Local lore is expanded and rosy glasses are shattered.
No longer a naive rural girl who dreams of an action-packed life, Blue Haven is now living a frenetic adventure of her own. Though leaving the protection of New Haven for the first time in her life should be an amazing experience, an earlier attack left Blue without her superhuman vision. But she is determined to save her twin from a terrible fate, regardless of any impediment, so she hitches her wagon to a dangerous prisoner and an even more dangerous elfling. An unfriendly truce and heavy distrust beset the trio as they travel through the hazardous countryside to find Blue’s missing brother. It’s impossible to know what goes on in the mind of a bloodthirsty juvenile Shadow Elf, but getting a read on the outlaw Mason is just as tricky. And he is definitely keeping big secrets from Blue. Back in New Haven, Blue’s loyal friend Kaleo survived an enemy attack, though he is far from safe and sound. He suffered a bite from a Shadow Elf so if his friends decide to let him live, he’ll be a danger to them. But if he can survive the ravaging infection, Kaleo will need to navigate the changes in his body and spirit, avoid eating his friends for lunch, and find a way to use his abilities to rescue Blue. Everyone has a different plan and it will be a race to see who wins and who loses, who lives and who dies.
Local lore is expanded and rosy glasses are shattered in Lenore Stutznegger’s highly anticipated sequel, Black Ruins Rise. One standout feature is the fantasy pop-culture references made throughout the novel. They keep the genre front and center but also remind readers that Blue’s reality is simply a distorted future version of our own. The story picks up in the middle of tense scenes and chaotic moving parts, but it is easy for readers who might have been away for a while to jump right back into the world. Warm camaraderie and engaging dialogue instantly remind audiences of everything they love about these Blue Shadows characters while the suspenseful plotlines kick up the momentum and keep readers glued to the page. Of course, you’ll be smitten with Blue and Kaleo as their personalities change and grow under stressful circumstances. But Mason is an unexpectedly endearing character that you’ll like, even against your better judgment. As the perspective shifts between these unique narrative voices, the anticipation to discover where their stories converge ramps up. But as a warning to readers who prefer standalone books, this exciting story builds up to a thrilling cliffhanger that will leave you in breathless expectation of the next installment. With an emphasis on the power of friendship, family bonds, and hope, Black Ruins Rise turns a post-apocalyptic world into an adventure for the ages!
