Storm of Secrets and Sorrow: The Legacy Series, Book 2

M. Lowe

Much better

"<i>"'You don't get to do this,' she interjected, lightning cracking in her eyes. 'You don't get to lock me in the dark, tell me you'd do it again, and then tell me I matter to you. You don't get to whisper lies disguised as sweet words in a bid to win me over and get me to play nice. You don't get to play on my emotions because you feel them now when you were too inept to understand them before.'"</i> Amen Tessalyn. <b>A-freaking-men </b> 4.75 ✨Well if you were not a fan of book one, I think you will like this much more. Tessa grows so much and it is so satisfying to see watch her find her way and get fed up with literally everyone walking all over her. Tessa's growth is huge. Theon's growth is there but it is not much; however, I do foresee him growing immensely in the next novel. I really came to like Luka in this book. I liked him more than Theon in book one but here is where I feel like he really starts to shin. Pretty much all the characters grow some balls and things actually get accomplished. At the end of the day I am team Axel and Kat. Now that is a relationship I can Stan. They are perfect and I love them. (Although Melissa please be nice to Axel in book three? Okay thanks) Can someone make me a family tree because I am going to need it. Wow the family bloodlines that were revealed are jaw dropping TO THE LAST PAGE OH MY GOD THE AUDIBLE GASP THAT CAME FROM ME IN THAT LAST CHAPTER. This book is filled with time in the archives and libraries, political moves and drama, and loads of character development. Sure there is some spice but my favorite romantic moments are truly with Axel and Kat. They are the relationship that I had wished Tessa and Theon were. But now where we are in the story, it wouldn't make sense for them to have that type of love. When we start the novel we get a note from the [book:Lady of Darkness|62987104] series... and I absolutely loved it. It made me want to read LOD all over again (which I might do on audio). Then seeing the characters that we know and love pop up was so fun. While yes, you can read this series without reading LOD but I would advise against that. It is so worth the full experience to start with LOD and then come to these. It makes finding the little hits so fun. I have had so much fun reading Melissa's work. I truly see myself coming back and reading these again. She does an amazing job with escapism and developing an intricate magic system and the world building is done well (I would say that LOD does a better job with the imagery of the world but because of my LOD background knowledge it carries over to this.) I take .25 away because it is not perfect. There are aspects that are bothersome. But like, who cares. I had a great time and I truly enjoy her writing. I also have now been welcomed to her ARC team so I look forward to receiving book three very soon! I can't wait to see where we are headed... See more reviews on my goodreads (Caitlowe) ["

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October 7, 2024 Verified Purchase

MommyRabbit

Great read

"Better than the first book, which tends to be the case with fantasy books. This dark tale of secrets and betrayal and loneliness had me hurting for Tessa. Some expected plot twists, some groaning at the kindle when Theon made the same mistakes on repeat for 600 pages. but that's what moved the plot along. Loved every bit of Axel and Kat!!! There are a lot of moving pieces here. and its fun to watch them click into place. Am I going to end feeling bad for Valter? Nah... ["

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January 20, 2026 Verified Purchase

Jennelle Glassburn

MUST READ SERIES!!

"This series has officially ruined me (in the best way), and book two? Absolute perfection. It’s rare to find a sequel that not only meets expectations but obliterates them. From start to finish, this story had me completely captivated. All I want to do is read book 3 now, but here’s the kicker: knowing that book four doesn’t release for another seven months has me spiraling. How am I supposed to survive that kind of wait? 𝑨𝒏 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑼𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕 The way this world evolves is nothing short of magic. Every new layer feels natural, pulling you further into the intricate politics, magic, and mysteries. The pacing is spot-on, with no wasted pages or unnecessary fluff. If you’re worried about “second book syndrome,” fear not—this one keeps the momentum going while adding even more depth and intrigue. 𝑨 𝑮𝒖𝒕-𝑾𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 The emotional toll this book takes on its characters (and readers) is immense, but it’s worth every second. The highs and lows feel earned, and the balance between character-driven moments and major plot developments is masterful. Tessa shines as an FMC who isn’t afraid to be messy and imperfect. Her reactions to the constant manipulation and trauma make her feel so real. She shuts down in ways that are raw and relatable, but there’s a fire simmering just beneath the surface. I’m living for the hints of her unleashing her full power and taking control of her fate. Theon remains one of the most fascinating (and frustrating) characters I’ve ever read. His flaws and misguided attempts to show love make him equal parts infuriating and endearing. You can see the potential for redemption, but it’s clear he has a lot of work to do before getting there. Watching his journey is equal parts painful and rewarding. 𝑨 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒍𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 The romance is as chaotic as ever, but that’s exactly why it works. Tessa and Theon’s dynamic is toxic, messy, and full of tension, yet it feels so authentic to who they are. Their relationship isn’t neat or easy, and it shouldn’t be—not with everything they’ve been through. The layers of mistrust and miscommunication are frustrating in the best way because they’re rooted in deep emotional scars, not superficial misunderstandings. And then there’s Luka. My heart belongs to this brooding, loyal dragon shifter. His quiet strength and unwavering support make him impossible not to adore. If he doesn’t get the happiness he deserves, we riot. 𝑽𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑫𝒊𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓 The villains in this story are chillingly well-written. They evoke genuine disgust and rage, but the narrative is so layered that you can’t help but question the bigger picture. The twists keep you guessing, and the tension only grows as secrets are revealed and betrayals come to light. 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 This book is an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. From the intricate world-building to the deeply flawed yet captivating characters, every element is woven together seamlessly. It’s dark, complex, and completely unforgettable. If you love stories that challenge you emotionally and immerse you in a world filled with magic, betrayal, and complicated relationships, this series is a must-read ["

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February 21, 2025 Verified Purchase

Amazon Customer

Great read but has faults.

"The world building and story line is very well written and intriguing. The characters, other than Tristan and Tess, are what truly keeps this story alive. The two main characters are what really makes this difficult to give it a 4 or 5 star review. I was truly hoping by this point to have some kind of sympathy or understanding towards Tess but I don’t. She is made to seem vulnerable and weak mentally to help sympathize with (maybe). Tess keeps constantly saying how she is “alone” and no one “cares” but yet she’s the one that keeps everyone at a distance as well as keeping the biggest secrets. She frankly unnerves me to the point I have to put this book away. Hypocrite?? Yes, she is!! Tristan has his own flaws but he has been straight forward about his agenda once he let Tessa “in”. He shows his love and affection the only way he knows how. That actually says a lot about himself being different in his own way from his father. I just literally can’t stand the fact that he was once again being made to be less than by the person (Tess) who he has risked everything for. Has he made wrong decisions and choices, yes. Who doesn’t. I could rant a lot about the main characters. Mostly Tess. I’m intrigued enough in this crazy story to want to know what happens next. I really hope the author recognizes that if the story line and other characters weren’t involved, then this series would be dreadful. ["

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May 3, 2025 Verified Purchase

Haley Daigle

Fantastic and Twisty Read

"A powerful continuation, with world-building and character development that just keeps getting better. The side characters really shine in this one, and I loved how their plot lines were finally given the depth they deserve. The FMC is clearly entering her villain arc—and I’m here for it. Her growth feels sharp and deliberate, and I appreciated that her relationship with the MMC didn’t magically heal; the trauma between them still lingers, as it should. The spice was also a definite highlight. My only gripe and what brings this just short of 5 stars: some late-book reveals felt sudden, with no prior hint that the FMC had figured them out or been given information. Being told she knew things the reader didn’t made the narration feel unreliable. Still, a fantastic, twisty read that leaves me craving more. ["

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June 26, 2025 Verified Purchase