Amber Anthem

The pacing through Oona's arrival and the amber-encased beacon really pulls you in, and that cliffhanger clue at the end had me flipping pages fast. If you're into quest-driven fantasy with a ticking-clock feel, this one's a solid pick.

The amber-encased beacon is such a clever obstacle, and Oona’s determination to crack it kept me turning pages late into the night. Loved how the ancient clue wove into the larger mystery of the Five Worlds without slowing the tension down.

The pacing around Oona’s desperate attempt to crack the amber really amps up the tension, and I found myself holding my breath through those scenes. That ancient clue left me guessing right up to the reveal, which is exactly the kind of payoff I want from a fantasy sequel.