This is everything I didn’t know I needed from the sequel. Ren, ruthless as ever, remains one of my favorite “angry-girls-with-a-sword” in fantasy. I love Ren so much -- she's my biracial hero, the one I need *right now* *all the time.* I felt every one of her identity struggles in my soul. 

 

A decade passes between book and Ren sinks deeper into the hole she dug in Yomi, determined to do anything to get Neven back. I didn’t expect to find her in such a dark place, but then again, however ruthless she is with the world, she is even more ruthless with herself. Even as a goddess Ren is scraping for every ounce of respect, carving out a space for herself in a world that won’t give it to her. When an old enemy resurfaces, Ren has no choice but to once again set out on an “army of one” style mission to defend herself and get what she wants. 

 

I really loved all of Ren’s growth, how she has to reconcile so much of her past in order to finally get out from under it. She still needs to learn how to feel more secure in her own skin — even though she taken what she deserves, people still only see her as an outsider. And watching her struggle with that from a position of power was fascinating. 

 

Empress of Time is just as dark and atmospheric as Keeper of Night, diving deeper to the corners of Yomi as Ren wrestles with her ghosts.