Fireblood

Gr 7 Up—This follow-up to Frostblood picks up shortly after Ruby Otrera, the last remaining Fireblood in Tempesia, defeated the mad Frost King by burning his throne. Ruby is now living in the castle and trying to fit in as a lady of the court. Arcus, now King Arkanus, and Brother Thistle are still some of her only allies. Unfortunately, the Minax that had once possessed King Rasmus is now terrorizing the kingdom of Tempesia. When a mysterious stranger appears at a Frost Court ball, Ruby decides to accompany him to Sudesia. Arcus is against her plan, but Ruby knows that the world will never be safe unless the Minax is destroyed. Ruby and the stranger make the journey south to the land of the Firebloods in hopes of becoming Fireblood Masters and earning the trust of the Fireblood Queen. Once there, Ruby will seek the knowledge needed to destroy the Minax, as well as uncover the mysteries of her own past. Despite the use of some well-known tropes (a brief love triangle), this is a satisfying sequel. The plot is well paced and engaging, and the characters, both old and new, are exactly what readers will expect.