BLOOD MAGE

In a continuation of the events of the series opener, a mage finds herself at the center of multiple plots to seize control over the Empire of Dageis.

Outlaw mage Rosha Tar’elian is still working to fulfill her deal with Firekeeper Ceres, magically controlling the simulacrum of the Emperor of Dageis in return for (relative) freedom. At the same time, she must hide the fact that her powers are waning, forcing her to rely on forbidden blood magic. The situation worsens when Ivasus ban-Sokur, a spoiled aristocrat and antagonist from Rosha’s school days, voices suspicions about the death of Lord Cato, who was shown in the series opener to be the emperor’s puppetmaster. Though he’s unaware of this fact, Ivasus smells something rotten, threatening blackmail unless his demands for resources and power are met. In a parallel narrative, readers learn the true motives of Nasuha, Rosha’s traveling companion, who was revealed to be an operative for a fringe group called the Lost Ones. A lukewarm romantic plot between Rosha and Felan (a major player in the resolution of the first book) adds another element to the book’s already full plate. The chapters alternate between Rosha’s and Nasuha’s points of view. Unfortunately, these perspective shifts hamper the narrative momentum rather than enhancing it. Brown-skinned Rosha and Nasuha are Gorenten and coded as fantasy Southeast Asian; Dageians like Ivasus and Ceres have light eyes and hair.

Despite its intriguing premise, this sequel falls short of satisfying.