Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
HarperVoyager (2023), 448 pages
Description
"Anoor is the first blue-blooded ruler of the Wardens' Empire. But when she is accused of a murder she didn't commit, her reign is thrown into turmoil. She must solve the mystery and clear her name without the support of her beloved, Sylah. Sylah braves new lands to find a solution for the hurricane that threatens to destroy her home. But in finding answers, she must make a decision: Should she sacrifice her old life in order to raise up her sword once more? Hassa's web of secrets grows ever thicker as she finds herself on the trail of crimes in the city. Her search uncovers the extent of the atrocities of the empire's past and present. Now she must guard both her heart and her land. The three women find their answers, but not the answers they wanted. The drumbeat of change thrums throughout the world. And it sings a song of war"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Anniik
TW/CW: Death, murder, execution, sex, injury
RATING: 4/5
REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Del Rey and am voluntarily writing an honest review.
I was very excited to be approved for this book since I really loved the first one. This one was very good too, although it
The Battle Drum begins where The Final Strife ends, following the journeys of both Anoor and Sylah, both dangerous and deadly in their own ways. Along the way, we learn more about the world introduced to us in The Final Strife, and we see characters taking sides for the battle that is sure to come in the final book.
This book is, without a doubt, interesting and well written. The characters, while not always loveable, are fascinating and you can’t help but care about what happens next. The world and its mythology are unique and feel deep and as if there is a great deal more to explore.
I love the LGBTQIA+ representation in this book, something it embraces fully and I loved reading.
I did think, however, that at 560 pages, this book was a little bit too long. I also thought that – as I said before – ‘middle book syndrome’ was a bit of a problem. There’s no real beginning and no real ending, so while stuff does happen you finish it wanting the ~real~ ending.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book though, and I would definitely recommend to fantasy fans!
RATING: 4/5
REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Del Rey and am voluntarily writing an honest review.
I was very excited to be approved for this book since I really loved the first one. This one was very good too, although it
Show More
suffered a little from ‘middle book syndrome.’ I’m going to try to write this review without spoilers, since I don’t want to ruin the first book OR this one, but that’s probably going to mean I can’t get very specific on the plot.The Battle Drum begins where The Final Strife ends, following the journeys of both Anoor and Sylah, both dangerous and deadly in their own ways. Along the way, we learn more about the world introduced to us in The Final Strife, and we see characters taking sides for the battle that is sure to come in the final book.
This book is, without a doubt, interesting and well written. The characters, while not always loveable, are fascinating and you can’t help but care about what happens next. The world and its mythology are unique and feel deep and as if there is a great deal more to explore.
I love the LGBTQIA+ representation in this book, something it embraces fully and I loved reading.
I did think, however, that at 560 pages, this book was a little bit too long. I also thought that – as I said before – ‘middle book syndrome’ was a bit of a problem. There’s no real beginning and no real ending, so while stuff does happen you finish it wanting the ~real~ ending.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book though, and I would definitely recommend to fantasy fans!
Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi is Ms. El-Arifi’s sequel to The Ending Fire trilogy and holy hell! I adored the first book in the series because it was fresh and exciting and completely unpredictable. The Battle Drum is all that and more, something I did not think was possible.
The action starts
Much like the first novel, I had no idea in which direction Ms. El-Arifi was taking the women’s stories. I never wrapped my mind around the dual timelines, and I remained clueless about the story’s trajectory until I received that final puzzle piece. Looking back, I am so glad I was unable to guess anything. Not only were the reveals more effective because they were surprises, but I also enjoyed the story more as a result. The Battle Drum is a complicated story. There are a lot of moving pieces to match the large cast of characters. I appreciate how deftly Ms. El-Arifi weaves each piece into the larger story while keeping you guessing the entire time.
The other impressive aspect of The Battle Drum is that by the end of this second novel, who the villain is versus the heroes is unclear. Sylah, Hassa, and Anoor are morally gray. If there were doubts before, there are none by the end of the sequel. Each does things that cause harm to others as a direct result of choosing to be selfish instead of selfless. At the same time, we meet a new character who you could call the villain, but I have a difficult time sticking that label on her. Her actions are not any worse than those taken by the other characters, and, unlike them, her actions are completely selfless. It makes for a compelling drama as the lines of good versus evil blur and intermingle and even fade completely.
Another fun aspect of The Battle Drum is that it feels like the first book in a series. Yes, the characters are the same, and there is one key storyline from The Final Strife that remains pertinent in book two. However, Ms. El-Afiri introduces so many new places with new people and uncovers game-changing information that it has none of the stagnancies that plague so many sequels. All of it is new and exciting, and the answers you get leave you reeling.
While good sequels do exist, there are so many less-than-good ones that there is a reason why many readers approach sequels with caution. The Battle Drum suffers from none of that. I found everything about it compelling and became so engrossed in the story that the lines between reality and fiction blurred ever so slightly. If The Final Strife was impressive, The Battle Drum is awe-inspiring in its scope, its detail, and its execution.
The action starts
Show More
right away, with The Battle Drum picking up a day or two after the end of The Final Strife. Our three main characters, Hassa, Sylah, and Anoor, are still angry and still fighting against the injustices that plague their country. In any good sequel, the original quest changes, and the same holds true here. Sylah seeks a solution to the growing nightly hurricane problem. Hassa must balance her duties to her people with her growing friendships with those who are not her people. Anoor is the same mess as always, looking without leaping and judging before there is a shred of evidence, but her messes are even bigger and potentially more dangerous.Much like the first novel, I had no idea in which direction Ms. El-Arifi was taking the women’s stories. I never wrapped my mind around the dual timelines, and I remained clueless about the story’s trajectory until I received that final puzzle piece. Looking back, I am so glad I was unable to guess anything. Not only were the reveals more effective because they were surprises, but I also enjoyed the story more as a result. The Battle Drum is a complicated story. There are a lot of moving pieces to match the large cast of characters. I appreciate how deftly Ms. El-Arifi weaves each piece into the larger story while keeping you guessing the entire time.
The other impressive aspect of The Battle Drum is that by the end of this second novel, who the villain is versus the heroes is unclear. Sylah, Hassa, and Anoor are morally gray. If there were doubts before, there are none by the end of the sequel. Each does things that cause harm to others as a direct result of choosing to be selfish instead of selfless. At the same time, we meet a new character who you could call the villain, but I have a difficult time sticking that label on her. Her actions are not any worse than those taken by the other characters, and, unlike them, her actions are completely selfless. It makes for a compelling drama as the lines of good versus evil blur and intermingle and even fade completely.
Another fun aspect of The Battle Drum is that it feels like the first book in a series. Yes, the characters are the same, and there is one key storyline from The Final Strife that remains pertinent in book two. However, Ms. El-Afiri introduces so many new places with new people and uncovers game-changing information that it has none of the stagnancies that plague so many sequels. All of it is new and exciting, and the answers you get leave you reeling.
While good sequels do exist, there are so many less-than-good ones that there is a reason why many readers approach sequels with caution. The Battle Drum suffers from none of that. I found everything about it compelling and became so engrossed in the story that the lines between reality and fiction blurred ever so slightly. If The Final Strife was impressive, The Battle Drum is awe-inspiring in its scope, its detail, and its execution.
Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
448 p.; 9.45 inches
ISBN
0008450455 / 9780008450458
Local notes
Three women seek the truth of the empire's past. And the truth they find has the power to ignite a war.
Signed by the author with exclusive naked cover design and slipcase, one of 1000 copies. Slipcase is waaaay too tight, super annoying.
Signed by the author with exclusive naked cover design and slipcase, one of 1000 copies. Slipcase is waaaay too tight, super annoying.