FLIGHT
PURSUIT
CATASTROPHY
ALYSE DEJUNE FLED Caldon to avoid becoming a pawn in her matriarch’s attempt to have the Dejunes remain a powerful First Family among their noblesse allies. She intends to seek refuge at her uncle’s legionary camp deep within the forest-covered wilderness of The Marches while he tries to patch things up between her and their matriarch. But even the best of plans can go awry, and Alyse’s does when she is captured by brigands. She believes they intend to hold her for ransom but soon learns they have a worse fate in store for her.
RILL LARKIN FINALLY achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a mage even though he alienated his family and his best friend in the process. Now a mage serving the powerful Estati Family, he is part of a search party that intends to find Alyse and bring her back to Caldon—by force, if necessary. But Rill didn’t anticipate having to deal with a band of brigands who vastly outnumber his small group of pursuers or with a brigand leader who loathes the Dejunes. Those miscalculation have horrible, life-threatening consequences for Rill.
In the matriarchal Charm Wars world, “magic is the root of all that’s wrong in the world,” used to give more power to the powerful rather than as a tool to help people. Thus, a violent resentment exists between the “noblesse” families and those in the lower classes. Alyse, though, is different—she uses her magic to heal and defend rather than conquer. Lutts continues to generate suspense from these philosophical and factional differences, especially with the outlaw group Kate and Alyse come across: its leader hates all noblesse, and the pair need all the help they can get, even from the Estati rescue team, to escape them.
Fleet, suspenseful, and replete with exciting battles that include sword-fighting, some clever spells, and fantasy mainstays like fireballs, A Light in the Window offers welcome momentum, though at times it all moves too fast, as the characterization and sense of surprise in the world-building is not as compelling as in the first book in the series, as Alyse often faces variations on a similar choice. That’s a classic second-book situation, however, but as this volume surges toward its cliffhanger ending, Lutts challenges her with an unexpected found family that refreshes the emotional stakes. Readers who loved the first book will appreciate the continuation of Alyse’s story, and the promise of more to come.
Takeaway: A princess on the run powers this fast-paced fantasy sequel.
Comparable Titles: Adalyn Grace’s All the Stars and Teeth, Julie Eshbaugh’s Crown of Oblivion.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Twists and Turns
The Charm Wars saga continues in this second book in the series. Written for young adults, it will appeal to any lover of fantasy novels. Set in medieval times, the plot follows ruthless and unprincipled "nobles" who use charms and magic to control the lesser "common man." The action is fast-paced and keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. Just when you think you have anticipated the next incident in the plot, the story takes a twist and turns in a completely different direction. Keeps you guessing until the final page, which ends in a real cliffhanger, leaving the reader wanting more!
Action, determination, hope and intrigue come together to form an engaging continuation of the series.
Alyse is on the run, trying to reach her uncle and his forces before she's caught by the Matriarch and used as a pawn in a game for power, but fate has other plans. When a stop at an inn leaves her captured by brigands, she fears that it means her death, but when they learn who she is, the situation grows even more dire. Rill is determined to find Alyse and bring her back, but he's now caught up in trying to save her instead.
This second book begins where the first left off, and the reader finds Alyse and her friend trying to flee but unknowledgeable about the world they are attempting to blend in with. Their lack of understanding makes their mistakes frustrating but understandable and more realistic. But then, this entire fantasy tends to give off a more natural and realistic atmosphere, allowing the reader to gain a sense of familiarity with the world. The magic and action add the right touch of imagination and excitement.
It was easy to get caught up in Alyse's plight and, still, understand Rill's decisions, too. Even the side characters hold enough depth and individual desires to create tight weave of sub-stories, giving richness to every unexpected twist and turn. While a handful of moments passed too fast and others a little slow, the tale, generally, keeps a quick pace and grabs the reader until the very end. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the adventure.
