*This review is for book 2 in the Heirs of War series and it contains spoilers for An Inheritance of Ash and Blood.*

“I have encased myself in so much steel that I fear I’m cold metal all the way to my centre.”

I should’ve reread the first book to remember each place and more about the secondary characters. But thanks to the author naturally bringing up events from the first book I wasn’t lost.

Part I is full of court drama and I loved every moment of it. It was interesting seeing familiar characters in more powerful positions.

One of my least favourite parts was an off-page death of an important character that was used as a catalyst, following a very worn-out trope that I won’t mention to not spoil anything.

In Part II we get new POVs and the pace drops. We follow an old hero hunted from their loss, but I found myself dreading their chapters. It felt more targeted to readers of the first saga. While it sums up most of the important events in that saga, I couldn’t find myself invested in the history or the characters.

Part III brings a new POV from one of my favourite characters and I’m very intrigued by their future in the series.

This one was heavier on the strategy of war than I remember from book 1 and while interesting, it was a bit much for me.

I really enjoy the humour in these books and that even when there are so many characters, they have very distinct voices.

It kinda felt as if there was no clear climax, but the end foretells a greater doom that seems insurmountable.