PREORDER
THE STRONG WILL AID THE WEARY.
The tree of eyes stands black and jagged in the white of the Desert.
Tears of grief have watered its roots …
Blood, blades, and a kiss ended James and Crew Blue’s stay in the City. Now, they are trapped in the dangerous and unpredictable territories of No Man’s Land with the Third Shaman hot on their tail.
But they must somehow find a way back into the greater planes of the Flowering and fast, for James’s watch is growing blacker, and the Red Calf’s return is drawing nearer with every passing moment. Should the crew fail to kill this ancient monster, it will destroy everything, from humans to citizens to the very planes.
Join James in the grand finale of his journey as he, at last, discovers the origins of the Flowering and uncovers the remaining mysteries of the eye in the blue box. Friends will become enemies and enemies, friends. Pride will push dark memories back into the light. And betrayals will unveil shocking realities. James will fight with all his strength to protect the friends and family he loves. The strong must aid the weary now more than ever.
But not without sacrifice.
THEMES:
Friendship, family, discernment, abuse, and Asian American culture.
CONTENT INCLUDES:
- Violence, gore, intense scenes.
- Instances of abuse.
- This book is NOT a romantasy.
WHAT CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOOK 2:
“This sophomore installment, following Eye in the Blue Box (2025), moves at a slow and deliberate pace, notwithstanding a handful of impeccable action sequences. Kim uses the opportunity to dive deeply into characterization … There’s plenty of tension as well, as getting to the Red Calf necessitates encounters with vicious individuals and, in one Crew member’s case, entering a dangerous tournament. Other highlights include … well-earned, heartfelt moments as the characters’ bonds strengthen further. An absorbing, well-developed entry in a remarkable ongoing saga.”—Kirkus Reviews (Critical Recommendation in Fiction and Fantasy)
“Here, interpersonal tension isn’t a pause between battles; it’s another front in the war … Kim’s prose swings between dense sensory description and sharp, breathless lines—mirroring the jolt and lull of combat ... This stylistic range makes the book’s relentless pace feel earned ... [The] focus on the core crew keeps the emotional throughline sharp, grounded in authentic Korean-American details ... The novel’s second half shifts from tense buildup to full-scale payoff … This leg of the Eyes of Awakening series delivers constant conflict, shifting loyalties, and moments that upend what the characters thought they knew.”—IndieReader (IR Approved)
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOOK 2:
"What an adventure. [Book 2] picks up right where we left off in Eye in the Blue Box and is non-stop until the end ... With the amount of tension that was built up in anticipation of facing the [Red Calf], the ensuing battle scene did not disappoint, and the Kim’s writing immerses you into the moment so fully that by the end of everything, you can almost tangibly feel Crew Blue’s exhaustion ... many threads from the first book are resolved in a satisfying conclusion and there is much growth seen in our main characters, there is still lingering pain within Crew Blue from different losses and experiences during their arduous quest, and some unanswered questions that leave room for a potential future installment in the universe of Eyes of Awakening. Here’s to hoping for another adventure with Crew Blue in the near future!" - Jessica Park on Goodreads
"First, I cannot begin to express how much I loved this book. The first one was a rollercoaster ride and, for a few chapters, I thought this one would be a smoother one. But, oh dear! I am happy I was proven wrong! If you were wondering, how much can the dreamland converge with reality or mirror it? These and many other questions are answered: we learn much more about the other character’s pasts, about the Flowering, and about the Beast ... Similarly to book one, the action and fight sequences were so exciting that they made me teary-eyed. Ann also paints beautiful images while taking you from one setting or dimension to another. I really hope someday it gets adapted to a visual media, such as graphic novel (Webtoon)!" - Leticia V. On Goodreads
"This was an excellent action-packed conclusion to the Eyes of Awakening series that took all of the twists from book 1 and grew the characters in amazing ways. Beyond growth in combat effectiveness, each character undergoes profound emotional, relational, and intellectual development ... Importantly, this book provides the reader a front row seat on how the abused can be freed from an abuser through loving and caring friends. As the chapters progress, you can see how the small conversations from friends slowly help the abused see the unhealthy relationship that they are in. It also addresses why people in abusive relationships cannot simply just leave as there are so many internal conflicts to wrestle through ... The highest praise I can give this book is that it was more than entertaining; it changed how I see and would address abusive relationships." - Thomas K. on Goodreads
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
-Awarded Kirkus Reviews' “Get It” verdict and ranked as a Critical Recommendation in Fiction and Fantasy.
-Awarded Indie Reader's "Indie Approved" designation.
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