I’d like to share my gratitude to NetGalley, Angry Robot and Jo Riccioni for an Advanced Reader Copy of The Rising. In exchange I will leave my honest review.

The Rising continues immediately after the events of the first book, The Branded. As there is not much of an extended recap of the events in this book, I suggest readers read the first book before starting this one. With that being said, I truly enjoyed how Jo continues the story rather than explaining what happened in the first book. It pushes the story further. As a duology, it is one that must be read together.

Much like the first book, the world building of the second really encapsulates the world and it was interesting to see a different part of this world. We get to experience the ripple effect and aftermath of The Brume and how it encourages change in another part of the world. Jo also goes into such detail with the descriptions of the tribes and cultures and gets the reader thinking. I was in such awe while learning the different cultures and how they perceive life and their way of living. I really want to commend the author for writing in such a way that transports the reader into the world, without leaving us with questions.

The characters are also well multifaceted, which did not leave me bored at all. They are all interesting in their own way and it was nice to see the development between some. I love how Jo fully expresses the emotions of her characters and lets the reader experience empathy. I felt their frustrations and when things didn't turn out the way they expected or wanted.

I am a stickler for the pacing of any written text, and did feel like it was fast paced, which could work if there is a third book coming out but in this instance I was sad to see it end too soon. There is a clear beginning, middle and end and the climax took me aback and the twists and turns were an interesting surprise.

With that being said, I really did enjoy this novel. Agin, I just wish there would be room for a third book to make it a trilogy. I think many people will enjoy The Branded Duology. I will keep an eye out for any other works by Jo Riccioni.

Jo Riccioni’s The Rising, the concluding novel of The Branded Season duology, plunges readers back into a world divided by a rigid class system between the “branded” and the “pure.” This stark disparity forms the backbone of the story’s tension, painting a vivid picture of cultural divides that ripple across the lands. The novel ultimately reveals a profound message: what may seem like weaknesses can become the greatest sources of strength, and through perseverance and faith, unity is possible.

The story begins immediately after the cliffhanger of the first book, thrusting readers into a whirlwind of revelations and challenges. While the narrative initially feels as though it’s heading in a predictable direction, Riccioni masterfully introduces twists that deepen the lore and history of this fractured world. Secrets emerge, altering the course of the story and enriching its themes of resilience and redemption.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Rising is its exploration of the evolving relationship between Osha and Nara. In the first book, Osha’s protection seemed paramount, with the bond between the sisters framed as one of savior and protector. Yet, the sequel masterfully subverts this dynamic. Both sisters find themselves on distinct paths, and it is through their individual struggles and hardships that they emerge as true heroines. Together, they are a formidable force, but their separate journeys—marked by pain, growth, and triumph—are equally essential to their development.

Nara’s internal struggle is particularly captivating. Her journey to channel her abilities, reconcile her past, and carve out a new place in the world is a testament to her resilience. Riccioni’s portrayal of female strength shines here, not only in Nara but in the supporting characters as well. These women endure suffering, uncertainty, and sacrifice, yet they push forward, embodying the novel’s core message: unity and understanding are more powerful than division.

At its heart, The Rising is a story about rising above societal divides. The branded and the pure are pitted against each other, their differences creating rifts that threaten to consume their world. Yet, the storm that brews throughout the novel is not merely one of conflict but also of transformation. It’s a call to find common ground, to see strength in diversity, and to strive for a future built on acceptance and mutual sacrifice for the greater good.

In conclusion, Jo Riccioni delivers a powerful, thought-provoking finale to The Branded Season. By weaving themes of perseverance, faith, and unity into a richly imagined world, she leaves readers with a story that resonates long after the final page. The Rising is more than just a tale of heroism; it’s a reminder that even in the face of division, humanity’s greatest strength lies in coming together.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy; All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nara and Osha learn to harness their individual powers to fight for the people they love the most, and to change a society that only values the Pure and looks down on the Brands as inferior and dispensable. Nara and Osha may have escaped the Citadel in Isfalk, survived the bleak wastelands and the suffering she endured, the harsh brutality of Orlathon but they have yet to face their greatest challenge and it begins in Reiss, the homeland of the Wrangler.
Though on the surface Reiss seems to be a city of freedom and equality between Pures and Brands, under the surface a woman called Phibia is plotting and manipulating the ruler of Reiss, Haxim the father of the Wrangler/Nixim. There is the Reiss prophecy that “one pure woman with magical powers to cure the branded and bring peace and happiness to the world. “The Elita” Phibia is the leader of the High Seer Circle and it will be her that will test the pregnant Osha to see if she is the long-awaited Elita. Naturally Nara is worried for her sister, with her promise to Amma to always take care of Osha she cannot hold back and intervenes at the testing. It is then Phibia realises that Nara is a Tathar like herself, but she dismisses both sisters, in particular Nara as she is a brand saying they are both weak.

Nothing is straight forward for Nara, she has so much weighing on her mind and heart such as the rather cryptic prophecy/warning that Frenka the blood wife gave her "Be careful of the boy. He is a good soul born of bad." Along with the advice to be wary of relying on the visions she sees, telling all may not be as it seems and that things can happen to change these visions. She has to learn to master her sway as it will be an essential weapon in the battles that are on the horizon. Nara worries about her pregnant sister, Osha as she battles the uncertainty of who the father of the child she is carrying is. Is it the love of her life her lyfhort, Haus or is the pregnancy a result of her assaults at the hands of Orlath. Only time will tell. Then there’s the question of whether the baby will be born pure or brand and how healthy it will be. There are also the complications of the love triangle she finds herself in with Brim who sees her as a fec, but then professes his love for her, and Nixim whom she still doesn’t fully trust and that situation is only exacerbated by the fact he has the complication of a betrothed called Hira, the daughter of Phibia. Nixim also seems to have the knack of disappearing when she feels she most needs him!
Nara also has the mystery of who her parents were and why they were left in Fornwood with Amma before being sent to Isfalk. What do the pendants that she and Osha wear mean?

Nara has a lot on her plate even before the fighting starts and wow there are some great battle scenes in this book!
The Rising has amazing multi-layered characters, not just the main ones of Nara, Osha, Haus, Nixim and Brim but some of the others such as the usually drunken Maw who teaches Annek to fight, to defend herself after the trauma she experienced in Orlathon at the hands of Orlath and his men. Azza, the principled, straight-talking sister of Nixim who is also a Tathar but chooses to hide her gift and uses it only when necessary. I admired the way she used her gift only when necessary unlike others who use it for nefarious purposes, such as Phibia and Inness, she also helped Nara with her own Tathar powers too.
There’s lots of laugh out loud banter between the different characters, Maw, Dalla & Annek have a funny camaraderie and of course Nixim and Nara take the banter to another level, all whilst there’s the subtle simmering feelings of love they each hide from each other.
I loved the way Nara saw a different softer side to Nixim when he was around his sisters Azza and Sadiq. He was no longer the “wrangler” he was “Nixim”. In the same way that Nara could be two different people the “scourge” and then the softer side being “Nara”.
I of course adored the character of Nixim, but I also loved Haus, the quiet yet deadly lyfhort of Osha. Even when there is doubt over the parentage of the baby Osha is carrying he stays by her side, when she will allow him and hovers in the shadows when she will not allow him by her side!

I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic, detailed world building with so much rich history to the different tribes & settlements, their cultures, traditions, languages, ways of living
all wrapped up in an amazing, written plot with such varied emotive scenes from harsh battles, to beautiful heart wrenching betrayals, laugh out loud banter between certain characters and watching at first tentative feelings, that grow into fierce love between the characters that on the surface are so very different, yet are perfect for each other.
At times, it has very emotional and poignant scenes!

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were Wow! Just wow! Then I felt immediately sad that it had ended!

Summing up, The Rising has it all going on, action, drama, angst, betrayal and some simmering romance too! I loved the characters, the prophecies & visions that were twisted and sometimes turned on their heads. I enjoyed the way Nara sometimes interpreted them incorrectly as she was honing her talents. I felt like I felt Nara's heartbreak when the reality of Frenka's warning of "Be careful of the boy. He is a good soul born of bad"