THE DEBT OF FAILURE IS PAID IN BLOOD—OR MADNESS. War has shattered Alira Verbrandt. Cornered in Astera, the last stronghold guarding the River Zybril, she clings to what remains of Eastern Radia—and herself. As the ruthless Illyrian Expeditionary Army closes in, Alira’s only hope lies in a man haunted by visions of a future not yet written. Desperate for answers, she turns westward, forging an uneasy alliance with a daring sea captain whose fire masks secrets as dangerous as the empire they face. Their journey leads through cursed waters, up into the storm-choked peaks of Idel, and into a labyrinth buried deep beneath the world. What waits there will test everything Alira believes. The return of their creator draws near, bringing with it the threat of final judgment. To stop what’s coming, Alira must awaken the final Fates—those hidden even from themselves. But time is slipping away, and the price of failure is no longer just death. I made her a promise. And by my blood, I will keep it. The Last Cry of Innocence is the gripping second installment in N.A. Betts’ Fates of Aten series—an epic fantasy of war, prophecy, and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of the brutal emotional arcs of R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War and the dangerous camaraderie of Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora . "N. A. Betts captivated me with this book. After reading his debut novel and now, it's sequel, he's truly grown as an author." - Marie A. (Goodreads) "The experience reminded me of reading The Silmarillion - it took time to understand and connect with the story, but ultimately, it was worth the effort." - Judy C. (Goodreads) "I can't recommend this novel enough! Anyone who loves a classic fantasy, that feels like Lord of the Rings, but written with the prose of Brandon Sanderson needs to pick up this book!" - Holly M. (Goodreads) "The plot was well organized and the action kept the pages turning! I am looking forward to the next sequel! I am so glad that I found this series!!!!" - Crystal A. M. (Goodreads) "Book two of the sequel and dang did i enjoy it! Book two was better than the first if you can believe it! Read it, you won't regret it!" - Angel W. (Goodreads) N.A. (Nick) Betts is a Canadian author of epic fantasy with a love for timeless storytelling. A Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, he crafts sweeping tales of good versus evil, drawing inspiration from Tolkien and other classic works of the genre. His stories are filled with tropes such as coming of age, self-discovery, and found family, while exploring themes of physical perseverance and mental resilience. When he's not busy creating new worlds, Nick can be found enjoying professional wrestling, diving into stories of the unexplained, or relaxing with some good jazz. He lives just outside Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife and their two cats, Bandit and Carter.