Synopsis
The empire is splintering, and the gods’ dominion grows weaker with every passing day. Out of the chaos, old loyalties fracture, new dangers emerge, and the line between faith and betrayal blurs beyond recognition.
For Andik, survival means constant flight. Pursued across the empire, he follows a trail of secrets that lead him closer to the truth behind the rebellion against the gods. But the deeper he digs, the clearer it becomes that the divine order may have been built on a terrible lie, one that could shatter not only his loyalty but the empire itself.
In the shadows of the uprising, Eshfen wrestles with revelations that shake the foundation of everything he has fought for. Once a master of schemes and manipulation, he now stands on the edge of a truth so devastating it could unravel the rebellion before victory is even within reach. Caught between duty and discovery, he must decide whether to preserve the cause or burn the world down in pursuit of something greater.
Far from the heart of power, Darjin flees through hostile cities and dangerous streets, her past failures pressing down with every step. She longs to rebuild the fragile bond with her brother, yet survival demands choices that push her further away from who she once was. Each city offers new dangers, new betrayals, and a stark truth: she may have to sacrifice her soul in order to save her life.
Meanwhile, in Napur’s glittering but cutthroat court, Shadi enters a world of ruthless politics where every word is a weapon and every ally conceals a blade. Trapped in a deadly game of power and betrayal, she must learn to navigate the treacherous waters of empire, and discover how much of herself she is willing to lose to endure them.
Darker, sharper, and more ambitious than The Crimson Fire, The Sunrise Dagger plunges readers into a world of unrelenting action and devastating intrigue. Secrets unravel, alliances fracture, and loyalties are tested to the breaking point. As gods bleed and mortals rise, the fate of an empire and the dawn of a new age hang in the balance.
Review
Non-stop action. A frantic, wild ride from one catastrophe to another. Betrayals, surprising twists, and phantasmagorical imagination drives this story forward. Marvel meets Wheel of Time meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I know… This book is an explosion of creativity you don’t want to miss.
The Sunrise Dagger continues the tale of Shadi and her dagger, Darjin, as they recover from the cataclysmic ending of The Crimson Fire and its aftermath. This is a world of gods or demi-gods, and the mere mortals who are under the sway of these beings. Several political factions jockey for power in this installment. The intrigue runs deep. Rebellion, betrayal, religious fanatics, hawk-riding warriors. It’s all fresh and fantastic. Though some tropes may feel familiar, I have never read anything like this.
Added to the intricate plot and lush worldbuilding, the prose adds a whole other dimension. Montero’s native tongue is Italian. The texture and perspective he brings with his English prose is unique and provides a window into a slightly different way of viewing the world, which I absolutely adore.
The character growth of Shadi in particular is steady and satisfying. Several threads from book one are brought together and elucidated here. There is a fairly large cast of characters. I found the POV switching among several characters and plot threads to be somewhat challenging at times, and I had to go back a few times to remember who was who. That said, I was never bored. I would need to read the books again to grasp the entirety of the epic tapestry Montero has woven with his Memories of Kenjir series.
If you are in the mood for a vast and unique world, you will love this.
Leave a Reply