Empire of Night

January 15, 2015
Twins Moria and Ashyn may have left the Forest, but they aren't out of the woods yet in this romance- and politics-filled sequel to Sea of Shadows (2014).With Edgewood destroyed by shadow stalkers, Keeper Moria and Seeker Ashyn are reluctant guests at Emperor Tatsu's court. No longer tasked with settling ghosts in the Forest of the Dead, they wrestle with their own restless spirits. Moria eagerly accompanies bastard prince Tyrus to negotiate with the disgraced Alvar Kitsune, hoping to rescue the missing children of Edgewood, and Ashyn reluctantly follows, fearing further separation from her sister. But Alvar is crafty like his namesake, and the trio and their traveling companions soon face political intrigue, ruinous rumors and legendary monsters. Martial, feminist Moria trades narrative duty with her studious, sentimental sister, yet political maneuvers often render both powerless. Obligatory romantic entanglements abound, with Moria dueling with double-agent Gavrila Kitsune and playboy Tyrus, and Ashyn confused by thief Ronan and scholar Simeon. Animal companions Tova and Daigo and unruly spirits provide comic relief and frequent rescues. Armstrong's foray into noncontemporary fantasy via a vaguely Japanese world and mythology develops unevenly but with brio. Cliffhangers and morbid humor balance out too many plot twists and slow pacing in this unnecessarily complicated sequel. Readers will have to wait for resolution. (Fantasy. 14 & up)

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February 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-Twins Ashyn (the quiet bookworm "seeker" of spirits) and Moria (the brave daredevil "keeper" of spirits) pick up where Sea of Shadows (HarperCollins) left off; determined to save the lost children of Edgewood and impatiently waiting for a plan in the Imperial city. Ashyn is puzzled and hurt that Rowan, so loyal during their journey to the city, is now so distant. Meanwhile, Moria is still reeling from Gavril's betrayal but distracts herself by battle-training with Prince Tyrus (one of the Emperor's illegitimate heirs). The Emperor decides to send an envoy including the girls, their spirit animals, and Prince Tyrus back to Fairview in an attempt to deal with the traitor Alvar Kitsune (Gavril's father). What the group finds in the small village are more horrors and unanswered questions. And so their quest continues and becomes increasingly deadly. For those already familiar with the characters and the painstakingly built world from the previous volume, this title is even more compelling. The introduction of new characters (such as misplaced spirit Guin and traitorous Simeon) adds further depth, intrigue, and even humor to this romantic fantasy. Throw in shades of richly imagined Japanese-inspired culture and Armstrong's talent shines. VERDICT Recommended for fans of the author and the previous installment.-Tara Kehoe, New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center, Trenton

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2015
Grades 8-12 After escaping the Forest of the Dead in Sea of Shadows (2014), twins Ashyn and Moria are fully ensconced at the imperial court. The sisters bristle at their staid surroundings and itch for news about the children abducted from their village, so when the emperor encourages his son Tyrus to investigate rumors that their treacherous foe, Alvar, is wreaking havoc in the outer reaches of the empire, Moria and Ashyn eagerly go along. They confirm Alvar's disturbing deeds while on the journey, but when a battle goes wrong, false rumors fly that Tyrus and Moria are traitors. Armstrong keeps the twists coming in this tale of deception and intrigue. While a sluggish pace and occasionally wooden characters might frustrate some readers, the immersive Asian-inflected fantasy world, tricky political machinations, and steamy romance between Moria and Tyrus will keep the pages turning. Fans hoping for some resolution to events in the first volume of the series won't find any here, but the deepening mystery and cliff-hanger ending will likely ensure they return for the next installment. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The Graceling meets Game of Thrones descriptor worked for the first book in the Age of Legends series, which was a best-seller. Expect a similar fate for this second installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)