Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent is the second book of the War of Lost Hearts trilogy. This is a magical fantasy story with some humans being magic wielders. This books picks up as Tisaanah and company return from Threll. Max and Tisaanah turn their efforts toward fighting in Zeryth’s war but on their terms. However, a darker threat is on the horizon and a betrayal hits close to home.

The Lovely: I still liked the world building and the magic system. It’s beyond a basic system and comes off as unique with two different groups having different types of magic. I like seeing how it has been used in the context of war, and the resulting ethical considerations.

The Mundane: Like the first book, the plot tension in this book is practically non-existent and I still had to force myself to keep reading. It was until the last 120 pages that things got interesting. And then there was a cliffhanger ending.

The Dreadful: I like the concept of Reshaye - it’s unique and something I haven’t seen done before. But the execution of it is confusing and frustrating. The italicized text with brackets are supposed to be his thoughts and the just italicized text is supposed to be Tisaanah’s thoughts to him. But it gets to be unclear who is referring to who and who is talking. Then towards the end there are more parties involved and it gets even more confusing. Honestly, at this point, it feels like it’s more a case of poor writing.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Recommendation: I’m still not loving this series. Obviously I like it enough to keep reading (and now I have to given the cliffhanger of an ending) but I do feel like I’m having to push myself to keep reading. Both of the first two books are really a commentary on how power, and the desire for power, corrupts people. They sometimes frame it as “helping” their people, but it’s really about power and control. ( )

This is book so genius and original. I loved this book so much. If you thought you liked Daughter of No Worlds, this is on a whole new level! This book is entirely different from Daughter of No Worlds. It's so exciting. Yes, it's a lot of war and battles but the magic and twists and mysteries in this is quite amazing. Carissa, you have an ascended damn gift. I am not waiting another second to continue this trilogy. Below is my review after each day of reading. In the last 150 pages, I screamed and cursed and yelled. I was so furious. Little spice. GREAT PLOT! Could not put it down.

Pg. 45: Everyone, including Reshaye, has a sense that they're about to come upon something serious in Ara.
Oh Zeryth is an ass. Putting a spell on him to tie his life to Tisaanah. What a jerk. However, I don't feel like it's super accurate. Wouldn't Reshaye have felt the magic or something? I would at least think so. And I don't know where the story is going with Aefe. But I think it's cool that they've got fey in here now. I thought they were all gone? And now they've been attacked by humans? Maybe they can help Tisaanah and Max...

Pg. 110: I hate that Max and Tisaanah are separated now. I'm also afraid that Moth is going to die... I really like the they fey have been introduced. Still curious where that will lead. And Tisaanah letting go of control of Reshaye is exciting yet terrifying. Can she regain control?

Pg. 213: OMG I love this so much. I think Aefe and Caduan are going to hook up with the way he keeps looking at her. I love these slow burns. And I don't see how Aefe's powers are considered a disgrace. I mean yeah, it's kinda rude to take anothers powers but imagine if she could use more than ones power! And Tisaanah and Max are such badasses. I don't want to trust Nura but I kind of do. I think there is something much bigger at play that she knows that the others don't. And wtf is going on with the humans experimenting? Sounds pretty messed up.

Pg. 435: YES! Finally Zeryth got what he deserved. And I felt so bad for Reshaye. He gave his "life" for Tisaanah's. I wonder what it is in their blood though. I was so upset that Tisaanah was taken. And the prison? Holy crap, what did it mean when it said see you in a few weeks?? That terrifies me. Especially now that Tisaanah is practically powerless without Reshaye. How will she fight the war in Threll now? Um, and excuse me? Aefe's real father is the brother to Ezra, the king of Niraja??? It makes so much sense. Carissa, you sure know how to throw some serious twists. Especially since the humans are looking for an Essnera and Aefe happens to be one. The only one that we know of. Unless Orin is one too. But it all makes sense now as to why her father hates Niraja so much. He just hates Orin. With the fact that Aefe's story isn't lining up with the rest of the book, is this in the past?

Finished: Reshaye means 'no one' 😱 AND IT'S AEFE! I honestly never thought we would ever find out what or who Reshaye was (is?), I just assumed that it would be a universal mystery for all time.

I want to be mad at ishqa. But I'm not. He sacrificed one to save many. I get it. But at the cost of Aefe...

These stories were hundreds of years apart.

Is the new king Caduan??

Oh nura... I never hated her but I also never realized how utterly lost she was. The only reason the fey want to start a war is because they took those 6 fey. Can't Tisaanah and max just return them? That's all the fey want isn't it? They want to wipe all humans away because they took them. But why didn't Ishqa tell them that they were in Threll in the first place? What were they doing there? Looking for Aefe (Reshaye)? And now Nura bought slaves. She's right. It's morally wrong. On all levels.

Carissa, another ascended twist?!?! I love it all!
IT'S CADUAN! AHHHHH! I'm so excited!

Oh. My. God. The fey were there to find Aefe, that's why they were taken. They did NOTHING wrong. Humans are evil...

MAX! Oh nura. I hate her now. She's so wrong.

One thing that I wish this book had is a map. The description does a decent job of explaining the fey lands and the human lands but a visual would be nice. I'm noticing that throughout the series, the writing is getting better and better.

One thing I have noticed in this book and the last is the jump from third person to first person in the same chapter. I don't like third person so it's something I definitely notice when it happens. Carissa writes better in first person. Not a fan of the cover. Just my personal opinion. The art is off. Like Tisaanah doesn't look the same. I also don't necessarily care for people on the covers. Doesn't change anything, just my personal preference. ( )

My goodness this was brilliant.
I loved it even more than the first.
Max and Tisaanah are wonderful together and I am here for it.
Honestly have no idea how this will all end but I can't wait to find out.
( )