TEMPEST'S QUEEN

In this sequel to Inferno’s Heir (2024), Teia, now queen of Erisia, is in pursuit of Lehm, who seeks to destroy the Five Kingdoms by awakening the Serkawr, a creature of immense power.

After outwitting her half brother and claiming the crown, Teia is crossing the Dark Sea with her trusted spy and thief, Enna. The two hope to thwart Lehm’s attempt to unleash the Serkawr by finding the Morning Star jewel and the Seascript, an ancient text that contains information to help them stop the beast. This quest takes them to Shaylan, the East Asia–inspired homeland of Teia’s mother, where they receive a warm welcome. The kingdom is now ruled by Teia’s cousin Yuwen, who deposed his corrupt, power-hungry father, Feng. The pace picks up as Teia and Enna are reluctantly reunited with former allies Kyra, Alara, and Tobias. Lehm also appears, quickly planting seeds of doubt about Teia’s intentions in Yuwen’s mind. The suspense rises as Teia and her crew take Jin, Yuwen’s advisor and lover, hostage and flee. They get caught up in exciting entanglements as they attempt to infiltrate the den of the Society of Thieves, who are rumored to have stolen the Seascript. Wang skillfully balances magical worldbuilding, political intrigue, and romance while maintaining focus and a strong pace. Many of the characters, who are diverse in appearance, have ulterior motives that add to the surprises.

A high-stakes, action-packed duology closer filled with deftly placed twists.