Carving Shadows into Gold

For me Brigid Kemmerer is the perfect YA writer. Her books make you feel like you've just stepped into a fairy tail.
I loved this sequel to Forging Silver into Stars. And I was so happy to be back in this world again!
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Thanks to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for a review copy of this novel. Every time I read a Brigid Kemmerer novel I am struck by the rich characters she creates, the command she has for writing tense and absorbing plotting and great dialogue whether she is writing contemporary or fantasy fiction. This novel is a worthy addition to her library of wonderful novels that linger in the mind. Part of the Forging Silver into Stars series that continues the world in which the Curse Breaker series inhabited, the novel once again features the narratives of Jax, Tycho and Callyn. All around them lurks danger from court intrigue, Scravers or the angry Truthbringers who disapprove of magic in Syl Shallow. Jax has a new life at the forge at Prince Rhen’s court in Emberfall, Tycho is the King’s courier, facing great danger as he tries to navigate the worlds of both Emberfall and Syl Shallow and the growing magic inside of him while he wrestles with his feelings for Jax and his anger at King Grey. And Callyn attempts to make a place for herself and her sister in King and Queen’s household looking after their daughter and deal with her feelings of betrayal against the noboleman Alek, who once again indicates he wants to rekindle things between them. The three are forced to face these struggles alone while Scraver attacks in both kingdoms increase and Tycho’s bond with one particular Scraver hangs over him and the unrest against King Grey in Syl Shallow grows to dangerous levels.

Brigid Kemmerer’s deft writing and plotting shines strongly in this novel in what is a middle book in a series, an accomplishment that many aren’t able to achieve. Once the scenes are set, the characters firmly in place the novel takes off at an absorbing pace and the characters captivate as always. She handles each relationship well—Tycho’s complex relationship with Grey, his developing feelings for Jax, while Jax’s growing friendships and his struggle with establishing his own understanding of what he means to Tycho are realistic and poignant as is his dynamic with Prince Rhen. Callyn’s growing connection to the Queen and Callyn’s relationship with her sister are subtly drawn too. All of these elements combine along with a good solid plot and pacey writing are Kemmerer hallmarks and make for a really good novel.