A Richly & Elegantly Imagined, Magical World
Once there were 4 Houses…
Immediately I as the reader am drawn into the story. This short paragraph written in the classic manner of a Grimm Brother’s fairy tale with all that portends of a dark, mystery peopled with those of ill intent on a search for power because after all isn’t power what all villains want?
From there we move to a short prologue where the author weaves their words to set up and define a world outside of reality but yet leaves you feeling as if this is your new reality, no leaves you wanting this reality as your own. A world of unimaginable beauty seamlessly filled with the magic of a fairy tale one where, “moth lights with emerald panes for wings glided across the ceiling”. Do not fear, the standard evil stepmother character is on full display as we have a nameless matriarch who immediately reveals her arrogance and condescension towards other. Through her we learn of a force called Forging and her power over it as a member of a ruling House. The prologue ends and we are left with the kinds of questions that leave all readers hungry to resolve.
And like all good storytellers Roshani Chokshi elegantly provides us with a description of this new world at the beginning of Part I. Oh we get answers followed by more questions, which keep us ravenously reading. We meet our hero/protagonist Severin and learn of his desire to regain his House. The storytelling is rich and the world well drawn. We are left wanting to become a part of this world, to learn all that it is and can be.
Immediately I as the reader am drawn into the story. This short paragraph written in the classic manner of a Grimm Brother’s fairy tale with all that portends of a dark, mystery peopled with those of ill intent on a search for power because after all isn’t power what all villains want?
From there we move to a short prologue where the author weaves their words to set up and define a world outside of reality but yet leaves you feeling as if this is your new reality, no leaves you wanting this reality as your own. A world of unimaginable beauty seamlessly filled with the magic of a fairy tale one where, “moth lights with emerald panes for wings glided across the ceiling”. Do not fear, the standard evil stepmother character is on full display as we have a nameless matriarch who immediately reveals her arrogance and condescension towards other. Through her we learn of a force called Forging and her power over it as a member of a ruling House. The prologue ends and we are left with the kinds of questions that leave all readers hungry to resolve.
And like all good storytellers Roshani Chokshi elegantly provides us with a description of this new world at the beginning of Part I. Oh we get answers followed by more questions, which keep us ravenously reading. We meet our hero/protagonist Severin and learn of his desire to regain his House. The storytelling is rich and the world well drawn. We are left wanting to become a part of this world, to learn all that it is and can be.