Genre: Historical Romance
Age Group: Adult
Audiobook / Hardcover 550pgs
Scholastic (2005)
Add it // Buy it
For years the Empress of Namorn has pressed her young cousin, Lady Sandrilene fa Toren, to visit her vast lands within the Empire's borders. Sandry has avoided the invitation for as long as it was possible. Now, listening to her guilty conscience, Sandry has agreed to pay that overdue visit.
Sandry's uncle promises guards to accompany her. But they're hardly a group of warriors! They're her old friends from Winding Circle: Daja, Tris, and Briar. Sandry hardly knows them now. They've grown up and grown apart. Sandry isn't sure they'll ever find their old connection again - or if she even wants them to.
When they arrive at the palace, it slowly dawns on Sandry why the Empress has really brought her to Namorn. She's set a cunning trap to keep Sandry in the brutal Empire forever, a simpering lady in her cousin's court and the miserable wife of a noble.
The Empress has wily and powerful mages on her side. But so, of course, does Sandry...if she can get them to work together.
Rating: 5/5
After trying to read this book for years, the audiobook finally helped me break through the 100 page hurdle. This full cast production really brought the story to life and helped me enjoy this story a lot. While I have always adored Pierce's books. However, the Emelan books have always been second place to the Tortall books. For me, this book was a step towards evening those two series out.
The character
growth from the final book in the last series through this book is quite
spectacular. The four mages are now young adults and they are reunited for the
first time in several years. Since there are books following these years, the
reader knows some of the events that have shaped the main characters. Even so,
the characters have aged and need to relearn how to communicate with their
friends again. This is such a relatable struggle even without magic to get in
the way. I loved the slow growth and the ways the characters reconnected
throughout this story. Each one has a personal failing or fear they are afraid
the others will judge them for and watching this little family grow back
together was beautiful.
The political
challenges and court politics were another intriguing part of this story. Not
only do our four characters need to face each other they need to take on the
court of a foreign country. Pierce takes on gender roles and class conflicts in
this particular story. She has always challenged stereotypes and I loved that
she included more diversity in this story as well. It is all really well done, well paced and
incredible complex
After struggling
to start this book, I'm so glad I stuck with it. I've heard some mixed things
about the next two books in this series, but I hope they will be just as mature
as this one. Pierce also has another series being released in 2018 so I'm excited
to read even more from one of my favorite authors.
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