Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Jala’s Mask-Mike Grinti and Rachel Grinti

Jala’s Mask
Mike Grinti and Rachel Grinti
Pyr, Nov 4 2014, $18.00
ISBN 9781616149789

On the Five-and-One Islands, raised by her Bardo tribe family’s thirst for power, Jala expects to one day become a queen.  When Kayet King Azi selects her as his mate, Jala believes her destiny has been fulfilled, but to her surprise her ambitious kin objects to their marriage.  Seeing an opportunity to replace his nephew as the ruler, Azi’s Uncle Lord Inas encourages dissent.

The islander in-fighting ends with the arrival of a magically powered armada from the mainland; filled with the sorcery-driven insane seeking revenge against the Bardo tribe for their magical marauding.  Meanwhile the Fire Mountain sorcerer warns Jala of dire consequences.  The new Queen concludes that the islanders must put aside their petty squabbles for power or face fate’s death.  However her husband, his uncle and her family fear leading the counterattack, which, encouraged by her BFF Marjani, leaves her to fill the void.

This tremendous gender-bending coming of age fantasy enthralls readers with Jala maturing rather quickly while Azi lags behind his spouse.  The sorcery elements like reef-built raiding ships and the invasion fleet are remarkably refreshing and enhance Team Grinti’s exhilarating saga.


Harriet Klausner

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