Week 24 Review: The Aftermath

From Goodreads:

It has been a year since the mysterious godsgem cured Cadrium's king and ushered in what promised to be a new golden age. The heroes who brought the gem home are renowned in story and song, but for two fellows on the quest, peace and prosperity do not come easily.

Apprentice Knight Kalanthe Ironheart wasn't meant for heroism this early in life, and while she has no intention of giving up the notoriety she has earned, her reputation does not pay her bills. With time running out, Kalanthe may be forced to betray not her kingdom or her friends, but her own heart as she seeks a stable future for herself and those she loves.

Olsa Rhetsdaughter was never meant for heroism at all. Beggar, pick pocket, thief, she lived hand to mouth on the city streets until fortune--or fate--pulled her into Kalanthe's orbit. And now she's quite reluctant to leave it. Even more alarmingly, her fame has made her recognizable, which makes her profession difficult, and a choice between poverty and the noose isn't much of a choice at all.

Both girls think their paths are laid out, but the godsgem isn't quite done with them and that new golden age isn't a sure thing yet.

In a tale both sweepingly epic and intensely personal, Kalanthe and Olsa fight to maintain their newfound independence and to find their way back to each other.

My Review:
I loved reading this book so much! It took a minute to keep all these characters straight in my head, and what they were doing in the different timelines, but once I did, man, I loved this cast of characters and their stories! 

We alternate between the past and the present with these two girls, who before they went on this quest, had nothing in common. But now that they won the day, well, it's hard. Both Olsa and Kalanthe have difficulty with the fame at a young age-being recognized is not a good thing for a criminal! It doesn't keep you fed! 

Throughout the story, I wanted to know how they beat the big bad, because there were little one off lines, and we didn't get to that point in the past until pretty far into the book. And when we see it unfold? Yeah, that was epic! 

They both have a lot going on in the present, what with Kalanthe dealing with an unusual marriage proposal, and Olsa dealing with the magic folk. We got to watch them fall in love in the past, and see their present, and I just loved seeing how things came together and wraped up! 

Absolutely loved reading this book and I need to read more by E.K. Johnston! 

Author: E.K. Johnston
Read: June 12th, 2023
Source: Library 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2023 Book!  
Publisher: Listening Library
Published: February 19th 2019

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars