Of Ice and Shadows
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Mare and Denna, princesses of two kingdoms, are finally together, but their love hasn't come without cost: to be with Mare, Denna has had to fake her own death in the explosion her fire magic caused in Of Fire and Stars (2016). The two travel to the neighboring kingdom of Zumorda, where Mare is to be an ambassador for her country of Mynaria, and Denna poses as her maid. But as the political situation quickly deteriorates beyond Mare's control, Denna finds herself in a new world: here magic is not persecuted or feared, and for the first time, Denna is offered an opportunity to learn to control her fire magic. While control means she'll be able to keep Mare safe, leaving to train means that Denna may have to choose between magic and Mare, and she isn't ready to do that. Though this sequel moves at a slower pace than its predecessor, it offers an essential allegory for the tenuousness of queer relationships in an often damaging world. Buy to complete the set.--Maggie Reagan Copyright 2010 Booklist

Stakes heighten and our heroes' world expands in this sequel to the princess-falls-for-princess novel Of Fire and Stars (2016).On the heels of defeating Lord Kriantz, Princess Amaranthine "Mare" of Mynaria and Princess Dennaleia "Denna" of Havemont encounter new trouble in the neighboring kingdom of Zumorda. The girls suspect that the kingdom of Sonnenborne is plotting major attacks, but it will take covert investigation to discover the truth. At the same time, Denna seeks training for her volatile powers, which prove dangerous to Mare and others. Denna values her identity as a magic-user despite the challenges she encounters because of it, inviting parallels to queer identity in the real world. Denna and Mare, finally able to be together, also face a new hurdlewhat to do when their personal goals and priorities put them on diverging paths. Unfortunately, momentum lags, a result of a plot that attempts to incorporate myriad elements and a narrative style that bogs readers down in the princesses' thoughts. That said, expect action, political intrigue, new allies and enemies, and even a face familiar to readers of Coulthurst's (Starworld, 2019, etc.) second novel, Inkmistress (2018). Residents of the Northern Kingdoms have a variety of hair and eye colors, but skin color is not noted.The going is slow but worthwhile for readers seeking thoughtful romance and an intricately crafted fantasy setting. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Mare and Denna, princesses of two kingdoms, are finally together, but their love hasn't come without cost: to be with Mare, Denna has had to fake her own death in the explosion her fire magic caused in Of Fire and Stars (2016). The two travel to the neighboring kingdom of Zumorda, where Mare is to be an ambassador for her country of Mynaria, and Denna poses as her maid. But as the political situation quickly deteriorates beyond Mare's control, Denna finds herself in a new world: here magic is not persecuted or feared, and for the first time, Denna is offered an opportunity to learn to control her fire magic. While control means she'll be able to keep Mare safe, leaving to train means that Denna may have to choose between magic and Mare, and she isn't ready to do that. Though this sequel moves at a slower pace than its predecessor, it offers an essential allegory for the tenuousness of queer relationships in an often damaging world. Buy to complete the set. Grades 8-11. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.