The conclusion to The Branded Season duology surprised me. While the overall outcome wasn’t unexpected, The Rising still shocked me with several twists and revelations along the way, making it both gripping and entertaining. I enjoyed the story, though it did feel a little rushed, and there was a ton of well-described and exciting action.

I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, but as it was already done in The Branded, I was a little disappointed that Nara and Nixim’s relationship in The Rising felt a lot like a repeat of the first book. I was hoping the wrangler’s betrayal would come to a head and there would be some sort of solution a bit earlier, leaving plenty of room for the growth of their relationship, but that wasn’t the case. I did very much enjoy Nara’s interactions with new characters introduced though and found her relationship with Azza especially endearing.

This book mostly takes place in another city, where the Pure vs. Branded hierarchy and prejudices exist, but differently. It was interesting to see how another part of Nara’s world dealt with the aftermath of The Brume, and the ways in which witnessing these differences affected Nara, Osha, and Brim.

I’m a big fan of the overall messages behind The Branded Season duology and that through a great story, Jo Riccioni encourages her readers to think some big thoughts about some important subjects.


***I have included links to Goodreads/Storygraph reviews. I’m scheduled to be a part of the online book tour in February and will update this review with social media links on my tour date (February 27)***

The Rising is a sequel that I had been anxiously waiting to read after completing The Branded! As a duology, it’s incredibly underrated and deserves so much more attention.
I loved the world-building of Cha Shaheer, and my only true complaint is that it ends at book 2 and I don’t have more of Nara’s story to look forward to!

My favorite part about this series is how it shys away from the standard “chosen one” narrative, baiting you into thinking there is a prophecy that will come to light but in the end, it’s just the perseverance and unification of the people that triumph.

It’s books like this that are so important for our youth to read!

This was EVERYTHING. I loved book one, the Branded, as it felt like the absolute perfect fantasy adventure story. And in this sequel and conclusion to this story, I just found myself loving it even more. I love Nara, her character development, Azza, the whole world and worldbuilding that went into this. It had everything I love in fantasy stories and so much more, and I am honestly very sad that now it's over because I wanted more!!! Honestly would suggest this if you enjoyed The Priory of the Orange Tree, and also if you love a bit more headstrong characters vs the more pushover ones that seem to be trending. Nara is very much a punch first, ask questions while punching, and I respect that.

3.5 stars

I'm not going to go into any details since this is the final book, but I really enjoyed the series. I liked all the characters. The magic is interesting. I found the branded/unbranded idea intriguing. I would have liked more about that though.

The pacing is great. But part of me thinks it should've been a trilogy because I don't think everything was fully resolved.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot publishing for the ARC copy of this book! I still love Nara and Nixim. Nixim has definitely become one of my favorite MMCs his banter is top tier. A lot is found out in this book about everyone’s past there is some very unexpected betrayal in this one. I did not love it as much as I loved the first one, this one felt a little slower paced but I still did really enjoy getting to finish this duology. Overall I highly recommend this series as a whole!

Jo Riccioni delivers a compelling conclusion to her duology, *The Branded Season*, exploring themes of power, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The two protagonists are well-developed, each with a distinctive character arc. Nara, with her impulsive nature, is forced to confront her deeply ingrained beliefs and prejudices, making her a complex and realistic character. Osha, on the other hand, undergoes significant growth, transforming from a more submissive figure into a woman fully aware of her power and place in the world. The dynamics between the sisters feel authentic, reflecting the challenges of familial relationships under extraordinary circumstances.

The city of Reis is vividly portrayed, providing a rich and detailed backdrop that enhances the narrative. The divided society between the Pure and the Branded is a powerful metaphor for discussions on classism, discrimination, and social injustice. Riccioni masterfully weaves fantasy elements with contemporary themes, crafting a world that, while imaginary, deeply resonates with the reader.

The moments of tension and introspection are well-executed, though some action scenes feel rushed, while other sections could benefit from a more sustained pace. *The Rising* delves into themes of the fight for equality, the importance of family, and the search for one's identity in a hostile world. The dichotomy between the Pure and the Branded reflects real-world discrimination, offering a subtle yet incisive critique of oppressive power structures.

Jo Riccioni is a literary genius! I loved this book and the first in the series. I had been dying to read it for ages but it was only available in Australia, so I am so excited it’s been released in the US.

Great ending to the series. I appreciated that the author didn’t drag this out unnecessarily, *cough cough Fourth Wing*. There wasn’t a moment where I guessed where the story was going, and I loved the consistency of the characters. This book was worth the wait for USA readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book! I absolutely loved this conclusion to the Branded Season duology and tore through it. I am obsessed with the world Riccioni has crafted and my only complaint is that I wanted to see MORE of it.

Echoing other reviewers, I wish this had been a trilogy rather than a duology. Towards the end of part two and most of part three of this book, there was a lot of telling what happened rather than immersing us in the actual action. I feel there were many places the author could have expanded.

That said, the ending did consist of many emotional twists and turns that I did find compelling and satisfying. Overall this was a fantastic duology that I recommend for dystopian fans and fantasy lovers looking for something a little different.

After leaving us with a cliffhanger, The Rising by Jo Riccioni picks up the story right we we left off. The book had a great pace, but the story itself felt rushed, this duology would have been better served as a trilogy.

Character ARCs for Nara, Osha and Brim are well developed, and the world building was phenomenal. The romance remained as a subplot and did not hijack the story (a bonus for me) and the battle scenes did not drag on (another bonus for me).

I really enjoyed this series and would be excited to read more of this wonderful world created by Jo Riccioni.

Thank you to Angry Robot and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. My opinions are my own.

I simply cannot wait for this one to hit the US this week!

After closing out The Branded with a bang, Riccioni continued the story perfectly here. I’m equal parts in awe and devastated. I’m so happy about how it ended, but the getting there was so full of mistrust and twists, beautifully orchestrated.

I do feel like parts were a little rushed. I would have enjoyed more details and depth in those sections, but I loved the growth of both Nara and Osha as well as the wrangler and Haus. The plot was beautiful, and so were the relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book to read. I devoured every moment, and all opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Rising by Jo Riccioni is the first person-POV epic fantasy sequel to The Branded. When Nara and her sister, Osha, and the rest of their group finally arrive in Nixim’s homeland, Nara’ world gets turned upside down again and again as long buried secrets finally come to light and her and her sister’s futures loom on the horizon. Nara needs to keep her eyes forward if she’s going to survive and walk away with Nixim or she’ll lose everything.

Whereas the previous book felt more like a romantic fantasy, this one feels more epic in scope and the romance isn’t quite as prominent. Nara and Nixim’s relationship goes through a rough patch as Nixim’s arranged engagement becomes impossible for him to ignore and Nara needs to return to the Cooler to free the women trapped there, leading to the two being separated for a decent chunk of the book. The worldbuilding gets more fleshed out and the domino effect of the actions from the first book takes priority as well as what happened before the first book opened.

Of the romance subplots (Nara and Nixim, Nara and Brim, and Osha and Haus), Osha and Haus’ was my favorite. We only see their relationship through Nara’s eyes, but what we see is a relationship built on mutual respect and devotion. Osha is still struggling with what happened in the Cooler and doesn’t want to talk to Haus about how her child might not be his. Haus, however, doesn’t care who the father is as long as Osha continues to choose to be with him. It’s a quiet romance, but it’s a fierce one. There is no denying how seriously the pair take their relationship and how dedicated they are to their vows and I ate it up.

Nara has to do a lot of growing up in this book, completing the arc she began in The Branded. In the first book, she had to unlearn prejudice towards the Branded and Hross as well as the Reis. In this book, she has to learn how to put her stubbornness aside and trust other people as well as apologize for her actions. To my delight, we see this the most in her platonic relationship with Haus, her brother-in-law. There’s an understanding between them without a whole lot of words that allows Nara to start really taking those steps towards further growth as she puts her faith in Haus that he will always return to Osha.

Content warning for depictions of discrimination and child abuse and mentions of sexual slavery and assault

I would recommend this to fans of the previous book who wanted the world to be explored more, readers who love a quiet, passionate romance side plot, and those looking for a fantasy that blends romantic fantasy, epic fantasy, and dystopia

I’d like to share my gratitude to NetGalley, Angry Robot and Jo Riccioni for an Advanced Reader Copy of The Rising. In exchange I will leave my honest review.

The Rising continues immediately after the events of the first book, The Branded. As there is not much of an extended recap of the events in this book, I suggest readers read the first book before starting this one. With that being said, I truly enjoyed how Jo continues the story rather than explaining what happened in the first book. It pushes the story further. As a duology, it is one that must be read together.

Much like the first book, the world building of the second really encapsulates the world and it was interesting to see a different part of this world. We get to experience the ripple effect and aftermath of The Brume and how it encourages change in another part of the world. Jo also goes into such detail with the descriptions of the tribes and cultures and gets the reader thinking. I was in such awe while learning the different cultures and how they perceive life and their way of living. I really want to commend the author for writing in such a way that transports the reader into the world, without leaving us with questions.

The characters are also well multifaceted, which did not leave me bored at all. They are all interesting in their own way and it was nice to see the development between some. I love how Jo fully expresses the emotions of her characters and lets the reader experience empathy. I felt their frustrations and when things didn't turn out the way they expected or wanted.

I am a stickler for the pacing of any written text, and did feel like it was fast paced, which could work if there is a third book coming out but in this instance I was sad to see it end too soon. There is a clear beginning, middle and end and the climax took me aback and the twists and turns were an interesting surprise.

With that being said, I really did enjoy this novel. Agin, I just wish there would be room for a third book to make it a trilogy. I think many people will enjoy The Branded Duology. I will keep an eye out for any other works by Jo Riccioni.

The Rising
by Jo Riccioni
The Branded Season #2
Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
Angry Robot
Ages: 16+

Nara and her sister Osha are now in the Shadow City of Reis, where power plays are common and take advantage of the prophecy that a Pure healer will come with the ability to cure the Branded.

But there are lies and deception within the walls from strangers and those Nara thinks she knows.


The second book of the series begins where the first left off, at least I think it does. While the story was great, I felt lost because there was hardly any recap of the first book within the first five chapters so I only remember this and that, which didn't help and was disappointing. I shouldn't have to wait until the last few chapters of the book before; 'Oh, yeah, that's what is going on.' I was confused so I was not enjoying the story, and I should not have to re-read the previous one. (This is NOT a multi-book series, it's a duology.)

Along those lines, I felt as if it was missing the history of the world, and without a decent recap, it did start to resemble another book I recently read, which I kept having to correct myself.

It was a nice story and moved along at a great pace when I knew what was going on. As you can tell a lack of recap/history can make a big difference in how much a reader enjoys a story.

The ending was ok, but the battle(s) felt too quick and simple.

I did like the story and would recommend this to others IF they read both books back to back.

The lack of recap and history kept it from the next star.

2 Stars

Thank you to Angry Robot, Jo Riccioni, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of The Rising in exchange for my honest review.

The Rising in the conclusion to Riccioni's The Branded Season Duology. The Rising picks up shortly after The Branded ended, with Nara and Osha in Reis, struggling to survive. Nara is still (rightfully) mad at Nixim for the secrets that he kept, and must find a way to forgive him because war is brewing. The world-building in this book was outstanding. As a reader, you really got to see more of this world and how different kingdoms are structured and how the branded are treated in comparison to the Pure in these different communities. While I do think this could have easily been spread out into a trilogy, and that there is so much more story that can be told in this world, I do think the plot was well paced all things considered. In my opinion, nothing felt rushed. Sure, things could have been explained in more detail, but none of the solutions felt "easy" to me. The characters had to work for the ending, and I do wish we got an epilogue or more information about how the world would look like moving forward. Nothing is an easy fix, and I feel like there is potential for a story there in and out of itself.

In terms of the characters, I liked how everyone had their own things to overcome. I really appreciated how Nara and Nixim did not just get back together. That felt appropriately paces out and did not feel rushed. By the time they were together again it felt appropriate and at the right time in the story. I will say, the whole Brim plotline did bother me a bit. At first it made sense, and even the explanation of his actions at the end made sense. While I do not think Riccioni intentionally made it out to seem like it was incest, I do wish the romantic pining that Brim had ended once their relationship was clarified. Overall, I loved this duology. I loved the world and the major themes that were discussed. The sign of a good series is one that ends and you want to know more, not because the author left it unfinished, but rather because I want to learn more about this world. Is the book perfect? No. But that does not take away from my enjoyment of it. This book has the plot and world-building, and the character development, and in my opinion they were all done excellently. If you are a reader who is more critical about the writing of a book where it impacts you enjoyment, this might not be the book for you. However, if you love fantasy and dystopian, and you enjoy books that are a good time, this book is for you.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. The Rising was a great follow up to The Branded. It expanded on the world and characters, and I felt that it was just as engaging as the first book. The twists and turns were unexpected, and I liked the pacing. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

Jo Riccioni’s The Rising, the concluding novel of The Branded Season duology, plunges readers back into a world divided by a rigid class system between the “branded” and the “pure.” This stark disparity forms the backbone of the story’s tension, painting a vivid picture of cultural divides that ripple across the lands. The novel ultimately reveals a profound message: what may seem like weaknesses can become the greatest sources of strength, and through perseverance and faith, unity is possible.

The story begins immediately after the cliffhanger of the first book, thrusting readers into a whirlwind of revelations and challenges. While the narrative initially feels as though it’s heading in a predictable direction, Riccioni masterfully introduces twists that deepen the lore and history of this fractured world. Secrets emerge, altering the course of the story and enriching its themes of resilience and redemption.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Rising is its exploration of the evolving relationship between Osha and Nara. In the first book, Osha’s protection seemed paramount, with the bond between the sisters framed as one of savior and protector. Yet, the sequel masterfully subverts this dynamic. Both sisters find themselves on distinct paths, and it is through their individual struggles and hardships that they emerge as true heroines. Together, they are a formidable force, but their separate journeys—marked by pain, growth, and triumph—are equally essential to their development.

Nara’s internal struggle is particularly captivating. Her journey to channel her abilities, reconcile her past, and carve out a new place in the world is a testament to her resilience. Riccioni’s portrayal of female strength shines here, not only in Nara but in the supporting characters as well. These women endure suffering, uncertainty, and sacrifice, yet they push forward, embodying the novel’s core message: unity and understanding are more powerful than division.

At its heart, The Rising is a story about rising above societal divides. The branded and the pure are pitted against each other, their differences creating rifts that threaten to consume their world. Yet, the storm that brews throughout the novel is not merely one of conflict but also of transformation. It’s a call to find common ground, to see strength in diversity, and to strive for a future built on acceptance and mutual sacrifice for the greater good.

In conclusion, Jo Riccioni delivers a powerful, thought-provoking finale to The Branded Season. By weaving themes of perseverance, faith, and unity into a richly imagined world, she leaves readers with a story that resonates long after the final page. The Rising is more than just a tale of heroism; it’s a reminder that even in the face of division, humanity’s greatest strength lies in coming together.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy; All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the final instalment but I wish the series was a trilogy. There’s a lot of political play and world-development, if this was done slower and over a more realistic timeframe then I think the pacing would have flowed so well and been epic. The story is still good with high stakes and new bonds. One thing I absolutely loved was the romance, there’s banter and plenty yearning (two of my favourite things) plus a bit of complication but not too much. We also do get to enjoy the characters together and their connection is great. I also liked the fact that despite prophecy the main character was not a natural with their magic. Nara really has to try hard and shows real personal growth. If not for her and the wrangler I would have put the book down. So ask I mentioned before if this was expanded out to another book the battles would have been absolutely epic and I would have had more connection to the other side characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

This was disappointing. The story pacing was incredibly uneven, with build ups to huge battles that end up resolving quickly with no stakes. There is little character growth and overall this feels like a lot was crammed in without enough space to cover everything well.

I read The Branded through Netgalley a few months ago and was dying to read this. I will say, this was very much like the first one for me. It was a bit slow in parts, but the characters are great, the plot is interesting, and the writing is easy to read. I did not see the betrayal coming, but I should’ve remembered there was one.

My main complaint was secondary characters from the first book are brought in very briefly without much description as to who they are and what they did. If I didn’t read the amount of fantasy books I do, it probably wouldn’t be an issue. I barely remember some of these characters and had to heavily rely on context. This is a pretty trivial complaint though, all things considered.

I also felt that this universe could certainly be expanded. I know this a duology, but DYING for an Osha and Haus spinoff.

Low spice, lots of war, and a heartbreaking betrayal. Really fun read, 3.75⭐️