Book Review: Caligo by J.J. Fischer

A Brief Summary of Caligo:

Cassius Vera is running from his past and his pain, but for all his charm, he can’t outrun his problems. Especially when the ship he chooses for his escape carries an all-too-familiar stowaway and a rooster bound to be the death of him. 

When he and his fellow runaways land themselves on a desert island, they must form a tentative alliance to survive the dangers of the wilderness. The sands hide monsters and secrets, and deep underground lies a darkness as deadly as the poison inking Cass’s veins. How far will Cass go to protect an enemy-turned-friend? What will it take to overcome the most dangerous beast of all, the monster lurking within the heart?

About Caligo: 

Caligo ​is a fantastic sequel to The Nightingale Trilogy, wrapping up Cass’s story, as well as the tales of a few other favorite characters from the series. This adventure twists with intrigue, as Cass and his companions uncover truths that many in the desert would do anything to keep buried. Witty banter and daring rescues mark the journey, and a budding love story grows from a hesitant friendship to deep trust.

In Caligo, J.J. Fischer also tackles themes of truth, identity, and strength. She allows her characters to wrestle with their deepest doubts and failures, growing them in the process. By the end, the team of runaways are ready to stand and face any trouble that rises against them. 

Caligo‘s Major Themes:​

1. The Power of Truth

All throughout The Nightingale Trilogy and into Caligo, Cass tries to subdue and avoid his truth gift. Over and over, he views truth as a burden and a curse. Yet, as Cass’s forced sobriety prevents him from hiding his gift, he slowly learns the power and freedom of truth. The glow of his gift pierces through a dark web of lies, revealing dangers and marking a way through. His gift teaches him who to trust, and helps others to trust him. Most of all, the truth draws him again and again to the Infinitum, who’s call Cass must decide whether or not to answer. 

2. The Source of Worth

Fischer’s characters repeatedly battle with the idea of identity and worth. All through their lives, people have shunned them or sought them on the basis of their altered gifts. Over and over, Cass and his companions have felt haunted by the mistakes of their past. Yet, throughout the story, Fischer shows that a person’s worth is more than the sum of their gifts. That a person’s past does not define them. All the mistakes and wrongdoing can be forgiven; all the sorrow and pain can be redeemed. Though their world tries to tell Cass and his friends that their only value is their usefulness, the Infinitum speaks to them and says that they are loved. Though they are told that their past wrongs make them monsters, the Infinitum reminds them that they were meant to be so much more. 

3. The Strength Within Weakness

Fischer’s main characters struggle to accept traits often viewed as weaknesses. Humility. Honesty. Vulnerability. Yet as the story progresses, they come to learn the courage it takes to open your heart to someone else. The strength the world pushes– brute force, control, even cruelty– can’t overcome the power of love and compassion. As they learn to trust one another, Cass and his friends also learn the strength that comes from giving and receiving help, surrendering control to someone greater, and standing for what is right. 

Final Thoughts on Caligo:

 Overall this sequel was everything I was hoping it would be and more. Entertaining and engaging from the first page to the last, Caligo immerses you in a world you won’t want to leave. It’s the perfect book for anyone who loves sassy characters, immersive worldbuilding, and/ or slightly-magical roosters. 

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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. (Including my great obsession with this whole series!)