August 15, 2023
A girl attempts to use her emerging powers to ferret out the truth about a hidden plot against her community in this follow-up to 2022's The Lightcasters. Mia and her brother, Lucas, are lightcasters whose powers of the sun and moon manifested during a battle with the Reaper King. Mia is in training to become an umbra tamer and is trying her best to manage her powers, but even after saving the kingdom, she's viewed as dangerous. She's also missing her former-best-friend-turned-enemy, Miles, who went missing after the battle. Now the Reaper King is showing up in Mia's dreams, along with the voice of a mysterious woman who gives her cryptic clues. Mia's desperation to find answers to the nightmares that plague her comes to a head when her umbra, Nox, is possessed by a mysterious force. Mia travels to Astaroth, the old home of the Reaper King and his minions, the Elite, where she meets Layla, a girl who seems to hold many answers. Now Mia is trying to figure out what her dreams mean and how she can protect her family and friends. This sequel set in a multicultural world delves deeper into the backstories of the original lightcasters, the Reaper King, Queen Lucina, and Queen Katiya. Returning fans will also enjoy learning more about Mia's and Lucas' powers. The thrilling storyline includes some fantastically creepy plot twists. An engaging read with strong worldbuilding and complex relationships. (map) (Fantasy. 9-13)
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