Kalani: Mists of Despair is the second book in Jolene Fine’s Fostering Worlds series, and it picks up right where Shadows of Destiny left off. This time, the stakes are higher. The setting? The terrifying and eerie Mists of Despair—a bleak, supernatural realm that challenges every ounce of faith, hope, and courage in its characters. The story follows Desiree and Zach as they plunge headfirst into this cursed land, guided by a mission to rescue their loved ones and, in Zach’s case, to redeem himself. Alongside them are companions—new and old—who are tested by darkness, literal and spiritual, at every turn. It’s an emotional gauntlet through grief, loyalty, and destiny, steeped in poetic writing and mythic world-building.

This book grabbed me harder than the first. It’s darker, sadder, messier—and that’s a good thing. Jolene Fine doesn’t just raise the stakes; she drowns you in them. Desiree’s transformation is so raw, so tangled in grief and courage, that I felt every emotional throb right alongside her. And Zach? He’s still chasing Gretchen, but it’s not just about love anymore, it’s about proving he’s more than a reckless teen with a cause. His struggle with faith in the middle of soul-swallowing despair resonated with me. I’ve read a lot of “chosen one” stories, but there’s something unique about the way Fine lets her characters flail, fail, and still push forward, bruised but not broken. It made me root for them even more.

The language is lush. There were moments I had to slow down and reread to make sure I caught what was actually happening beneath all the ornate phrasing. And the philosophical and theological undercurrents are deep. If you’re looking for light, fast fantasy, this isn’t that. But honestly, I didn’t mind. The weight of the words matches the weight of the story. It’s thoughtful, patient, and unafraid to linger in its own sorrow.

Mists of Despair is a hard-hitting sequel. It’s for readers who like their fantasy with a spiritual backbone and their characters with real, jagged edges. If you love stories about chosen families, quiet acts of bravery, and finding light when everything screams darkness, this one’s for you.

Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0CVH1CC8S