AWAKEN THE THREE

In this fantasy sequel, a group that fears a benevolent goddess is in danger undertakes the perilous task of awakening three powerful beings.

After threatening the world, the Breaker of the Dawn, a god, is sealed inside the parallel Otherworld. But blacksmith Thornton Woods and his comrades, who helped prevent the vast devastation, fear the Breaker will overpower and corrupt the Shaper of Ages, the goddess who has restrained him. Accessing the Otherworld requires waking up a trio of terrifying beings, including twin gods, the Traveler and the Holder of the Dead. Meanwhile, Rathma, a Farstepper (a human who can essentially teleport), aids his friend Kuu, a shape-shifting Wolfwalker, in gathering intelligence on Djozen Yelto. Yelto has something that belongs to the Wolfwalkers. Elsewhere, Duna Cullain, currently the highest-ranking officer in the Gal’dorok region, wants to retake her city, Ghal Thurái, from the monstrous Chovathi. Vanquishing these formidable creatures necessitates forming an alliance with others, even a Chovathi band that wants to be the sole clan of its kind. With a war looming, myriad characters’ lives intersect, and the world may once again be at risk. As in Jennings’ first installment, alternating narrative perspectives drive this long but swiftly paced tale. Characters are wonderfully distinctive; Kuu, for example, stands out among his cohorts as he isn’t as skilled and can only change into a fox. Villains, meanwhile, are often unnerving, from the Chovathi’s horrifying “mating rituals” to the fleshless-faced, lidless-eyed Priests of the Holder. The impending clash generates a somber, tense story of betrayals and startling deaths while the final act boasts impressive twists—at least one that readers won’t likely be anticipating. The ending makes it clear that another volume is forthcoming.

A rousing second installment in an enthralling, sharply defined fantasy series.