Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat
I had high expectations for Dark Heir after thoroughly enjoying Dark Rise, and I was interested to see how the next book in the series would develop the complexity of its characters. Instantly, I was enraptured by a sequel where the world that C.S. Pacat had set up came alive, and finally, some mysteries of the ‘old world’ were revealed. This, combined with characters whose love and hatred for each other was as infuriating as it was heartbreaking, made for a really enjoyable read.
Initially limited to London and its surroundings, the scope of the threat our heroes face has expanded to encompass the entire world, with a focal point in Italy. This was a welcome change from the very limited landscape of the first book and really added to the feeling that the situation is overwhelming and that these teenagers, facing it, are not going to make the right decisions. What I really like about this is that despite any misgivings you may have about their actions, it feels unfair to judge them for their mistakes, and the arbitrariness of what is good, and evil is further highlighted.
I was also very invested in the story of the ancient past told through Will’s flashbacks to his previous life, and each scene is written so beautifully. Both of these elements worked well with the exploration of the characters' queerness, as their sexuality was made complex and did not fit into easily understood categories. By the end of the book, I was left questioning everything I thought I knew about Will.
For those who enjoyed the first book or are considering whether to start this series, you can be assured that Dark Heir is a great sequel, and I am now waiting impatiently for the third instalment.
Blake
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