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Two new reads by two favorite authors
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Hexes Fly by Jenny Schwartz, the second book in the Calderyn Parliament series.
SPOILERS!!!!! Probably.
The low-key agreement between Justus and Vanda includes going to the Spring Ball together. They go to the ball. Hexes Fly. No biggie, go outside to fix the hex. Uh Oh.
The book operates on several levels. Since Justus can’t really go anywhere without it being a problem for himself and potentially everyone and everything in his vicinity, he spends almost the entire book in Vanda’s conservatory, and she spends a lot of her down time cuddling up with him, Justus in his makeshift nest and Vanda on the couch. Justus’ protectiveness is highly reminiscent of the Griffin’s protectiveness of the heroine in the Faerene apocalypse series and is similarly found annoying and/or unnecessary, but even more so here. But not in a way that jeopardizes their growing friendship and almost certainly more between Justus and Vanda — especially since we get a preview of that protective cuddle vibe at the Spring Ball in the library (pre-incident) while they are comparing notes on their interactions at the Ball.
Evelyn stays entirely off-stage and Sloane appears only in a phone call to disavow any responsibility for the Incident. But just because Evelyn is off-stage does not mean she’s not pulling her usual shit. She appoints a highly problematic, too young, unmotivated (for numerous reasons) and under-credentialed Kavanaugh as Vanda’s apprentice. Still new to her job as Warden, and still navigating some complicated politics (even before the Incident) adding the complexity of what kind of mentor to be and how for this sullen and uncooperative young adult initially feels a little over the top, but over the course of the book proves to be key to Vanda understanding more of her own past, and more of how to approach her job. Not because of any kind of Wesley Crusher vibe. Exactly the opposite.
Reading a book in which the young folks are being punished (probably inadequately, given what they’ve variously done) and desperate to Prove Themselves, but in which the young folks are EFFECTIVELY squashed and kept from causing more trouble, is a revelation. This is so awesome! I didn’t just want to stop reading chaotic fools who have to save the world. I wanted to see chaotic fools appropriately managed / parented / mentored / shepherded to a somewhat older and wiser self so they don’t die and/or kill everyone else.
Giddy’s relationship to the transformed Justus is ambiguous but positive for all, and promises all kinds of future powers available to Vanda in her efforts to protect The Realm. It’s wonderful to finally see the hexes / curses resolved without mass death or too much permanent damage. But I think the wildest bit is saved for the last paragraph, and I just love Justus’ question: Who Am I Now? Because isn’t that the question we all ask after navigating a particularly tough part of life that fundamentally changes who we are?
I also read Casey Blair’s prequel The Quiet Side, but I have to go do stuff so hopefully I’ll be back later to review that. It’s really nice to have two new stories / books from two favorite authors. Summer reading!
ETA:
Casey Blair writes books that are somewhat bluntly inspirational / aspirational — in which the hero pays complete attention to the heroine, say, and focuses entirely on providing support and love to her. I will say this: the total lack of this elsewhere in fiction means I’ll keep coming back for more, even when it is a wee bit heavy handed.
As is typical of Blair, we’re just kinda dropped into the middle of this universe and have to puzzle it out as the story goes along, which is great. It’s all familiar enough that I rarely feel lost in Blair’s worlds. The hero — a Sage — and the heroine — a Null — have both been isolated by their differences, and while continuing in their willingness to serve, they are starting to enforce boundaries to protect themselves from the unthinking bad treatment they have been subjected to.
It’s good stuff and, as always with this author, highly readable. I’m looking forward to the novel that this is a prequel to.
SPOILERS!!!!! Probably.
The low-key agreement between Justus and Vanda includes going to the Spring Ball together. They go to the ball. Hexes Fly. No biggie, go outside to fix the hex. Uh Oh.
The book operates on several levels. Since Justus can’t really go anywhere without it being a problem for himself and potentially everyone and everything in his vicinity, he spends almost the entire book in Vanda’s conservatory, and she spends a lot of her down time cuddling up with him, Justus in his makeshift nest and Vanda on the couch. Justus’ protectiveness is highly reminiscent of the Griffin’s protectiveness of the heroine in the Faerene apocalypse series and is similarly found annoying and/or unnecessary, but even more so here. But not in a way that jeopardizes their growing friendship and almost certainly more between Justus and Vanda — especially since we get a preview of that protective cuddle vibe at the Spring Ball in the library (pre-incident) while they are comparing notes on their interactions at the Ball.
Evelyn stays entirely off-stage and Sloane appears only in a phone call to disavow any responsibility for the Incident. But just because Evelyn is off-stage does not mean she’s not pulling her usual shit. She appoints a highly problematic, too young, unmotivated (for numerous reasons) and under-credentialed Kavanaugh as Vanda’s apprentice. Still new to her job as Warden, and still navigating some complicated politics (even before the Incident) adding the complexity of what kind of mentor to be and how for this sullen and uncooperative young adult initially feels a little over the top, but over the course of the book proves to be key to Vanda understanding more of her own past, and more of how to approach her job. Not because of any kind of Wesley Crusher vibe. Exactly the opposite.
Reading a book in which the young folks are being punished (probably inadequately, given what they’ve variously done) and desperate to Prove Themselves, but in which the young folks are EFFECTIVELY squashed and kept from causing more trouble, is a revelation. This is so awesome! I didn’t just want to stop reading chaotic fools who have to save the world. I wanted to see chaotic fools appropriately managed / parented / mentored / shepherded to a somewhat older and wiser self so they don’t die and/or kill everyone else.
Giddy’s relationship to the transformed Justus is ambiguous but positive for all, and promises all kinds of future powers available to Vanda in her efforts to protect The Realm. It’s wonderful to finally see the hexes / curses resolved without mass death or too much permanent damage. But I think the wildest bit is saved for the last paragraph, and I just love Justus’ question: Who Am I Now? Because isn’t that the question we all ask after navigating a particularly tough part of life that fundamentally changes who we are?
I also read Casey Blair’s prequel The Quiet Side, but I have to go do stuff so hopefully I’ll be back later to review that. It’s really nice to have two new stories / books from two favorite authors. Summer reading!
ETA:
Casey Blair writes books that are somewhat bluntly inspirational / aspirational — in which the hero pays complete attention to the heroine, say, and focuses entirely on providing support and love to her. I will say this: the total lack of this elsewhere in fiction means I’ll keep coming back for more, even when it is a wee bit heavy handed.
As is typical of Blair, we’re just kinda dropped into the middle of this universe and have to puzzle it out as the story goes along, which is great. It’s all familiar enough that I rarely feel lost in Blair’s worlds. The hero — a Sage — and the heroine — a Null — have both been isolated by their differences, and while continuing in their willingness to serve, they are starting to enforce boundaries to protect themselves from the unthinking bad treatment they have been subjected to.
It’s good stuff and, as always with this author, highly readable. I’m looking forward to the novel that this is a prequel to.