Young Bali has found the ancient sword of legendary Mali Mani, and the Rook men are hunting for the sword in the depths of the dark forest. Bali meets an unexpected ally, who is not all he appears to be. Dodging the fearsome beasts of the forest, and hiding from the Rooks, Bali is unsure who he can trust, but learns to trust his own judgement and the light of the sword.

I loved this 2nd volume, because Bali is adorable, and because the story is full of magic, action, and mystery. The plot really gets moving in this volume with new characters and a deeper look into the world-building.

The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and once again I was entranced by the elaborate designs carved into every stone and tree. It reflects the rich history of this world, to see the etchings of an ancient civilization in every corner of the forest. It lends a depth of meaning to every turning of Bali's adventure, since there are echoes from the legends of the past surrounding the sword.

Little Bali has the most amazing luck I have ever seen, as he accidentally trips and falls into.... safety. He is constantly at the edge of danger, and barely manages to escape or hide at the last second. Perhaps it is the protection of the sword, or perhaps Bali is simple fortunate with the blessedness of a child. Either way, the action kept me on the edge of my seat.

Can't wait to read more from this series!