Review: The Hunger And The Dusk: Book Two – A Fantastic Continuation

The Hunger and the Dusk: Book Two #1 faces a challenge straight from its title. This issue is the seventh in an ongoing fantasy series and starts right where the sixth left off. Despite this, it’s designed to be the first of something new, which means it has to act as a reset while moving the story forward. G. Willow Wilson, known for her brilliant storytelling, manages to tackle this complex task head-on.

Wilson’s talent is evident as she uses this issue to continue an already engaging narrative. This new chapter doesn’t massively shift the action but instead provides a fresh start to the saga, making it just as enthralling.

This installment picks up amid a war against the perilous Vangol forces. The treaty between humans and orcs remains fragile, made even more tenuous by recent events. At the end of Book One, Callum and Tara’s relationship imploded, leading to Tara leaving the Last Men Standing. Her departure has cast doubt on the treaty, which couldn’t have come at a worse time given the ongoing Vangol assault.

Callum’s army is struggling without Tara, especially lacking her healing abilities. Their situation becomes increasingly dire until a new healer, a captivating woman with remarkable skills, arrives to aid them.

The Hunger and the Dusk shines as a Dungeons & Dragons-style fantasy adventure. However, its true strength lies in the captivating love story at its core. The first six issues masterfully built tension between Callum and Tara, transforming from pseudo-enemies to lovers. This new issue sets up a different, compelling chapter of that love story.

“Everyone knows the old saying: you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone,” Sev notes in the opening narration. This sets the emotional tone for the entire issue. While there’s a broader conflict, the heart of the story focuses on the characters’ personal battles with grief and loss. Whether on the battlefield or in moments of rest, Wilson uses the characters to explore themes of love and appreciation, making readers ponder what they cherish and how they might cope with losing it.

By the end of this issue, the idea introduced at the beginning comes full circle, providing a framework for the next five issues.

“Many things, when lost, cannot be recovered,” Sev reflects on the final page. “Is love one of them? I sometimes think so. But try telling that to a man like Cal.”

This closing thought sets up a fascinating dichotomy between the narrator’s perspective and that of the lead character, Cal. It raises questions about whether we’re headed for a triumphant or tragic ending. With such contrasting viewpoints, the narrative remains suspenseful, keeping readers eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

Published by IDW Publishing

On July 10, 2024

Written by G. Willow Wilson

Art by Chris Wildgoose and Marc Laming

Colors by Msassyk

Letters by Simon Bowland

Cover by Chris Wildgoose and Msassyk

Source: ComicBook