All the Hidden Paths: Tithenai Chronicles, Book 2

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 278 ratings

Price: 22.57

Last update: 11-29-2024


About this item

With the plot against them foiled and the city of Qi-Katai in safe hands, newlywed and tentative lovers Velasin and Caethari have just begun to test the waters of their relationship. But the wider political ramifications of their marriage are still playing out across two nations, and all too soon, they're summoned north to Tithena's capital city, Qi-Xihan, to present themselves to its monarch.

With Caethari newly invested as his grandmother's heir and Velasin's old ghosts gnawing at his heels, what little peace they've managed to find is swiftly put to the test. Cae's recent losses have left him racked with grief and guilt, while Vel struggles with the disconnect between instincts that have kept him safe in secrecy and what an open life requires of him now. Pursued by unknown assailants and with Qi-Xihan's court factions jockeying for power, Vel and Cae must use all the skills at their disposal to not only survive, but thrive.

Because there's more than one way to end an alliance, and more than one person who wants to see them fail . . . and they will resort to murder if needed.


Top reviews from the United States

TarteCherry
5.0 out of 5 stars Grand epic
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
I’m a bit knocked off my pins by the second half of this book, which was so thrilling. The first half was good, but at times hard to get through as the main MCs were emotionally flailing around more than I was interested in reading about. There were tons of characters, political intrigue, and some truly memorable secondary characters. Loved Markel of course, and Adrien grew on me. I really hope there are more of these to come.
Mary Soon Lee
4.0 out of 5 stars I liked this very much, but it's rougher sailing in some ways than book one.
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
This is a sequel to "A Strange and Stubborn Endurance," picking up the tale of Cae and Velasin. I liked it very much, if not quite as unreservedly as the first book. Spoilers ahead. Cae and Velasin are both as beguiling as ever, but this time there are some bumps in their relationship, which I wanted to be smoothed away and put to rights immediately, so they could continue to be perfectly wonderful together. The book's dedication reads "For anyone who's ever come out and wondered what comes next" -- Velasin's experience here indicates it can be rough going at times.

Also, there are a few sections from the point-of-view of a new character, Asrien, who is less purely good than either Cae or Velasin. I came to sympathize with Asrien considerably, but he was not a comfortable character for me. Among other things, Asrien's sections include rough sex scenes (the yaren/kiensa scenes in the book's vocabulary).

The book adeptly negotiates its way through a twisty plot with many threats and much court politics. N.B. I should have mentioned in my review of book one that I love Markel, Velasin's longtime servant and best friend, who happens to be mute but is in no way defined by his muteness. Markel continues to be wonderful.

I found the ending of both threads very satisfying, the main Cae-Velasin thread and the counterpoint of Asrien's thread. The latter brought me near to tears.

Hoping very much that there will be a third book. Four out of five litai stars.

About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Nicholas Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
I often worry after reading a wondrously beautiful and captivating book if the follow-up novel will be just as good and after reading A Strange and Stubborn Endurance, the worry was great indeed. Meadows so thoroughly captivated me I was worried indeed. But All the Hidden Paths proved to be just as beautiful, wondrous, and captivating as the first novel. Cae and Vel, ... I have to pause here, to breathe, because the relationship, the characters, their angst and torment... not to mention mine, was just breathtaking. They've ruined me for other books. The writing is exquisite. I can only hope and pray that there's another Tithenai chronicle coming because.... [insert contented sigh here]
VT
5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy sequel
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
The book continues smoothly the story from A Strange and Stubborn Endurance and takes it to a more complex level by introducing court-level intrigues. The world-building gets even more interesting, the heat and attraction are very much there. I liked the introduction of the 3rd POV with an unusual angle. Some parts of the story could have been more credible - the general's approach to investigating, the asa goals, the Silver motivations. I wish there has been a bit more on the court actual functioning. But overall amazing read and a great conclusion to the series (if it's a conclusion - the ending is open enough to add another book)
Angela Urdaneta
4.0 out of 5 stars Strong sequel in this fantasy romance duology
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2024
This was a fantastic follow up to a strong first book in a fantasy romance duology. I do think I liked the first one more but I did enjoy spending time back in this world with these characters as they work on each of their communication problems while they strive towards their happily ever after. Also if you like court drama and intrigue I think the plot of this one will keep you engaged as well!
Daniel L. Majeske
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Follow Up to Strange and Stubborn Endurance
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2023
The novel is a great follow up to Foz Meadows previous one called: Strange and Stubborn Endurance. It's a compelling addition to the characters one get to know. She has a way of adding cliff hangers to almost every chapter so it is hard to put the book down. You want to keep reading. I think Foz needs to write a third novel to add more to these characters. Markle is not completed. One can guess what will happen after Hidden Paths, but it would be great to see him married and maybe children and how does his life continue to intersect with Velasin and Caethari. What about Cathari's grandmother?
The young nobles in Hidden Paths? Cae's properties? Do Cae or Vel become the monarch someday? Rule together as a couple? So many more threads that can be pulled and sewn.
jkmp
5.0 out of 5 stars Even more depth than book 1
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2023
This story put my heart through the wringer. The depiction of good yet imperfect characters struggling with painful experiences was so poignant that I had some difficulty reminding myself that I wasn't personally experiencing everything. I appreciate that the emotional turmoil the characters experienced did not seem like it was added in as a cheap dramatic tool, but to describe emotional journeys that were necessary for the characters to experience. And there is plenty of hard-earned, meaningful joy to make those journeys worth it.

In book 1, Caethari sometimes struck me as too wonderful to be true. In this 2nd book we got to see much more complexity in Caethari, which I loved.

Finally, there are cats, and they are super endearing. Full marks.

This better not be the end of the series, so help me...

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