The other characters were okay, fit the fantasy narrative well. A deserter from the Queen's guard, ashamed for his part in the atrocities performed by the Queen. A headstrong Lady, who was exiled from court when her brother was charged for treason, her brothers and father were executed. A disabled Prince, considered a weakling, but is very cunning to use his weakness for information. A rebel fighter, who is assisting a freed Fae girl. Each character has an important role to play in the construction of this weapon and in manipulating the court, the Queen, and her sorcerers. They must reluctantly work together to save each other and destroy this broken, dangerous Kingdom. The setting was described so well that I was easily immersed in the story. From The Hill, where the Queen resides and digs underground for silver and more, to the Fae ruins where Rags must combat deadly devices. Every part of the realm holds fear and despair for our heroes. As well, the Queen is only ever revealed in the novel through mirror work, never in person. Which lead me to wonder about her actual existence or her need to be hidden within a mirror, what is really going on there? The political intrigue and the machinations of court, with the Queen often pulling the strings of everyone within her circle, had my head spinning. The amount of power she exerts, or her sorcerers do, was horrific. I am also very eager to learn more about the Fae and their world. Their world having been shattered and destroyed by Humans ages ago, finding this sleeping Fae Prince was very reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty. The Fae are thought to be terrifying beings who abduct humans to torture and kill them. However, through Shining Talon, Rags and the gang begin to question everything they have been taught about these beings that were eradicated by their ancestors. Could they be wrong? Could humans have been the bad guys in the war against the Fae? Did they kill them to simply claim their magic for themselves? And what of this magical weapon that could either unite or destroy the world? The novel was slow in some sections, but the short chapters helped to move the plot along. The magic system, the use of mirrors to enforce your will on others, was gory and intriguing. Morien made for a terrifying foe, and I actually would like to learn more about him in book 2, as he was a perfectly vile villain. There were plenty of unanswered questions and the book opens the door for a great second narrative. I am excited to read it and laugh again at all of Rags gallows humour.
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