The twelve Chinese zodiac signs undergo a major transformation in Katie Zhao‘s Descendants of the Zodiac fantasy duology. The Descendants have been cursed into supernatural creatures, unable to access their full powers until they can restore all twelve stone fountainheads to their rightful place.
In Zhao’s new sequel, Zodiac Legacy, we pick up promptly after the chaotic ending of book one, Zodiac Rising. Evangeline Long and her crew search for the two remaining fountainheads. The person hiding them? None other than Evangeline’s brother, Julius, back to life from his (fake) death.
With multiple perspectives and satisfying character arcs, this is a YA duology conclusion you can’t miss! Here are three things we love about Katie Zhao’s Zodiac Legacy!
Book Overview: Zodiac Legacy
Content warnings: death of loved ones, graphic violence, gore, torture, forced captivity, hostages, bodies/corpses, warfare, weapons, poisoning (Read at your discretion!)
Summary: After the heist of a lifetime to reclaim the source of their magic—the twelve Chinese zodiac statues—Evangeline Long and her crew of supernatural beings are on the run. Something—or someone—is working against the Descendants of the Zodiac from the shadows, and despite Evangeline’s efforts, her people remain cursed as creatures of darkness.
However, not everyone wants to return to life before the curse. As factions begin to tear the Descendants apart, Evangeline must travel to London to finish her mission: break the curse and restore the Descendants to their former glory. But with one of her crew in enemy hands and longtime allies turning on her, Evangeline must barter with lives as she decides who to trust . . . and who to target.
And she’ll have to do it soon. There are whispers of monsters on the loose—longtime foes of the Descendants who have returned for blood—and as long as the Descendants remain cursed, they don’t stand a chance. Now more than ever, Evangeline’s crew must finish their mission and reclaim their powers, before there is nothing left of the Descendants to save. . .
Cat-And-Mouse Game
Before the start of the Descendants of the Zodiac series, Evangeline and Julius were truly inseparable siblings. Evangeline admired and learned everything she could from Julius. Julius loved and had taken care of Evangeline since their parents died. That is, until he faked his own death in book one and came back to life having long betrayed Evangeline. Evangeline will stop at nothing for any clues on her brother’s whereabouts. Too bad Julius always seems to be three steps ahead of her.
Character Growth
The amount of character growth we see in Zodiac Legacy is truly incredible. Every character plays a role in restoring the Descendants to their full power, even the unlikely allies. Each point of view brings us up close and personal to some of our favorite characters, including the core four: Evangeline, Tristan, Nicholas, and Alice. Their journeys lead to much-needed emotional clarity as well as help leveling up their respective abilities. Our favorite arc has to be Cecil’s path from being Julius’s puppet to devoting herself to what she thinks is the right thing to do.
Final Showdown
The various POVs culminate into a face off between Julius and Evangeline’s forces, as well as between all the Descendants and the Wrathlings, which are cunning, vengeful, and powerful monsters that can take on the forms of the humans they kill. Now, we won’t spoil the results of either battle, but just be prepared for a ton of action and twists. A silver bullet here, a silver knife there. Each side uses their abilities and weapons to the fullest, and neither comes out unscathed. We’re still processing some things…
Katie Zhao’s Zodiac Legacy pulls us straight into the action as the characters search for missing relics and prepare to battle an evil that has been festering far too long.
Zodiac Legacy by Katie Zhao officially releases on October 7th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What are your thoughts on Katie Zhao’s new sequel, Zodiac Legacy? Have you already read Zodiac Rising? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
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