The Dark Mountain by Yona Katz

Raising the stakes on the first installment of The Rise of Penumbra series, The Dark Mountain by Yona Katz is a fantasy novel full of dark mystery, magic, and romance, rewarding readers with its wonderfully creative premise and precise attention to detailed world-building.

Kadmiel is only 21, but he holds the highest position at the Dark Mountain under the leadership of powerful and secretive Hosheh, a Star exiled from his reign in the sky. Kadmiel acts as a right-hand man as they work incessantly to build an army able to challenge the Valley of Stars and wage a war against those who cast Hosheh away. Despite his absolute loyalty to his master, Kadmiel’s mind is not at ease – what secrets is Hosheh hiding, and why exactly did he get thrown out of the Valley of Stars? Kadmiel teams up with Naomi, a Star who collaborates from her place in the sky, but their curiosity could have terrible consequences…

Where the first book in the series had to rely on initial world-building to establish this vast mythological landscape, Book 2 gets right to the story and moves along at a clearer pace. With its unique flip in perspective from the first book, the narrative expands on many of the same themes as the first installment, where love, friendship, hope, and compassion are explored against a backdrop of diplomatic maneuvering, which feels at once fantastical and allegorical.

Populated by intriguingly complex but relatable characters, The Dark Mountain is a sensational sequel that will leave readers eager for the next step in the series.