I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Hollow Heart by Marie Rutkoski Series: Forgotten Gods #2
Published by Hodder & Stoughton on September 9, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: E-Arc
Source: Netgalley
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Intrigue, romance, and magic abound in the heart-stopping conclusion to Marie Rutkoski’s Forgotten Gods duology.
At the end of The Midnight Lie, Nirrim offered up her heart to the God of Thieves in order to restore her people’s memories of their city’s history. The Half Kith who once lived imprisoned behind the city’s wall now realize that many among them are powerful. Meanwhile, the person Nirrim once loved most, Sid, has returned to her home country of Herran, where she must navigate the politics of being a rogue princess who has finally agreed to do her duty.
In the Herrani court, rumors begin to grow of a new threat rising across the sea, of magic unleashed on the world, and of a cruel, black-haired queen who can push false memories into your mind, so that you believe your dearest friends to be your enemies.
Sid doesn’t know that this queen is Nirrim, who seeks her revenge against a world that has wronged her. Can Sid save Nirrim from herself? Does Nirrim even want to be saved? As blood is shed and war begins, Sid and Nirrim find that it might not matter what they want…for the gods have their own plans.
The Hollow Heart is the stunning sequel to The Midnight Lie and the final book in this duology. I was eager to see how Nirrim’s decision would play out. How Sid would react. And then, finally, how they would come together, because last book they were done.
I have to admit, after the epic levels of the Midnight Lie, I did not love this book that much. And I was a bit disappointed with how quickly we got to the conclusion. For me, I think that I had hyped this book up so much, that I was always going to be a little disappointed. But I did still really enjoy this book and may have devoured in one sitting.
The chapters were split between Nirrim and Sid. Nirrim, I did grow to hate. I disliked her power hungry side and didn’t feel that it was fully down to the bargain that she had struck. Whereas Sid was much more interesting. I think this is partly down to the mystery surrounding her being resolved. But probably because we got too met Kestrel and Arrin again. I enjoyed their side plot so much so that it did distract me from the main story, which was probably the point!
The reveal at the end was amazing and to have an understanding of the wider world was incredible. But I did feel that I was left with more questions than answers. I am hoping that The Hollow Heart is a gateway to other series set within this world and that we get to discover more about the gods. I think that would be great.
Overall, while this was a fun read, it didn’t quite hit right with me, but one I will definitely read again.
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