Readers who liked the first novel will enjoy the fleshed-out world; others (especially readers frustrated with Jordan’s...
Following the events of Weather Witch (2013), Jordan trains to become a Conductor—the human battery of an airship—while her love interest and would-be rescuer falls in with sky pirates.
Aboard the Artemesia, there’s a lot going on. Jordan is forced to use weather magic, an illusionist (the “Wandering Wallace”) forwards a mysterious agenda, and Bran (plus his partner and daughter) is held captive by Marion, a witch he Made—and they all take turns as point-of-view characters in third-person narration. Jordan’s slated to replace the ship’s dying Conductor once she learns the job. She’s still a doomed victim awaiting rescue when the captain, finding her beautiful, subjects her to new, adult horrors. Finally, she discovers the key to her powers: rage. Meanwhile, her sweetheart Rowen’s shanghaied onto a pirate airship, where he meets anti-slavery captain Elizabeth. She soon shows her quasi-captive the secret workings of her ship’s illegal steam technology. Of other subplots, the best involves corrupt Council members and their plot to maintain an unjust status quo. The rhetoric is decidedly current for the period setting: Elites discuss the political advantages of quagmire wars, and one character implores another: “Be the change you want to see.” With so many viewpoints and separate storylines, all plots inch along slowly, with their convergences only hinted at for future installments.
Readers who liked the first novel will enjoy the fleshed-out world; others (especially readers frustrated with Jordan’s passivity) should pass. (Fantasy. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-250-01865-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2013
An entertaining fantasy set in a world that readers will want to revisit.
Brie risks the deadly land of the Fae to save her sister.
Brie doesn’t trust many people other than Jas, her eternally hopeful sister, and Sebastian, mage apprentice and Brie’s secret love (as if she had time for romance). Brie struggles to meet the payments for the magical contracts binding their lives to Madame Vivias, supplementing her cleaning work by stealing from the rich. While the land of Faerie tempts other girls with word of a castle, a lavish ball, and a fae prince seeking a wife, Brie mistrusts the creatures who capitalize on humanity’s greed. When Jas’ contract is sold to the fae, Brie braves the golden Seelie queen’s court, meets the noble Prince Ronan, and travels on to the Unseelie king’s shadow court. In the process she discovers love, historical secrets, atrocities, and her own hidden strength. While many elements regarding the fae and a love triangle will feel familiar to fans of the genre, and the magic could have been more fleshed out, discussions of power, inequity, trust, and hope expand the worldbuilding in refreshing ways. Similarly, consideration of the balance between truth and secrets, lies and stories, is intriguing as it’s applied to characters, relationships, and historical lore. Despite certain predictable reveals, the plot itself, which starts off slowly, picks up and is pleasantly convoluted with multiple satisfying surprises. Major human characters read as White.
An entertaining fantasy set in a world that readers will want to revisit. (Fantasy. 13-16)Pub Date: July 20, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-358-38657-5
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A mare’s nest plot-wise, but the intriguing setting and characters make it worth untangling.
In this second series entry, shape-shifting tiger sisters and their escorts undertake tests and quests in a magic land infused with Russian folklore.
Because the six principal characters are scattered at the beginning—and proceed in several directions in changing combinations—this sequel to Tiger’s Tale (2024) tends to sprawl. But whether readers prefer their folkloric adventures to be melodramatic, romantic, comical, or mystical in tone, Houck endeavors to provide something to satisfy them. She also assiduously mines her Slavic sources of inspiration, stirring tricksy bargains and helpful gifts (like magic boots) into encounters with powerful figures from Morozko (Father Frost) and Baba Yaga (here called “Baba Yuga”) to a mischievous likho, or spirit of misfortune. The young travelers are exposed to generous doses of life wisdom, opportunities to heal old wounds or learn from experiences, and (for some, at least) steamy romantic awakenings. Houck imparts many lessons, but she laces the narrative with Russian words, often slang (“Gaw! Boy’s near froze off his yaytsa!”), and modern-sounding expressions (“That’s just weird,” “Well, cry me a river, son”) that both enrich and lighten the atmosphere. Contests with foes, like the troll-like vodnik and a child-murdering ghost, provide thrills. Aside from an Indian mage from Houck’s Tiger’s Curse series putting in a guest appearance, the cast reads white.
A mare’s nest plot-wise, but the intriguing setting and characters make it worth untangling. (Fantasy. 13-16)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2025
ISBN: 9798212221733
Page Count: 350
Publisher: Blackstone
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2025
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