Synopsis:
Return to Knyadrea, a world of sea-born people shaped by tumultuous forces. Picking up nearly a year after the events of Far Removed, we follow our protagonists, the resourceful Oklas and guarded Prismer, as they face a unique set of challenges in their socially stratified society.
Knyadrea’s sovereigns grow ever more paranoid. Armed enforcers patrol Apidecca’s streets, and tensions escalate. With nothing to lose, Oklas Sayve turns to resyn for solutions. Could the mystical substance that unravelled his life also prove to be his salvation? There is no room for doubt. Too many are relying on his expertise. The knyads he once considered charities are now close friends and allies … and one of them might even be something more.
New threats stand between Prismer and the dreams she’s only beginning to open herself up to. Venturing out from under the shadow of the Pentarchy, can she recover her faith in the knyad god, in herself, and in the people who see past her mask? In Our Ways Unmasked, the second book in the Apidecca Duology, Oklas and Prismer are not the only ones with an eye on the city’s future. Rebels, traitors, and scumbled outcasts have a myriad of reasons to seek change. Together, can they overcome an oppressive regime that has stood for hundreds of years?
Review:
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If this book has one overarching theme, it’s about finding and learning to accept oneself. For those who have read the first book in the series, Far Removed, you already know what the two main characters have been through, and why they find accepting themselves so incredibly difficult. I held a lot of hope at the end of the first book that things would improve for them in Our Ways Unmasked.
It did, but not in the manner I expected.
Of the two, Oklas’ internal struggles were the greatest, but both characters were also dealing with many outside pressures. Society at large shunned them and at times, other knyads weren’t merely unkind, but violent toward them. Oklas’ search for a cure to their condition was difficult, and Prismer’s position at the Assembly was more tenuous than ever. There were a couple scenes depicting their treatment by others that were absolutely heartbreaking.
But what I loved about these characters is that neither gave up. They were resilient, persevered, and continued to strive toward making life better—not only for themselves, but for everyone. I like when darker stories still carry a thread of hope, and this one certainly does.
There were also some really beautiful scenes between Oklas and Prismer, especially toward the end (the ocean scene and later, the one in the garden.) I wouldn’t say it was a completely happy end to the duology—both characters were upbeat and looking forward to their futures—but circumstances weren’t perfect. There was still a lot to be done, but there was a sense of hope, and it almost felt like it was opening the way for more stories to come. (I’m hoping for more of this world one day.)
I also have to mention a scene toward the beginning of this book that had me geeking out a bit. Oklas’ research led him to testing an array of samples under various conditions, and when an unexpected result came in, the scene reminded me of Alexander Fleming and his discover of penicillin. There were a lot of parallels, and as someone with a microbiology background, I really enjoyed that part.
Our Ways Unmasked is a wonderful conclusion to The Apidecca Duology, packs an emotional punch multiple times, and is an overall great story. And if you haven’t read the first book, Far Removed, now is the perfect time to dive in.
Our Ways Unmasked is currently available for preorder and will release June 25, 2026.
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