Gird your feelings. Grab a tissue. It’s time to confront (some of) the deepest wounds of our protagonists’ hearts and start wrapping up our loose ends.
joel derfner
The University is mourning the loss of an esteemed Doctor. Rafe is mourning the death of a friend – and of his dream of being published. But up on the Hill, there’s hope for the future as Diane and Esha bring fresh perspectives to their challenges. And down in Riverside, Everly has the most unlikely of visitors…
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…
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…
I’ve fallen behind on Tremontaine, so it’s time to quickly catch up! In Into the Woods, a party of nobles celebrate midwinter at Diane’s hunting lodge in the woods, but the Land calls for blood during the White Days and someone will have to pay the price. Behind the Mask sees Kaab closing in on the rixinkun’s secrets, whilst Rafe suffers a disappointment. Will Micah ever master the peculiar game of Social Graces?
While Riverside revels in being released from its siege (and Tess tries to keep it from revelling in ways that would see the siege reinstated), the City – and Rafe – prepare to party through the Night of the Flames. But some fires have a sadder purpose, as the Kinwiinik release Ixsaabim’s spirit to rejoin her ancestors at last. How can Kaab satisfy everyone who is now watching her?
If I thought Tessa Gratton had twisted my heart as far it could be turned, I was naive. Joel Derfner gives us surprises, silk-clad threats and a deep, shattering sadness as Diane makes Rafe an offer he can’t refuse.
Trick question: the correct answer is almost certainly to ask what Diane would do. But neither Kaab nor Rafe are thinking clearly this week.
Calm waters hide turmoil this week, as Vincent arranges Kaab’s first professional duel, Rafe is tempted to betray his vow of chastity and Diane becomes increasingly concerned about a certain mathematician at the University. In which I gnash my teeth at my leading ladies. GNASH.
Relationships take centre stage as the Duke and Duchess Tremontaine have a falling out, and Kaab entices Tess to talk about her nightmares. Micah may have puzzled out planetary orbits, but she’ll never fully grasp the ruthless mathematics of emotions.
It is the annual Swan Ball at Tremontaine House. Nobody who is anybody would turn down an invitation, but some may get more than they bargained for if they attend. But what will the Swan be this year? A savoury marvel? A sugary confection? An artisanal delight? Or a total disaster?
Tensions are high at the University: the Governors are on the verge of changing the rules and both Rafe and Micah are convinced their Doctors have their facts wrong. Diane could tell them that public confrontation is no way to endear yourself to influential men who control your future, but with Rafe eyeing up her husband, she won’t be doing anything of the sort…
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