The Other Castle
A Xiinisi Trilogy: Book Two
Sci-Fantasy · Weird Fantasy · Epic Fantasy · Drama
True nature is impossible to hide.
In the sequel to The Forgotten Gemstone…
As Xiinisi, Ule is a Sentinel-in-training, assigned to protect the world of Elish and keep watch over the demons that roam there. She settles into a comfortable covert existence at Sondshor Castle, where life couldn’t be better. As an Elishian, she’s happily married and has just been promoted to Adept Scribe. When a rare form of election is called by the people of Sondshor, promising to usher in an historic and exciting era, Ule is poisoned.
Instructed by her Master to leave behind her established life and begin another, she resolves to figure out who murdered her and why, even when she is unexpectedly challenged by the next phase of her training. Ule must deathmorph into a form she’s never taken before.
Uncomfortable in her new body, she re-immerses herself in the politically charged everyday life within Sondshor Castle and discovers that everyone she knows keeps some part of themselves hidden. Even more surprising, the castle grounds extend much farther than she ever realized, hiding a long forgotten treasure, and clues to the identity of a murderer.
Join Ule as she investigates her own murder, and learns how true nature, no matter how well hidden, reveals itself eventually.
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Reader Reviews
Like the first one, I found this book very enjoyable. Daven’s writing has matured, and the weird science-fantasy premise of her world continues to bear tasty fruit. The Conclusion had one of those ‘You figure it out about 10 pages before it’s revealed in the text’ sort of moments that I think are the most satisfying for a Mystery and as the second book in what is now a Trilogy it did it’s most important Job, leaving me wanting more of these characters and this world. I’ll be intrigued to see what happens next.
—Wise Owl, Goodreads Review
This one made it difficult to believe it was only Daven’s second book. The plot was a little hard to keep track of at first, and then fell into place masterfully. The characters were interesting and captivating, the magic system was convoluted yet logical, and the book built carefully upon the mythos of the first installment. World building is a tough gig for a fantasy writer, and a series about world builders across multiple worlds must be exponentially tougher, but Daven appears to navigate the issue with ease.
—Cameron S. Currie, author of Shiv and My Name’s Not Girl
The Other Castle caught me completely by surprise with the unexpected turn of events that were executed exquisitely! Lots of mystery and intrigue along with some of the most intense scenes that kept me riveted. Superb ending that left me wanting more, can’t wait for the last book in the trilogy The Starry Rise to be completed. Awesome book!!!
—Cheryl Lewis, Amazon Review
This followup to The Forgotten Gemstone is just as original and challenging as the first Xiinisi book. This series defies comparison to other books. (Like Walter Jon Williams meets Jack Vance?) Highly recommended and I’m looking forward to The Starry Rise!
—Gary Russell, Amazon Review