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A review by kreela
A Cage of Crystal by Tessonja Odette
5.0
“Your brother will be allowed to resume his place as King of Khero, but his council, staff, and military will be selected by me. All positions will be filled by men from Selay”
Held as a hostage, Cora finally discovered what the King of Selay had decided: Dimetrius’s reputation was in shambles, and king Verdian decided to have a puppet regime rather than outright conquering the other kingdom. Well, ain’t that special.
But Teryn’s, Cora’s, Larylis’s, and Mareleau’s fates were twisted in an emotional, plot twisted meeting that left Larylis a slave to his fate, Mareleau’s reputation shattered, and Cora and Teryn in roles they didn’t expect.
What we forgot from book 1 is that Morkai, the evil sorceror, left his tools of the trade behind. Those tools were not benign. Cora was carrying his jewel, yet she could never remember to dispell it. The library was barred like Pandora’s box, and opening it caused an outpooring of blood and tears. I don’t think I will ever look at tears the same.
The king of Selay’s men and Cora’s brother met behind closed doors, excluding the women, but Cora didn’t let that deter her. Her desperate desire to destroy the entire collection of sorcery led to long days of work, while Mereleau discovered that one night of passion had consequences. There is a prophecy about a mother and daughter…. But also about a woman who had the blood of witches, elves, and faeryn. Which woman was fortold?
Morkai was dead, but necromancy has a way of reviving the dead. And Teryn unfortunately, became Morkai’s new project.
The characters:
=============
Continuing from book 1, “Throne of Shadows,” each person became more detailed and interesting. I wanted to push Mareleau several times to start taking control of her own fate! I admired Larylis for his reluctant leadership. Cora was the person I wanted to be when I grew up (LOL). Teryn remained the moral hero.
It’s a fantasy, but a fantasy using knowledge of historic elements. The prose is rich with detail on the scenery. If you like a tighter prose focused on the action, this is not for you. The writing reminds me of Patricia McKillip’s novels or Kay L. Moody’s writing, but with a slow buildup of doom and gloom before the finale.
The Romance:
=================
“Teryn opened and closed his hands, his fingers desperate to reach for hers.” Very victorian in approach.
"Their hearts met. Their bodies tangled" Oh. How beautifully not described!
Held as a hostage, Cora finally discovered what the King of Selay had decided: Dimetrius’s reputation was in shambles, and king Verdian decided to have a puppet regime rather than outright conquering the other kingdom. Well, ain’t that special.
But Teryn’s, Cora’s, Larylis’s, and Mareleau’s fates were twisted in an emotional, plot twisted meeting that left Larylis a slave to his fate, Mareleau’s reputation shattered, and Cora and Teryn in roles they didn’t expect.
What we forgot from book 1 is that Morkai, the evil sorceror, left his tools of the trade behind. Those tools were not benign. Cora was carrying his jewel, yet she could never remember to dispell it. The library was barred like Pandora’s box, and opening it caused an outpooring of blood and tears. I don’t think I will ever look at tears the same.
The king of Selay’s men and Cora’s brother met behind closed doors, excluding the women, but Cora didn’t let that deter her. Her desperate desire to destroy the entire collection of sorcery led to long days of work, while Mereleau discovered that one night of passion had consequences. There is a prophecy about a mother and daughter…. But also about a woman who had the blood of witches, elves, and faeryn. Which woman was fortold?
Morkai was dead, but necromancy has a way of reviving the dead. And Teryn unfortunately, became Morkai’s new project.
The characters:
=============
Continuing from book 1, “Throne of Shadows,” each person became more detailed and interesting. I wanted to push Mareleau several times to start taking control of her own fate! I admired Larylis for his reluctant leadership. Cora was the person I wanted to be when I grew up (LOL). Teryn remained the moral hero.
It’s a fantasy, but a fantasy using knowledge of historic elements. The prose is rich with detail on the scenery. If you like a tighter prose focused on the action, this is not for you. The writing reminds me of Patricia McKillip’s novels or Kay L. Moody’s writing, but with a slow buildup of doom and gloom before the finale.
The Romance:
=================
“Teryn opened and closed his hands, his fingers desperate to reach for hers.” Very victorian in approach.
"Their hearts met. Their bodies tangled" Oh. How beautifully not described!