Fool’s Promise is a brilliant sequel that not only lives up to the high expectations set by the Fortune’s Fool but surpasses them in many ways. The story picks up some time after where the previous installment left off, and gets more complex, more twisted, and more thrilling.
Now, if you’ve been reading my reviews, you probably know I tend to avoid longer books (over 450 pages). I make an exception for a few authors, and Angela Boord is one of them—and for good reason. I love how she writes complex characters, how tightly she plots her stories, and how deeply she explores politics and relationships.
Fool’s Promise deepens the already complex plot and expands the world by following current events through multiple points of view. It also shows its history through Arsenault’s chapters, which are set in the past and in various locations. Arsenault has lived long enough to experience the world and its brutal ways, and this perspective adds nuance to the story and kept me at the edge of the seat.
This sequel is probably more Arsenault’s story than Kyrra’s, and I’m happy with it - his history is as fascinating as it is bleak. Of course, Kyrra still gets (and steals) some of the spotlight, since their relationship is central to the plot. However, a significant portion of the story takes place in the past, and allows readers to understand what led Arsenault to these lands and just how much the gods hate him.
Angela Boord writes some of the best characters in modern fantasy. Here, these characters—already well-developed—continue to grow and evolve, and face challenges that test their limits. Lobardin, Mikelo, and even Cassis have excellent chapters, and secondary (or non-POV) characters feel perfectly three-dimensional. You’ll also get to know intriguing characters like Job Barra better and witness how wild the magic can be in the Eterean Empire.
What makes Fool’s Promise truly great is its ability to balance deeply personal stakes with dark and epic political fantasy. In my experience, very few books achieve this balance—some focus too much on relationships, others on politics, while still others obsess excessively on world-building. Angela Boord has nailed the balance (for me), and I loved it.
It has all I’m looking for - a gripping plot, complex characters, personal stakes and rich world-building that’s not boring but essential to the plot. It introduces new storylines and twists that keep the narrative fresh and exciting. The pacing is tight, though it’ll feel too slow to more action-oriented readers.
In short, Fool’s Promise is a sequel that not only meets the high bar set by the Fortune’s Fool but raises it. If you loved the first book, this sequel is a must-read.
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