Diamond & Dawn by Lyra Selene - OPTIONAL

Diamond & Dawn (Amber and Dusk #2) by Lyra Selene, 375 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic), 2019, $19.

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG-13; Violence: PG-13;

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mirage has successfully overthrown the Amber Empire and defeated her cruel sister.  Mirage’s troubles are far from over.  Her sister is not dead, but in a coma and still a threat to Mirage’s power. Another threat comes from a distant cousin, Gavin d’Ars, who appears at court and seems to draw people to him easily.  As Mirage’s grip on power begins to slip she calls upon an ancient and deadly duel to secure her rule.  Mirage’s quest for power could cost her those closest to her and her life.

While beautifully written, this book is grim.  Violence is the norm and kids in their late teens shouldn’t be killing and using people so cruelly.  I was excited to read the sequel to Amber and Dusk, but Mirage is such an unlikable character in this book it is hard to root for her.  It’s also difficult to believe the citizens of the Amber Empire want to have anyone in her family rule, and what kind of taxes pay for all those parties and gowns?  By the end, Mirage redeems herself a little, but there seems to be a new threat to the empire as the darkness seeps closer.  So I’ll probably read the last book to see how it all works out.  I just hope it’s not a complete bloodbath. 

Michelle in the Middle