The Battle Drum
ISBN: 9780008450458
Description
Anoor is the first blue-blooded ruler of the Wardens' Empire. But when she is accused of a murder she didn't commit, her reign is thrown into turmoil. She must solve the mystery and clear her name without the support of her beloved, Sylah.
Sylah braves new lands to find a solution for the hurricane that threatens to destroy her home. But in finding answers, she must make a decision, does she sacrifice her old life in order to raise up her sword once more?
Hassa's web of secrets grows ever thicker as she finds herself on a trail of crimes in the city. Her searching uncovers the extent of the atrocities of the empire's past and present. Now, she must guard both her heart and her land. The three women find their answers, but they're not the answers they wanted.
Reviewed on 25th June 2023
The sequel to The Final Strife brings an exponential increase in world building - it feels like zooming out and suddenly finding myself somewhere ten time larger, and with ten times the civilisations to learn about.
The story follows the same characters we fell for before, as they expand their own horizons in different types of adventures. Every turn reveals more history, more culture, and more intrigue which is really fun to read about.
I found that I read this book much faster than I expected. My memory of the first book was that it was long and took a long time to get through, but this one just flew past.
Very much looking forward to book three, and learning more about this world.