OF ICE AND SHADOWS

Stakes heighten and our heroes’ world expands in this sequel to the princess-falls-for-princess novel Of Fire and Stars (2016).

On the heels of defeating Lord Kriantz, Princess Amaranthine “Mare” of Mynaria and Princess Dennaleia “Denna” of Havemont encounter new trouble in the neighboring kingdom of Zumorda. The girls suspect that the kingdom of Sonnenborne is plotting major attacks, but it will take covert investigation to discover the truth. At the same time, Denna seeks training for her volatile powers, which prove dangerous to Mare and others. Denna values her identity as a magic-user despite the challenges she encounters because of it, inviting parallels to queer identity in the real world. Denna and Mare, finally able to be together, also face a new hurdle—what to do when their personal goals and priorities put them on diverging paths. Unfortunately, momentum lags, a result of a plot that attempts to incorporate myriad elements and a narrative style that bogs readers down in the princesses’ thoughts. That said, expect action, political intrigue, new allies and enemies, and even a face familiar to readers of Coulthurst’s (Starworld, 2019, etc.) second novel, Inkmistress (2018). Residents of the Northern Kingdoms have a variety of hair and eye colors, but skin color is not noted.

The going is slow but worthwhile for readers seeking thoughtful romance and an intricately crafted fantasy setting.