Review: A Ballad of Beast and Brothers by Morgan Gauthier
Blurb:
After making a deal with the King of Tronovia, Shaye attends the School of Magic to master her power and learn more hand-to-hand combat. With unlimited access to Calmara, the biggest library in the known world, she seeks answers to all of her burning questions.
Why does she have magic reserved only for the Celestials?
Is she the true Heir to the Midorian Throne?
Is Bastian, her childhood friend and fiancé, the monster everyone believes him to be?
And if all that wasn’t weighing on her enough, her growing feelings for Atlas and the revelation that their connection may be deeper than just attraction, has her fighting to keep afloat.
When the opportunity to travel to the Kingdom of Elowen arises, Shaye jumps at the chance to go, curious to see if her Frost Elf features mean she has familial ties to the northernmost kingdom. With her friends in tow, Shaye discovers more about herself than she ever dreamed possible – though she can’t shake the feeling that she isn’t safe.
With Soul Eaters still hunting her, a rare magical connection at work, and Bastian allegedly stirring an ancient evil from dormancy, Shaye must stay a step ahead and find out who she is before it’s too late.
Review:
Overview
An excellent next installment in the Shadow and Starlight series. We pick up in Tranovia where Shay attends magic school to learn to use her rare magic while trying to keep her feelings for Atlas in check. I loved reconnecting with all of the characters I grew to love in the first book.
Characters
I fell in love with all of Gauthier’s characters in the first book and thoroughly enjoyed how we continue to see new layers of this loveable cast.
Nyx has been and will always be my favorite. In A Ballad of Beasts and Brothers, we get to spend some quality time with the loveable rake as he shadows Shay as her bodyguard. His heart-shattering past and the logic behind why he behaves the way he does makes me love him all the more.
Shay’s character growth through the series is excellent and the person that she is growing into in book two is a strong FMC that I am rooting for!
I loved the additional insights we got into both Atlas and Fin. And the romantic subplot between Fin and Eries has me hoping these two kindred souls can find their way together through the series.
Finally, the introduction of a new character who is tall pale, and frosty was a delight. I absolutely adore Thrane and hope we get more of him in the rest of the series.
Worldbuilding
As with the first installment Gauthier crafts a beautiful world full of stunning castles, gorgeous views, and delectable treats! I would love to join the Harland brothers for a meal and stay awhile in Tranovia. In A Ballad of Beasts and Brothers, we get a deep dive into Tranovia and towards the end of the book a tour of Elowen. I loved diving into the world of the Frost Elves and hope there are plenty more of them to come in book three!
Plot
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story but found that training and time in Tranovia was perhaps weighted more heavily than the travel sequence and time spent in Elowen which I think deserved a little more page time. That being said I loved every moment in this book and I really enjoyed how the threads are weaving together. I can’t wait for more! That ending! Action packed and that last chapter has me dying for book three right now!
Enjoyment
I love this series and it just keeps getting better with every book. The deeply developed characters and steamy enemies-to-lovers romance are elements that really stand out and keep me coming back for more.
Romance
Atlas and Shay what can I say, I ship this couple so hard! The slow burn. The banter. The hot for teacher. But all tied up in respect and mutual adoration. If these two kids could just get out of their own way and get together! I have to say a slow burn with a pay off is where it is at and Gauthier’s really delivers on this front.
If you are a fan of romantasy with deeply developed loveable characters and great character arcs plus a gripping romance then you are going to love the Shadow and Starlight series.
