Review: A Noble’s Path (The Enchanted Isles Book 2) by I.L. Cruz

Inez Garza, sporting a new magical streak of purple hair, is back at the heart of rebellion and action in A Noble’s Path, the second book of the Enchanted Isles series from author I.L. Cruz. Following on from the tumultuous events of A Smuggler’s Path, this new installment dives right into the action, supported by remarkably thorough exposition from the first book.

Magic is still forbidden in Canto, but the hidden market is alive and well, and Inez continues to tread the finest line between royal blood and illicit smuggling. Navigating the complex underbelly of illegal magic and mobsters rapidly reminds readers of Inez’s sharp edges, and her ability to hold herself in any situation. Serving out her harmless sentence of community service with the King’s Men is one thing, but her burgeoning status as a mage is a secret she must do everything to keep.

Unfortunately, in a city where information is currency, secrets and trust can be hard to manage, especially if they relate to the daughter of the duchess. Inez’s dedication to the rebellion is unwavering, but her heart is entwined with another – Zavier – a loyal servant of the royal house, sworn to protect the crown from the very people she is arming for an uprising. As this multi-faceted thriller plays out, Inez learns that mastering her emotions is the key to controlling her powers, but that is far easier said than done.

With a deep cast of unique supporting characters and a creative magical design for this fantastic realm, A Noble’s Path is a powerful addition to the series that continues expanding an already sprawling world. The slow drip of exposition about the history of magic works as the glue tying together all the disparate factions and groups vying for power. The additional threat from Mythos – the victors of the devastating war that led to magic’s disappearance – sets the foundation for a greater conflict in any books to come.

On a technical level, the author needs to trust readers a bit more, rather than spelling out plot connections and hints throughout the narration, which gives certain chapters and turning points in the prose a procedural feel. The book generally keeps readers immersed, but some of these extraneous moments are distracting, particularly in longer chunks of dialogue that don’t seem purposeful to the overall story. In such a wide-spanning novel, within a seemingly boundless world, these modest stumbles can generally be forgiven.

Overall, there is an impressive amount of flexibility in the writing, from playful lovers’ spats and colorful descriptions of pet chinchillas to dark passages of self-exploration and the existential angst of a looming war. While the emotional exploration is largely limited to Inez, there are also other powerful messages about family, blind loyalty, societal upheaval, and the complexities of love that will strike a chord with a broad range of readers.

As the sophomore step of an exciting fantasy series, A Noble’s Path is a magical melee packed with honorable heroes that touches on a number of relatable and timely themes.