Total Pageviews

Friday, April 7, 2017

The Stone Heart: The Nameelss City. Written by Faith Erin Hicks and colored by Jordie Bellaire. First Second, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast.2017. $20.99 ages 10 and up

"My uncle plays an
instrument like that. He's
a musician.

That so? I didn't think
Dao were into music.

Some of us are.

I thought fighting and
conquering was more your ... "

The first thing I wanted to do this morning when I woke up was finish this second book in The Nameless City trilogy. That is exactly what I did! My friend Don will be impressed. Heck, I am impressed - with myself, and certainly with this new chapter for Kai and Rat. I met them ( I hope you did, too) in the first book. Kai is a Dao, one of the privileged who now lives in the city. Rat is a native city girl. She and Kai met in the first book. They learned much from each other, and even managed to stop an assassination attempt on the life of the General of All Blades.

Kai's father is a general of the Blade empire and wants to initiate a council that would allow all states to have a say in the city's future. The General agrees with him after seeing the friendship that has developed between Rat and Kai. Although her parents were murdered by the Dao, Rat is able to be friends with Kai. The General sees in them hope for the city's future. His son sees no such path. Erzi is unhappy with his father's decisions, having grown up believing that it is his birthright to be the next ruler. In a fit of anger, he murders his father and takes control. He is ill-prepared. Mura is able to influence the decisions that he makes.

Kai, his father and Rat find themselves in danger of being captured and dealt with harshly. They make their escape to the monastery where Rat found refuge and guidance as an orphan. The monks of the Stone Heart are only too happy to protect them. Ezri is being guided by his own anger and Mura's need for revenge against the monks. She knows they have a secret and very powerful weapon. She convinces Erzi that they must find it. They will stop at nothing!

Great characters, incredible art, a thoroughly designed fantasy world, fast paced action and an ever-growing greed help us learn more about the city's history, and leave us hanging as we turn the final page ... to what? We can only wait somewhat patiently together for the final book in this powerful and very entertaining trilogy.

It was worth the early morning!

No comments:

Post a Comment