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Review

4.5 stars

The second instalment in Kristen Ashley’s The Rising series, this book picks up where the first left off, and we are thrown back into the land of Triton and the lives of the four couples who are prophesised to save the land from the rising of the mysterious Beast (see my review for book #1 for more details).

The first book introduced us to each of the couples, with their stories unfolding all at the same time, and this book continues that, giving us two weddings, three consummations, and sparks of love between all four couples. I’m feeling it all, and I love that KA has been able to give us four distinctly different love stories between four very different couples. Of course I have my favourites (Mars & Silence, Cassius & Elena), but it’s all sexy, sweet and gorgeously romantic and I love the directions that each of these relationships is taking.

The couples go their separate ways a bit in this book, allowing them time to get to know each other in their own ways, and as much as I enjoy them all together as a strong group, I loved seeing them have this private time together. There are funny moments, sweet moments, drama, conflict resolution, and a whole lot of steam, all allowing us to get to know them even better, and providing great progression for their individual stories.

But the developing romance is only part of the action. There are secret plots, betrayals, murder and political shenanigans aplenty as power struggles abound, and a mysterious dark force emerges, spreading evil across the land. It’s all building towards what has the potential to be an epic ending, and I’m really excited to see where the story is going to go from here.

The book is written in multiple POVs. I lost count of how many, with not only our main eight characters having chapters written in their POVs, but a lot of the key side characters as well – including the bad guys, who are honestly blurring together into one big ‘bad guy pot’ for me. I can’t tell them apart or remember who is who, but whatever. We continue to see the weirdly kinky sex life of those side characters, which is odd, but there is some significant character development happening and I’m glad we get to see that. And I’m glad that there are different narrators for each of the characters, as it keep all of the multiple perspectives straight.

Our four couples are joined by the Fantasyland crew, who have come to lend a hand (yes, including Dax Lahn!!), and after that nail-biting ending, I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.

I loved this one! 4.5 stars!

A Review Copy was generously provided by Audible in exchange for an honest review

 

The Rising

 

For more great reads, check out our Kristen Ashley Author Spotlight