Canticle (The Psalms of Isaak book #2) by Ken Scholes

Come back to the Named Lands in this compelling sequel to Ken Scholes amazing novel Lamentation.

It is nine months after the end of the previous book.  Many noble allies have come to the Ninefold Forest for a Feast in honor of General Rudolfo’s  first-born child.  Jin Li Tam, his wife and mother of his heir, lies in childbed.

As the feast begins, the doors of the hall fly open and invisible assassins begin attacking.   All of Rudolfo’s noble guests are slain, including Hanric, the Marsh Queen’s Shadow.  And on the Keeper’s Gate, which guards the Named Lands from the Churning Waste, a strange figure appears, with a message for Petronus, the Hidden Pope.

Thus begins the second movement of The Psalms of Isaak, Canticle.

Goodreads Summary

The excitement continues immediately in the second book in "The Psalms of Isaak" as the opening feast of celebration gets ruined by a band of assassins. The unpredictability keeps you on the edge of your seat, and wondering what will be happening next as the plot thickens. As you are reading, there are many ways that you can picture the story going from many points in the book. Right when you think that you have something figured out, a curveball is thrown in that leaves you baffled and smiling.

One thing that really shines out in this book, is the author's creation of tension through the tough choices that the characters have to make. No one wants to have to choose between what they feel are their duties to the world, the things they love, and the wants that they have for their future. It is these choices that add depth to the characters and make you think a lot while reading. Sometimes there truly is not a best choice to a situation and we have to just pick one, and Scholes sets this situation up many times with the characters.

As this story is continuing on to a third installment, there is much setup for the next book throughout this one. This is worth a read and the excitement will come again.
  
4 Stars

*Reviewed by Chris*

This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.