January 1, 2008
Gr 7 Up-A wealthy heiress, 18-year-old Averie Winston is betrothed to Colonel Morgan Stode, whom she has loved since she first laid eyes on him at the age of eight. When the opportunity arises for her to leave Aeberelle to join her father and Colonel Stode in Chiarrin, she jumps at the chance to see the world and leave her dull life behind. Her eyes begin to open on the voyage over with her friendship to Lieutenant Du'Kai. Many of their conversations revolve around other cultures, customs, and the imperialistic tendencies of the Aeberelle government; his own country of Xan'tai has been taken over by it. While visiting a Chiarrin marketplace, rebels attack and injure a native woman whom Averie has befriended. Averie offers Jalessa a job in her home and it is she who truly exposes her to a different way of life and point of view. The young woman comes to realize that her opinions on politics, her father, the military, and even her feelings for Morgan have changed. Even though the story takes place in a fictionalized setting, Shinn does an excellent job creating a parallel to the British Empire in its height of 19th-century imperialism. The characters are well developed and believable, and readers will certainly identify with Averie's determination and zest for life. Interestingly, the story opens with a journey in one direction and culminates with a different one entirely. Readers should enjoy this novel as it has something to offer to almost everyonepolitics, romance, danger, friendship, and betrayal."Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
August 1, 2007
Averieis thrilled to visitChiarrin, a colonized land her father oversees as general of the Aebrian military. As the foreign rhythms of her new life sweep her along, the generals daughter begins to question the ethics and wisdom of colonial governance, depicted as a rough parallel to British rule during empire days. She delves into the culture, strains against the fussy restraints of her era and social class, andfinds herself drawn toan officer of non-Aerbrian descent. But it is an interesting young woman from the marketplace, Jalessa, who truly opens a window into Chiarrizi culture. As political resistance begins to threaten colonial rule, security becomes tighter, tensions rise, and the plot culminates in some rather shocking events.But Shinn, an authorwho smoothly crosses back and forth between adult and YA fantasy audiences, skillfully shepherds her tale to a satisfying, believable conclusion. This thoughtful romance with political overtones willprove irresistible to many readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)