The Kingdoms of Dust

The necromancer Isyllt Iskaldur travels to the desert kingdom of Assar, where she investigates rumors of stolen souls and missing ghosts. As a former spy and forensic investigator, she must navigate political tensions in this new land while pursuing her dangerous mission. The desert city of Assar holds ancient magic and long-buried secrets beneath its stone walls. Rival factions clash over power and resources, forcing Isyllt to form alliances with princes, assassins, and revolutionaries to uncover the truth behind the disappearing spirits. Death magic meets desert lore in this third installment of The Necromancer Chronicles series. The story explores themes of colonialism, power, and the cost of wielding forbidden knowledge in a complex world of shifting allegiances and hidden motives.

Readers found The Kingdoms of Dust more difficult to follow than previous books in the series, noting multiple plotlines and a larger cast of characters to track. Some felt the pacing dragged in the middle sections. What readers liked: - Rich worldbuilding and desert setting - LGBTQ+ representation - Complex political intrigue - Magic system and necromancy elements What readers disliked: - Confusing plot threads - Slower pace compared to earlier books - Some characters felt underdeveloped - Less emotional connection than previous installments Review Sources: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (270 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (12 ratings) Reader Comments: "The world is beautifully crafted but I had trouble keeping track of who was who" - Goodreads reviewer "Great atmosphere but moves slower than The Bone Palace" - Amazon reviewer "Loved the desert politics but wished for more character development" - LibraryThing user

The Bone Palace by Elizabeth Bear A necromancer investigates murders in a frozen city while navigating political intrigue and dark magic.

The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin A priest who harvests dreams confronts corruption in a fantasy world based on ancient Egypt.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin A woman becomes entangled in godly politics when she inherits control of an empire built on enslaved deities.

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo A Malaysian woman enters the spirit world after agreeing to marry a dead man's ghost.

Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone A necromantic lawyer must resurrect a dead god while uncovering conspiracies in a city powered by divine magic.

🔮 The Kingdoms of Dust is the third book in Amanda Downum's The Necromancer Chronicles, following The Bone Palace and The Drowning City. 🏜️ The novel draws heavily from Middle Eastern and North African mythology and culture, featuring a desert setting inspired by ancient Mesopotamia. ⚔️ Author Amanda Downum worked as a morgue technician, bringing real-world experience to her writing about death magic and necromancy. 🌟 The book explores themes of addiction, power, and redemption through its protagonist Isyllt Iskaldur, a necromancer who must navigate complex political intrigue. 📚 Unlike many fantasy series, each book in The Necromancer Chronicles can be read as a standalone novel, though they share the same world and some recurring characters.