Insane god-kings, miniature warriors and sentient animals fight over a powerful ancient artifact in Redick's dramatic, complex debut. The Mzithrin and Arquali Empires have been locked in a 40-year cold war over the resources and riches of the Crownless Lands on their common frontier. Now the Chathrand, a floating city built as much by sorcerer as shipwright, bears young Thasha, an unwilling bride to an enemy prince. No one seems sure whether this is a sincere attempt to bind the two empires together in peace or merely a gambit in their political games. The tense atmosphere soon erupts as various factions struggle to find and control the myth-wrapped Red Wolf. Both adult and young adult readers will find much to enjoy in this tale of sea-faring and bloody diplomacy.
I enjoyed it a lot. My only disappointment was realizing 80% through that it's not a stand-alone book. The second book just came out a few months ago, and there's two more to come. That being said, I could not put it down. The main character is very interesting and entertaining, and the world very well-developed. Thumbs up, excited to read the rest! (I am trying to hold off on reading the second book until the third is out in hardcover but I'm not sure I'm going to make it...)
