The Red Veld continues the Heartstone series shortly after the events of book one, the Drowned Tower. This novel starts slowly with the story switching between multiple characters but the gradual pace of events proves to be well worth enduring as Rinth ramps up the tension and action towards the middle. The ending made me ache for the next Heartstone book. Jack and Sylvie have a dynamic relationship that's a lot of fun to read and their slow-burn romantic tension will leave readers happily unsated as Rinth includes just enough tenderness between these two strong-willed practitioners to leave you wanting more. A thriving black market slave trade adds a darker edge to this epic fantasy and introduces interesting thematic questions. Despite the slow beginning, The Red Veld is a solid follow up to The Drowned Tower, with an abundance of tension and intrigue to carry through to the next instalment of the Heartstone series.
Read my review of The Drowned Tower
Reviewed for Reader's Favorite