Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 10/11/2023
Published by: HarperVoyager
ISBN: B0BXM2YLTJ
Cover:
I love how the gothic text and patterns give this design clear ties with the previous one in the series and convey the fantasy genre of the story. The icy blue colour scheme also neatly reflects this story’s slower pace and numerous revelations.
Writing:
Once again, a rich writing style with multiple points of view effortlessly brings this world and story to life. The intricate worldbuilding within this blew me away as it was gradually uncovered, layer by layer, like an onion. I may not have understood every detail, but I was deeply impressed by how every aspect, from the blood colours to the land, magic and creatures, was skillfully expanded.
The world is broken, but like an eggshell, life can bloom from broken things.
Storyline:
A handy recap at the start summarises previous events and reintroduces the characters and brutal world (I wish every sequel had this!). However, I once more struggled with the leisurely pace at which the storyline unfolds, especially since this sequel seemed less action-packed than its predecessor and more focused on the complex world and themes. The storyline still managed to be gripping and entertaining, though, due to the mounting tension from various mysteries and revelations.
Main characters:
Sylah, Anora and Hassa each experienced so much in this story, and their distinct struggles kept their characters engaging. Even so, I was constantly irritated by Sylah and Anora due to their impulsive and questionable actions. In contrast, Hassa utterly won me over, as her character seemed loyal, clever, and caring.
what are we without morality?
Secondary characters:
I loved that several characters from the previous book received more focus in this sequel, along with new characters who helped drive unfolding events. Besides this, I got my wish, and Jond’s character is given more depth in this sequel, though he still did not make much of an impression on me.
Romance:
As Sylah and Anoor were away from each other, their relationship took a backseat to a cute, new connection involving Hassa. Sadly, this relationship seemed rushed and underdeveloped, so I found it hard to become invested in it.
Narration & Audio:
The narration by Nicole Lewis and Dominic Hoffman was just as incredible in this audiobook as it was previously, with changes in vocal pacing and tones expertly bringing the story to life. I also loved the different voices used for the characters, as this brilliantly enhanced the distinct personalities and nuances of the large character cast.
To sum up, ‘The Battle Drum‘ delivers an intricate and expansive world that gradually ties in with the mysteries and events of the storyline. While I did not always find this gripping, I am still eager to discover how things will play out in the next book! I found the style of this story similar to Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko and would recommend that if you enjoyed this book.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below. For those who have read this and want to discuss it, swipe for some questions (contains spoilers!!):
Q: Who is your favourite of the three main characters after reading this book?
My answer: While Anoor was my favourite from the previous book, Hassa came out on top in this sequel to me. I really loved finding out more about Hassa’s character and found her journey in this sequel compelling and bittersweet.
Q: Which part of the expanded worldbuilding stood out most to you?
My answer: The revelation that there are eight different blood colours blew my mind! Before this, there were hints that the blood colours were far more complex than presented in the previous book, but I was still amazed at how creative this concept turned out to be and how it fit into the worldbuilding. The different blood colours also provide a clever means of exploring themes of discrimination and class structure.
Q: What are your predictions for the next book?
My answer: I want Nayeli to be wrong about Anoor being the long-awaited child of fire, as I want it to be Hassa! I also need the Ghostlings to win the war, whatever that looks like, even though they are painfully unprepared for it.
To read other book related posts, click here or check out the tag cloud for more options.