The Last Soul Among Wolves is the second book in the mystery fantasy series The Echo Archives, written by Melissa Caruso and published by Orbit Books. After the sheer chaos that were the New Year events, we return to this world to have a new multiverse adventure, with Kembral being dragged to a will reading; the excuse that propels a murder mystery adventure involving more echoes, relics and Kembral's childhood friends, seasoned by the marvelous relationship between Kembral and Rika.

We will again be following Kembral, tasked this time with undoing a curse set on her childhood friends; as they gather together in a secluded manor, people begin to die, suggesting there's somebody trying to speed up the curse in exchange of their own benefit. But as Kembral continues investigating together with Rika Nonesuch, they will discover more layers behind the curse, with old acquaintances involved, revealing much more personal implications while they are just trying to survive and keep alive as many people as possible until the help comes.

Kembral was already a gem of a character in the first instalment, still that person trying to save as many as possible, even if that means putting herself in danger; a smart character who would love to just have a quiet life to take care of her daughter. Rika continues being a complicated character, the more chaotic in the pair and still holding some secrets that might be relevant to Kembral; Caruso continues developing the relationship between our two lead characters, fleshing it and delighting the readers with how the bond strengthens. At the end, they complement each other so well, creating an almost unstoppable pair if they manage to not kill the other in the process (just joking).

If the first novel was basically a big party scene, the second one is a really engaging murder mystery; the reader is invited to create their own theories about who is involved, while more hints are gathered by our characters. During this investigation, the world of this series is expanded, putting in the spotlight more of the complicated power fights that is established across the Echoes. The pacing is equally agile as what we had in the first instalment.

The Last Soul Among Wolves is an excellent sequel novel, a murder mystery fantasy that continues delighting us with two strong lead female characters, complicated power equilibriums and a charming romance. A worthy sequel that leaves me needing the third one as soon as possible!