Torchfire by Moira Buffini

Blurb:

The second book in the acclaimed Torch Trilogy, set in a future dystopia with star-crossed lovers, impossible friendships, and forbidden power.

Welcome to a world where songlight is either your greatest power—or your greatest curse.

Lark has fled Northaven with her mother and is urgently seeking a safe haven. Nightingale is being held captive and forced to use her songlight against her own people.

Piper has been promoted up the ranks, where nothing but bloodshed is demanded of him. Rye has stumbled across an incredible airship, the likes of which has never been seen before. . . .

All four are united by their desire for peace. But peace between feels more fragile than ever.

In this sequel to the brilliant and acclaimed Songlight, Lark and Nightingale see the glimmers of hope for a world in which they can live freely—but at what cost?

Torchfire is perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and Adrienne Young.

Review:

“Without justice, there is only violence. And violence will be met with violence. I am going to force change. But Gala, I’m afraid.”

I am here once again to scream about this series!! A book 2 that DELIVERS and also shows off more worldbuilding, beautiful character arc’s and progresses the plot!??  I’m absolutely wrecked, in the best way. The dystopian is dystopian-ing, the love triangle is triangle-ing, and I am screaming.

Thank you so much Harper Voyager for letting me read this ARC.  I recently convinced my brother-in-law to pick up the first and got to relive it through all his reaction (he LOVED it too!)  But I was so ready to jump into book 2, I simply could not wait!  It showed up on NetGalley like 3 days later and I immediately requested it!

The ending was PERFECTION.  I was shedding quiet happy tears. It left plenty of room for book 3, but also gave me, the reader a single note of hope, like I said, perfection!

“Elsa keeps me going. Elsa—and vengeance.”

First of all, lets touch on the fact that the introductory chapter managed to give us a little recap of the last book.  I’m a huge fan of that!  Also, we have a completely new POV character!  She doesn’t know any of the characters yet and we haven’t been introduced to her people yet.  But the addition of Petra really allows the current comparisons to shine while bringing a new light to shine on their own difficulties and discriminations. The contrast of a society that fears songlight, one that elevates songlight, and one that allows all of them to be equals was magically done!

Elsa – I really like Elsa as a main character. She doesn’t upset me.  Seeing the world through her eyes and seeing her pain has made her so sympathetic to me.  I enjoy that she is driven by love, the mantra last book was “save Rye” this time it was “stay alive, save Ma.” Always looking out for her family, and not too quick to forgive.

Rye – bless his heart, has had a rough time, and his emotional story really carried the first bit of the book for me.  He learns to trust, and we watch him grow.  I think his character was written really well for this book, and I always looked forward to his chapters.

Nightingale – is stuck, she’s been stuck, but somehow, she has turned this into a weapon. She has put herself in a place where she can be the best spy and can help those she loves.  While she is never forced into a marriage, she is the character in this book that gives the Handmaid’s tale vibes, where it was Elsa in the first book.

Piper – my dear, how I hated you before, and how you have managed to give me some of my favorite parts of this book is astounding.  A credit to the writer because this character was spectacular.

“Sometimes love escapes us and we can’t hold it back. You mustn’t blame yourself.”

Now, I LOVE a triangle.  This was messy, so messy it was so fun.  Maximum heartbreak all around.  I love pain, I don’t know what to say, but I was kicking my feet and then tearing my hair out, but in the best way? I loved the tension.  I loved the yearning, I loved the sacrifices and the fighting for the best world to live in. I loved the boys not being afraid to show emotions. And I loved the girls being the strongest ones in the room and having a set of girls that aren’t against each other, but rather all have someone else’s back.

One of my favorite things about dystopian books is how they address technology.  And how did they address why and when it was removed, and what they thought would happen without it.  WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED HERE!

“There’s a word for my uncontrollable songlight: Torchfire.”

This will be one of my favorite dystopian series, I love this like I love Hunger Games.  I think any issues I may have had with book one were adjusted in book 2 and I was so happy with it!  I loved having the chance to read this early!

Would I reread? Absolutely yes, I LOVED the audiobook for the first, and will def pick that up when it  comes out!

Would I recommend? Yes, this upper YA dystopian fantasy romance hits all the notes you want to see! 

Torchfire is out October 28th, be sure to read Songlight first!

Recommended for fans of Hunger Games, The Handmaids Tale, and the Silo series Wool!