[MPOV] Birth of Resilience (The Alliance #2)

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads rating: 4.47/5
Published: September 21st, 2023
Author: Stefanie Chu
Genre: Sci-fi fantasy, romance, epic fiction, young adult

Betrayal strikes deep in bonds forged in friendship and loyalty.

 

Five years after the Knights unified the empires, rebels rise from the ashes of the Althaean Siege, and Mirari and Gaven are thrust into a world of treachery and uncertainty. Gaven will stop at nothing until all members of the Blessed are captured. However, when Mirari discovers the truth about the Blessed, she is torn between her duty as Gaven’s partner and her desire to help the oppressed. Suspicion and secrets swirl, and as the weight of past regrets consumes Gaven, Mirari is forced to make heart-wrenching decisions that will forever alter her destiny.

Their loyalties are tested, bonds on the brink of shattering — will they find resilience in the face of haunting echoes, or succumb to the encroaching shadows?

I've totally enjoyed this, now knowing the past - how they have met - and eventually what happened that led to their fallout. I'm glad to have read this copy, thanks to the author!

Birth of Resilience is book 2 of The Alliance series. It's a continuation from where the Knights left off in book 1. There are more backstory and understanding of how they came to be. More of Mirari's past on how she was orphaned, how she met Salathiel and Gaven, eventually realizing her own strength and power. Her awesome journey from being a noble born and giving it all up to be a nobody, learning the ropes to survive until Salathiel went missing. Among others, there's also an insight on Mecate and Shiba's relationship which was definitely eye-opening and all. So many gaps answered in this novel!

Book 2 has more action, it's packed with loads of fighting going around with more insights of the Blessed, the Defiant and how Althaean Siege began. I began to understand more of what's going on and enjoyed the light banter/ communication/ disagreement amongst the Alliance. The Empires of Althaea, Minetta and Valenia sort of relates to the current political turmoil as in trying their best to stay neutral as one and yet trying to be the ONE to conquer the world.

Stefanie does know how to tweak and tell the story in her own signature, bringing about the new Empire in her own way. Though with many plots, it's easy to read and I didn't get lost in all those magic and war! I have so enjoyed it from the start until the end. It is so sad that it has to end that way. I sure hope more would be revealed and the conclusion would be one in my favour. I can't wait to delve into the last of the trilogy!