The Heart of the World (Isles of the Gods 2)

By Amie Kaufman

Reviewed by Jamie Willis

Amie Kaufman is the internationally bestselling author of twenty books, including the Illuminae Files and the Aurora Cycle series which she co-authored with Jay Kristoff and the These Broken Stars series which she co-wrote with Megan Spooner. The Isles of the Gods was her solo YA debut and the first book in the duology. The Heart of the World is the much-anticipated sequel.

In The Isles of the Gods, amid the world of myths, gods and magic, sailor girl Selly and magician Prince Leander survived murderous gangsters and hazardous voyages and somehow fell in love.

Leander’s ritual at the Isles was meant to stop the war. But instead, he became the Messenger for goddess Barrica and now, in the royal palace of Alinor, he needs Selly’s presence as his earthly anchor to stop the power from destroying him. Meanwhile, across the seas in Mellacea, the ruthless Laskia suffers as the Messenger for the roused god Macean as he wrestles to return to earth and start a war. Laskia’s unwilling lackey Jude wants to atone for the murders and make amends with his former schoolmate Leander.

As the nations race towards battle at the Heart of the World — the renowned Biblitek library — Selly, Leander and would-be-scholar Keegan must fight to overcome vengeful gods and political machinations to stop their lands from being reduced to dust.

Kaufman’s richly detailed worldbuilding plunges the reader into the fantasy world. In the sequel, the magicians’ enchantments take a backseat to the power of the gods, which looms as an unparalleled destructive force. The seafaring obstacles from the first book are swapped in this story with the challenges of negotiating the politics of the royal court, including Leander’s sister Queen Augusta’s agendas. Selly is assisted to assimilate by Keegan’s undesired fiancé, Kiki, who is a sassy addition to the cast. The characters feature a diverse representation of LGBTQ+ and they experience complex emotional journeys. As you’d expect of an author of twenty novels, Kaufman’s prose is evocative and immersive, demonstrating a mastery of the craft.

Fans of The Isles of the Gods will enjoy this eagerly awaited sequel, which provides a surprising conclusion and satisfying ever-afters for each of the main characters. With themes of love, family, sacrifice and destiny and situations of violence and emotional trauma, this series is recommended for young readers 14+.

Allen & Unwin 2024

Amie Kaufman