An Echo of Things to Come: The Licanius Trilogy, Book 2

This weighty epic fantasy sequel to The Shadow of What Was Lost finds the heroes preparing to take on the forces massing beyond the magical boundary wall that protects the land of Andarra. Wirr, the newly minted Northwarden, and his friends Davian, a magic-wielding augur, and Asha, a corrupted augur known as a Shadow, have their hands full convincing anyone to take the threat seriously. Wirr has repealed the laws that condemned augurs to death, but many in Andarra still distrust those who use magic, especially the ones who are hiding unseemly secrets. Caeden, an amnesiac young man Wirr and Davian saved from a death sentence, is finally regaining his memories, and he struggles to deal with the unpleasant truths they contain. Asha needs to investigate the suspicious disappearance of other Shadows, and Davian is learning to control his growing powers, but the threat at the wall eventually forces everyone to drop their other plans and meet the enemy. Islington’s magic-soaked setting has plenty of opportunities for conflict between competing powers even as earth-shattering evil approaches. Epic fantasy fans will enjoy this dense, suspenseful adventure. (Aug.)