The Thousand Eyes

It's been nearly four years since I read The Unspoken Name by AK Larkwood and it was only when I was tracking book series I'm partway through recently that I was reminded of it and discovered the sequel - The Thousand Eyes. I read an online summary of the first one, but the characters were distinct enough for me to remember very clearly how invested I was in their fates, so I launched into the audiobook of the sequel quite eagerly.

And I wasn't disappointed. The dynamics and inter-relationships between Csorwe, Shuthmili and Tal spark off immediately in the sequel and we're plunged straight into a complex, multi-layered adventure with a confusing array of factions and conflicts between varied deities and their followers.

I have to admit I didn't follow all of it entirely successfully, but the emotions were very clear, as were the personal stakes for all the characters I cared about.

The twists and turns were dizzying, not to mention the apparent defeats and impossibilities of ultimate victory. After a whirlwind of a climax, it all concluded with rather more of a whimper than a bang - and that was absolutely perfect.

Also - gotta love a duology! Very happy with the ending - and that it was the end of the series.