Caligo: Sequel to The Nightingale Trilogy

By J J Fischer

How far would you go to outrun the person you used to be?

In search of freedom and a fresh start, Cassius Vera sails for unexplored lands in the hope that he can forget the one woman he has ever truly loved, the only one to look past his gifts and superficial charm to the real man beneath. But Cass is carrying more than bad memories, and one slip in front of his new shipmates could send him back into slavery once again . . . or worse.

Fleeing heartbreak and false accusations of murder, werebeast Zaire Delmar stows away onboard a ship, wanting to get as far away from Caldera as possible. She doesn't expect to meet Cass, an alter whose stunning good looks rival even hers, nor does she anticipate the surprising affinity she shares with him. When Cass offers his protection, Zaire spurns his help. She is half beast-she can take care of herself. And the last thing she needs is to get closer to a man in whose presence she cannot lie, even if he's offering to share her sorrow.

But after a shipwreck catapults them into a new world even more dangerous than the land they left behind, Zaire is forced to depend on the only ally she has left. The same man she betrayed, not so many months ago.

J. J. Fischer is an award-winning author whose book Calor won the 2023 Realm Award Book of the Year as well as the Realm Award for Best Fantasy. The second book, Lumen, was a 2024 Christy Award Finalist. The Nightingale Trilogy is a fantasy transformation of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved 1843 tale The Nightingale, with echoes of the myths of Hades and Persephone. Caligo is a sequel to the trilogy and is best read after reading the first three books, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0645819867
• ISBN13: 9780645819861
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

epic YA fantasy

Cassius finally has a story of his own!! I have loved this irreverent, smart-mouthed, reckless character since meeting him in the first book Calor. Through the trilogy, Cass matured and showed us his bruising past but also his tender heart and loyal and protective soul. In this book, we get a deeper understanding of his pain, grief, loss and sorrow - particularly with his mother and Sephone. Zaire was an interesting match for Cass. It broke my heart to see what happened after the conclusion of Memoria and I grieved for Asa along with Zaire. She was truly a minor secondary character in the trilogy but her past wounds and insecurities came out in full display in this book. Both Cass and Zaire seemed to be running away from their mistakes and cowardice to drown their guilt and grief in anger or oblivion. Forgiveness and purpose pursue them in visions and dreams until they both realize the way of Aedon is truly the only way. Despite starting out as enemies, they wind up as teammates and soulmates on a path to save a corner of the post-apocalyptic world. Spartan joining this adventure was quite delightful. We did not get to see Dorian or Sephone but did encounter a new Amazonian-like civilization and some old foes. The fast-paced plot with its twists and turns, surprises and betrayals kept me absolutely enthralled. Those who love YA fantasy will adore this book. Even without reading the preceding trilogy, it will be an epic adventure full of action, suspense, faith, and true love (but I highly recommend reading the trilogy).