The Cage of Dark Hours (Five Penalties, #2)

by Marina Lostetter

Reiko Murakami (Illustrator)

The Cage of Dark Hours is the second novel in a new trilogy from acclaimed author Marina Lostetter, where the defeat of a serial killer back from the dead has pulled the mask off the myths and magics of a fantastical city.

Krona and her Regulators survived their encounter with Charbon, the long-dead serial killer who returned to their city, but the illusions of their world were shattered forever.

Allied with the healer Melanie they will battle the elite who have ruled their world with deception, cold steel, and tight control of the magic that could threaten their power, while also confronting beasts from beyond the foggy barrier that binds their world.

Now they must follow every thread to uncover the truth behind the Thalo, once thought of as only a children's tale, who are the quiet, creeping puppet masters of their world.

• ISBN10: 1250757479
• ISBN13: 9781250757470
• Publish Date: 14 February 2023 (first published 2 August 2022)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 464
• Language: English
• URL: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250757470/

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

For a moment, it seemed like the Charbon (the long-dead serial killer) was finally in the past. Naturally, they were wrong. Once again, Krona and her Regulators will have to step up to protect the city. However, it's never as easy as it sounds.

To protect the city, they must delve into the secrets of Thalo – a child's tale that may hold more truth than fiction. Without this hidden key, they will stand no chance of protecting their city. They may win the battle, but not the war.

My Review:

I love fantasy series like The Five Penalties. The Cage of Dark Hours is dark, tense, gritty, and so brilliant. It made for a suspenseful read, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. In a way, diving back into Krona's world felt a lot like coming home. Though I say that, I'm not so certain I would enjoy living here (or that I would survive...).

There's a bit of a time jump between the two books, which is normally jarring for me. But it felt seamless here as if the passing of time was a natural consequence. Or maybe that's just my anxiety about Charbon talking. Hard to be sure.

I'm already counting down the days until the release of the third and final part of this trilogy. I need to know how they bring it all to an end.

Highlights:
Expansive World
Myths and Magic
Trilogy
LGBT+

Trigger Warnings:
Serial killer

Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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