The Risen City returns to Lantistyne amidst numerous challenging political battles. I appreciated the character guide to refresh my memory at the beginning of this book. You absolutely should read the first two books before picking up The Risen City. While I usually give a bit of a recap at the beginning of my reviews, I would recommend reading the official synopsis for a refresher. 

The Risen City is a delightful high fantasy read. There is a truly impressive ensemble cast in this book, as characters from every level in the nation are incorporated into the story. At times this was difficult to follow, as there were so many people to keep track of efficiently. The characters have come so far from book one and Steiger’s writing has grown as well. From the royals, the thieves, the guards, the exiles, the betrayed etc, readers will not struggle to find at least one character who they are interested in seeing through to the finale. There is subtle queer rep, though romance is not a focus in these books; which I honestly think makes sense. It would be too much to include into an already action-packed book! 

While there is still a good amount of telling not showing, Steiger navigates extremely tricky political situations and battles with ease. Her characters tend to be filled with honor, strict morals, and fighting for a cause that they are willing to risk it all for. This create compelling characters, sky-high stakes and tense politics. The Risen City is the perfect book for readers who seek complex writing that challenges them to unravel chaotic politics. I would recommend it for fans of Game of Thrones and Jenn Lyons. 

Thank you so much to Isabelle Steiger, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.