2 Book Review: Idriel’s Children and Night of Ash by Hayley Reese Chow

Iseult

Idriel’s Children

It’s been 28 years since Kaia and Klaus’s epic battle against Idriel’s dark forces, and much has changed in Okarria. However, when enemies at the borders call the Dragon and Shadow Heirs away, it leaves their children – fire blessed son, Zephyr, and shadow gifted daughter, Aza – to travel to the forest of the Maldibor and help them against the darkness that rises.

Aza is convinced that answers to all their problems lie in the forbidden shadow plane, but can she find the solution before it’s too late?

I enjoyed the first book in this series, Odriel’s Heirs, when it released last year, but I didn’t realize how happy I’d be to return to the world of Okarria.

The author has created a compelling land, rich in fantastical animals, with a strong magic system that makes sense.

I found the time jump unexpected, but it provided a great opportunity to explore the changes in the country through a new set of eyes.

While the first book focuses on the Dragon Heir and her unique fire powers, Idriel’s Children is about the stealthy Shadow Heir in waiting, Aza. I loved getting to learn more about the Shadow Heir’s gifts, and the shadow plane gave me the same feelings of excitement and wonder as the nine gates of death in the Abhorsen series, or the twilight realm in the Watch series.

The Maldibor, cursed men who spend most of the month as a wolf/bear hybrid beast, were one of the highlights of the first book, so I was thrilled to see the Maldibor, Makeo, as a main character in the sequel. He is a great character – kind, loyal and brave – and I loved his relationship with Aza.

My only quibble with this book is that I felt the pace lagged a little in the middle, leaving the epic events at the end a bit rushed. However, perhaps this is because I would have liked the book to be longer.

If you are a fan of Garth Nix, you will love this book. It is so magical, so interesting and exciting, and has characters you care about. There is even some romance that I actually liked!

Night of Ash

Set shortly after the second book in the series, Idriel’s Children, Night of Ash concerns Shadow Heir, Aza Thane, traveling to the city of Austerden to stop an ancient evil being unleashed.

This is the exciting denouement to Idriel’s Children that I craved. Following on directly for that book, we see our four adventurers – Shadow heir in waiting Aza, her brother the dragon heir in waiting Zephyr, and their two love interests Hoku and Makeo – seeking to right the wrong that transpired in the Carceroc Forest.

This novella had everything that I love so much about the series. Great magic system and world building, exciting high stakes action, lovable noble characters.

The world really is at stake and the sun may not rise again as Aza tries to stop Idriel’s children from raising their dark god. Aza is talented and brave, as are her companions, but do they have a hope of succeeding against such formidable foes?

This book leads in very nicely to the final book in the trilogy – Time’s Orphan – and I CAN’T WAIT to read it! I’m so excited.

If you love young adult high fantasy with strong characters and wonderful world building, start with Odriel’s Heirs and read all the books. You won’t be disappointed.