Stay low, act loyal, and don’t draw attention.For years, Rabreah has longed to overthrow the power-abusing Hulcondans who control her city. Yet in the wake of an unauthorized rebel attack, Lord Masrekah takes over the hunt for the “terrorists” – and it’s only a matter of time until he figures out her secrets. If he hasn’t already. Resistance leader Sorek’s return is a welcome sight, but his easy … sight, but his easy infiltration of the enemy kindles Rabreah’s suspicion of where exactly his loyalties lie – and threatens her growing feelings for him.
Unaware of her sister’s double life, Ariliah continues to support the Hulcondans. But as the city spirals into violence, everything she’s ever believed starts to unravel. Afraid to confront her doubts, she clings to her splintering trust and a dangerous new connection with Lord Masrekah.
Yet as the Hulcondans bear down on the resistance and its allies, the truth becomes clear: there aren’t just two sides, the greatest enemies lurk inside the city, and even the most faithful supporter has a breaking point.
Quelling is a gritty, slow burn spy thriller set in a dystopian world on the brink of war.
Perfect for fans of the characterization and political tension in Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes series, and Pierce Brown’s Red Rising saga.
This series is meant to be read in order.
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This is book 2 of The Purification Era series. I really enjoyed both books in this series. Book 2 is well written and the characters are well developed. The author has done a wonderful job on this series and I highly recommend reading. The storyline grabs you from the start and keeps you pulled in throughout.
Oh my God! This book left me breathless, I wanted more of everything and everyone. I don’t know who I love more, Sorek, Mas, or Hikah. The bond between sisters, Rab and Ari is indescribable. They both display a passion for whet they feel is right, and wrong, in their works. I’ve read a book since finishing this one and these characters are who I still think about, who haunt my dreams at night, and who consume my daydreams. I am trying to patiently wait for book three, but I’m sitting on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I must know what happens to our favorite sisters, the dangerously delicious men, and the life they have been taught to believe is the only option.
I need more! I will definitely be reading both Sowing and Quelling again!
A fantastic read. Especially if your a lover of Thrillers. This read really does a Fantastic job. The Author has done a fantastic job, at the world building eith all the twists and turns. And heart pounding scenes that have you on the edge of your seat with this real page turner. This is definitely a home run. This is definitely one that I recommend.
Shauna Joesten
Oh gosh … where do I start?
Quelling, the second book of The Purification Era series, was painful to put down! Every time I had to put this book aside I was counting the minutes until I could get back to it. Grigaliunas does not disappoint with this second installment of her series and I cannot WAIT for the third book!
Quelling picks up where Sowing left off. Following the lives of very different sisters, Rabreah and Ariliah, we dig a little deeper into the world Angie Grigaliunas created. The city of Totta has been dominated by the fierce and feared Hulcondans for years. Now, they are under threat by so-called terrorists who are fighting against their rule. Seeking justice.
Rabreah finds herself among these ‘terrorists’–joining the rebel cause to fight against the Hulcondans and their laws and, hopefully, change her and her sister’s future. Only, there are more rebels in the city than Rabreah’s group, and not all of them are out for peaceful resolutions. And now, with the threats rising and more people voicing their hate for the Hulcondans and their rule, the man Rabreah fears–and hates–most has been given the task of hunting down the rebels. Lord Masrekah himself, the man Rabreah refused to marry and who destroyed her for it.
Caught between loyalty for her sister, and growing feelings for a man she should despise, Ariliah finds herself more confused than ever. Lord Masrekah, the man who destroyed her sister’s reputation, is seeking Ariliah’s company. But are his attentions genuine, or is there something far more sinister going on? Secrets abound on both sides, and Ariliah isn’t ready for the truth.
Quelling was everything I could’ve asked for and more in a sequel! As captivating and intense as Sowing, full of edge-of-your-seat suspense and heart-fluttering romance, you will find yourself never wanting this one to end! And when it does … you’re going to want more!!
So many thoughts (and questions) but in the best ways! (As in, a sequel is needed! That would answer many of them! ;D)
I always hate when I end up loving the first book enough for a 5 star rating….Why? because I’ve found in many series (especially 4+ book series) the first book is amazing, but doesn’t end up being my absolute favorite in the series, but if it already has 5/5 I can’t give MORE to the one’s I love more! (In popular series I sometimes adjust the ratings to 4 for the other books, but can’t do that with lesser known or Indie titles since they really are worth All The Stars and I usually love them more than the more hyped stories…)
So much! There is so much going on in this series, and this book especially, and I loved it! I’ll try to stick to names and events that happened in Sowing to avoid spoilers for Quelling, but as it’s a series, I can’t promise not to have a couple from Sowing, so read my review for that and start with book one just to be sure you don’t get accidently spoiled. (Trust me, it’s worth the read!)
World Building – I mentioned the briefly, and while we still mostly stay directly in Totta, we did get to see the area just outside of the town a few times, plus getting some details given from some of the character conversations throughout offered a slightly broader view of the world, including mentions of some of the near by lands and countries and a few mentions about dialect and naming traditions and such that I loved. We also get more about the culture, why the Hulcondan’s are in charge and where they come from, a little about who the Itzalian people are (plus more examples of mixed-breeds and how they differ from humans), and a few extra glimpses of the history and legends/lore behind their beliefs.
We also have a quick mention of ‘Edaliah’s god’ which was interesting. I knew that there was some type of belief (Em/Hasi’s book touched on it, but as it’s not out, it’s not common knowledge) so when Rabreah mentioned her friend’s faith in a desperate prayer, I found it interesting, and a nice touch. Setting up the possibility to explore that line of thought more in a sequel if desired, but not overly pushy or conflicting with the current plot or story line in any way. It fit perfectly, and I loved the subtle reminder of hope that she sought as she raced to find her sister.
Characters – Again, I won’t mention any of the ‘new’ characters, but there were a few I loved getting to meet! There were also a couple that we met/were mentioned in Sowing, but we actually get to see them or finally have them interact with one/both of the MCs, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed them as well!
Sure, there are still some I don’t like…(*Cough* Siserah whom honestly I never liked…? XD) as a couple others, but surprisingly I liked more in this one than just the main casts and an odd side-character or two, which I normally like some of the side characters, but didn’t expect to like so many after just brief introductions or interactions! That was a pleasant surprise…but now I need more of their story! XD
Plot/Story – This one is mostly a continuation of Sowing (as a a series should be) but I loved the twists and even some of the new characters introduced in this one that weren’t mentioned or really hinted at in the first. That said, I also really enjoyed the things that were hinted at in the first. Both good and bad events are triggered by the things we see happen in Sowing, and I loved how they were handled and getting to see how things that were planned in Sowing were both triggered AND at times forced to change, seeing the characters back to the drawing board (so to speak) as they reevaluated and rethought plans as other events forced their hand…
This is where that smooth transition and beautiful writing style come in, and it was handled magnificently in this one! I even things perhaps this one’s smoother than Sowing, even with the slight disconnects from the revisions, they didn’t really affect the reading or understanding of the story of what’s happening in Quelling, and that’s impressive as well! Very well done!
Character Growth – I mentioned in my Sowing review that I was really impressed and loved seeing the character growth? Well if that’s the case I positively ADORED it in this one! Both that of the sisters, and of some of the characters around them! I also loved how as they grew and matured into young women, they also started responding and treating others different too, with more compassion, understanding, and mercy. They both still have a long way to go, but there was a big ‘growing phase’ in this one for both sisters as they learned to be more self-reliant while working with others and working together as a team, instead of the protector/victim mentality that they started with at first. I loved seeing how this affected friendships and their view on other characters as well, even those they disliked became ‘more human’ in their eyes and really shows as the other characters start to notice the changes in both girls as well.
Humor – It’s still there, and perhaps even better now that we get to know some of the characters better, and also get to see a few with some of their other friends, in a less ‘business like’ environment as the girls start to see some of the other ‘groups’ and characters involved with their ‘circle of friends’. This can be seen in many places, a few of which are at the Bakery as Ariliah gets to know Asah more, Rab as she is forced to work with and help some of the other rebels, and even Ari getting to see some of the characters at the Compound and Ward.
Positive Reminders and Messages of Healing – So many….Like all? Of these characters have been through some horrible event or another, many have lived several years in this manner. With a story that deals with such dark tones and in a world ruled my such abuse of power and the constant violence all around, it’s hard to keep a positive tone or theme going. This one definitely has some very dark moments, and many others are tainted by the characters fears and memories of the past tainting their thoughts, but even that doesn’t block out the need for hope, healing, and love all three of which are strong themes in this book. They were in the first, but friendship, survival, and thoughts peace controlled much of the characters’ thoughts and actions in Sowing, as they strived to just stay alive, and avoid triggering any more violence.
These themes are in Quelling too, but more so we see both Rab and Ariliah learning to love and that sometimes even loving someone is an act of war. Something that you much be willing to stand, and fight, for. In learning this, I think they also learn (as well as a couple other characters that begin seeing these changes in the sisters) that to love is to risk, but to never love anyone leaves only bitterness and decay inside, as they see their mother in a new light, and start to look closer at the other people they know and those they meet in their journey.