THE SONG OF WRATH

After discovering her true identity, a young Black woman brought to England by a slave trader must contend with the responsibilities of possessing the power to forge her future.

This sequel to Bones of Ruin (2021) begins in 1884 London with an unsettled Iris trying to gather information regarding her newly discovered identity as a Hiva—an immortal, all-powerful being capable of destroying worlds. The alternating third-person narration brings in wealthy White Adam’s detached and calculating perspective as he attempts to salvage his ruined plans and make Iris into his tool. Readers also meet Fables, a White-passing biracial man in Oklahoma, who follows a different Hiva. The information Iris seeks sets her on a far-reaching journey across Paris, the open seas, the Kingdom of Dahomey, and the site of an ancient civilization. Along the way, she must continually reconcile with her deepest desire to live in peace (with or without her powers) or succumb to what everyone believes is her ultimate purpose. Iris’ plight brings together a diverse range of characters old and new, culminating in a shocking cliffhanger that will have readers looking forward to the trilogy’s conclusion. The straightforward writing examines the intersection of race and gender and how they can affect power as Iris battles influences from every direction. While there are plenty of action-packed scenes and detailed descriptions of deaths, some readers may struggle with the narrative’s repetitive nature.

Despite its length, a largely thrilling read.