June 5, 2023
Malan’s entertaining yet anticlimactic sequel to The Godstone finds independent magic Practitioner Fenra Lowens tasked with convincing the narrow-minded Practitioners of the White Court to leave the comforts of the unnamed capital City and use their magic to keep the World, here imagined as a living organism, in balance. But the people of the City are growing restless and tension mounts between the Red Court’s mundanes, who can’t use magic, and the White Court’s Practitioners. War breaks out between these two factions before Fenra can make her case, landing her and her partner, Elvanyn, in the crossfire. They must band together with new allies—including White Court council member Tamari Otwyn and Red Court courtier Wittenslade Camdin Volden—to stop the conflict. All the while, the World is dying, triggering natural disasters and leaving Fenra torn between helping her friends and meeting the World’s impatient demands. Despite the sky-high stakes, there’s a lack of urgency to the oddly diffuse plot, making this less of a page turner than the previous installment. Still, the expanded magic system and new characters add some intrigue. Series fans will hope things tighten up in Malan’s next outing. Agent: Joshua Blimes, JABberwocky.
Starred review from June 1, 2023
Healer Mage Fenra Lowens knows that the world is ending. It told her so at the end of The Godstone. It will not be something easily fixed, as the magic controlling White Court would rather blame her for the world's increasing instability than change their hidebound ways. On top of this, the non-mages of the Red Court see this internal conflict as their chance to conquer and control their rivals. Fenra finds herself caught between two entrenched institutions that are too invested in their never-ending conflict to see the real problem. It's up to her and her allies to placate an increasingly fractious World, keep the courts from destroying the city, and save as many people as possible from their own idiocy. VERDICT This novel is a whole lot of fun. Fenra and her gang are both smart and smart-alecky, keeping themselves and readers going on a rising tide of witty banter and out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire action. Highly recommended for those who like a little swash in their buckle and enjoy watching smart people save the day.--Marlene Harris
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