ALL THAT BURNS

Magic and monarchy collide in this romantic fantasy, a sequel to All that Glows (2014).

Emrys gave up her immortality and her magic when she fell in love with Richard, the 18-year-old new king of England. Richard has put forth a controversial policy: British mortals should welcome the faery world as partners, a plan chiefly opposed by Julian Forsythe, a politician who hopes to incite fear of faeries in order to become prime minister. When Richard is kidnapped from his coach on the way to his coronation, Emrys embarks on a mission to find him and learns that she isn’t the only faery in Britain’s history to unite with a king. Echoes of Camelot, a time Emrys personally remembers, enter the story, with more than one of the actual Arthurian figures still alive and active. She unites with Richard’s sister, Belle, and Kieran, one of the Ad-hene that guards the prison of the faery world, to find the trail of a recent escapee, even as Forsythe turns all of London against her. Graudin relies on abundant elements from the romance and fantasy genres—perfect boyfriends, royalty, magical creatures and spells—but admixes enough plot to keep readers engaged. The King Arthur legend also works well to keep an intriguing mystery moving through the tale while leaving room for another sequel.

Fluffier than the series opener but still appealing for fans.