SNOW, FIRE, SWORD

Terrorized by powerful djinn, capricious gods and masked thugs on motorbikes, two young people travel through a thinly disguised Indonesia in search of allies against a mysterious sorcerer in this (probably) standalone fantasy. Though a tapestry of differing religious beliefs, Jayangan has always enjoyed the protection of powerful island and ocean spirits—but now that stability is being eroded by the systematic killing or kidnapping of any citizens with strong connections to the spirit world. His own master seized, apprentice kris-maker Adi, and Dewi, daughter of a powerful dukun (shaman), set out with but three cryptic clues (see title) to find and battle the elusive enemy behind the brutal campaign. Though her pace is unhurried, Masson create an elaborate, vividly detailed setting, and she moves the plot along with artful hints and misdirection to a satisfyingly decisive climax. The unusual backdrop, a large cast of characters—human and otherwise, some with ambiguous loyalties—and a terror campaign with disturbingly modern overtones will keep readers involved to the end. (Fantasy. 12-15)