Review – The Long-Forgotten Winter King (Guild Codex: Unveiled, Book 2) by Annette Marie (4.5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 282 pages
Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy
Release Date: January 14, 2022
ASIN: B09FS8X9F4
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Guild Codex: Unveiled series
Source: Borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
“Everyone is keeping secrets.
Zak won’t reveal what really happened between us ten years ago. Ríkr’s been hiding so much I scarcely recognize him anymore. But the biggest secret belongs to my parents, and it’s the one I’m most desperate to unravel.
Finding out who they really were, and who I am, means solving their eighteen-year-old murders. For reasons unknown, Zak decides to join me—and that makes me nervous, especially when the trail leads us into the most dangerous fae territory in the lower mainland.
The questions keep piling up, but as I realize too late, my parents’ killer is no mystery. He’s been lying in wait all along.
But not for me.
I’ve led Zak and Ríkr into a hell with no escape, and I need more than answers now. I need power—because without it, none of us will make it out alive.”
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Guild Codex: Unveiled series. This is part of the Guild Codex world and the story here shares the same timeline as the Guild Codex: Warped series. I borrowed this book through Kindle Unlimited.
Thoughts: I didn’t love this as much as the first book in this series but it was still very good. Saber is trying to cope with all the secrets about Rikr and is upset at everything he’s been hiding from her. Meanwhile, she decides she needs to delve into the secrets her parents left behind in order to solve the mystery of her own druidic powers.
This had a lot of very good reveals and character background. I loved learning about Saber’s parents and really enjoyed the inclusion of all the fae in here. We also continue to learn a lot about Zak’s past. I am curious to see more revealed about the Lady of Shadows Zak carries with him in the next book.
There is a lot of well done action and things move at a good clip. I continue to find Marie’s writing style very easy to read and enjoy the fast pace. I am struggling to pinpoint why I didn’t love this book as much as the first one; maybe it just felt like the characters were treading water at points and the plot wasn’t making much progress. Well, it was still very good.
My Summary (4.5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this next book in the Guild Codex: Unveiled series. I loved learning more about Saber and Zak and really enjoyed all the druidic magic and fae in here as well. Marie always writes quality books that are entertaining and effortless to read and this book follows in that same trend. Would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of fast-paced urban fantasy!
