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Empire of Night: Age of Legends #2    by Kelley Armstrong Amazon.com order for
Empire of Night
by Kelley Armstrong
Order:  USA  Can
HarperCollins, 2015 (2015)
Hardcover, CD, e-Book
* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Empire of Night follows Sea of Shadows as the second in Kelley Armstrong's Age of Legends YA horror/fantasy series. The leads are twin sisters Moria and Ashyn, selected and trained to fill the roles of Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Ashyn has as companion a giant yellow hound, Tova, while Moria has wildcat Daigo by her side.

The story develops with overlapping love triangles. Ronan was exiled to the Forest of the Dead, but survived and later helped Ashyn against shadow stalkers. Moria has always fought with Gavril Kitsune, son of the disgraced former Marshall of the kingdom, but he defended her after their village was destroyed and its children stolen. Both pairs headed to the imperial city to seek the Emperor's help to recover the children. There, Moria learned that Gavril was working for his father Alvar who was responsible for unleashing horrors on their world. And she became close to prince Tyrus, the emperor's bastard son (and a close friend of Gavril's).

As this second episode opens, Moria is tired of court life and impatient for action. She gets into trouble repeatedly. Then the emperor sends Moria and Tyrus as envoys to Alvar Kitsune. Ashyn accompanies them as does scholar Simeon. They encounter further horrors and carnage on their journey, but find no children. And Alvar Kitsune continues to grow his army of the dead. The saga carries on with action, surprises and betrayals at every turn, mainly involving Moria this time. She is captured by the enemy and meets Gavril again - but he does his father's bidding. Meanwhile Tyrus is branded a traitor and Ashyn meets 'true family'.

This second episode ends on a cliffhanger. Though at times meandering and overly convoluted, it's an intriguing series and I look forward to more of the Keeper and Seeker's adventures.

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