Review by Booklist Review
Tanya, orphaned young, has grown up in the Smiling Snake tavern, managing all the inherent chaos and customer service with aplomb. It's what she knows and loves, so when her patron dies without leaving the tavern in her name, she embarks on a quest to petition the queen for what, by all rights, should be hers. After a dangerous journey lands a magical quill in her possession, however, she finds herself wielding previously unimaginable power, forcing her to reconsider exactly what and who she wants to be. What begins as a lightly parodic medieval adventure grows darker--and more exciting--by the page, with Tanya's unexpected turn to sorcery raising the stakes. Kaplan's setting, echoing stock fantasy worlds, offers some freshness through a magic system that cleverly plays to the strengths of the author's heroine, who has a mind for order and organization. The root concept of an adventuring barmaid in a feminist fantasy world will be enough to pull readers in, and Tanya's energy and determination will win them over along the way.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In the fantastical country of Lode, short-statured, round-bodied, and efficient Tanya, 17, is content with life as a port city tavern wench at the Smiling Snake, where she's lived since proprietor Froud took her in 10 years ago. But her plans to live out her days running the inn, breaking up fights, and utilizing her excellent organizational skills, are dashed when Froud dies without a writ of leaving and the crown takes ownership. Refusing to relinquish her future without a fight, Tanya finds herself on a quest to petition the queen, which begins with her trading service as a maid and skivvy for safe passage with a party of the Queen's Corps, lands her in a den of thieves, and, finally, sees her navigating newfound power after she steals and wields a magical feather, allowing her influence and aptitude in a field dominated by men. As Tanya's adventures continue, she begins to recognize that she deserves to feel not only useful, but fulfilled--and that she has the power to define what that means. Kaplan's (The Accidental Bad Girl) overstuffed worldbuilding is offset by swift pacing, and Tanya's journey toward autonomy makes for an empowering fantasy debut. Ages 12--up. Agent: Ali McDonald, the Rights Factory. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--A tavern wench, an ice queen, a volcano demon, a thief, a captain of the guard, and a magical feather are at the core of Kaplan's novel. Tanya has run the tavern owned by her benefactor since he rescued her when her mother abandoned her. Once he dies, Tanya discovers that he has not left a will and the tavern's supplies are quickly confiscated by the shady queen's guardsmen who are transporting a mysterious box to the capital. Tanya joins the guardsmen on their trek to the capital, determined to ask the queen to grant her the deed to the tavern. Once upon the road, the group is robbed by Jana, a nimble thief who shows Tanya the contents of the mysterious box before disappearing. The contents of the box dominates the rest of Kaplan's tale of fantasy, magic, and the will of a tavern wench to determine her fate. Kaplan's work is compelling but feels somewhat disjointed. There are three distinct parts to the story and the second segment does not continue to build upon the secondary character relationships introduced in the first. When the secondary characters appear again in the third section, the relationships do not feel as genuine. Jana has brown skin and dark hair, while Tanya's appearance isn't specified. VERDICT Overall, the powerfully depicted feminine characters are a joy to see develop, and the casual acceptance of same-sex relationships is portrayed exceptionally well. Recommended for fans of Tricia Levenseller's Daughter of the Pirate King.--Susan Catlett, Green Run High School, Virginia Beach
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