Review by Booklist Review
Tori, sister of ward boss and Combat mage Isoka, lives well, treated like a noble lady in the Second Ward. Isoka pays for her tutors, maids, and guardians, and Tori has been kept safe. While Isoka works for the Emperor aboard the magical ship Soliton, Tori has been sneaking into the lower wards, helping young mages escape the Emperor's law at great risk to herself. Meanwhile, at sea, Isoka gets further and further away from her old life in the wards. She's learned to control her magic, she's survived a run-in with a terrible rotting disease, and she's fallen in love with Princess Meroe. As much as Isoka wants to get home, she also wants to protect Meroe from the undead corpses that have found them in a hidden city if she doesn't lose her own life first. This follow-up to Ship of Smoke and Steel (2019) builds on the story and the background of this world. Make sure to have both books on hand for older teen adventure fans.--Stacey Comfort Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Having recently assumed leadership, Isoka must help her crew survive in a new land and take control of Soliton in this well-executed sequel.After leading everyone to safety from the Vile Rot, Isoka is the new leader of Soliton's crew. Set on a predetermined path, the ship arrives at its destination, the Harbor. The Harbor is an ancient city of stone ziggurats encased in a dome of Eddicaor Spiritsmagic. Living in a delicate balance are the Cresos clan aristocrats, monks called the Minders, and Prime, an Eddicant who terrorizes everyone with the living dead. Isoka must find a way to take control of the Harbor and Soliton to save her sister, Tori. What Isoka doesn't know is that Tori has been sneaking away from her luxurious life to help at a lower-ward hospital and sanctuary for runaway mage-bloods. When Isoka doesn't show up for Tori's birthday, Tori's search for answers brings her into the middle of a rebellion. Using her secret power of Kindre, Tori bends minds as she seeks Isoka. Alternating between the two sisters' points of view, each chapter is captivating and ends in suspense. Wexler (Ship of Smoke and Steel, 2019, etc.) does not disappoint, delving deeper into Isoka's journey but also exploring Tori's life, thereby revealing hierarchal problems and discrimination in this highly diverse, magical society. A magical, enthralling must-read. (map, Wells of Sorcery list) (Fantasy. 14-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
