It’s all celebrations and disasters this week. Diane and Kaab are tempted to question just how secure they are in their recent successes. Rafe is left questioning how well he knows a dear friend – and Tess must confront the murky underside of progress…
Welcome back to a City in the grip of progress. Driven by the vision of the Duchess Tremontaine. Enriched by the commercial success of the Kinwiinik led by Ixkaab Balam. Enlightened by the intellectual patronage of Far-Reza. Made – day by day, page by page – more equal by the open door policy of Rafe Fenton’s City Academy. Rain-soaked and miserable after a wet season. What new challenges lie ahead in this final season of my beloved serial?
With the Final Season just around the corner, I have finally managed to finish Season Three. It’s taken me an awfully long time to get back to Tremontaine, but Season Three more than stands up to a reread: if anything, it’s better second time around. Time for a look at the final four episodes before all our hearts are (probably) ripped to pieces this autumn…
The Empress ordered her fleets to destroy the Citadel of Weeping Pearls and its ruler – her daughter – for fear of the weapons their unusual science was creating. But the Citadel disappeared. 30 years later, with war looming against an enemy who can turn their mindships against them, can the Bright Princess be found – and persuaded to come home?
Continue reading “Bite-size Books: The Citadel of Weeping Pearls”
War has been declared. Closely-guarded secrets are being made public. The rules of engagement are battered if not broken. Can Kris summon the Warders’ Circle one last time and broker a peace with Quloo now they have evidence of Mertika’s treachery?
Continue reading “Born to the Blade (1.11): All the Nations of the Sky”
Top Ten Tuesday is was created by The Broke and the Bookish, and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s all about books, lists and sharing the love we have of both with our bookish friends. This week, we’re talking about novellas – a dear love of mine, so I’m excited to share some recent favourites. Books glorious books…
Ojo lives, but is weak and disoriented after a vicious Rumikan ambush. As Takeshi fights to save his life and limbs, Adechike rushes to take revenge on Kris. Meanwhile, incensed by what she has learned about the sinking of the Rumikan fleet, Michiko confronts Bellona. Twaa Fei’s traditional neutrality is no more. Even the Warders are at war.
Continue reading “Born to the Blade (1.10): Shattered Blades”
We’re entering the final phase of the Subjective Chaos Kind of Awards. After the initial phase of nomination and debate, we ended up with 5 categories and 33 nominees. Now we’re down to the wire after six months of reading, discussing and voting: it’s finalist time. So who has made our final cut?
Continue reading “Subjective Chaos: announcing our 2018 finalists”
With the lowest tier of Twaa Fei on lockdown and rumours running rampant, Kris demands that the Warders’ Circle take action. But the nations are split between those who must follow Mertika’s lead and those who oppose the Empire. Will Mertika come to Rumika’s aid to stymy their ancient rival Quloo?
The Quloi have moved on from intimidating the neutral territory of Twaa Fei to dominating the outlying islands of Rumika. With war seeming inevitable, the first refugees begin fleeing to safety. Can Kris take care of their people and find allies – or will everyone turn their back on the newest member of the Warder’s Circle?
The nations are manoeuvring swiftly in response to the disappearance of the Rumikan trade mission to Quloo. When the aggressive new Quloi government position a dreadnought in the skies above Twaa Fei, it evokes memories of destroyed nations and hints darkly that war may soon displace diplomacy. Can any friendships survive the eruptions of belligerence and mistrust?
A fleet of Rumikan ships floats in pieces off the interdicted coast of Quloo. Did the Rumikans try to go back on their promises? Did the militant elements within the Quloi stage the attack to seize power? Did the Vanians strike out at the nascent power of a nation they despise for its gender-fluidity? Is the Empire moving swiftly to keep Rumika in its place? How long can the fragile peace last? How often can I yell AAAAAAAAAH?
