The Jaguar Path by Anna Stephens

The Empire of Songs reigns supreme. Across all the lands of Ixachipan, its hypnotic, magical music sounds. Those who battled against the Empire have been enslaved and dispersed, taken far from their friends and their homes.

In the Singing City, Xessa must fight for the entertainment of her captors. Lilla and thousands of warriors are trained to serve as weapons for their enemies. And Tayan is trapped at the heart of the Empire’s power and magic, where the ruthless Enet’s ambition is ever growing.

Each of them harbours a secret hope, waiting for a chance to strike at the Empire from within.

But first they must overcome their own desires. Power can seduce as well as crush. And, in exchange for their loyalty, the Empire promises much.

GENRE: Epic Fantasy

PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anna Stephens is a UK-based writer of epic, gritty fantasy. She's the author of the Godblind trilogy; The Stone Knife, the first book in the Songs of the Drowned trilogy; The Serpent and the Dead, a Marvel Comics tie-in novel; Gothghul Hollow, a Warhammer Horror novel, and various novellas and short stories.

Anna Stephens is her maiden name and pen name, or as she likes to think of it, her superhero disguise. "Anna Stephens is to me what Black Widow is to Natasha Romanova," she's said.

Her writing desk is covered with minions, Doctor Who memorabilia, Wonder Woman and Star Wars figures. Also a dragon she bought for a pound. And the (empty) miniature bottle of champagne her husband bought her the day she got the phone call from her agent telling her he loved Godblind and offering to represent her and being the catalyst for the weirdest year of her life.

Review

I knew I'd be missing out by deciding to read this first before book one, but I was so intrigued by the blurb and the gorgeous cover that I just HAD to pick this up. Naturally it took me a few chapters to find my footing and get used to all the names and terms and lore, but holy, it was beautiful. It's such a rich world filled with magic and political intrigue, with complex characters that you just can't help getting invested in or attached to in some way. Those two points are the book's real strengths, imo, and the character development is particularly solid. Though if you're looking for something more action-packed, you might be disappointed.

This book is gritty and heartbreaking, definitely on brand with Anna's works. I'm excited for book three, but first I have to get a copy of book one and just torture myself all over again. I'm sure I've missed moments that would've hit me had I read the first book already, but hey, I enjoyed this read despite that 🤪

Here is the blurb for book 1, The Stone Knife, for those who want to check it out:

For generations, the forests of Ixachipan have echoed with the clash of weapons, as nation after nation has fallen to the Empire of Songs – and to the unending, magical music that binds its people together. Now, only two free tribes remain.

The Empire is not their only enemy. Monstrous, scaled predators lurk in rivers and streams, with a deadly music of their own.

As battle looms, fighters on both sides must decide how far they will go for their beliefs and for the ones they love – a veteran general seeks peace through war, a warrior and a shaman set out to understand their enemies, and an ambitious noble tries to bend ancient magic to her will.