Royal Airs is the 2nd book of local author Sharon Shinn's Elemental Blessings series. We meet up with familiar characters from the first book Troubled Waters with a few new ones as well. In the kingdom of Welce, people are divided into 5 elemental classes based upon the blessings they receive. Much as we would have set characteristics for our zodiac, the blessings are separated into air/soul, wood/bone, fire/mind, water/blood and earth/flesh. Each class is led by a prime that has power over that element. At the same time there is an early industrial revolution occurring, which creates an unique world setting. Rafe is a gambler who becomes involved with one of the princesses of the kingdom and the book follows the development of their relationship amidst royal intrigues and mysteries. Shinn has done a good job of creating her world and characters but the plot weakens some in the middle until the last third of the book when Shinn wraps things up in a Dickensian finale.
No comments:
Post a Comment