Book Title: Chasing Down Her Highness Book Series: Rocky Royal Romance Book 1 Author: Fiona West Stars: 3.5 out 5
Spoilers Ahead!
Image of the book cover for Chasing Down Her Highness – from the internet.
Chasing Down Her Highness is the first book in the Rocky Royal Romance series by Fiona West. After running away from home and her royal family, Princess Abbie’s simple life is about to come to a crashing halt. She has been found by the emissary for Prince Edward, the man she contracted to marry as a girl. Despite her attempt to flee the royal life, Prince Edward is determined they should marry and it is not just for the political security an alliance with her Queendom would provide. Attempts to run away are thwarted and Princess Abbie finds herself heading home with assassins on her tail and a talking horse as a new companion. But if Prince Edward thinks she is going to be a willing bride, he is in for a shock.
This book really had me thinking about how I rank books. There was much about the book I liked. Abbie is a spunky protagonist and Edward is a determined, but sweet man. Stargazer obviously steals all the scenes he is in, after all, who isn’t entertained by a talking horse? The world feels wonderfully original – definitely fantasy and distinctly modern. Yet I would not classify this as an urban fantasy since it doesn’t feel like our world. This is a different place altogether with a mix of modern aspects (poptarts and cell phones) mixed with fantastical elements (dirigibles and magical powered conveniences). That makes it rather appealing, but challenging too.
Apparently this story was reprinted and the name was changed from The Ex-Princess to Chasing Down Her Highness – thanks to the internet for this image.
For while I didn’t need more explanation about how the world worked in order for me to follow the story. I did feel like I was missing something at the end. I was confused about the countries and who was aligned with whom. Which is something I could easily get over, since I am not a fan of politics. But the Veil and Unveiled was confusing, and this was not something I could easily forgive. I don’t understand how it works, which parts of the land are shrouded in … is it a thick layer of magic? Another dimension? Another realm? I don’t know and for me, I was left feeling unsatisfied at the end. Perhaps it is something that is explored in greater detail in the rest of the series. It is undoubtedly part of the reason this is getting only 3.5 instead of 4 stars.
The other reason was the writing. It seemed to slip between voices or styles of writing. Perhaps it was intentionally done. Unfortunately it came across as unpolished. While the story is good and the characters are strong and the world is interesting, the writing is fine. It is not terrible, I have certainly read far worse. But it wasn’t the strength of the book either.
So, after rambling for a few minutes now, I will say that Chasing Down Her Highness is a good read, definitely worth a shot – a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Again, I am a little late to write about the TV series Wednesday. I actually watched it the first week it came out, but with November being busy and much of the first part of December being taken up with Holiday preparations, well I am late.
Image from the internet.
If you haven’t heard of Wednesday, it is the story of Wednesday Addams when she is sent to a private school for the outcastes of the world. In the promotional material it is described as a coming of age story with a mysterious madman lurking in the background.
I liked the series far more than I expected. I thought the casting was great: Jenna Ortega makes an excellent Wednesday Addams. They have Catherine Zeta-Jones for Morticia Addams, who is fabulous. I was less impressed with the young woman they had playing Morticia as a school girl, I didn’t find her as strong. Interestingly, I liked the young man playing school-aged Gomez Addams more than Luis Guzman who played the older version of the character. Luis was a bit stiff for me. The rest of the caste was well chosen. Emma Myers pulls off an amazingly colourful Enid!
School group from Nevermore Academy – image from the internet.
The story was visually interesting. There is an interesting play of colour and shadow throughout the series. I liked the stylization of the costumes, buildings and locations. The plot flowed nicely from start to finish. There were lots of guesses as to what was happening and who was behind it all that left me guessing from one episode to the next. The final reveal did not come out of nowhere – which I really liked. I hadn’t exactly guessed ‘who dunnit’, but I wasn’t blindsided by the twist either. It made sense and worked with the story.
Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams. Image from the internet.
It was easy to watch and very engaging. Which is impressive since it could have been very boring and painfully stilted (or ridiculously dramatic) with its focus on high school aged characters – such an awkward stage of life. I think I finished the series in four days – and generally I don’t binge watch TV. Overall I was quite surprised by how much I liked the show. I will give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The hardest part about writing a review of the TV series is that I did like it. There is really not a lot to comment on. I think if you enjoy the Addams family then you will like this continuation of Wednesday Addams’ story.
It is that time again – Publication Time! That is right, a new Red Sabre adventure releases today. Jader’s Fog is book three in the Red Sabre series.
Felicity and the crew are back, but what starts as simple job turns into a deadly adventure of deceit and betrayal. Explore a new part of Athemisia in the sequel to Cinderborn.
Jader’s Fog is the third book in the Red Sabre series.
In the west of Athemisia lies the imposing Spine of the World Mountains. These formidable peaks form a natural division between the eastern lands of the Thyrian crown and the western Jader colonies. But those who inhabit those lofty climes are a mysterious and complex people rarely seen by rail mercenary eyes. Seeking to settle an unlikely score, Captain Felicity Metticia ascends the mighty Petlushkwohap mountain in search of her stolen cargo and a dangerous foe.
She unwittingly leads her crew into a tangled web of culture, diplomacy and deceit where tensions strain the magnificent walls of Lalouzhi. Old grudges threaten war and the crew find themselves serving as unwitting pawns between the nations of the mountains and the tribes of the plains. Thrust into a wholly unfamiliar world, Felicity must follow in the footsteps of an unlikely guide as she seeks to save not just her reputation but her crews’ very lives.
Book Title: The Raven Tower Author: Ann Leckie Stars: 4 out 5
Spoilers Ahead!
Book cover for The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie – image from the internet.
I can’t remember who recommended The Raven Tower to me, as it was some months ago. Well, I finally borrowed the book from the library. I didn’t like it, but it was well written. Or perhaps it is best to say, I wasn’t in the mood for this particular story, but as I had borrowed it from the library, I felt compelled to read it.
The Raven Tower is a novel by Ann Leckie. It is well written with a unique style, strong voice and complex characters. Unfortunately it is a story about Gods. And while Gods and their interactions with their worshipers (humans) is not the bottom of my list (that place is held for zombies), I am not a fan of these stories.
It was a bit of a slog for me to get into the book. And then through the rest of the story. Sadly, my personal reaction is not a good reflection of the writing, which I thought was interesting. The book is written as though the main character (a god) is talking directly to one of the other characters in the story. I can’t think of another story that has employed this format (at least from what I have read). It was a really interesting way of setting up the tale.
The story wove in and out of time as the god recalled earlier times and how those shaped its perspective on life, the world and the people of the region. All of this culminated in the ultimate destruction of a town and the tower that held our narrating god prisoner.
The other really well done aspect of the story was the discussion around transgender. The “you” in this narrative, Eolo, is a soldier promoted to aid of the Lease’s Heir. The Lease is the king-like figure in this land and voice of the Raven god. The Lease’s Heir is the next in line to the seat of power. Eolo is the aide to the current heir. Born a farmer and in a female body, he leaves home to become a soldier. Eolo becomes a sort of friend and trusted companion to the Heir. Brought to the city and the Raven’s tower, Eolo helps the Heir to unwind the political maneuverings and truths about their god.
Book cover for The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie – image from the internet. The book I borrowed was a hardcover.
How the author deals with Eolo and some of his insecurities is well done. There is a good mix of reactions of characters to those who are transgendered in this world. I think this sensitive topic was handled masterfully, with care and consideration. It was not preachy, but I think the message of understanding and compassion were at the front. It was definitely one of the best parts of the book.
So, while I didn’t care for the god’s story (3 out of 5 stars), I did think The Raven Tower was well written. Its unique style and intelligent handling of complex societal issues was well done (5 out of 5 stars). Averaging the two numbers, perhaps unfairly, I would give this 4 out of 5 stars.
Book Title: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking Author: T. Kingfisher Stars: 4.5 out of 5
Spoilers Ahead!
Book cover for A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher – image from the internet.
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher is a well written fantasy story about a fourteen year old baker called on to defend her city from invasion. Our delightfully upfront protagonist is Mona. She works at her Aunt’s bakery and lives in a tiny room over the glassblower’s shop six doors down the street. Tragically her parents are dead, so her Aunt and Uncle are her only family. Fortunately, despite these stereotypes, her Aunt is a generally good, strong force in Mona’s life. And even her Uncle is supportive and caring.
Mona’s usual routine at the bakery starts early in the morning, but on this particular day things go terribly wrong. There is a dead body on the floor of the kitchen and soon the esteemed Inquisitor Oberon is accusing Mona of murder. Turns out that more and more people are looking suspiciously at wizards and someone is actively trying to kill them all. Mona is quickly caught up in a plot to eradicate all the city’s wizards and wrestle control from the Duchess. Dodging death and adults, Mona seeks out the one person who should be able to help her, the Duchess. Only the Duchess isn’t in as much control as she thought. And there is a large army marching up to the gates of the city. With the city’s own army out, and most of the wizards dead, Mona is one of the few magic users still around to help fight back the invasion and save her home.
Mona is a fun, engaging lead character. We meet a few other interesting folks along the way, but as this story is told in the first person, it is all about Mona. As a bread wizard, her skills include making sure bread doesn’t burn while baking and causing gingerbread men to dance for customers. These are all minor tricks. And while her magic grows by the end of the story into giant dough golems and a horde of evil gingerbread men, it is still all bread related.
The magic system is an interesting mix of amazing power, limited only by the creativity of the wizard and the medium in which they work. For Mona that is bread. For other wizards that could be flowers or water. For one woman in the city it is dead horses, which sounds far more morbid than it was in the book. I appreciate the simplicity of the discussion of magic, it was not trained or taught, just something a few citizens had which allowed them to do things in their specialty. Like Mona could make sure her bread didn’t burn in the oven.
The city is set in a world of city states. Since Mona has not traveled, we only get the barest overview of the other cities. Like most of them don’t like wizards, an easy form of prejudice to explore in fantasy novels. It parallels the prejudice and hate faced by many groups in real life, in an easy way for younger readers to understand and relate to. The numerous city states mean lots of conflict between them too, as groups of people are want to do.
Book cover for A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher – image from the internet because I borrowed a digital copy of the book from the library.
This is a young adult book. As Mona is only fourteen, there are definite moments of child versus adult in this book. The solution to Mona’s hiding from the constabulary is to break into the castle and speak with the Duchess. There is an interesting tension between the role of child and adult in the story. Mona expects the adults to fix the problems, which of course they don’t because she is the protagonist. While the story has good pacing, I personally found it lingered too long on the preparations and battle at the end. That was the least interesting aspect of the tale.
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking (I really do love the title) was a fun read. It would be a good read for a younger audience, but the writing and world description make it a good read for adults too. Overall, I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book Title: The Avant Champion: Rising Author: C.B. Samet Book Series: The Avant Champion Stars: 3/5
Spoilers Ahead!
The Avant Champion book cover – image from the internet.
So, in an effort to slow down my spending on books, I thought I would re-read something old. Browsing through my library, I pulled out a couple of books I had started but never finished, a couple of books I didn’t remember reading until I started them, and one book I didn’t remember buying. Avant Champion by C.B. Samet was the book I didn’t remember getting.
Since I didn’t remember getting Avant Champion, I also had zero recollection of the synopsis that inspired me to pick it up. And ebooks, unlike paperbacks, do not have an easy way of flipping over the cover to read the book’s hook. I was going in blind. Which meant that the opening chapter really set up my expectations.
“I didn’t want to die, but I could see no other option. My purpose was to die – in this day, at this moment, by the hand of Evil.” ~chapter 1, The Avant Champion: Rising.
The next line indicates a time skip backwards 18 days. Well, there is the set up. Main character is going to die by the end of the book and the eighteen days leading up to the opening paragraph is going to show us why. Of course, as I am reading, I am also secretly hoping our intrepid heroine will survive Evil – but there is a general sense of sacrifice that is being set up.
Abigail Cross begins her 18 day countdown working a ball as a servant for the Queen. Only that night she watches as shadow monsters kill her brother and finds herself responsible for protecting the Queen. On the run and baffled about what is happening to the kingdom, Abby flees first to the familiar grounds of the University where she had spent much of her recent years. But they can’t stay long, they are being hunted.
Picking up extra help in the form of her brother’s friend, Joshua, Abby leads the Queen to a distant part of the Kingdom. A place Abby was familiar with from her years of field studies through the University program. There, they are given more aid and direction. First visit the Monks that outline the things Abby needs to collect to summon the Avant Champion who will defeat the Evil spreading across the land. Abby uses the friends she has met through her previous travels to collect the necessary items.
Of course, we are not surprised to discover that Abby is the Avant Champion who has to face Evil. Now the opening makes sense. So, by this point I am expecting that Abby needs to die as a requirement for being the Champion. Or the Champion is really the person that sacrifices themself and through that sacrifice Evil is banished for another 1000 years.
Turns out I was wrong. The Avant Champion is just a person who has to ‘kill’ the leader of Evil, which will drive the rest of the horde back to the volcanic island from whence they came. It is a literal battle of good versus evil. People die. So, when Abby lived, I figured another character would have to be sacrificed – sacrifice does come up a few times in the book. Joshua was the most likely candidate as Abby’s love interest (also her family is already dead). Nope, she saves him too. Then, just to make her tragic life less tragic, she will discover that her mother is actually still alive.
Where to start in the analysis? Well, I liked the intro for setting up the climax. Only it didn’t play out at all as I expected. I think I like the way the story was written. We are following Abby along on her fetch and protect quest. As we go we learn a bit more about her life and her travels around the different corners of the kingdom. There were long sections of info-dumping, but it still read pretty well.
The fetch quest format was fine. I like the idea of learning that myths are real. That there are many layers (think magic) to the world. The world itself was a puzzle. It was fantasy. Not medieval. Transportation technology was at the point of carriages and trains. Weapons were mostly spears, swords and arrows – no guns. Clothing for women included fancy gowns for the wealthy and trousers and tunics for many other women.
The idea that Evil was literally the evil pulled out the People in the world and concentrated on the volcanic island where it would fester for about 1000 years then it would strike out and try to over take the kingdom was … interesting. I don’t know if I like the idea of providing a physical form to our evil hearts or find it simplistic in that there is not great weight to fighting it.
That Abby’s entire life was manipulated to make her the Avant Champion was an interesting way to explore Fate and Free Will. The author could have pulled more on this theme throughout the book. But it was fine.
The star tattoo that allows Abby to teleport around the world with ease is a bit overpowered. However as she is quickly established as having no great ambitions to take over the world. I can work with it.
The Avant Champion book cover series – image from the internet.
For me the biggest drawback was I started reading the novel thinking it was a complete story. I didn’t realize it was part of a series. And the big battle, that is foreshadowed in the opening two paragraphs, well that takes place three quarters into the book. That means the wrap up of everything accounts for 25% of the book’s length. That is a long section. And really, it is the justification for writing a sequel. I think I liked it better when the Champion beat Evil then went off and lived the rest of her life. But there are at least 4 more books about Abby.
Overall it is a fun story. It is neat to see how the different myths become real as Abby takes on the role of Avant Champion. It is difficult to overcome my hesitation about this being book one in a series. And the way magic just sort of reapers without other people commenting on it. I am giving this story 3 out of 5 stars – because I am picky.
Book Title: Hummingbird Author: Helen Harper Series Title: A Charade of Magic Stars: 5/5
Spoilers Ahead!
Hummingbird book cover – image from the internet.
Hummingbird is the first book in A Charade of Magic, the new series by Helen Harper. One of the things that drew me to Hummingbird was the setting. This fantasy story takes place in Glasgow, Scotland – and I have been there! There is something about reading books set in familiar (or even vaguely familiar) locations that makes them more personal. I would say relatable, but the level of oppression and magic present in Hummingbird was thoroughly absent from my Glasgow experience.
Helen Harper is a great writer. I love her characters and her world building. She effortlessly blends fantasy elements with real world settings. Contemporary fantasy or urban fantasy would, I suppose, be decent descriptors. Magic exists in her worlds. Regularly it is just present. Unlike many urban fantasy writers who describe near futures where magic has suddenly appeared, Harper tends to have magic well established in the world. It is not a point she belabours and I think this works very well to create interesting places that are like and unlike the world we know.
For instance, Mages run Glasgow – well all of Scotland (and likely Britain beyond). Their powers are known by the local characters. No one feels the need to explain magic, unless it is specifically a point in the plot development. There is no marker of before magic and after magic. In fact, it was not clear when this book was set. Unlike many of her other series which are clearly taking place in modern day equivalents, Hummingbird lacked the obvious use of technology we use to date a story’s setting. Yet, it didn’t feel like it was a stereotypical medieval fantasy either.
While it might seem easy, writing a compelling story with a mute protagonist is difficult. It is easy for the book to be overwhelmed with long passages of text or internal monologuing. I found Mairi Wallace to be an engaging lead. While the readers got to hear her internal voice, she was able to have some conversations with others too. It was easy to sympathize with Mairi and the challenging choices she was faced with throughout the story.
More importantly the mystery of the power held by the oppressive ruling mages was well done. The book does an interesting job of portraying the imbalance and corruption of power by those with magic. It also raises questions of their ability to stay in power, which is not entirely resolved as this is only book one in the series.
While I do like the inclusion of the ever intriguing demon, chained to the will of the mages, I am holding many reservations about the Afflicted. These shambling abominations read too much like zombies, which I don’t like. The saving grace, so far, is the increasing amount of evidence pointing to conscious people, rather than mindless hordes of aggressive predators. This was one of the major plot points not resolved in the story.
I also have some questions about Thunder and Belle with whom Mairi apprenticed in their tartan shop. This couple was described in strongly unflattering terms at the start of the story, neglectful at best and abusive at worst. Yet they appear as helpers in the end. More than that, their sudden reappearance suggests they have a greater understanding of who Mairi is than Mairi did herself. It was like they expected to discover she was a powerful female mage in a world where mages are only male – at least according to those in charge.
Of course these questions and uncertainties leave me very enthusiastic for the sequel. While I haven’t read everything by Harper, I have read many of her books and enjoyed all of them. Hummingbird was a great read and promises to be another great series. With negative points for the inclusion of Afflicted-zombies outweighed by being set in Glasgow, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Book Title: Capture the Crown Book Author: Jennifer Estep Series Title: Gargoyle Queen Stars: 5/5
Spoilers Ahead!
Capture the Crown book cover – image from the internet.
From the author of the Crown of Shards series, come a new trilogy set in the same world. Capture the Crown is the first book in Jennifer Esteps new series, Gargoyle Queen. Taking place more than a decade after the Crown of Shards, Capture the Crown follows Gemma Ripley of Andvari.
Princess Gemma has become known for her fashion and frivolity. She is the epitome of a flighty and flirtatious princess. Secretly, she is a spy. Taking time to go on adventures, Gemma listens to the gossip and tracks a missing shipment of tearstone. She finds herself in the mountains, in the mining town of Blauberg – close to the Morta border. Unfortunately for Gemma, Leonidas Morricone – the bastard prince of Queen Maeven Morricone – is also there. Nightmares from their first meeting as children still haunt Gemma’s dreams. Yet she finds herself first helping than being helped by Leo.
Removed from Blauberg and installed behind enemy lines, Gemma and Leo will work together to discover the secrets of the missing tearstone. At least they will try. But trust is not an easy thing to come by, especially in the Morta Court.
Capture the Crown has all the spunk, fun, adventure and romance of the Crown of Shards series. I like the strong, clear writing. Gemma is an interesting character with different sides to her personal and public personas. She is scared from the traumatic eventus of her childhood – surviving the Morta massacre – and determined to be more than a court ornament. She is powerful, in a different way than Everleigh was in Crown of Shards. First, Gemma’s powers are mental, though she can still fight with her fists.
I love the fact that Gemma’s attempts to be a spy were ultimately undone by the end. The failure to be a spy was balanced by her success in being a leader and protector of her people. Which I think worked for this princess.
Capture the Crown book cover – image from the internet.
The world building was still great. I like the Roman/Greek/Gladiator inspired world. This is something fun about the way Estep pulls on older mythologies but in a fresh manner to create complex and believable settings. Filled with magic and monsters, there is just enough fantasy to keep the world exciting. And best, it isn’t a stereotypical medieval setting.
I really enjoyed this book and am eager to read the next in the trilogy – which sadly doesn’t release until 2022. Entertaining and engaging, both similar enough I can see the relation to the other series, but different enough it doesn’t feel derivative, I am giving this great read 5 stars out of 5.
Book Title: A House Divided Author’s Name: Nicole Ciacchella Series: Astoran Asunder
Spoilers Ahead!
A House Divided book cover – image from the internet.
The book is A House Divided by Nicole Ciacchella. It is the first in the Astoran Asunder series. The story follows our two fated leads: Cianne Wyland and Kila an Movis. Cianne is the daughter of a powerful member in the Staerleigh House. Giftless, Cianne only hope to maintain her status within the House is to marry well. The star child of House Staerleigh, Captain Lochlan, is ready to marry Cianne. They are already good friends, but Cianne doesn’t want to move beyond that relationship. Her heart lies elsewhere.
Kila is returning to the city after his big mouth had him banished a decade earlier. An enforcer, he is gods-gifted at putting pieces together. His period of exile is over, but the city has changed and he needs to step cautiously to avoid making the same mistakes as before.
Cianne and Kila are drawn together when a member of House Staerleigh dies. While the Elders are quick to write off the death as suicide, Cianne and Kila suspect more to the plot. For years, Cianne has cultivated secret skills in spying on her family. She knows something is wrong, but how can she prove it? More importantly, who can she trust? Kila is not of the House and his position as an enforcer is a good fit for her needs. But it is really the childhood crush that brings her to Kila’s house in the middle of the night.
There is quite a bit about the story I like. The main characters are interesting. They have clear motivations and complex relationships with their friends and family. It is a slow burn romance that does appeal to me. I like the investigation into corrupt family members. The questions of trusting those around us, of uncovering their secrets, of determining our place in our family are all interesting and do well to drive Cianne’s actions.
Unfortunately, their plot is convoluted and unsatisfying. During the climax, Cianne places herself in position to overhear the damning evidence of corruption between her family and the other great houses. Sadly, this pivotal moment needs to be explained to the reader because it is not clear in the telling. In fact, it was not that clearly damning. Highly suspicious, but I expected more from Cianne’s spying abilities than a vague conversation.
I also struggled with Captain’s Loch sudden flip from loving Cianne to believing she was a traitor to the family. After spending almost half the story in a grief-driven stupor, convinced his parent did not commit suicide, he then accepts the fact his father was murder as necessary and the idea that Cianne is out to destroy House Staerleigh. It was too fast a flip in perspective.
I feel like the story would have been more interesting if there was more of an investigation around the deceased House member. More spying. More interviews. More seeking out clues and putting them together. Instead parts of the ending come out of nowhere (like her mother is still alive!) and is rushed to force both Cianne and Kila into each other’s company and out of the city.
While I recognized from the start this was part of a series, I assumed it would continue to follow Cianne and Kila. I was surprised to realize that the next book is about two different characters. Not what I expected given the set up of the first book and its lack of a satisfying ending.
There is much I enjoyed about this story – the relationship between Cianne and Kila was fun to read. It built well and I like how it connected to a past encounter. But several areas that left me unfulfilled. Overall, I would give A House Divided 3 stars out of 5.
Book Title: The Elf Tangent Author’s Name: Lindsay Buroker Book Series: None – yet
Spoilers Ahead!
The Elf Tangent book cover – image from the internet.
The Elf Tangent is a new novel by one of my favourite authors, Lindsay Buroker. Set in a new world, princess Aldari’s passions lay in studying in the very un-princess-like pursuits of mathematics and writing papers on economic theory. Writing under a pen-name to circumvent her father’s wishes, Aldari still understands her duty as princess of a small and largely defenseless kingdom. So, when an alliance with a stronger kingdom of Orath requires her to marry the foreign prince, Aldari sets off across the mountains. After all, she cares for her people and knows the threat of invasion from the aggressive Taldar Empire is real. Without an alliance Aldari’s home of Delantria is doomed.
Aldari is accompanied by her personal guard and best friend, Thali, and a host of elf mercenaries. Only the elves are not there to protect Aldari on her journey, but rather kidnap her instead. After centuries of fighting their own internal conflict, the elves believe Aldari may be the key they need to end the fighting.
Of course it helps that Hawk is considerate despite kidnapping princess Aldari. Then there are the puzzles that they set before her. Nothing like a good math problem to win the heart of this princess! And that is one of the things I love about this new cast of characters. Aldari is not a fighter, but she is good with numbers! It is always nice to find a smart capable character that doesn’t need to kill someone else to prove their competence. That said, I didn’t feel like they contributed that much to the final climax of the plot. Or perhaps I was not following their contribution properly. Still it appeared that others would have solved the riddles without her and would have brought fewer threats to the final destination.
Hawk was a fun character. He and Andari have some great conversations. I do love the banter! He also serves as a way to explain the world of the elves. I was not surprised to discover he was a prince – it was hardly a twist, but well set up in advance.
The elves pose an interesting problem. I like that they bring magic to the world. But their magic seems unconstrained – as though they can wave a hand and have the magic fix all their problems. At least once they solve their biggest problem. I did like the way they had to subsist on different types of moss! It was fun to have them so dependent on few resources. As a community they also had some internal politics at play, which did make the story more interesting.
The Elf Tangent book cover – image from the internet. Really, there is just one cover for this book – so image options are limited.
The Elf Tangent is a fun romp. I like the character developments. I like the new world being explored. I was left with some questions, like: why did Orath contract a marriage alliance with Delantria? And did they have anything to do with the attack on her caravan in the mountains? If Thali is a great bodyguard, why does she seem to fail all her fights? I liked Thali, but she didn’t seem overly good – or was that just because elves are so much better at fighting?
Still, I liked The Elf Tangent and would give it 4 out of 5 stars. I particularly like that it is not part of a series. It is nice to find some stand-alone books!
