Rating: /10

Synopsis

Following The Bone Raiders comes the next thrilling new novel set in the world of the Rakada: an edge-of-your-seat, action‑packed epic fantasy series, where a wild band of raiders harness the power of gigantic, fire-breathing lizards to defend their homeland.

All Sayana wanted was to enjoy her life in the rolling grasslands of the Tapestry. After she and her fellow Rakada managed to ride humongous fire-breathing lizards to face down the Great Khan’s army, they should have been able to kick back a little for once. Not too much to ask, right?

Instead, the Tapestry is in turmoil – invading armies threaten, the other raider clans are at war, and inside his fortress city of Karkorum, the Khan broods and plots. What’s more, the Rakada’s giant lizards are getting sick, and they have no idea how to cure them. If they die, there’s no telling what might happen to the Tapestry.

But then the Rakada receive a vision – apparently from the gods. A deep emerald pool surrounded by bone-white sands – one that may be able to heal their lizards. With no other option, the raiders set out on an epic quest across the mountains and into the desert.

But the danger that awaits them will be one greater than they’ve ever faced before. These guys really can’t catch a break.

Quick Review

Sisters of the Lizard is a phenomenal sequel to The Bone Raiders. It builds upon everything that book did, and delivers a shockingly emotional finale.

Full Review

After the events of the first book, the Rakada have all tamed their own aaratan (basically flightless dragons), and have been keeping some manner of peace within the Tapestry. The story takes some time to truly begin, as author Jackson Ford reintroduces us to the characters and seeds the ideas for what will become the main quest: the aaratan are falling ill, and the only thing that might be able to save them is a remote oasis beyond the mountains.

It takes a while to actually set out on that quest, however. Ford takes his time refamiliarizing us with this world and these characters—and now we get glimpses of what’s happening from Erhi’s perspective. She’s on her own path, eager to get revenge on the Rakada and her former partner. It’s a welcome addition, not just because we get to see Erhi’s perspective but also because it provides context for how she and the raiders’ journeys are intertwined.

Ford also digs deeper into the Rakada. Each member of the raider group has their own unique relationships with the aaratan they ride, and are pushed to new extremes. Sometimes what pushes them is the environment: the mountains are deadly terrain and the lizards are ill as they make the trek. At other times, they are pushed by each other, or a few new characters who I absolutely loved. Jai is an idealist, who can fight but prefers to dance, and his father is such an endearing old man (I almost get Uncle Iroh vibes from him). Both add a lot of heart to this story.

We also learn more about the Weavers, the two gods who are said to have created everything. They were mentioned plenty in the first book, but only in passing. Here, they play a much bigger role. Initially, I wasn’t much of a fan of this part. This is my personal taste, but divinity and visions have never been very interesting to me—but Ford does it in a way where it pays off well in this book’s finale.

Despite its slightly shorter length than the first book, Sisters of the Lizard is a bigger and bolder story. The finale will have you up late to read just one more chapter (and that finale will mess you up—the words “emotionally destructive” have been getting tossed around by other reviewers and they’re spot on). It expands upon the characters and pushes them to their limits. It builds upon the world, and takes us beyond the Tapestry for the first time. All the while, Ford blends humor, drama, and action with expert precision. I think that last part is why I’ve come to love this series so much: the drama hits harder and the action means more because Ford gives us time to truly care about these characters. He doesn’t just show the battles and planning, but also the way they bicker and share meals around the fire.

I highly recommend Sisters of the Lizard. Just in case that wasn’t already clear. I think what Ford has done here is tremendous, and the finale has immense consequences for the Rakada and Tapestry… Maybe the world. I can’t wait to see where he takes it.