the storyline to new heights. As with any Epic fantasy, there's a lot going on, a lot of characters, the difference here, is this one never feels dull, constantly evolving. No irrelevant boring setting up, everything is portrayed in a way that it had me firmly in it's grasp I had a hard time moving from my seat, reading and reading and reading, once again highlighting the perfect blend of sci-fi, magic and fantasy. There's greed aplenty and what one can only describe it as insanity, but there's also honour and the message of hope, of resilience and determination. Complex characters, both good and bad, a plot that unravels like a ball of wool, this is a book to be relished!
September 14, 2022
I loved Christopher Russell's first book in this series, so when he generously offered to send me an ARC copy of Divinity's Twilight: Remnant, I snapped up the chance. For fans of the first book, or anyone who loves epic fantasy, this book is unmissable. It's well over a thousand pages long, and I read it in one sitting.
It's hard to talk about a book that is this big, and builds this much off another, even bigger book, without spoiling things, so I'm going to remain in the realm of abstract praise.
I'd characterize this book as a futuristic epic character-based military fantasy. That's a lot of adjectives, but, hey, it's a lot of book!
The world-building is easily one of the most brilliant aspects of the series. There are futuristic elements that reminded me somewhat of the clash of ancient and modern in Ken Liu's Dandelion Dynasty books. But what really impressed me was the magic system. Russell has created a magic system that is about as hard as any magic system can be, complete with illustrative charts to describe its details, and yet it never stands in the way of the action. All the details are there for readers, like me, who love complex magic, but I wouldn't hesitate to hand this book off to a new fantasy reader who is intimidated by lots o'worldbuilding.
The plot is great. It felt more episodic here than in its predecessor, as there are several different intersecting plotlines, but it still flowed smoothly. There were also some truly jaw-dropping twists and turns.
I also really love the characters in this series--and particularly the female characters. I think Jis was my favorite, her expanded role here revealing a balance of cold brilliance with hidden compassion. But despite many different POVs, there honestly was not one character here I didn't enjoy reading about.
Also, there are super cool illustrations! They're really beautiful and illuminate the story and world in an exciting way.
It's hard to talk about a book that is this big, and builds this much off another, even bigger book, without spoiling things, so I'm going to remain in the realm of abstract praise.
I'd characterize this book as a futuristic epic character-based military fantasy. That's a lot of adjectives, but, hey, it's a lot of book!
The world-building is easily one of the most brilliant aspects of the series. There are futuristic elements that reminded me somewhat of the clash of ancient and modern in Ken Liu's Dandelion Dynasty books. But what really impressed me was the magic system. Russell has created a magic system that is about as hard as any magic system can be, complete with illustrative charts to describe its details, and yet it never stands in the way of the action. All the details are there for readers, like me, who love complex magic, but I wouldn't hesitate to hand this book off to a new fantasy reader who is intimidated by lots o'worldbuilding.
The plot is great. It felt more episodic here than in its predecessor, as there are several different intersecting plotlines, but it still flowed smoothly. There were also some truly jaw-dropping twists and turns.
I also really love the characters in this series--and particularly the female characters. I think Jis was my favorite, her expanded role here revealing a balance of cold brilliance with hidden compassion. But despite many different POVs, there honestly was not one character here I didn't enjoy reading about.
Also, there are super cool illustrations! They're really beautiful and illuminate the story and world in an exciting way.
December 10, 2022
Christopher,
Vallen, Sylette, Unter, Matteo, Velle, and Major Jis are just beautiful characters and so real! Your world building is so magical and it feels like I’m there. Your storytelling sticks with me and I love it dearly!
Readers, if you take anything away from me, please take my words into consideration. You don’t have to agree with me, just hear me out. If there’s one thing in this world, that I’ve come to know about authors it’s this. All I’ve wanted is for authors to write stories for readers to love and escape to, not to drive a message or agenda. That’s not what books are meant for. They are meant to entertain and inspire, comfort and console our lives and hearts no matter how dire and bleak things may be. Christopher is one of those things. A author who understands that. He took my hand, held on, and saved me, brining me into the light with not just his books, but his characters and his faith to let me know that I’m not alone. Christopher saved me from a darkness I thought I would never escape from on my own, one I almost drowned in in college. I love his heart for that and it shines in his books. He writes stories because he loves to, and to make readers smile and happy. We need more authors like that who help readers through dark times whatever that may be. These books are worth the journey to read. This isn’t a promotional thing for me.
They say if you look into a person’s eyes, you can see into their soul. I believe Christopher means good intentions with his stories and he has a good heart. I thank him every day for it. He’s a author I will always stand by. And a friend I love and treasure.
Vallen, Sylette, Unter, Matteo, Velle, and Major Jis are just beautiful characters and so real! Your world building is so magical and it feels like I’m there. Your storytelling sticks with me and I love it dearly!
Readers, if you take anything away from me, please take my words into consideration. You don’t have to agree with me, just hear me out. If there’s one thing in this world, that I’ve come to know about authors it’s this. All I’ve wanted is for authors to write stories for readers to love and escape to, not to drive a message or agenda. That’s not what books are meant for. They are meant to entertain and inspire, comfort and console our lives and hearts no matter how dire and bleak things may be. Christopher is one of those things. A author who understands that. He took my hand, held on, and saved me, brining me into the light with not just his books, but his characters and his faith to let me know that I’m not alone. Christopher saved me from a darkness I thought I would never escape from on my own, one I almost drowned in in college. I love his heart for that and it shines in his books. He writes stories because he loves to, and to make readers smile and happy. We need more authors like that who help readers through dark times whatever that may be. These books are worth the journey to read. This isn’t a promotional thing for me.
They say if you look into a person’s eyes, you can see into their soul. I believe Christopher means good intentions with his stories and he has a good heart. I thank him every day for it. He’s a author I will always stand by. And a friend I love and treasure.
September 18, 2022
Oh boy is this ever an amazing book! It takes everything I loved about book 1 and makes it better! Seriously! The worldbuilding continues to be phenomenal and the mix of magic and technology is so cool. But what I really loved about book 2 is the character development. I really love character driven stories, so when an epic scale novel is able to give such a great amount of character development without the plot lagging, I’m impressed. We get to know the cadets from book 1 better and there are some new characters as well and I love them all (or love to hate them, but you know…). I won’t say much about the plot because there are some great twists and I really don’t want to spoil anything. But it’s SO GOOD! I also really enjoyed the prose, this book is very well written! Basically, if you are looking for amazing epic fantasy, pick up this series (just make sure to start with book 1).
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 30, 2022
Remnant has me sitting here…speechless…so…so…speechless…
“But like I told that whip of a girl, Lilith, stories are founded on hope.”
If Rebith was a story about trust then Remnant is a story about Hope. Hope was infinitely intertwined with almost every aspect of this book. And although there is a lot of war, sacrifice, and death there was always hope to fuel us onward.
The cadets, minus Leon, are searching for the resistance base. And although they find it, they are quickly surprised by so many of the obstacles they face upon arrival. But they quickly find their strides and the Hope they are looking for in the training provided by Major Reev, The Ice Queen. Each and every cadet had some major character development and growth and there were some chapters that were so well written and developed they took my breath away. Seriously, some of the best passages I have EVER read where written in this novel!
Meanwhile, Leon is still fighting the takeover of his body by Sarcon. And although Sarcon is relentless in his pursuit, Leon is one amazingly resilient character. Go Leon! Keep fighting (I just love these chapters!)
Then we have all the craziness that surrounds Emperor Sychon and his ambitions to crush the resistance and continue his take over of Darmatia. There is a ton of politely intrigue swirling around both Sychon and Sarcon and you can’t help but stare in wonder and fear about what evil and conniving plans they will enact next.
This book has so many amazing characters with so many thought out, absolutely realized, and believable backstories. These characters are so fleshed out that their thoughts and actions come off as completely authentic and real. And they are so dang relatable. You can tell that Russell loves these characters and has put so much time, energy, and love into them to write them just perfect. And he did absolutely that!
My favorite character was still Matteo. He had a lot of amazing growth in this book. He went from afraid and cowardly to strong, resilient, and beyond heroic. His development of his magic was really interesting to read and his relationship with Velle was sweet and honest to his character and I would have loved more.
Anyway, this isn’t just your run of the mill futuristic fantasy novel. If it was, I would not have been able to finish all 768 pages of it in under 40 hours! This has everything an amazing fantasy novel needs. I laughed (so many times! So many!), I cried (in devastation and in happiness), I dispaired, but left with my heart filled with copious amounts of hope for what was to come next.
So if you enjoy amazing characters that you love and sometimes love to hate, absolute evil that somehow always seems to be lurking among us—not always seen but felt by those closest to it, an amazing and absolutely realized magical world filled with tons of often beautiful but also horrible and disturbing magic, heroes, heroines, and best of all Love and Hope then you need to read Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant. I know I absolute cannot wait to see what amazing things Russell writes next!
“But like I told that whip of a girl, Lilith, stories are founded on hope.”
If Rebith was a story about trust then Remnant is a story about Hope. Hope was infinitely intertwined with almost every aspect of this book. And although there is a lot of war, sacrifice, and death there was always hope to fuel us onward.
The cadets, minus Leon, are searching for the resistance base. And although they find it, they are quickly surprised by so many of the obstacles they face upon arrival. But they quickly find their strides and the Hope they are looking for in the training provided by Major Reev, The Ice Queen. Each and every cadet had some major character development and growth and there were some chapters that were so well written and developed they took my breath away. Seriously, some of the best passages I have EVER read where written in this novel!
Meanwhile, Leon is still fighting the takeover of his body by Sarcon. And although Sarcon is relentless in his pursuit, Leon is one amazingly resilient character. Go Leon! Keep fighting (I just love these chapters!)
Then we have all the craziness that surrounds Emperor Sychon and his ambitions to crush the resistance and continue his take over of Darmatia. There is a ton of politely intrigue swirling around both Sychon and Sarcon and you can’t help but stare in wonder and fear about what evil and conniving plans they will enact next.
This book has so many amazing characters with so many thought out, absolutely realized, and believable backstories. These characters are so fleshed out that their thoughts and actions come off as completely authentic and real. And they are so dang relatable. You can tell that Russell loves these characters and has put so much time, energy, and love into them to write them just perfect. And he did absolutely that!
My favorite character was still Matteo. He had a lot of amazing growth in this book. He went from afraid and cowardly to strong, resilient, and beyond heroic. His development of his magic was really interesting to read and his relationship with Velle was sweet and honest to his character and I would have loved more.
Anyway, this isn’t just your run of the mill futuristic fantasy novel. If it was, I would not have been able to finish all 768 pages of it in under 40 hours! This has everything an amazing fantasy novel needs. I laughed (so many times! So many!), I cried (in devastation and in happiness), I dispaired, but left with my heart filled with copious amounts of hope for what was to come next.
So if you enjoy amazing characters that you love and sometimes love to hate, absolute evil that somehow always seems to be lurking among us—not always seen but felt by those closest to it, an amazing and absolutely realized magical world filled with tons of often beautiful but also horrible and disturbing magic, heroes, heroines, and best of all Love and Hope then you need to read Divinity’s Twilight: Remnant. I know I absolute cannot wait to see what amazing things Russell writes next!
October 4, 2023
Divinity's Twilight: Remnants by Christopher Russell
Remnants picks up where Rebirth left off. Our cadets look for and find the resistance headed by General Hardwick Iolus (Renar's father) and The Ice Queen, Major Jis Reev. Jis begins training the cadets in battle and magic skills except for Matteo who is getting his sensor training from Jis's old flame, now a drunkard Colonel Rodale Holcomb. While seeing great improvement in their abilities they all have their own inner demons to face and hopefully overcome. Their first objective is to retake Etrus, Matteo's hometown. Meanwhile, Leon is still fighting Sarcon's takeover of his body. I'm on team Leon win or lose he is amazing. And I want to know what the 3rd C. is up to that was a surprise I'm not sure everyone caught. Looking forward to the 3rd installment of Divinitys Twilight. Definately keeps you invested to read more.
Remnants picks up where Rebirth left off. Our cadets look for and find the resistance headed by General Hardwick Iolus (Renar's father) and The Ice Queen, Major Jis Reev. Jis begins training the cadets in battle and magic skills except for Matteo who is getting his sensor training from Jis's old flame, now a drunkard Colonel Rodale Holcomb. While seeing great improvement in their abilities they all have their own inner demons to face and hopefully overcome. Their first objective is to retake Etrus, Matteo's hometown. Meanwhile, Leon is still fighting Sarcon's takeover of his body. I'm on team Leon win or lose he is amazing. And I want to know what the 3rd C. is up to that was a surprise I'm not sure everyone caught. Looking forward to the 3rd installment of Divinitys Twilight. Definately keeps you invested to read more.
October 14, 2023
Rebirth leaves the nation of Darmatian reeling in the aftermath of their defeat, with Remnant forcing our young cadets and the rest of the resistance to evolve or perish in the next assault. The pacing of Remnant is drawn out in the first half, with Russell exponentially developing characters, while packing in a delightful amount of detail throughout. The novel finishes with several well choreographed battle sequences spanning land, air, and water.
September 24, 2022
Very well written.
This book tells about all the characters leading up to the major battle in Etrus. You get to feel the emotions and goals of each. It also leaves you wondering what will happen next. A very emotional tale.
I received this as an ARC and am looking forward to the next book.
This book tells about all the characters leading up to the major battle in Etrus. You get to feel the emotions and goals of each. It also leaves you wondering what will happen next. A very emotional tale.
I received this as an ARC and am looking forward to the next book.
April 21, 2023
a really great bok
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