Monday 6 September 2010

FANTASY REVIEW: Spiritwalker 1: Cold Magic - Kate Elliott

Release Date: 02/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

As they approach adulthood, Cat Barahal and her cousin Bee think they understand the society they live in and their place within it. At a select academy they study new airship technologies and the dawning Industrial Revolution, but magical forces still rule. And the cousins are about to discover the full ruthlessness of this rule. Drawn into a labyrinth of politics involving blood and old feuds, Cat is betrayed by her family and forced to marry a powerful Cold Mage. As she is carried away to live a new life, fresh dangers threaten her every move and secrets form a language she cannot read. At least, not yet. But both cousins carry their own hidden gifts and these will shape great changes to come. For in the depths of this treacherous world, the Wild Hunt stirs in darkness and dragons are waking from their sleep.


REVIEW:

Whilst I’m not the biggest fan of Kate’s writing, I can appreciate good writing, descent characterisation and above all else plot outline that gives the reader an adventure. Here in this latest offering the principle characters compliment each other and take the reader into a steampunk type of world where magic is abundant. It’s got some great twists, it’s a world where the masses are downtrodden and above all else it’s got feisty heroines who aren’t afraid to do what right. It was a reasonable enough read and whilst I’m still not a huge fan, I will be seeking the other tales in the series out so that I can find out what happens. The major problem was to do with the cover, Dragon’s Dream, Mage’s Scheme, Innocents Die. Why not go for Dragon’s Dream, Mage’s Scheme, Innocents Scream. It’s smoother and perhaps more accurate.

1 comment:

Bea said...

Is this a stand alone or part of a series? It sounds intriguing but I don't want to start in the middle if it's a series.