Mad Sisters of Esi is one of those rare books that completely wraps itself around you. From the very first page, I was hooked by the atmosphere, it’s so haunting tender. The writing is so achingly beautiful, it feels almost mythic, like something ancient and sacred being whispered through the pages. Every line feels intentional, crafted with such care that you can almost hear the rhythm of the words as you read like it’s the kind of prose that begs to be spoken aloud, just to feel the weight and music of it. There’s this dreamlike flow to the storytelling that makes it impossible to put down, like you’ve stepped into a fever dream woven from grief, love, and wonder. It did read a little longer than I would have wished, but it’s still absolutely stunning and worth the read. More like an experience than a book, and one that lingers long after the final page.

I was so excited to return to Thezmarr, the whole interconnected series has been one of my favourites. Unfortunately, it definitely felt like more of a bridge book between the first and whatever comes next. The story picks up right after Iron & Embers, diving into the fallout of how Iron & Embers ended. I really liked getting a deeper look at how both of them are coping, there’s a lot of emotional tension, longing, and growth on both sides. Their relationship remains the heart of the story, and the chemistry between them is still one of my favourite things about this series. I like them more than Thea and Wilder.

That said, the pacing felt slower this time around. There’s a lot of focus on political maneuvering and world-building (which I normally love), it adds depth but also makes the story drag in places. Some chapters felt more like setup than payoff, and a few conflicts from the first book wrapped up in ways that made them seem less significant in hindsight. Still, the lore expansion and the glimpses of new villains and magic systems were interesting and add a lot of potential for book three.

On the bright side, Helen Scheuerer’s writing is as strong as ever, immersive, emotional, and full of amazing imagery. She’s so great at crafting characters you actually care about, and even though this book didn’t hit quite as hard for me as the first one, I’m still fully invested in Wren and Torj’s journey (and lowkey very excited for more Kip!!).