This sequel to The Queen of the Tearling (2014) continues Kelsea's story and provides the history that created Tear. At the border, Mort soldiers are restlessly awaiting orders to move forward into Tear territory. The ragtag Tear army is outnumbered and definitely under-armed. The Red Queen and her army want nothing more than to reach Tear, demolish the city, kill the new Tear Queen Kelsea, and plunder all. Kelsea desires to bring freedom to Tear. Her first act as queen was to stop the slave shipments into Mort. While this brought her the loyalty and admiration of her people, it increased the danger from the more powerful Mort, and now Tear is facing the consequences of that action with the coming invasion. The protagonist has much to learn, and in order to defeat the Red Queen, she must understand her own power, which comes from a past that began many centuries before. While the sapphires she wears on a chain around her throat link Kelsea with Lilyan important player in the Crossing, which created the Tear civilizationthey are also the keys linking her to a growing awareness of who she is and where her destiny lies. As the Mort army moves forward, Kelsea prepares to parlay what she has learned to save Tear's future. But deals she made with shadow men, actions taken by others, and the Red Queen herself may change the outcome of Kelsea's hopes. VERDICT Teens need to have read the first volume in order to understand and appreciate this sequel; both books should be at hand for fantasy fans. Connie Williams, Petaluma High School, CA