The Cage of Dark Hours is a much awaited sequel and it does not disappoint in the slightest.

Where The Helm of Midnight felt like a detective story in a fantasy setting, the sequel has upped the stakes and put so much at risk.

In the first book, we follow Krona as she investigates the disappearance of a powerful death mask that belongs to the deceased serial killer Louis Charbon. In this world upon your death, your ability goes into a death mask along with your echo and memories so that someone can use your mask and learn about your special ability. For example, your ability is to manipulate/persuade people to do your bidding, the person who uses your mask will learn and be able to use your ability as long as they use the mask.
That is, if they can control the echo of the deceased.

And there is more complexity to the magic system and the world building. There is the constant threat of the varg, the monsters who can't be killed, only subdued and they are Krona's deepest fears.

The Cage of Dark Hours continues a few years after the events of the first book and we see how much Krona has changed as a person, even if not always for the better. We also follow two unlikely characters who keep you guessing at what is truly happening in the story.

I had no expectations for what could happen and my expectations were surpassed by the excellent writing and the reveals throughout the novel. There is so much more to the story than where we began with Charbon and I am anxious to see it all play out in the following sequel.

I don't want to spoil the events for this one so please take my word: if you enjoyed The Helm of Midnight, you will not be disappointed by the sequel.

The Cage of Dark Hours is a worthy continuation of what will undoubtedly become one of the best fantasies of all time.