review; reign of mist

Title: Reign Of Mist
Author: Helen Scheuerer
Genre: YA, fantasy
Type: E-Book
Publisher: Talem Press
Series: The Oremere Chronicles

The realm’s darkest secret is out.

The cruelty of the capital and the power-hungry King Arden have scattered Bleak and her companions across the continents.

On the run in a foreign land, Bleak finds herself tied to some unexpected strangers. When the answers she yearns for are finally within reach, she must face the hard truths of her past, and take her fate into her own hands before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, secrets and magic unravel as a dark power corrupts the realm. Bleak’s friends are forced to decide where their loyalties lie, and who, if anyone, they can trust.

But one thing is certain: war is coming, and they must all be ready when it does.

Intriguing and action-packed, Reign of Mist is the second instalment in Helen Scheuerer’s epic YA fantasy series, The Oremere Chronicles.

I received this copy in exchange for an honest review from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Helen!

The story picks up in speed SO MUCH, exactly from where we left off. The novel still follows the same four characters, but in this one, the chapters are a little more even in number – and we delve deep into the secrets all four of them are hiding and secrets that are hidden from them.

Bleak is isolated from the people she had in the first novel, and new characters are introduced that she has to learn to depend on. But because of her growth in the first novel, she is a little less impulsive and a little more willing to work with others, and it feels earned.

Henri also has learnt that she cannot go it alone. She is more willing to listen to other people’s ideas and ways. Her stubbornness is still there, it is still something she is learning to let go of and trust others, but she is surrounded by people that care about her and who want the same thing she does.

Swinton finds his life turned upside down, and surprisingly, I grew fond of him in this one. His conflict is an interesting one, and the secrets he is hiding unveil in such a way that everything he has done might not feel justified, but it feels understandable.

Dash’s life is also turned upside down, and with no spoilers, it really changes things up. It was unexpected, but so interesting.

There were so many twists in this novel, and none of them felt contrived or forced. Bits and pieces are left as breadcrumbs, and once the twist would happen, I would just gape in awe at how well it was set up. And that end! I expected it and was still left breathless.

I finished the novel in two days, something I haven’t done in ages, so that is saying something.