Elician, a Giver with the power to raise the dead, is crowned King of Soleb, but it’s forbidden for Givers to rule. However, Elician is determined to end a generations-long war with the kingdom of Alelune – and will marry Alelune's rightful heir to do so. But Cat is a Reaper, able to kill with a touch, and is therefore feared by his own people. His claim to the throne is a gamble at best, until his tyrannical brother, Gillage, seizes power before Cat can lay his claim to it – and now the conflict Elician had hoped to avoid seems inevitable.
Just as the war between nations begins anew, the goddess of death releases a devastating plague across the continent. To stop it, Elician and Cat must confront Death herself, leaving Elician's rebellious sister, Fen, to do what she can to heal the sick in their absence. But when a coup threatens to upend her brother’s reign, Fen must decide exactly what she is willing to sacrifice to help her brother succeed. With the death toll rising and the struggle for the Alelunen throne in the balance, it’s a race against time to appease the wrath of a god with the monarchies of both countries at stake.
“To die is to make life, and all life is sacred.”
Lyndsey Byrd's The Moon Blessed King is the lovely conclusion to the perfect duology that began with The Sun Blessed Prince (HERE you can read my review). This achillean tale of life and death and what it means to be human takes all its strong points from the first book, detailing the relationship of two kind and duty-bound princes as they strive to make peace between their nations despite the horros they went through in the first book. Kindness, honor, and mercy guide their hands, towards a moving finale that packs some truly emotional punches. This slowest of slow burns is not for the faint of heart, but it all pays off in the end.
Running parallel to this emotional journey is the tale of the young princess of the sun kingdom, as she struggles to help the war effort but, most importantly, to grow up. Her journey is a highlight of the book, and her chapters a great counterpoint to the bigger plot. She's young and abrasive and drenched in prejudice, but she's willing to learn, and therein lies her saving grace.
The worldbuilding keeps the excellent simplicity of the first book, expanding just the tiniest amount to incorporate a simple but profound philosophy and a beautiful exploration of godhood. At the same time, the magic system keeps the inspiration to science, making it a complex read.
The Moon Blessed King is a stunning conclusion.
✨ 4.5 stars
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