Curse of Shadows by A. K. Wilder
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Started: Oct 7, 2022 - Finished: November 30, 2022
Favorite Quote(s): “The red star twinkling in the sky is not an omen of joy and prosperity. It’s the second sun, herald of the next Great Dying. And according to prophecy, it marks the beginning of the end of the world”

I loved this book. I loved getting more of the world and characters and meeting more characters and seeing more places. I didn't trust Rhiannon or Peten, who ended up sick. Everything with them was so intense to read and I also found myself annoyed with Rhiannon. It gave me anxiety. The whole thing with the Second Sun was wild. I kept feeling like Brogal was hiding something. Teern was very suspicious and messed up. Rosie was interesting to read about as well. I loved how nothing that happened was expected and especially the ending. This was such a great second book and cannot wait to read it again or for the next one. And I hope we get more of the characters we know and love and new ones. And I highly recommend this series.

This sequel fell flat for me. Curse of Shadows picks up fairly quickly after the end of book 1, which was great after the crazy ending. I like that some characters we didn’t get to see much of in book 1 were more present, but I also felt that with the larger cast of characters we were missing some depth and development. I didn’t particularly connect with any of the characters and just wanted to feel more invested in them.

Of course the romance was my favorite part of this book! There are some sweet and swoony moments that I loved.

This was an okay read, but I’m not sure that I’ll pick up the rest of the series when it comes out.

I read this Crown of Bones for the first time about a month after it came out and I have been anxiously waiting this release for SO LONG!! im really happy that the book lived up to my expectations and then some. The characters were even better this go around and I was really happy to get more from Ash this time around too. I think it is so amazing when an author can give us an even better sequel. It did end on a cliffhanger like the last but it was one that made me even more excited to see where this phenomenal series goes. I will forever talk loudly about these books. The writing is fun, it's so original and the concept is so creative. I love the way this magic system works and I love even more that we get a deeper look into the magic system and the history of this world! LOVED THIS!

Unbeknownst to me, I went into this novel without reading the first book. It explained to me why the beginning felt so confusing, but it was still a very nice read. I found the characters likable and the plot extremely intriguing. The fact that I managed to enjoy and understand this book even after my mistake, clearly shows how clear and smooth the plot is. I look forward to the next piece of work that this author comes up with!

Curse of Shadows is the second installment of the Amassia series by A.K. Wilder.

We continue to follow an elite group working together to save their country from the next Great Dying. As seen in a prophecy, the second sun has returned to the sky and will bring with it a war between the nine realms. This group must collect the original twelve whistle bones which are spread out across the work in an effort to keep the destruction at bay..

Wilder has developed a beautiful and unique world with characters who are flawed and yet lovable. The multiple points of view allow you to get a fresh perspective on the storyline. I would recommend to any fantasy reader.

Book Summary:

Ash fell during the battle of Baiseen – but they didn't stay lost. Though it certainly feels like they have lost over such a short time span. Somebody will have to get back up and put the world together again.

It looks like someone is going to have to be Ash. And so a quest begins, with many others (friends and foes) hoping to complete the same task – for their own gain, naturally.

“Sometimes, the heart is afraid to speak, for fear of breaking the spell ," my wise inner voice says.”

My Review:

Ohhhh! Curse of Shadows is the second novel in the Amassia series, and I have been looking forward to this release! It's a creative take on fantasy worlds, and that worldbuilding is perfection! Obviously, I have a lot of good things to say about this book.

The trick is putting my thoughts into non-spoilery words, which is a challenge for this particular review. I guess I have a lot of feelings this time around! This isn't too much of a surprise because Curse of Shadows will put readers on one heck of an emotional roller coaster. Seriously, get those tissues ready. Expect a few strange looks from those around you because keeping your emotions in check will NOT happen. Speaking from experience here.

Highlights
Fantasy World
Worldbuilding
Multiple POV
Secrets galore

And the adventure continues... We picked up right where Crown of Bones ended, and thank goodness for that! There's not much I can say about this without spoiling anything (and we all know how I feel about spoilers...). So I'll just say this- Expect lots of adventure! High seas, a fantastic magic system, a tiny bit of romance, and a whole cast of awesome characters! Hints of Atlantis, Mar (think mermaid), battles, political intrigue, the whole shebang! Seriously a great read!

This is the second installment of the Amassia series, readers who have read the first installment will most likely enjoy this book. Wilder captivates with a new fantasy world with robust characters and lots of action and adventure. I like that we get different perspectives through multiple POVs.

ARC was provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Can this series get any better?!
Yes, it can!

Thanks Kim, Netgallery and Entangled Teen for this advanced copy. I’ve really enjoyed the ride.

So what twists and turns are going to happen in Book 3?!

Curse of Shadows is the sequel to Crown of Bones by A.K. Wilder; in the first book, we learn all about the savants, non-savants, and the raising of phantoms. We also know that creatures thought long gone the Mar are not gone and have been in hiding saving all the children thrown to the sea. We are given so much action and personal turmoil as the heroes face multiple villains and challenges. We get more info about the mysterious Mar, and the lore of the world and whistles bones thread throughout the book. Wilder crafts a wonderful intense world and knows how to move the plot line along in classic fantasy quest series.

I was so happy to receive this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This book picked up right where the first one left off. I was so excited to jump right into this book after been given the copy of the 1st book.

I loved how we got multiple POV's and were able to learn the characters more. This world was vibrant and kept me intrigued.

I had a hard time in certain parts because I felt like the plot or pacing was slow but all in all I had a great time reading it!

4.5⭐️

Wow!
So much is happening during this book but I enjoyed every second of it- more than the first. There is less world building in Curse of Shadows, so we are able to get right into all the meaty parts of the story. And boy do I need more!

>> YA
>> Fantasy
>> Action
>> Adventure
>> Friendship
>> Multiple POV
>> Magic
>> Cliffhanger- that I wasn’t mad at actually.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers since this series is fantastic and you should read it BUT I had every emotion while reading this. Ash and Kaylin 😭

But how about Ash! Goodness.
Please just read this.

Curse of Shadows is the second installment of AK Wilder’s Amassia series - a YA fantasy set in a world where Savants have the power to raise phantoms from the ground. These phantoms enable the Savant to call forth objects, oust, alter forms, fight, and heal. In this second book, we follow Ash, Marcus and the rest of the crew as they race across the entire continent to collect the whistle bones from different realms in an attempt to save the world from total destruction.

The world completely expands as new realms and characters are introduced; the stakes are higher with new villains and danger lurking in every corner. I was quite impressed how the story has improved from the first book, with new developments, more complex plot lines, shocking revelations and exciting twists and turns. It was fast-paced with no shortage of action and kept me engaged throughout most of the book. It’s sad that I’d have to wait for the 3rd book because I really can’t wait to see what happens next!

#CurseofShadows #NetGalley Another addition to this adventurous series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

This is the continuation of the series and it starts from book 1s cliffhanger. It starts fast with so much fighting and searching for power.
Ash and Kaylin are getting closer. They both seem to be holding some things back. Though Ash is not aware. Marcus returns home to many surprises and is sent on a quest. There's so many powers and politics at work.

This is the continuation of the series and it starts from book 1s cliffhanger. It starts fast with so much fighting and searching for power.
Ash and Kaylin are getting closer. They both seem to be holding some things back. Though Ash is not aware. Marcus returns home to many surprises and is sent on a quest. There's so many powers and politics at work.

This book is so fast paced. It's told through so many of the characters' povs. Right when I think I know who is the one behind everything their pov trips me up.

This book also has a bit of a cliffhanger to go into the next book with some racing hearts and some open questions like what the heck? Ash is my favorite character but I do like the tortured ones usually. Those she trusted were lying to her so I feel she might shift dramatically in the next book.

Marcus with his crew are still searching for the whistle bones while the other power plays are happening right under their noses. I am really enjoying De'ral and Salila's relationship as they are both very powerful beings but also the banter between De'ral and Marcus as he tries to control his phantom is great.

I still don't know what Brogal, Rhiannon and Teern are planning. Anyone have any ideas?

Thank you entangled_publishing and netgalley for the eARC for the honest and voluntary review.

A high stakes adventurous quest that takes us across Amassia with a diverse and badass cast of characters!

I won't hold it against Wilder that I had to wait a very long time for this sequel. I loved every minute of immersing myself back into this world with these characters and have to say It was adventurous rollercoaster for my emotions.

It picks up right where Crown of Bones left off with the group traveling with Heir Marcus Adicio facing off with Tann and protecting the sanctuary and whistle bone. By the throw of the bones it is decided that this group will go on yet another quest this time to save the world from the Great Dying.

I loved that we get to continue on with these amazing band of characters, getting to see even more character development and growth as they face many challenges along the way. One of my favorite things that Wilder does in this series is telling the story from multiple POVs. It really gives depth to the story and adds a unique element of being able to know what is going on in other parts of the world in a parallel timeline that create and add to the overall story. I also love getting to see more of the characters personalities to come through. Especially Salila! She is my favorite! Ash continues to be strong willed and starts to learn to have some more faith in herself. The complexity of her relationship with Kailyn and Marcus definitely add a fun element to the story. We also get the addition of so many characters from their travels as well as some more POVs.

We are given so much action as well as personal turmoil as the heroes are faced with multiple villains and challenges. There is more information shared on the Mar as well as the lore of the world and whistle bones thread throughout the book. Up until the very end I had no idea what was going to happen or where the story was going. I had to really process my emotions over the last few chapters because so much happened in such a short time.

Overall, I could not get enough of this world and these characters. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time never knowing the fate of the characters. I was feeling all of my emotions, from the banter between Kailyn and Ash, to the arguing between Deral and Marcus to the heart flutters Salila gives Marcus! Not to mention the heart wrenching moments that came at the end in many forms. I am so excited to see where this story goes with the reveals that came at the end that definitely threw me for a loop and surprised the hell out of me.

This is such an underrated series. Wilder crafts such a beautiful world, dynamic characters and entwines so many moving plot lines while still giving the vibe of a classic fantasy quest!

This book starts where Crown of Bones left off, so please read that book first if you haven't, you don't want to miss it. There are so many things going on in this story, all the magic, action, fights, and a lot of emotional moments, it has it all. To be honest, you will love all the characters, with so many POV's you will be traveling throughout the story in no time, it will hook you from the start and I can't wait to see what comes next.

"Damaged is not always a weakness "

Ok. I'm in absolute freaking love! I enjoyed Crown of Bones but holy hell did Curse of Shadows take the cake, crown and whole darn show. Action packed, excellent world building, well done plot shockers, emotion... Everything I love in a well rounded fantasy. I literally finished 450 pages in less than two days with NO audiobook y'all. Who am I??

This is book two and I feel that almost anything could be a possible spoiler so I won't go into much detail. The characters from Crown of Bones journey into this novel with perfect ease. This journey was even more so harrowing and addictive than the first. And the reveals!! It's like you know in the back of your mind what's going to happen but you're still in disbelief as things happen. This as a total 5 star for me. A.K. Wilder, I am utterly here for the next round!

Thank you Entangled Teen! I want to shove this novel in everyone's face right now and just squeal with unsupressed excitement. This beauty releases tomorrow! Y'all get ready!!!

Curse of Shadows is the second installment in author A.K. Wilder's The Amassia Series. The story takes place on a world known as Amassia. Much like our Earth, is the third planet from the Sun. Like our Earth, there were once 7 continents that have, over millennia, formed a single landmass surrounded by the sea. As the story begins, it appears that the prophecy of the Great Dying is here. Amassia teeters on the brink of the next Great Dying. There is now a second Sun in the Sky which will eventually kill everyone and everything on the planet unless it can be stopped.
This is a world that is broken into Potentials and Non-savants. Potentials are children whom the Bone Throwers deem worthy to try to raise a phantom. They are sent to the sanctuaries at eight years of age. The brown-robes receive intensive training to see if they are indeed savant. Most will fail and go back to their families, declared non-savant. Those who do raise their phantom will stay on as blue-robes and train up through the ranks, as far as they can go.

Key Characters:

Ash orphaned at age eight; she's best friends with Prince Marcus Adicio; she's a 17-year-old non-savant wordsmith whose dream is to set foot in every realm of Amassia. For some reason, her memories are fractured, and her connection to Kaylin has been blocked. Though she hasn't raised a phantom of her own, the voices in her head may the biggest mystery of this entire series. Ash's story gets much more intriguing when her real identity is revealed later in the book. I put Ash first, because she's seriously the most interesting character in this series which the cliffhanger ending will lay out for you.

Marcus Adicio is the yellow robed third son of Jacas Adicio of Baiseen who raises a warrior phantom known as De'Ral. After his father dies, and his brother Peten is named Magistrate. Marcus, who doesn't have full control over De'Ral, is named Bone Gatherer by Master Brogal. He is ordered to travel to all 7 realms and retrieve what's called whistle bones. There are 12 of them. The hope is to reform the crown of bones and protect allies from the Great Dying. He, along with Ash, Piper, Samsen, Kaylin, Tyche, and Belair must battle the elements, as well as two dangerous men; Tann, and Atikis (red-rob of the Sanctuary of Goll who raises monstrous alter phantoms) who are both seeking the mythical whistle bones.

Kaylin is a Mar posing as a bosun’s mate. He volunteers to go on the quest of the Bone Gatherer. He was ordered to kill Marcus but has since been told to save Ash for Teern and been more than helpful in fights against a variety of forces. The more we learn about Kaylin and his "sisters" Dreaded Rosie and Salila, as well as his "father" Teern, the more intriguing he gets. The author hits on the Dreaded, a clan of Mar so dangerous that Teern himself put them down. Hopefully we will learn more next time out.

Secondary Characters:

Belair Duquan is a warrior savant from Tangeen; Piper is an orange robed healer of Baiseen Sanctuary. Samsen is a yellow robe savant who raises a par caller/part alter phantom that is confined to various birds. Tyche (12) is the granddaughter of Yuki. She's a savant who raises a caller phantom in the form of an impala. She is along for the ride because she can call the various bones. Rhiannon is Baiseen's treasurer's daugher who has not only married the new Magistrate, but has desires on becoming the most dangerous and powerful Magistrate in all the lands even if that means stopping Marcus. Salila is a Mar woman with extreme appetites. She is able to walk on land if she has human blood in her system. Her only fear is Teern, known to all Mar as Father, and King of the Sea.

Thank you so much to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of Curse of Shadows! Curse of Shadows is the second book in the Amassia series, with Crown of Bones being the first, and I really enjoyed Crown of Bones, so I was really excited about reading Curse of Shadows! While I didn’t expect it to be quite as long as it was, I definitely enjoyed the book as a whole and I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
Curse of Shadows 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads: For fans of epic fantasy with adventure and romance, Curse of Shadows reveals a world of unique magic, breathtaking action, and unforgettable love.
Amassia teeters on the brink of the next Great Dying.
The second sun has returned as our Bone Throwers foresaw—casting the nine realms into war.
My name is Ash, and I fell in the battle for Baiseen. But I’m awake now, slowly putting the pieces back together.
My Heir has lost his throne.
My sailor is gone.
And there is an emptiness inside me I can’t explain.
Amid the chaos, someone must collect the original twelve whistle bones from all corners of the world. Marcus is named to lead the cause, but with his volatile phantom, he’ll need diplomacy as much as his sword. And we are not the only ones to seek the bones.
Yet succeed we must.
Because if we don’t, it will be death to all…
This was such a fun read! I didn’t quite remember everything exactly as it had happened in Crown of Bones, but I feel like I had enough of a gist of everything to not be completely lost throughout the beginning while I was still getting my bearings. I really liked the characters and I had to remember to be really careful to actually pay attention to the chapter headings since this book was being told in multiple perspectives and the chapter headers told you exactly who was going to be narrating that chapter. So many things happened in the 400 some pages of this book and while I don’t know if everything was always 100% necessary, it was cool to be a part of the quest that Marcus and the gang were going on. Ash was definitely my favorite character as I assume she was designed to be. I also really liked Kaylin and how far he went to keep Ash safe and protect the secrets that he was trying to protect (and man, not trying to spoil anything, but that ending (both the ¾ ending and the last chapter ending) were ridiculous and I cannot wait to see what they mean for the next book). The whole quest and traveling from land to land to get their bones for the crown was fun and I liked that we got to see everyone and get to know them better, while, you know, they were fighting for their lives and the survival of their world. Plot and pacing wise, I thought things in general worked pretty well for this book, especially since it was a middle book in a series. Overall, I definitely enjoyed Curse of Shadows and I think you should pick it up today!


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