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frankvanmeer's review
3.0
This is the third book I've read written by Heathers, and the one thing they have in common is terrific worldbuilding and great characters. Corinn Heathers is one of the few authors who manage to write, as she calls it, science fantasy and doing it right.
This book tells the story of Lily Alcyone, a half-breed, who is about to start her magical training at a prestigious academy. Problem is, her magical abilities are weak, but that is th eleast of her problems. In the Holy Solarian Empire, they don't take too kindly to half-breeds, and even more so when the other half is Fey.
She meets Rose Merope, from the country of Fallian, and the two hit it off right from the start. While Lily struggles with her training, it becomes clear that all kinds of trouble is brewing on the horizon and Lily and Rose find theirselves caught right in the middle of it.
As I said, the worldbuilding is fantastic, with all sorts of politics, Noble Houses, and factions. The Solarian Empire is built upon magic, while the rest of the world is more technological inclined. So expect magical transportation and cell phones, cars and airships and magical reinforced taverns,
So, you might be wondering, why only three stars then? Two reasons, one of which I admit is entirely personal. I will explain this later.
When Lily and Rose spend the weekend in the nearby town, they happen upon an ancient sword, which the shopkeeper tells them no one can touch it. Readers who have read [b:bound together|25109718|bound together (Dawn of a New Astral Age, #1)|Corinn Heathers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438635993s/25109718.jpg|44803311] will start to suspect something already. To be blunt: what happened with Karin Ashly in that book, happens with Lily as well. I did not understand why the author chose to use the exact same plot device, because she really doesn't lack in imagination and there are numerous ways to come up with something else. The only difference is that in Lily's case, the sword did not come with a cute fox-creature (although I suspect, Lily's sword will have a thing or two to say as well in due time). So I substract a star for re-using something from another book by the same author.
The reason why another star was substracted has to do with the fact that around the 60% mark, the author chose to have Lily another woman to fall in love with (with Rose's blessing). I simply do not like this trope. I will never understand it, although it is used as another plot device, to teach Lily about her other parent's heritage. I really lost much of my interest in the book by then, and skimmed a fair bit of pages towards the end. It also means I will probably not be reading the next volumes.
For readers who have not read bound together, or do not have a problem with polyamory, I can recommend this book if you like science fantasy.
This book tells the story of Lily Alcyone, a half-breed, who is about to start her magical training at a prestigious academy. Problem is, her magical abilities are weak, but that is th eleast of her problems. In the Holy Solarian Empire, they don't take too kindly to half-breeds, and even more so when the other half is Fey.
She meets Rose Merope, from the country of Fallian, and the two hit it off right from the start. While Lily struggles with her training, it becomes clear that all kinds of trouble is brewing on the horizon and Lily and Rose find theirselves caught right in the middle of it.
As I said, the worldbuilding is fantastic, with all sorts of politics, Noble Houses, and factions. The Solarian Empire is built upon magic, while the rest of the world is more technological inclined. So expect magical transportation and cell phones, cars and airships and magical reinforced taverns,
So, you might be wondering, why only three stars then? Two reasons, one of which I admit is entirely personal. I will explain this later.
When Lily and Rose spend the weekend in the nearby town, they happen upon an ancient sword, which the shopkeeper tells them no one can touch it. Readers who have read [b:bound together|25109718|bound together (Dawn of a New Astral Age, #1)|Corinn Heathers|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438635993s/25109718.jpg|44803311] will start to suspect something already. To be blunt: what happened with Karin Ashly in that book, happens with Lily as well. I did not understand why the author chose to use the exact same plot device, because she really doesn't lack in imagination and there are numerous ways to come up with something else. The only difference is that in Lily's case, the sword did not come with a cute fox-creature (although I suspect, Lily's sword will have a thing or two to say as well in due time). So I substract a star for re-using something from another book by the same author.
The reason why another star was substracted has to do with the fact that around the 60% mark, the author chose to have Lily another woman to fall in love with (with Rose's blessing). I simply do not like this trope. I will never understand it, although it is used as another plot device, to teach Lily about her other parent's heritage. I really lost much of my interest in the book by then, and skimmed a fair bit of pages towards the end. It also means I will probably not be reading the next volumes.
For readers who have not read bound together, or do not have a problem with polyamory, I can recommend this book if you like science fantasy.
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