Love these books so much! I read the first one when I worked at Bloomsbury and it stayed with me.
I hope to see more from this author!

I'm officially obsessed with this series?! I keep recommending it to anyone who'll listen because imo it's unlike anything else out at the minute.
Bringer of Dust is book 2 in the Talents trilogy and the sequel to Ordinary Monsters which I read (and loved!) back in March. It took everything I liked about the story and just dialled it up to ten to make an even more interesting installment. Its moody gothic atmosphere continues to amaze me and something about the Victorian setting is just perfect for this time of year.

I loved how much darker this one was. It really leant into the eldritch aspect, and the new worldbuilding we got was fascinating. Dreamscapes and creatures and secret societies under the Thames. Not to mention the new characters and POVs in this book. Book 1 was obviously very focused on Britain but this one expanded out to see how the magic and Talents present around the rest of Europe with our new MC Jeta being Romani and from that final chapter looks like we'll be getting Arabic/African influences in book 3 which I'm excited to see!

It's slow burn, its eerie, its found family. He writes kids so damn well and really makes you feel for them. These kids man....so many times they were breaking my heart, trying to be brave as they're forced to grapple with their powers and the toll it takes on them. Cannot wait for book 3, will be preordering as soon its its announced. I need it in my hands right now!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to read this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Amazon.

Brilliant sequel

Bringer of Dust by J.M. Miro exceeded all my expectations. As the second installment in The Talents trilogy, this book deepens the world-building and character arcs introduced in Ordinary Monsters while taking the story in thrilling new directions. It’s a masterclass in dark fantasy storytelling.

Picking up after the dramatic events of the first book, Bringer of Dust plunges us back into the lives of the Talents—children with extraordinary abilities navigating a Victorian-era world full of danger and intrigue. Miro wastes no time ramping up the stakes, exploring the consequences of their actions and the growing threat of the sinister forces pursuing them. What I loved most is how the story balances breathtaking action with quiet, emotional moments that make the characters feel so real.

The world-building is even richer this time around. Miro expands the Talents’ universe with new locations that are as atmospheric as they are unsettling. Whether it’s the shadowy corridors of a crumbling manor or the misty, otherworldly landscapes of the Gloaming, every setting feels vivid and alive. The prose is lush and cinematic, making it easy to lose yourself in the story.

The characters are where this sequel truly shines. Charlie, Marlowe, and the rest of the Talents are more complex and compelling than ever, grappling with their powers and the toll it takes on their relationships. Miro dives deep into their fears, desires, and inner conflicts, making their triumphs and struggles all the more impactful. I was especially drawn to the nuanced exploration of loyalty and betrayal as the group faces both external threats and internal divisions.

The pacing is impeccable, with twists and turns that kept me glued to the page. Miro knows how to build tension, delivering moments of shocking revelation and heart-pounding action that left me breathless. And the ending? It’s the kind of cliffhanger that has me counting down the days until the final book in the trilogy.

If you loved Ordinary Monsters, you’ll be absolutely enthralled by Bringer of Dust. It’s dark, intricate, and emotionally resonant—a sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but surpasses it in every way. J.M. Miro has crafted a fantasy series that feels destined to become a classic, and I can’t wait to see how the journey concludes.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this as I was absolutely blown away by the first book. This was just as astonishing in scope and ambition and I found myself utterly engrossed in the story

A brilliant sequel to the wonderfully captivating Ordinary Monsters, this book was just a joy from start to finish. The perfect atmosphere for a great Autumn/Winter read.

Bringer of Dust takes the rich, gothic world of The Talents Trilogy to new heights, blending magic, horror, and deeply emotional stakes. J.M. Miro excels at creating a haunting atmosphere with unforgettable characters and intricate lore. While the novel’s length and dark tone may be challenging for some readers, it’s a gripping and intense read that fans of the series will devour. A must-read for those who love dark fantasy with an emotional core.

This sequel is gripping, fastpaced and such a great read I could not put it down. The victorian atmosphere is so well written you feel like you are there. A great piece of work. Thank you for my advanced kindle copy.

Bringer of Dutst
Author: J.M.Miro
The Talents trilogy book: 2

We find ourselves in a world that is under attack by all kinds of dark forces.

It is of the utmost importance that Charlie and his friends succeed in tracking down the second Orsine that is located in the Land of the Dead. Orsines are a sort of sealed portals that grant passage to other dangerous worlds.

In the first book, Marlowe gets trapped in the orsine. Charlie's greatest mission is to reunite with his friend and free him.

Meanwhile, a former student of Cairndale resurfaces in the Land of the Dead. He has many sinister plans that could make him a major threat to the future.

One thing is for sure, the danger is far from over for Charlie, Marlowe and their friends...

To fully understand the storyline, it is recommended to read the first book in the series.

The second book focuses more on the future of the characters, while the first book focuses more on their talents, powers and past.
There are multiple worlds in the book and they are all worked out in equal detail.

You will encounter a diverse cast of monsters, artifacts, a bone witch and more.

The characters are intriguing. Their emotions and way of thinking are well described by the author.

I am very impressed with the writing style and originality. If you are a fan of the Fantasy and Horror genre then I can highly recommend this series.

I want to thank Netgalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC.

A twisted, dark horror sequel that is tense and full of action. Captivating and gritty this gothic Victorian fantasy is well written and very engaging.

This was SO good!! Fast paced and action packed. It was quite a heft book and took me a while to read but it was very enjoyable. It starts pretty much straight off from the first book (Ordinary Monsters) so I would advise reading that one first. It took me a minute to remember what had happened and get back in the swing of it but then I was hooked once again. I loved seeing all the old characters and the introduction of new ones. I would say that the ending felt a little bit rushed but as I know there will be a third book it didn’t really affect my rating and love of the book. The author set the scene really well and the descriptions made me feel I was there with the characters, I enjoyed it being set in different countries and worlds as it kept the pace going. This book had everything and was fantastic.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

This is a really good sequel that adds a lot of depth into the overall plot and storyline.

I can definitely see why this book/series is so well hyped

This is an absolute Empire Strikes Back of a sequel!

By which I mean, the pacing is lively and perfectly balanced, the characters are deep in their personal darknesses, fighting for air and light, there’s a load of chewy father-figure drama that I could eat all day with a spoon and the whole book is chock full of answers and resolutions that pull you—eagerly—through its hefty page count. This is a sequel that definitely improves on its opener.

Everyone from the first book has hit the ground running at the start of this second one, and the many perspectives—often a bane to recent fantasy books—are extremely well-judged and integrated here. In addition, there are new characters, who are just phenomenal. Murderous Micah sears the page when he appears, but it is the bone witch Jeta who captures the imagination most. I loved the whole ensemble and the new dynamics were compelling throughout. Sensibly, Marlowe’s situation is held off for quite a while, but once we get inside the orsine, already armed with a wealth of new understanding, his story remains the heart of the whole trilogy. Villains become heroes, allegiances are sliding every which way, and everything is visceral and immediate.

And yes, the book is full of answers; indeed the plot is propelled by constantly unravelling the mysteries rather than piling more on, as was the case in book 1. Miro judges every revelation here perfectly; about the drughr, the orsines, the long history of talentkind, and the parts in that history that belong to Berghast, Charlie and Marlowe. You never feel deceived in this part of the story, you always think you’re on solid ground and that you’re getting the truest sense of the wider world. And that’s when the twists come in, and the payoffs are so good! Miro knows this is the middle section, and has loads of road left to play with, but this is as assured and well-crafted a follow-up as I have ever seen.

Loved it. Would recommend to anyone.

This is the sequel to Ordinary Monsters - a sprawling, gothic, Victorian fantasy about children with special powers being hunted by a shadowy evil- which I absolutely loved, so go pick it up now if you haven't already!

We pick up soon after the devastating events that ended the first book, with the characters regrouping, investigating and trying to keep each other safe. The characters are given a little more room to grow and the fantastical elements- the mythology of the story- is explored in more detail, creating an even richer world (I particularly liked the time we spent with the Glyph-twisted children). We also discover that certain characters actions are perhaps more complicated and nuanced than we previously thought.
I wouldn't necessarily consider this to be grimdark, but it is definitely quite a dark and dangerous world with some devastating consequences for our young protagonists.

A fantastic sequel, that adds layers of depth and detail to an already rich and intriguing world. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything comes together in the final book.

A Fabulous sequel to the wonder that was Ordinary Monsters,

This 2nd book in the trilogy brings back the cast we loved so much In the first book as the world of the Talents is built ever more by J M Miro.

Whilst I felt the pace was much slower this time around, I think it was necessary as Miro builds the atmosphere in this much darker sequel. The horror really is abundant this time as Miro cranks up the imagination with some new monsters and Devilishly twisted characters and locals.

It’s great escapism, I truly care for what’s happening and that’s where Miro really shines, in creating a world of characters that draw the reader in and genuinely cause a real stir of emotion.

Fantastic

Bringer of Dust is the haunting sequel to Ordinary Monsters and J. M. Miro’s best book yet. With new locations, new monsters and new, deadly challenges, it brilliantly expands the world that was set up in the first book.

After the destruction and losses suffered at the end of the previous book, Bringer of Dust begins with our characters in a dark place. Without Marlowe, Cairndale or the orsine, all hope seems lost. The only solution is to take on an even more daring and impossible task than before. This quest takes them on a trip around the world and introduces the reader to more creatures than ever before. I think that the choice to travel around the world was a great idea. Whilst it was sad to leave the gothic world of London, I enjoyed reading more about some of the morbid places in Sicily and Paris (especially because some of them are based on real places that you can visit, like the catacombs!).

As well as the incredible setting, I think that the way in which Miro writes and develops characters has also improved. Whilst I loved Charlie, Alice and Marlowe in Ordinary Monsters, I think that we see much more growth in this novel.

That being said, my only complaint is that the novel is still extremely long. It managed to keep my attention because there were so many strong plot points, but I wouldn’t be surprised if other readers lost interest in the story or characters at some point.

If you love a mix of fantasy and horror, like in books like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, you will love this series. We see the dark parts of the world but there is an underlying message of hope and love. And you have to admit that Miro’s writing style creates an incredible gothic atmosphere.

‘“The world of the talents is vaster and stranger than Cairndale ever was, Charlie,” she said grimly. “And you haven’t met the half of what’s in it, yet.”’
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One of my most anticipated books, the sequel to one of my favourites from last year, and the continuation of this story was just as magical and immersive as the beginning. Taking us on a darker turn though, this one takes us down more of a twisted, dark and almost horror route at times as we delve into the dark world of The Dreaming and experience new locations such as The Falls where things get VERY graphic
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I’m mainly a reader of mystery/thriller but sometimes a fantasy or a sci fi book can sneak up on me and refuse to let go, and this trilogy is proof of that, and I’m already scouring the internet for news on when the third will be released. The world building J.M. Miro has created is truly spectacular and fully immersive, it’s a world so like ours that you are forgiven for wondering if these things are actually happening in the shadows and Talents are wandering around hiding their skills
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A success all round and I couldn’t thank Bloomsbury more for the early review copy! This one is out 17th Sept 2024, so get your preorder in for this one whilst you give Ordinary Monsters a re read!! 📚

Many Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the digital review copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
J M Miro, you have done it again, this was a fantastic second instalment of the Talents trilogy, the world-building and plot is so immersive, it had me hooked from a few pages in. This book is so much darker than the first, filled with so much grief and anger, and while it also had the same characters as the first, we are also introduced to a few more, and while they added more dimension to the book, I think adding more backstory to side characters also increased the size of the book, which had it dragging in some places. I loved how Miro projected so much of the Innocence and naivety of Marlow compared to the other children of Cairndale and of the ex-talents of London, I just wanted to protect him myself.
Overall, I enjoyed this so much and can't wait for the final book in the series.

This was perfectly gothic and I devour it even with a slow start soon I realized what's going on I couldn't stop it and I'm happy that I did.. The first book Ordinary Creatures was great but this one was really amazing.. I can understand that some people didn't connect but if you like dark this is for you

I found this installment to be a slower start and took me a bit longer to get in to. However, once the story picked up, I really started to enjoy it. Reconnecting with the original characters and meeting new ones is always good, and being able to see their development. While the prose didn't flow as well as it did in the first book, making for a more challenging read in parts, I'm glad I persevered, as the last few chapters pulled the story together, making the book as a whole well worth the read. I'd read the conclusion.