In a fanciful Venice under siege, thoughtfulness and adventure combine. Two orphans are selected for apprenticeship to a magic mirror craftsman. Merle has a secret magic mirror in her dress pocket; Junipa arrives blind but has her eyes replaced with mirrors. On a festival day, Merle and across-the-canal friend Serafin steal away and overhear plots that endanger the city. The legendary and protective Flowing Queen (goddess? spirit? essence of water?) has been captured in a tiny vial; Merle is forced to swallow her in order to save her. They share Merle’s body and embark on an escape from Venice. Meanwhile, a fetid pit of Hell opens up in the central Piazza and a repulsive messenger offers a pact to protect Venice from the all-powerful Egyptian Empire. Mermaids and obsidian flying lions are as natural to this world as the canals and the philosophy. Merle, Junipa and Serafin will need to puzzle out who’s good and who’s bad as this flowing, offbeat tale continues. (Fantasy. 11-14)
