If you thought the fist book, The Midnight Lie, was impossible to put down you'll be enthralled by The Hollow Heart. Marie Rutkoski paints a world in which we cannot escape, it's passions, love story, and magic beautifully crafted to create a spellbinding story which will steal your breath and live on long after reading.
From the blurb;
'Nirrim's heart is lost, traded to the god of thieves in order to restore her people's memories. Meanwhile, Sid, the person she once loved most, has returned to Herran to take up her duty to the crown.
'But frightening rumors are growing in the Herrani court: of a new threat rising across the sea, of magic unleashed upon the world, and of a cruel, black-haired queen who can make you believe your dearest friends to be your enemies.
'Sid doesn't know that this queen is Nirrim, seeking revenge against a world that has wronged her. Can Sid save Nirrim from herself? And does Nirrim even want to be saved?
'As blood is shed and war begins, Sid and Nirrim find that it might not matter what they want... for the gods have their own plans.'
Though there is no need to have read Marie Rutkoski's previous works to enjoy The Hollow Heart, having read The Winner's Trilogy, will heighten any readers enjoyment of this explosive second novel.
As Rutkoski reveals Sid's true history we are delighted as readers to find a connection into her previous trilogy, and through that connection some insight into the futures of the characters we fell in love with throughout the course of that series. Explained enough to ensure that readers do not have to have read to previous Winners Trilogy to enjoy the revelations of The Hollow Heart Rutkoski creates a timeless book which will sit proudly on the bookshelves of both long term fans and new readers.
As Sid deals with her own challenges across the sea with her royal family, Nirrim fights her own battles. With her compassion lost Nirrim turns into the dark god we always knew she could be. Seeing a character we fell in love with for her kindness shaped into a villain beyond cruel is a wicked delight many readers will enjoy. As Rutkoski explores these two story-lines she also delves into a past as yet unknown, revealing the secrets of the gods who shaped this world so long ago.
This novel craves a reader as much as the reader craves the novel. The two devour one another completely and will leave the novel softened while the reader is left captivated, living in a world which has long since closed. Leaving us excited for what Rutkoski will do next.
We Give The Hollow Heart Five Stars
ISBN - 978-1-529-35754-7 Cover Price - £8.99 Published by Hodder & Stoughton 2021