Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 20/09/2024
Published by: Orion Publishing Group
ISBN: B016V93UCI
‘The Bands of Mourning’ was a delightful return to the fast-paced, light-hearted style that drew me into this series.
Similar read: The Silverblood Promise by James Logan
Cover:
While I do not find this cover particularly eye-catching, it nicely captures an aspect of the story and fits well with the rest of the series.
Writing:
The intricate world and magic system are brilliantly expanded once again, and the story is brought to life with rich descriptions and an easy-to-follow writing style. While there are some information dumps, these were never overwhelming and did not make the story less engaging.
I learned how much power over a situation you gain when you decide that you don’t care what others think of you.
Storyline:
The story opens with an insightful prologue before picking up a few months after the events of the previous book. A fast-paced, action-packed investigation is then quickly set in motion, with several twists and turns keeping the storyline gripping and leading to a satisfying conclusion. There is even a final twist that sets things up nicely for the next book.
Main character(s):
More of Wax’s backstory and nerdy side are revealed in this book, which made his character more likeable and easy to connect with. His struggles with fitting into elite society and coming to terms with previous events also added depth to his character and allowed for some growth.
Secondary characters:
I couldn’t get enough of the hilarious and heartwarming interactions between Wax, Wayne, Marasi, Steris, and Milan. Wayne remained my favourite character due to his quirky perspective, and his slight character growth only made me love him more. Marasi and Steris also experienced heartwarming character developments that made them even more likeable, while MeLaan was simply a badass.
Love is always a foolish emotion. That’s what makes it work.
Romance:
Wax’s awkward romance dynamics are neatly resolved in this story, with cute moments that convincingly advance his relationship with one of the characters. However, I was a little disappointed that little came of Wayne’s crush, even though he bounced back pretty fast.
Narration & Audio:
Nothing new here. Michael Kramer nailed the narration of this story with accents, character voices and natural, emotive vocal nuances.
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