I really enjoyed Sisters of Light and Shadow, so of course I had to jump on the chance to read the sequel.
Today, I want to take the opportunity to tell you a bit about book two of this duology, Warriors of Wing and Flame, and give you five things you, as a reader, might love about it! Because reviews are boring and listicles are where it’s at.
Before we delve into the reasons, though, I think it might be handy if I introduce you to the book first, yeah? So here we go.
This post may contain spoilers for the first book.
Many thanks to Tor Teen and JeanBookNerd for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Warriors of Wing and Flame (Sisters of Shadow and Light, #2)
by Sara B. LarsonPublished by: Tor Teen on October 27, 2020
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.
In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.
Content Tags:
Perfect for readers who want:
- A high fantasy world filled with magic and danger.
- Coming of age story for two young women.
- Super strong and touching sibling bonds between sisters.
- Sweet, uncertain romance that has to be earned.
- Lots of introspection and consideration of complicated, complex feelings.
#1: The gorgeous, vivid writing
If you read the first book, you’re well aware of just how gorgeous Larson’s writing can be! That carries through to the second book. The style is just so engaging, dragging you right into the world (both of them, actually!). It’s so easy to imagine the breath-taking scenery or to be caught in an anxiety attack with one of the characters, which really brings the story alive and invites the reader to take part of the adventure alongside everyone else (even though, you know, I’m not entirely sure this is a world I’d want to visit, thank you for asking).
While there are for sure sentences I had to read twice because they just struck me as so well put together, Larson doesn’t completely weigh down the story with descriptions, either. She strikes a nice balance between the two, and since this was the first series of hers I’ve read, I’ll have to check out her other work, because she’s obviously a fabulous writer!
Inara.
The night I was born, a power entered the world strong enough to steal my father, to steal my mother, to open a gateway.
Inara.
I was no longer light.
I was darkness and darkness was me.
#2: The sibling bonds
Want a sibling relationship akin to Anna and Elsa from Frozen? Of course you do. Who wouldn’t? That was the quintessential sister bond of its time, and Larson captures the same unconditional love and connection between Inara and Zuhra. Sibling bonds is one of my favorite tropes, and if it’s your thing, too, this book delivers.
Inara is no longer the defenseless girl she was, who was incapacitated most of the time. The dynamic has clearly changed, and in some ways this draws the sisters together and in some ways it pulls them apart. After all, they’re teenagers, and teenagers keep secrets.
Where they were particularly close in the first book, this one really tests their relationship. It’s part coming of age story, and as each sister attempts to discover herself and her own strength, they’re occasionally torn apart and butt heads.
Yet, the important thing is that, when push comes to shove, they’re still sisters, and that bond wins out over all others!
I didn’t respond, too busy keeping my eyes closed and gripping the gryphon’s feathers.
“You don’t need to rip those out. I won’t let you fall.” It sounded like he was trying not to laugh.
#3: The found family
Another one of my all-time favorite tropes! The found family in this book is just so cuuuute. I can’t even. The Paladins all have their own struggles and histories (and this book delves more into some of them, which is exciting!), which means they all carry their own baggage. Yet, at the end of the day, they only have each other.
This comes into play with some really cute banter between the Paladins, plus in the way they fight with each other and for each other. Getting to see the way they all use their powers for and with each other is really fun. When they all get together as a group, it’s just warm and familiar, and you wouldn’t question whether or not they’re a family, even while dark things are happening in the plot.
Shar smacked his arm with a muttered “Louk!”
“What? We’ve been riding all day and half the night without a break. Surely I’m not the only one who needs to ‘take a walk in the woods’ and maybe find something to eat?”
#4: The sweet romance
By now, you know that this definitely wasn’t my thing, because I like my romance stabby and fraught and anything but sweet. No, I don’t know why I’m like this. I just roll with it.
For those of you who do particularly enjoy romance, rejoice! This book actually feels like it’s about 80% romance, as these two women, who have otherwise been isolated their entire lives, try to figure out what it actually means to be in love with someone or to have a relationship. There’s a lot of soul-searching and learning and growth on their parts.
There are just a lot of really sweet scenes as the relationships grow and change, filled with some steamy (but clean, if that’s your thing) moments, lots of people supporting others, and just all-around healthy relationships, which quite honestly, was nice to see in a young adult book for a change.
A shock of blond hair falling forward into devastatingly blue eyes.
Tug.
A rare, cherished smile on a girl’s face whose name I should know.
Tug.
A tiny woman who somehow reminded me of a mountain made flesh.
Tug.
A mouth lined by grief and eyes that were permanent crinkled by laughter, who should have been dear to me but had been taken away for far too long.
Tug.
A hand, reaching out to me in the darkness—the key to unlock the only true home I’d ever known.
#5: The creatures and magic
Like … GRYPHONS! Not quite dragons, but a pretty close second. Which made me realize I don’t see a lot of gryphons in books, and we should definitely rectify that. Get on it, people.
Anywho, the gryphons aren’t just animal props in this world. They play a vital role, each with a name and personality, and they’re connected to Paladin. They’re basically less vocal tertiary characters (which if I’m honest is how I prefer a lot of my tertiary characters). They were such a nice addition to the ensemble, though.
More than that, there are actual beasts and monsters, the kind that will give you the creeps! They come into play a bit in the first book, but they rear their ugly heads here, too. All I’ll say is that not all monsters have four legs, wings, and flesh-tearing claws. Some look awfully human.
Why would he leave me there—with no idea where the room I didn’t even want to go to was located—and tell me he’d decided to do something else, and with such a strange warning about not being able to stop me if I—
Oh.
About Sara B. Larson
Sara B. Larson is the author of the acclaimed YA fantasy DEFY trilogy (DEFY, IGNITE, and ENDURE) and the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN duology (DARK BREAKS THE DAWN and BRIGHT BURNS THE NIGHT). She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their Maltese, Loki. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.” When she’s not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction.
5 Winners will receive a Copy of WARRIORS OF WING AND FLAME by Sara B. Larson
ENDS: NOVEMBER 9, 2020
Click here for the full tour schedule.
✦ WEEK ONE – REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS ✦
OCTOBER 19th MONDAY JeanBookNerd INTERVIEW
OCTOBER 20th TUESDAY BookHounds YA INTERVIEW
OCTOBER 21st WEDNESDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT
OCTOBER 21st WEDNESDAY A Bella Fairy Tale REVIEW
OCTOBER 22nd THURSDAY Ya It’s lit REVIEW
OCTOBER 22nd THURSDAY Emelie’s Books REVIEW
OCTOBER 23rd FRIDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW
OCTOBER 23rd FRIDAY Kait Plus Books INTERVIEW
✦ WEEK TWO – REVIEWS ✦
OCTOBER 26th MONDAY A Dream Within A Dream REVIEW
OCTOBER 27th TUESDAY Wishful Endings REVIEW & INTERVIEW
OCTOBER 28th WEDNESDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW
OCTOBER 28th WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW
OCTOBER 29th THURSDAY Nay’s Pink Bookshelf REVIEW
OCTOBER 29th THURSDAY J.R.’s Book Reviews REVIEW
OCTOBER 30th FRIDAY Book Briefs REVIEW
OCTOBER 30th FRIDAY The Bookwyrm’s Den REVIEW
OCTOBER 30th FRIDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW
The cover style for this set is really striking! I’m not sure exactly what, but there’s something about it I really like.
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Readathin November 2020
I dunno either, but it’s definitely pretty! I think it’s got this lovely mix between fantasy and fairy tale feel to it.
[…] of Wing and Flame by Sara B. Larson★★☆☆☆ || GoodreadsI really enjoyed the first book in this duology, but I didn’t enjoy this one as […]