A Day of Fallen Night: A Roots of Chaos Novel (The Roots of Chaos)

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The three main female characters were all equally adorable, admirable, and deserving of a central role. All very different but it was how their lives became entwined was the main appeal for this book even though their story, independent of each other, was unique, eventful, but also powerful. Haunted by rumors about his origins, Wulf struggles with self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness, especially after enduring tragic losses, including the death of King Bardholt and most of his people. Believing himself cursed, he withdraws from others, fearing he might hurt them too. It’s only when Tuva and Canthe find him that he learns the truth about his past. He realizes he was not abandoned but stolen, freeing him from the burden of feeling unwanted. It should be no surprise that in a world led by women, this novel is largely about mothers and daughters: How the burdens of one can be inherited by the other. These women are born into duty, some known, some unknown, and they have to face their responsibilities while struggling through terrible events. They have to cope with positions they don’t want, marriages they would rather not agree to, the heavy weight of parental and societal expectation, and the fear of never living up to those same expectations. In their own unique way, each woman has to choose whether to rise and meet the demands put on them, deciding if they will bravely seize their fate and destiny with no guarantee that they’ll succeed or survive. Here, Shannon explores the most important storyline of them all. Here, Shannon (with her passion for women in history blazing brighter than any flame) explores monarchy through the lens of what women in monarchies were forced to endure and provide to continue these bloodlines. Here, Shannon is at her best. I don’t want this review to sound lukewarm because there were many instances where I was completely hooked and stayed up late to read it. It’s just hard to live up to the expectations set by the first book.

Characters in LGBTQIA+ relationships live without judgment or consequence. The realms in the story, especially Inys, feature matriarchal lines of rule, adding depth to the world-building. Dumai and Furtia seek answers about the rising wyrms, traveling to the Empire of the Twelve Lakes. They meet an alchemist who suggests a balance disruption causing the wyrm surge. Dumai faces the golden wyrm and follows the advice of the alchemist to find an astronomer for answers. In the South, Siyu runs away after learning of her lover’s murder. Tuva and Canthe follow her to Carmentum, witnessing its destruction by a massive wyrm. Canthe reveals she knows Tuva’s lost son is in Inys, adding to the mystery.Within the confines of the Priory of the Orange Tree, the family unit of Esbar and Tuva flourishes. Esbar and Tuva, devoted life partners, have children with their friends within the Priory community. While Tuva’s child, Armul, also known as Wulf, is believed to be deceased, Tuva and Esbar lovingly raise Siyu together. At its core, A Day of Fallen Night is a story about mothers and daughters, and that visceral, unbreakable connection. It’s a theme that resonates throughout the story’s disparate narratives, in multiple tiny ways, in storylines that will break your heart. It’s intergenerational, multiple POV, and stunning in a way that is still intimate, emotional and accessible. Samantha Shannon has truly outdone herself with her second book in the Roots of Chaos series. I can’t wait to read what is yet to come. After five centuries of waiting, we are the generation who will not only exalt the Mother, but do as she did,’ Esbar declared. ‘Ready yourselves. From today, we are at war.’ The three lead protagonists represent each major region of the world—East, West, and South—which have very different religions, political structures, and cultures. In the East, the mountain-dwelling Dumai trains as a godsinger, establishing a connection between humankind and the dragons that her society worships. In the West, Glorian is the young heir to the queendom of Inys who struggles with her royal calling. In the South, Tunuva is a warrior from the mysterious Priory of the Orange Tree, a religious organization who follow the Mother and are committed to defeating the Nameless One, an enormous fire-breathing dragon. I’m not a warrior,’ Glorian said. Her throat ached. ‘I want to be, Father. I want to be like you.’ The cast of his jaw softened. ‘But a warrior possesses her own body. Inys has mine.’”

A queen should learn the ways of watching. Like a falcon, she waits for her moment to strike. She also knows when she need not strike at all – when her shadow, her presence, is more than enough.” Shannon’s 8,000-word “etymology document” continues to grow with each new character. Naming takes time: it’s a “fiddly procedure” trying to find “words that fit together naturally” and reflect, in some way, the traits of the character in question. The names are then run by a speaker of the modern form of the language. “I have dodged a few bullets,” Shannon laughs, as she tells me that a name which meant “softness” in the older form of the language now translates as “meat”. This enchanting world of dragons, diverse relationships, and intricate political landscapes invites readers into a realm of imagination and reflection. n this family, love knows no boundaries, defying societal expectations of what constitutes a normative family structure. Despite these differences, their profound affection and unwavering support form the foundation of a complete and thriving family. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes QuotesWe trek the furthest in Wulf's perspective, seeing corners of the world we had not dared venture before. As I mentioned with the Republic of Carmentum, Hróth is another land we have not seen before, and (as a person who loves cold, icy lands) I treasured every moment inside of it. Hróth provided many unique obstacles and difficult terrain. It was a brilliant choice to establish so many varying geographies and cultures so that we could see how similar things affected each land differently and in which ways the lands each chose to combat them.