The Heart Scarab by Stella Atrium

Expanding her already stunning Duchy Wars series, author Stella Atrium delivers an elaborate and enthralling fantasy with The Heart Scarab.

Embittered by her defeat at the hands and talents of Bybiis the Beastmaster, Ulaya lurks in the shadows, gathering god-agent acolytes, scheming to reclaim more serpent pouches and the powerful magic they bestow, which may include seizing control of the serpents themselves. Ariseng has retreated to her forest home and tribal logic, while Siccamond embarks on a journey that puts her squarely in the path of those who would use her talents for sinister ends. Old enemies and new alliances must weather the clash of shifting views on human rights and evolving lines of belief, furthering the series’ broad commentaries on justice, cross-cultural cooperation, and the inherent divides of the natural world.

Reminiscent of Robin Hobb’s legendary fantasy series, the primally driven serpents and the dynamic magical system of this world are standout elements for genre loyalists, while the immersive vernacular and eccentrically crafted language fully transports readers to a landscape of high-seas merchant drama, intracultural adventure, and tribal conflict with contemporary reverberations. The movement of Rundi refugees and their driving impact on the plot, for example, echoes social crises that readers will undoubtedly recognize. The alternating narrative structure provides readers with a full picture of this meticulously constructed realm, while the intermingling plotlines keep the elaborate prose at a persistent pace.

Striking a confident balance between political intrigue, rich character study, and trenchant but epic dystopian themes, this second novel of Atrium’s series shines as an exhilarating and original piece of fantasy.