Comment

FindingJane
Feb 26, 2016FindingJane rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Awash with magic, this series brims with excitement, action, longing, love and originality. A girl who is promised to be a powerful magic wielder turns out to be completely empty of magic. Trusted priests are eager to help unearth the mystery—or is something else at work? Right from the beginning, you suspect there’s more to this than meets the eye, especially when you read about a cloistered queen, bloodletting and the use of lead paint on the face. Does the queen die young because her power drains her or are there more sinister forces at play? The author plays with the truth, drawing out the revelation in teasing increments, while filling her story with unforgettable characters and descriptive backgrounds. Rarely have fire and ice been written about with such—flair. There are mischievous younger sisters, suspicious rivals, fanatical magic wielders and hostile barbarians at the gates. It all makes for a potent story, one that promises action, sorcery and love on an even grander scale in the upcoming sequels. In spite of the fact that this world is largely male oriented, the powerful and abiding love of women is there in the background, a quietly sustaining yin to the masculine yang. It makes this a story both men and women can heartily enjoy.