Storm Glass
by Jeff Wheeler
★★★★★
Can she survive the collision of her worlds?
Cettie Pratt is an orphan living in the Fells, an area of starving, debt-enslaved, deed-contracted, ground-bound poor. Sera Fitzempress is royalty, living aloft in a luxurious castle floating in the air, in line for the throne; surrounded by luxury, she has never been allowed to leave her parents’ estate. The rich live aloft in floating manors that rise and fall according to the fortunes of their owners. The poor live below, ground down under the harsh conditions and work that support the nobles floating overhead.
Everyone’s fortunes rise and fall as Cettie is taken in by a compassionate noble who wants to adopt her. Sera dreams of helping change society and demolishing the rigid codes that oppress the lower classes. Her father sees her as a rival for the throne, many nobles have no desire to change the status quo, and there are evil forces at work.
Cettie is drawn to the Mysteries, even as Sera is drawn by her story. Can either girl break free of their assigned place in society and change the world around them?
Storm Glass (The Harbinger Series Book 1) is reminiscent of a steampunk novel, but rather than mechanisms, there are magic stones, mysteries, and maritime vessels flung aloft. The world-building is wonderfully colorful and real, the characterizations are deep and complex, and the magical system of mysteries is, well, mysterious.
Absolutely great story that I thoroughly enjoyed, just wish I didn’t have to wait for the next book. Storm Glass is an engaging, enchanting read with a lot of deep thoughts. Highly recommended.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) through NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
Book description
Theirs is a world of opposites. The privileged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledge to further lock their hold on society.
Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.
Sera Fitzempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter’s curiosity.
Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and as Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow the paths of their own choosing.
But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.
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