Orbit
Publication Date: October 12th, 2021
Paperback. 544 pages.
The Quicksilver Court is the latest installment in Melissa Caruso's Rooks and Ruins trilogy, a companion/follow-up series to her Swords and Fire trilogy. As mentioned in my review for the first book of the Rooks and Ruin trilogy, The Obsidian Tower, it is not necessary to have read the first trilogy, Swords and Fire, before reading this one, although I do think that it adds a slightly deeper understanding the world and magic system that just enhances this reading experience. Still, it's an entirely new set of character and time period, and it's truly a fantastic series so far! Since this is a sequel, I'll do my best to shy away from any major spoilers from the first book, but please know going into this that there may be minor spoilers for the first book in this review. There will be no spoilers for this book, as usual!
The Quicksilver Court picks up not long after the catastrophic events of the first book, and I loved nothing more than getting to jump right back into the chaos with this group of characters. Ever since I started reading the Swords and Fire trilogy back when it first starting being published, Caruso has cemented herself as favorite author whose work continuously grabs me and makes me excited to read it and explore her magic systems and fully developed and complex characters.
Ryx continues to struggle with her 'broken' magical ability, although this book brings with it a whole new slew of problems for Ryx, and trust me when I say that they almost make her previous issues pale in comparison. Ryx, however, continues to be a character that I love fro her determination, strength, and leadership abilities. She truly knows what and who to value, and is not one to back down from doing what she knows is best for those around her. She's an incredibly dynamic person who manages to adapt to whatever any situation requires, and she does all of this without losing her core self, no matter what may be going on either around her or even to her. Caruso seems to have a knack for writing not only amazing characters, but amazing female characters that I genuinely love and find myself unable to stop thinking about or walk away from. Ryx is just as compelling and impressive as Amalia from the Swords and Fire series, but they are both two completely different people as well.
In addition to Ryx are some of my favorite supporting characters: Severin, Foxglove, Ashe, Bastian, Kessa, and, of course, Whisper. Each and every one of these characters has such a distinct and compelling personality, not to mention the chemistry and differing relationships that exists among them all. Ashe is easily a favorite for her passionate way of navigating life, as well as how she manages to keep moving forward despite any struggles from her past. Her bantering with Kessa, as well as Kessa's more protective and somewhat nurturing personality, makes the two an incredible pair that are so fun to read. Severin is also one of my favorite Witch Lords, largely because I find him incredibly intriguing and a complex figure to follow.
This sequel as takes us readers into an entirely new setting away from Gloamingard, which was a really welcome and exciting change of pace. I was a little sad to leave Gloamingard, because I seem to find it as compelling as Ryx does, but the events of the previous book definitely changes things, and the new problems that arise in this book make it necessary for Ryx and the gang to visit a new, almost equally imposing place. I love how well Caruso manages to set a scene and create an atmosphere that is captivating and exciting while also being dark, ominous, and leaves readers with a sense of foreboding around every corner. Some of the new villains in this book feel truly evil, and I was impressed by the different ways Caruso managed to incorporate some new horrific elements to their actions. This was a book that I could not stop reading.
If you thought the stakes were high in the first book, just wait until you get to this book, because the stakes take on a whole new meaning of the word and introduce some horrifying yet compulsive new plot points to explore. (Minor book one spoiler ahead!) The demons that now walk the world are cruel, unpredictable (yet predictable in their destruction), and possess immense, immeasurable powers. As horrible as these demons are, I thoroughly enjoyed that we actually get to meet some of them and see them interact in the human world, and I cannot wait to see what the next book is going to bring us. Overall, it's another five stars from me!
*I received a copy of The Quicksilver Court courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
