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:
Crimson Fire came out of the gates at a sprint when released last year, Montero unleashing a beautifully written novel that placed the reader amid the echelons of human society under the watchful eyes of the mysterious but worshipped Masters. Distant gods who walked amid humanity, yet we only ever saw glimpses of their world.
That rich journey is immediately picked up in Sunrise Dagger, barely a beat between the two books, and we are plunged into familiar points of view as they struggle with the aftermath of a dying god. Where Montero in Crimson Fire led us a dance without the gods, here they enter the stage, and the author drip-feeds us with the background to their existence, their motivations and their grievances. These glimpses open up a world you know is only going to get richer as our MCs’ eyes are opened and the pieces they represent are placed on the board.
There is action and intrigue aplenty interspersed in the book, with a superb, bloody climactic ending that rips up much you thought you knew, but Montero also spends time allowing the MCs to breathe. You learn more of their history, which gives depth to their decisions and readies you for what comes.
To that end, it does feel like a middle book in a series. An aftermath analysed, the characters’ motivations and future roles played out, ready for the events ahead. This worked for me, with Eshfen’s journey a standout, and the insight into the Tamers and Darjin’s brother not far behind. And of course, the Masters, about whom my lips are sealed.
A superb addition to epic fantasy, Montero has me tapping my fingers, impatient for the next Memory of Kenjir.
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