Into the Black

Gr 8 Up—Eros and Kora are back after Beyond the Red in a political adventure where the world ruler is dead, important technology is destroyed, and Safara is on the edge of destruction. Eros was named as the rightful heir to the world throne, but many are hesitant to accept a half-human, half-alien as their king—including Eros himself. Ex-avra Kora is determined to find Eros and have him face his destiny, but she cannot do it alone. Royalty across the territories are introduced, including Deimos, who is seemingly on team Eros, and the former ruler Ashen who will stop at nothing to keep Eros off the throne. Told in alternating perspectives, Kora and Eros are again together and torn apart as they navigate their roles as political leaders. The sequel is slower paced than the first, with many open-ended questions left for the trilogy's conclusion. The exciting world-building of an alien civilization and attention to detail makes up for the lack of action. Sexual content and mature language makes this more appropriate of older readers.