Asakiyume mita

Let the Torrent Dance Thee Down follows immediately on the harrowing saga of the Norsunder war. It has two parts. The first, Bridges, looks at the aftermath of the war for the various kings, queens, and assorted others we've come to know--characters whom we've seen grow up and who are still feeling out who they now are. Some have overcome terrible pasts or crippling self images; others are still in the process. Some can't grow past old injuries; others are learning to.

The second half, Torrent, focuses in tightly on one kingdom and royal family and looks at what happens when the queen is forced to make a terrible decision. It's a highly melodramatic situation, and Sherwood explores all the personal, political, emotional, and moral ramifications. Big trigger warning for the topic of sexual coercion, but as I said in my Goodreads review of an ARC, there’s nothing prurient about any of it; most of the intensity is emotional/psychological and comes from how the character navigates the stark choices she’s presented with, and how she feels. It's painful reading at times, but Sherwood is so compassionate in her portrayal of people with all their warts and strivings and occasional moments of grace, it's worth it.

As with most of Sherwood's Sartorias-deles books, I think this one is much more enjoyable if you're familiar with the world and the characters.