Review: The Archer at Dawn

The Archer at Dawn by Swati Teerdhala
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second installment in the Tiger at Midnight trilogy, The Archer at Dawn deepens the complexity of the relationship between Esha, a rebel fighter also known as Viper, and Kunal, her childhood friend, raised to become a military man for Jansa and its ruler Vardaan. Esha and Kunal found each other, and in spite of their differing political positions, are quickly falling in love. But just because a person was been your friend long ago in childhood doesn't mean you know really still know them, does it? Where do their respective loyalties lie? They still keep each other's secrets, Esha's being the Viper, Kunal's Samyad transformative abilities, but they each have their own agenda in their fight for Jansa.

As Jansa plans the Sun Mela celebration, Verdaan has invited opposing forces, including Harun, his nephew and Esha'sfriend and leader, to help celebrate. He also has planned a surprise- that he has custody of Harun's sister, Princess Reha, who is tied to the welfare of the Jansan land. He announces that she is attending and that he plans to broker a political marriage for her. But is it even really Reha? And in fact, is Verdaan himself the man we think he is? Are the Crescent Blades in the right, or is their rival resistance group, the Scales of Justice closer to the mark? In fact, is anything and anyone really who them seem to be? Esha and Kunal have their loyalties tested by their allies, friends, loved ones, and most surprisingly, by their enemies. This YA novel of political intrigue takes the trope of boy meets girl and they fall unquestioningly in love and turns it on end. An emerging love triangle wasn't all that welcome but did serve to emphasize that it's hard to know someone and their inner world, even if you care for them deeply. And that unease can shatter faith all too easily.

The audiobook is narrated by the divine Sneha Mathan.

I received a Digital Review Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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