Week 10 Reviews: Necrobane, Advocate

From Goodreads:

Aelis de Lenti, Lone Pine's newly assigned Warden, is in deep trouble. She has just opened the crypts of Mahlgren, releasing an army of the undead into the unprotected backwoods of Ystain.

To protect her village, she must unearth a source of immense Necromantic power at the heart of Mahlgren. The journey will wind through waves of undead, untamed wilderness, and curses far older than anything Aelis has ever encountered. But as strong as Aelis is, this is one quest she cannot face alone.

Along with the brilliant mercenary she's fallen for, her half-orc friend, and a dwarven merchant, Aelis must race the clock to unravel mysteries, slay dread creatures, and stop what she has set in motion before the flames of a bloody war are re-ignited.

From Goodreads:

Aelis de Lenti is back on her home turf, but it's not quite as welcoming as she remembered....

Recalled from Lone Pine to investigate claims of murder by magic against her mentor--legendary Warden Bardun Jacques--Aelis takes to the streets of the grand city of Lascenise, and plumbs the deepest secrets of the Lyceum to clear his name. Certain of her success, she doesn't count on thieves, subterranean labyrinths, or the assassins that dog her steps from the moment she leaves her tower.

Behind all of it lurks a ring of unknown wizards who can seemingly reach anyone with their magic. Without knowing who she can trust, Aelis must gather what allies she can to unravel the web of intrigue, murder, smuggling, and theft originating in the halls of magic power. With an old friend from her college days, a war-haunted gnome thief-catcher, and the advice of her imprisoned advisor, Aelis races to save lives and expose a conspiracy that seeks to change the face of the world.

My Review:
Reading these books was so great! I really enjoyed the first one, and I was really excited to see where Aelis' story would continue. I loved seeing where Necrobane was going, and then Advocate was really interesting, taking place in her hometown, and I enjoyed getting to know it.

Lone Pine is pretty isolated. After the events of the first book, with the necromantic threat, just the implications of it, that's a looming threat. I didn't know how she was going to deal with it, or if it's the series-long conflict, or if it was going to be resolved in Necrobane, and I had to keep reading to find out! 

I love Aelis and Maurenia's relationship. They were cute in the first book with their initial interest, but now they're having extended time as a couple, and I had such a great time watching them work to develop the parameters and rules of their relationship.

Aelis had built a life in Lone Pine, so having to come back to Lascenise to deal with a murder charge against her mentor, of course she's going to do it, but it's big upheaval. Not to mention the stress of trying to prove that he was innocent of the charges, and everything else that she had to deal with, including Maurenia's situation. I had a blast watching her investigate! 

Loved reading these books, and I can't wait to read more by Daniel M. Ford! 

Author: Daniel M. Ford 
Series: The Warden #2, 3
Read: March 7th, 7th, 2025 
Source: Bought, NetGalley 
Reason Why: Loved his writing and the first book, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Books, and Advocate is a RR Book! 
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: April 23rd 2024

Expected Publication: April 22nd 2025

Necrobane:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Advocate: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars