Where to begin? Okay, let me start by discussing the narrative style and world building, because this was exactly what drew me into the novel. So, bear with me whilst I try to be coherent, and not keep on repeating, ‘I loved this book, now go read it, folks!!’ which basically sums up this entire review. Have you ever read a book where you love so much about it, you don’t even know where to begin explaining? Where you simply want to endlessly gush? If so, then you’ll know exactly how I feel right now. Now, Ebora is in ruin, the race is slowly dying, and Sarn faces the ever terrifying prospect of another invasion, but this time without their defenders. However, in the last assault, known as the eighth rain, a final climax between Ygseril and the Jure’lia caused the death of the sacred tree-god. Their tree-god, Ygseril, would deliver various war beasts that would aid the valiant Eboran warriors during the battles, and each time the Jure’lia were defeated. The Eboran empire, a once wealthy and prosperous place, for centuries has been the central defence against this formidable foe. The continent of Sarn has suffered from many alien invasions from an enemy known as the Jure’lia, the worm people. This is very much high fantasy at the top of its game.

The Ninth Rain skilfully blends fantasy with sci-fi and mystery, it contains a grand Tolkien-esque world, and characters that feel incredibly real and fresh. I can firmly say I will now be joining other reviewers in singing Jen Williams’ praises too, as this book was simply spectacular. This was my first novel by Williams, and I dived into it with high expectations, as many friends of mine have expressed much love for her books. The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams is the first book in The Winnowing Flame trilogy. Once armies had marched from this place and swept down across the plains, massacring her people as they went, drinking their blood and worse, according to the stories. Here were the homes of the rich and important pale marble glinted in the peach fire of the sunset, and she saw pieces of richly carved architecture, cracked or covered in ivy. The ancient city of Ebora, for centuries largely forbidden to humans, was now passing beneath her feet. ‘Noon felt her heart begin to beat faster in her chest.