Sunbringer

The tension escalates in a brewing war between gods and humans in the entertaining second installment of Kaner’s Fallen Gods Trilogy (after Godkiller). After sacrificing herself to save her friends from peril at the end of book one, godkiller Kissen is given one more chance at life through the mercy of Osidisen, god of the sea. He warns her that Hseth, god of fire, has risen again and is waging war, and she must spread the word to her people before it’s too late. Meanwhile, orphaned Inara Craier and her companion Skediceth, the god of white lies, return to Lesscia with their protector, retired knight Elogast. Believing Kissen is dead, they force themselves to move on so that her death is not in vain: Elogast swears to take down his former best friend Arren, a power-hungry king who is under Hseth’s influence, while Inara and Skedi embark on a dangerous mission to discover more about their mysterious bond and their true identities. Though the sequel is not as fast-paced as its predecessor, readers who were hooked by the first book will be satisfied by the action sequences and antics of the wily, unpredictable gods whose mere whims alter the course of the characters’ destinies. This sets things up nicely for the grand finale. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary. (Mar.)