Did they purposely train her wrong? As a joke? ( )

Django Wexler follows up the outstanding Ashes of the Sun with a powerhouse second book in the series, Blood of the Chosen. Gyre is still bent on toppling the Empire and still convinced that the answer lies with the Ghoul and the weapons they left behind from their war with the Chosen. A war that nearly destroyed the world and put an end to the races that fought it. Some of the scales have fallen from Maya’s eyes and she sees that the Twilight Order which she serves has hidden agendas which require that she move cautiously.

Gyre’s plan requires that he travel to a remote part of the empire, where their grip is less solid and he can seek an alliance that would have the strength and desire to topple the empire. Maya is herself sent to a remote part of the empire to retrieve knowledge and arcana that will further the Twilight Order’s goals. Events once again conspire to bring them together in the same place where they must wrestle with the rightness and morality of their agendas.

Wexler excels at writing fully realized and sympathetic characters. The story alternates between Gyre and Maya’s viewpoints, allowing you to share their headspace and question their agendas. There are no black and white lines in this world. Each side’s desire is colored by politics, personalities, and suspect motives. Gyre and Maya are smart enough to realize this and question it, but also influenced by how the world has shaped them and created some prejudices of their own.

The story never lacks for suspense, excitement, and humor, the latter of which is largely supplied by Gyre and Maya’s excellent companions. Wexler further fleshes out a strongly drawn world complete with a tragic history, murky politics, and plenty of surprises. Blood of the Chosen offers a complete story arc while still advancing the overall series. This is another outstanding story in what is shaping up to be an amazing series.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. ( )