Malin Krigare finds herself carrying the weight of the world after setting off a chain of events at the Gates of Kurnugia that could end existence. Still dealing with the disappearance of a friend and her mother's secrets, Malin sets out to discover the truth of both her mother and of the world of immortals and mortals in order to protect the future. Old and new friends fight by her side as she travels to forbidden realms and accomplishes impossible missions d hat for Hocking. The narrative picks up almost immediately after the events of Between the Blade and the Heart (2018), and an intricately connected series of events unfolds to create a deeper and more action-packed plot. Previously existing characters carry over to establish a strong connection between the two novels (but also making it all the more important that readers get to them in order). Details of characters and places still abound and create a read that fans will gobble down.

Malin and her allies must stop underworld goddess Ereshkigal's plan to release the dead on Earth in this sequel to Between the Blade and the Heart (2018).Having recently lost Asher to the underworld, Kurnugia, Valkyrie-in-training Malin is tasked by Odin with recovering a legendary protective cloak and his missing weapon, Gungnir, which can kill any being and is currently in the possession of Baldur in Kurnugia. With her sorceress roommate, Oona, and a new ally, Valeska, the swarthy, winged daughter of an Alkonost (relatives of the sirens) and a Valkyrie's son, Malin infiltrates the immortals' afterlife. The heroes quickly overcome obstacles in many short action scenes. After completing their mission, they return to a world in crisis—sinkholes, extreme weather, and riots indicating the potentially apocalyptic situation. Making matters worse, Odin has made himself scarce. To figure out what's going on—and how to stop it—Malin must dig into her dead mother's secrets, uncovering more twists of fate. Luckily, her development over the first installment—learning that her mother's lack of attachment to others isn't an inherent Valkyrie trait—makes assembling her team of allies easier (and results in less romantic waffling). The sprawling, multicultural, multimythological world and its massive cast are explained in an extended glossary.Fans of this fictional world will enjoy seeing more of it—and appreciate that the story's conclusion leaves the door open for more adventures. (glossary) (Fantasy. 13-adult)