In the sequel to the acclaimed Beasts Made of Night, Taj has escaped Kos, but Queen Karima will go to any means necessary–including using the most deadly magic–to track him down.
Taj is headed west, but the consequences of leaving Kos behind confront him at every turn. Innocent civilians flee to refugee camps as Karima’s dark magic continues to descend on the city. Taj must return, but first he needs a plan.
With Arzu’s help, Taj and Aliya make it to the village of her ancestors, home of the tastahlik–sin-eaters with Taj’s same ability to both battle and call forth sins. As Taj comes to terms with his new magic, he realizes there are two very different groups of tastahlik–one using their powers for good, the other for more selfish ends.
Aliya is struggling with her own unique capabilities. She’s immersed in her work to uncover the secret to Karima’s magic, but her health begins to mysteriously deteriorate. With the help of a local western mage, Aliya uncovers her true destiny–a future she’s not sure she wants.
As Taj and Aliya explore their feelings for each other and Arzu connects with her homeland, the local westerners begin to question Taj’s true identity. Karima is on his heels, sending dark warnings to the little village where he’s hiding. Taj will have to go back and face her before she sends her most deadly weapon–Taj’s former best friend, Bo.
Playlist
I was asked to come up with a playlist for Crown of Thunder and as I read both books I realized that a few songs kept running through my head.
My Name is Human by Highly Suspect – Taj had wanted to tell others that the Royals weren’t pure as everyone thought and they had sin just like everyone else.
Far From Home by Five Finger Death Punch – Taj always talks about home and his family that he left behind to become an aki.
When Legends Rise by Godsmack – “its burning down, its burning high, through the ashes, a legend will rise.” Beaten and broken, Taj and his group will fight to the end.
Waking Lions by Pop Evil – “I wanna stand up, a hundred feet tall. ‘Cause fear will never lead my way. I’m ready to run, a hundred miles strong. I will never be the same. Waking the lions in me. I’m waking the lions in me. For way too long, I slept inside the dark But now I rise. It’s time to make a mark.” Taj’s anthem.
About the Author
Tochi Onyebuchi holds a BA from Yale, an MFA in screenwriting from Tisch, a master’s degree in global economic law from L’institut d’études politiques, and a JD from Columbia Law School. His writing has appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction and Ideomancer, among other places. Tochi resides in Connecticut, where he works in the tech industry.
