Feed My Reads recommended in 2022 - day 31

A first for the year but day 31 sees a Feed My Reads recommended in 2022 as the follow up book to yesterdays read, this is book 2 in The Black Petal series and see Dan Thompson bring us The Golden Lyre.  This is an author who is at the top of his game and bringing an adventure you really get into and at the end you simply want more.

The Black Petal was just the beginning. Choices need to be made.

The Seriburg Wastelands smoulder with ash, destruction, and bodies ...

But two bodies stir beneath a phoenix. With all hope of getting home lost, Jack and Blake must learn to get along, to embrace their shared soul. Tricked by an oracle, Jack feels betrayed and embarrassed. Blake doesn't know how he feels. And Lucia is dead.

Or is she?

When a mysterious bottle reveals a message for Jack, he puts all notion of returning home aside. The Underworld beckons, with its crypts and cells and tortured souls. But if Lucia can be rescued, surely Jack must do all he can? Eliza the gypsy is still intent on creating her own army of gods; should Jack ignore the whispers or find a way to stop the deranged outcast?

The Golden Lyre expands upon the mythological universe of The Black Petal. Meet new heroes and villains, battle past three-headed sea monsters and stand up to the malicious Warden of Hades. You never know, old friends may resurface.

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What people are saying about Dan Thompson:

"Rich characters, exciting worlds, Thompson can do it all!" Jack Croxall, author of Wye

"There is epic fantasy, breathless adventure, a blossoming love story and a generous helping of mythical references that will keep the most ardent fantasy reader enthralled. I’m very much reminded of Pullman’s His Dark Materials …” The Fine Line

"Dan’s writing is always full of vivid imagery and poetry with imaginative settings that make his work stand apart from most fantasy fiction." Sharon Sant, author of The Memory Game

"Dan has his own unique and totally fresh way of telling a story." Jane Yates, author of Garden

Review:

The second part of the trilogy continues to see more myth, legend and more suck the reader in and keep them gripped as we follow the characters on their long journey but with more twists this doesn't read like something which is simply there to setup the final part of a trilogy and instead feels like a great book that stands up on its own.  One of the things I love about this book is that despite being a sequel, the author has continued to deliver development of the characters and this for me helps the reader to connect much more with the story as you are able to "watch" as the characters overcome their own challenges alongside the challenges set in front of them on their journey.  This book confirmed for me that Dan is an author who has a huge amount of talent and has found a perfect fit for his writing style (although I have loved his other works I've read so far).