DAUGHTERS OF STEEL

Two months after the defeat of the king in series opener Sisters of Glass (2017), the former princess and now queen Halan Ali and her tawam, or mirror-self, Queen’s Sword Nalah Bardak, struggle with their newfound political and magical powers.

As princess of the Magi Kingdom, Halan lived in ignorance of Tam’s reign of terror—and also the state of the kingdom. Now she faces corrupt Thauma lords and an increasing scarcity of resources. Each day brings new problems, and the pressure to undo all of Tam’s misdeeds weighs heavily. Nalah is similarly eager to help the public, but her powers are far from refined. After Halan discovers a mysterious crystal orb, Nalah and dashing former revolutionary Soren Ferro set out for the mysterious Talon Mountains, where the secrets of her Thauma powers might be unlocked. At home, Halan wrestles the mounting piles of worries. Suddenly, Nalah’s old friend Marcus Cutter bursts through the Transcendent Mirror connecting New Hadar and the Magi Kingdom to ask for Nalah’s help to find his missing brother. Queen Halan volunteers to go instead. This second outing to Cyprus’ Middle Eastern–inflected fantasy world takes readers through new challenges, emotional as well as physical. Emphasizing the power of community and trust, fighting through fear, and believing in oneself, it delivers both adventure and satisfying complexity.

A thrilling second act filled with faith, determination, and the pursuit of justice.